Control device and control system

Abstract

To provide a control device capable of promoting the accumulation of electric power to a power storage device mounted on a moving body preparing the event of a power failure based on weather information, and a control system.SOLUTION: A control system 100 includes a control device 1 for controlling a charger / discharger 2 that is capable of performing charging and discharging of a power storage device 51 mounted on a moving body 5 such as a vehicle 5. The control device 1 includes a control unit 12 that is configured so as to, when acquiring a piece of predetermined weather information, control the charger / discharger 2 to start charging the power storage device 51 at a predetermined cycle without depending on whether or not the given time condition is met.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device and a control system. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a control system that includes a power storage device capable of supplying power to various electrical appliances placed in a home, an office, etc., and a control device that controls the storage and discharging of the power storage device while taking into consideration the leveling of power demand and the suppression of power charges.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a control system in which, when weather information regarding the possibility of a power outage is sent from a server, if an energy storage device mounted on a mobile object such as a vehicle is outside an area where the device can be charged, a message is sent to users near the energy storage device encouraging them to charge the device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-226211 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the above-mentioned control system only prompts the user to charge the power storage device mounted on the mobile object based on weather information. Therefore, as a result of detailed consideration by the inventors, if the user who is notified of the message forgets to perform the operation for charging when the mobile object moves into an area where charging is possible, the necessary charging in preparation for a power outage may not be performed, and power may not be secured.

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a control device that promotes securing of power in a power storage device mounted on a mobile object in preparation for a power outage, based on meteorological information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is a control device (1) capable of controlling a charger / discharger (2) capable of charging / discharging an electricity storage device (51) mounted on a mobile object (5), the control device including a weather information acquisition unit (12) and a charge instruction unit (S101, S106). The weather information acquisition unit is configured to acquire weather information via a network. The charge instruction unit is configured to cause the charger / discharger to start charging the electricity storage device. When the specified weather information has not been acquired, the charge instruction unit starts charging the electricity storage device on condition that a specified time condition is satisfied. When the specified weather information has been acquired, the charge instruction unit starts charging the electricity storage device at a specified cycle regardless of whether the specified time condition is satisfied.

[0008] In such a configuration, when the specified weather information is acquired, charging of the power storage device is started by the charger / discharger at a specified cycle regardless of whether or not a specified time condition is satisfied. As a result, when the specified weather information is acquired, charging of the power storage device is started without waiting for a specified time. Furthermore, since charging is started periodically by the charger / discharger, even if the power storage device of the mobile body is not connected to the charger / discharger when the specified weather information is acquired, if the power storage device is connected to the charger / discharger thereafter, charging will start at the timing of the above cycle. Therefore, it is possible to promote the securing of power for the power storage device mounted on the mobile body in preparation for a power outage based on the weather information.

[0009] One aspect of the present disclosure is a control device (1) configured to be capable of wireless communication with an in-vehicle device (53) that controls the traveling of a mobile body (5) equipped with a power storage device (51) and capable of controlling a charger / discharger (2) capable of charging and discharging the power storage device, the control device (1) including a weather information acquisition unit (12), a charging instruction unit (S101, S106), a mobile body information acquisition unit (S102), and a traveling signal transmission unit (S105). The weather information acquisition unit is configured to acquire weather information via a network. The charging instruction unit is configured to cause the charger / discharger to start charging the power storage device. The mobile body information acquisition unit is configured to acquire mobile body information from the mobile body when predetermined weather information is acquired. The traveling signal transmission unit is configured to transmit to the mobile body a traveling control signal for switching the traveling mode of the mobile body from a first mode in which the mobile body travels using the power of the power storage device to a second mode in which the mobile body travels without using the power of the power storage device based on the mobile body information. When the predetermined weather information has not been acquired, the charging instruction unit starts charging the power storage device on the condition that a predetermined time condition is satisfied. Furthermore, when predetermined weather information is acquired, the charge instruction unit causes the charger / discharger to start charging the power storage device at a predetermined cycle, regardless of whether a predetermined time condition is satisfied.

[0010] According to this configuration, if the moving body is traveling in the first mode when the predetermined weather information is acquired, a traveling control signal for switching the traveling mode of the moving body to the second mode is transmitted, so that the power stored in the power storage device is prevented from being further reduced. In other words, when the predetermined weather information is acquired, the consumption of the power stored in the power storage device is suppressed, and power is secured. Then, when the moving body moves into an area where charging is possible and the power storage device is connected to the charger / discharger, and charging of the power storage device is enabled, charging of the power storage device is started without waiting for a predetermined time. Therefore, it is possible to promote the securing of power for the power storage device mounted on the moving body in preparation for a power outage based on the weather information. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1]1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system including a control device, a charger / discharger, a first server, a second server, and a vehicle. [Diagram 2] 4 is a flowchart of a charging control process executed by the control device when an alarm is issued. [Diagram 3] 4 is a flowchart of a mode switching process executed by the charger / discharger. [Figure 4] 13 is a flowchart of a locking process executed by the charger / discharger. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart of a charging process in an emergency mode executed by a charger / discharger. [Figure 6] 5 is a diagram showing a change in SOC of the power storage device due to control at the time of an alarm executed by the control device of the present embodiment, and a change in SOC of the power storage device due to control at normal times. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. [1. Configuration] The control system 100 shown in Fig. 1 is a system capable of controlling the charge amount of a power storage device 51 mounted on a mobile object such as a vehicle 5 to be as high as possible when abnormal weather is predicted. The control system 100 includes a control device 1, a charger / discharger 2, a first server 3, a second server 4, and a vehicle 5 mounted with the power storage device 51. The first server 3 is a server for periodically distributing weather information. The second server 4 acts as an intermediary for communication between the control device 1 and the first server 3 or the vehicle 5. The second server 4 will be described in detail later.

[0013] The control device 1 is also called a HEMS controller. HEMS is an abbreviation for Home Energy Management System. HEMS is a management system for managing energy used in a home. The control device 1 measures and visualizes the power usage of various electrical devices and the like arranged in the home, automatically controls the electrical devices to save power, and controls a charger / discharger 2 capable of charging and discharging a power storage device 51 and the like. The control device 1 includes a communication unit 11 and a control unit 12.

[0014] The communication unit 11 is an interface for communicating with the second server 4 and the charger / discharger 2. The communication unit 11 communicates with the second server 4 and the charger / discharger 2 via a network. The communication unit 11 may communicate with the second server 4 by wireless communication. The communication unit 11 is capable of wireless communication with the vehicle 5 via the second server 4.

[0015] The control unit 12 is mainly configured with a well-known microcomputer having a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. (not shown). The CPU executes a program stored in a ROM, which is a non-transient tangible recording medium. By executing the program, a method corresponding to the program is performed. Specifically, the control unit 12 executes a charging control process at the time of an alarm shown in FIG. 2 (to be described later) in accordance with the program.

[0016] The control unit 12 acquires weather information periodically distributed from the first server 3, which will be described later, from the second server 4, which will be described later. The control unit 12 acquires, from the vehicle 5 via the second server 4, location information indicating the location of the vehicle 5 and vehicle information including information related to charging and discharging of the power storage device 51. The vehicle information includes, for example, SOC indicating the charging state of the power storage device 51, information on the driving mode of the vehicle 5, information indicating the presence or absence of a connection between the vehicle 5 and the charger / discharger 2, and the like. Note that SOC is an abbreviation for State Of Charge. The control unit 12 transmits to the vehicle 5 a driving control signal for controlling the driving mode of the vehicle 5. The control unit 12 transmits various control signals to the charger / discharger 2. Here, the various control signals include a control signal for executing a predetermined operation for satisfying a charging start condition of the power storage device 51, a control signal for starting charging of the power storage device 51, and a control signal for starting discharging of the power storage device 51. In this embodiment, as the predetermined operation, a lock operation for physically locking the connected state between the charger / discharger 2 and the vehicle 5 is executed by the charger / discharger 2.

[0017] The control device 1 transmits a control signal to the charger / discharger 2 to start charging the electricity storage device 51. The control device 1 controls the charger / discharger 2 based on the control signal. There are two control modes that are realized by the control device 1 controlling the charger / discharger 2: normal control and special control. The normal control is a control that is executed when specified weather information has not been acquired. The specified weather information is weather information that may cause a power outage or the like, such as weather that will result in the issuance of a heavy rain warning or a storm warning.

[0018] In the normal control, charging of the power storage device 51 is started on condition that a predetermined time condition is satisfied. In the normal control, charging is started during a time period when electricity rates are low, such as at night. The special control is a control that is executed when predetermined weather information is acquired.

[0019] In the special control, regardless of whether a predetermined time condition is satisfied, the operation of starting charging the storage device 51 by the charger / discharger 2 is repeated at a predetermined cycle. The operation of starting charging is an operation of performing the above-mentioned locking operation, and starting charging if the locking operation is successful. If the vehicle 5 and the charger / discharger 2 are connected when the operation of starting charging is performed, the locking operation is successful, and charging of the storage device 51 is enabled to start, and charging is started. On the other hand, if the vehicle 5 and the charger / discharger 2 are not connected, the locking operation is not successful, and charging of the storage device 51 is not enabled to start, so that charging itself is not started and the operation of starting charging is terminated. In that case, the operation of starting charging is performed again after a predetermined cycle has elapsed. Note that, if a power outage occurs after charging of the storage device 51 is started by the special control, discharging from the storage device 51 may be started so that power is supplied to various electronic devices arranged in the home.

[0020] The charger / discharger 2 is a device capable of charging / discharging the power storage device 51. The charger / discharger 2 charges / discharges the power storage device 51 by normal control or special control, based on a control signal for starting charging / discharging the power storage device 51 received from the control device 1. The charger / discharger 2 includes a communication unit 21 and a control unit 22.

[0021] The communication unit 21 is an interface for communicating with the control device 1. The control unit 22 is mainly composed of a well-known microcomputer having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. (not shown). The CPU executes a program stored in a ROM, which is a non-transient substantial recording medium. The execution of the program executes a method corresponding to the program. Specifically, the control unit 22 executes a mode switching process shown in FIG. 3, a lock process shown in FIG. 4, and a charging process in an emergency mode shown in FIG. 5, which will be described later, in accordance with the program.

[0022] The control unit 22 executes charging and discharging of the electricity storage device 51 by receiving an operation by a user of the vehicle 5 or an input of various control signals output from the control device 1. An operation by a user refers to an operation such as a user pressing a button to start charging, and when this operation is performed, charging is executed regardless of other conditions.

[0023] The operation based on the control signal from the control device 1 varies depending on whether the charger / discharger 2 can communicate with the control device 1. If communication is possible, the control device 1 controls, in principle, the lock operation by the charger / discharger 2 and the start and stop of charging. On the other hand, if the above communication is not possible, the charger / discharger 2 performs a predetermined operation. Details will be described later.

[0024] The second server 4 is a server for managing the power situation of each home. The second server 4 includes a communication unit 41 and a control unit . The communication unit 41 is an interface for communicating with the control device 1 and the vehicle 5. The communication unit 41 performs wireless communication with the control device 1 and the vehicle 5 via a network.

[0025] The control unit 42 is mainly composed of a well-known microcomputer having a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. (not shown). The CPU executes a program stored in the ROM, which is a non-transient substantial recording medium. The execution of the program results in the execution of a method corresponding to the program. The control unit 42 receives meteorological information periodically distributed from the first server 3 and transmits it to the control device 1.

[0026] The vehicle 5 is an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle, and is equipped with a power storage device 51. The vehicle 5 can run in either an EV mode in which the vehicle runs using power stored in the power storage device 51, or a gasoline mode in which the vehicle runs using, for example, gasoline without using power from the power storage device 51. The power storage device 51 of the vehicle 5 is connected to the charger / discharger 2 by a connector (not shown). In addition to the power storage device 51, the vehicle 5 is equipped with a communication unit 52 and a control unit 53.

[0027] The power storage device 51 is a storage battery capable of storing power and supplying the stored power to various electric devices and the like arranged in the vehicle 5 or at home. The communication unit 52 is an interface for communicating with the control device 1 via the second server 4. The communication unit 52 performs wireless communication with the second server 4 via a network.

[0028] The control unit 53 is mainly configured with a well-known microcomputer having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. (not shown). The CPU executes a program stored in a ROM, which is a non-transient tangible recording medium. By executing the program, a method corresponding to the program is performed. The control unit 53 controls the driving mode of the vehicle 5 based on a driving control signal received from the control device 1.

[0029] [2. Processing] [2-1. Normal charging control process] When the weather information acquired via the second server 4 is not the predetermined weather information, the control unit 12 executes a normal charging control process such as executing a locking operation at a predetermined time such as late at night to start charging while the vehicle 5 and the charger / discharger 2 are connected. Then, by executing this normal charging control process, the charger / discharger 2 executes charging of the electricity storage device 51 under normal control. [2-2. Charging control process during alarm] Next, the charging control process at the time of an alarm executed by the control unit 12 of the control device 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 2. This charging control process at the time of an alarm is executed when the weather information acquired via the second server 4 is predetermined weather information, that is, when, for example, a heavy rain alarm or a storm alarm is issued. Then, by executing this charging control process at the time of an alarm, the charger / discharger 2 is caused to charge the electricity storage device 51 by special control.

[0030] First, in S101, the control unit 12 transmits a backup emergency charging instruction to the charger / discharger 2. The backup emergency charging instruction is a control signal for causing the charger / discharger 2 to execute an operation similar to that in the case where a control signal from the control device 1 can be received, when communication between the control device 1 and the charger / discharger 2 cannot be performed due to, for example, abnormal weather conditions. This backup emergency charging instruction includes a third control signal, which is a control signal for causing the charger / discharger 2 to perform charging by special control, similar to the case where a first control signal and a second control signal included in the emergency charging instruction transmitted in S106 described later are received. The first control signal is a control signal for causing the charger / discharger 2 to execute a locking operation in order to satisfy the charging start condition of the storage device 51. The second control signal is a control signal for causing the charger / discharger 2 to execute charging to the storage device 51. The third control signal is a control signal for causing the charger / discharger 2 to execute periodic charging start, specifically, to execute a periodic charging start operation. In a state in which communication cannot be performed between the control device 1 and the charger / discharger 2, the charger / discharger 2 executes a locking operation at a predetermined period based on the third control signal until a state in which charging to the storage device 51 can begin is reached, and then executes charging.

[0031] Next, in S102, the control unit 12 acquires the position information and the vehicle information from the vehicle 5 via the second server 4. Next, in S103, the control unit 12 determines whether or not the vehicle 5 is connected to the charger / discharger 2 based on the vehicle information. If the control unit 12 determines in S103 that the vehicle 5 is not connected to the charger / discharger 2, the control unit 12 shifts the process to S104. Note that the case where the vehicle 5 is not connected to the charger / discharger 2 is assumed to be a case where the vehicle 5 is parked or traveling in a place other than the place where the charger / discharger 2 is installed.

[0032] In S104, the control unit 12 determines whether or not the vehicle 5 is traveling in EV mode based on the vehicle information. If the control unit 12 determines in S104 that the vehicle 5 is traveling in EV mode, the control unit 12 shifts the process to S105.

[0033] In S105, the control unit 12 transmits to the vehicle 5 a driving control signal for switching the driving mode of the vehicle 5 from the EV mode to the gasoline mode. After that, the process proceeds to S106. On the other hand, when the control unit 12 determines in S103 that the vehicle 5 is connected to the charger / discharger 2, it skips S104 and S105 and shifts the process to S106.

[0034] Furthermore, when the control unit 12 determines in S104 that the vehicle 5 is not running in the EV mode, it skips S105 and proceeds to S106. Note that the case where the vehicle 5 is not running in the EV mode is assumed to be a case where the vehicle 5 is parked in a place other than the place where the charger / discharger 2 is installed or is running in the gasoline mode.

[0035] In S106, the control unit 12 transmits an emergency charging instruction to the charger / discharger 2. In this embodiment, the first control signal included in the emergency charging instruction causes the charger / discharger 2 to execute the process of S301 described later, specifically, a locking operation. In addition, the second control signal included in the emergency charging instruction causes the charger / discharger 2 to execute the processes of S401 to S403 described later, specifically, charging the power storage device 51. In this embodiment, the first control signal and the second control signal included in the emergency charging instruction transmitted in S106 are repeatedly transmitted at a predetermined cycle until the locking operation is executed and charging of the power storage device 51 by the charger / discharger 2 is started, or until the issued alarm is lifted. As the predetermined cycle, the emergency charging instruction is transmitted at a cycle of, for example, once per hour.

[0036] In order to prevent the locking operation from being performed too frequently, the first control signal for performing the locking operation is transmitted at the above-mentioned predetermined cycle. On the other hand, the second control signal included in the emergency charging instruction may always be transmitted together with the first control signal, or may not be transmitted at all. For example, if the charger / discharger 2 is configured to start charging when the locking operation is successful by transmitting the second control signal once when the first emergency charging instruction is transmitted, the first control signal does not have to be repeatedly transmitted at the predetermined cycle. In addition, when the connection between the vehicle 5 and the charger / discharger 2 by the connector is locked, the first control signal also does not have to be transmitted again at the predetermined cycle.

[0037] Next, in S107, the control unit 12 determines whether charging of the charger / discharger 2 has started after the locking operation has been executed. When the control unit 12 determines in S107 that charging of the charger / discharger 2 has not started after the locking operation has been executed, the control unit 12 shifts the process to S108. Note that when charging of the charger / discharger 2 has not started after the locking operation has been executed, it is assumed that the vehicle 5 is not in a state in which charging of the electricity storage device 51 can be started. Specifically, it is assumed that the vehicle 5 is parked or traveling in a place other than the place where the charger / discharger 2 is installed, and the vehicle 5 and the charger / discharger 2 are not connected, so that the charger / discharger 2 executes the locking operation but the connection is not locked.

[0038] In S108, the control unit 12 determines the length of the predetermined cycle for transmitting the emergency charging instruction. For example, in the case of a time period other than the time period satisfying a predetermined time condition in which the charger / discharger 2 executes charging to the power storage device 51 by normal control, the length of the predetermined cycle may be set longer than that in the time period. In addition, in the time period in which the power storage device 51 and the charger / discharger 2 are highly likely to be connected, the length of the predetermined cycle may be set shorter than that in the other time periods. The time period referred to here is, for example, a time period in which the driver of the vehicle 5 is highly likely to be home, and may be acquired by learning or by user input.

[0039] Furthermore, for example, when the distance between the vehicle 5 and the charger / discharger 2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance based on the location information, the length of the predetermined period may be set longer than when the distance is less than the predetermined distance. Note that the predetermined period may be set according to the area in which the vehicle 5 is located, which is identified based on the location information. For example, when the vehicle 5 is outside a predetermined area including the vicinity of the home, the length of the predetermined period may be set longer than when the vehicle 5 is inside the predetermined area.

[0040] Next, in S109, the control unit 12 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed in the cycle determined in S108. If the control unit 12 determines in S109 that the predetermined time has elapsed, it returns the process to S106.

[0041] On the other hand, if the control unit 12 determines in S109 that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to S110. In S110, the control unit 12 determines whether or not a locking operation has been performed by the user of the vehicle 5. The locking operation can also be performed by the user performing a button operation to execute the locking operation after connecting the vehicle 5 and the charger / discharger 2 with a connector. If the control unit 12 determines in S110 that control of the locking operation has not been performed by the user, the control unit 12 shifts the process to S111. Note that the case where control of the locking operation has not been performed by the user is assumed to be a case where the vehicle 5 is parked or traveling at a location other than the location where the charger / discharger 2 is installed, or a case where the user has not performed a button operation after connecting the vehicle 5 and the charger / discharger 2.

[0042] In S111, the control unit 12 determines whether or not the issued warning has been cancelled. If the control unit 12 determines in S111 that the warning has not been cancelled, the control unit 12 returns the process to S109. On the other hand, when the control unit 12 determines in S111 that the warning has been cancelled, the control unit 12 ends the charging control process during warning in FIG.

[0043] Also, when it is determined in S110 that the user has executed the control of the lock operation, the control unit 12 ends the charging control process during the warning in FIG. Also, when it is determined in S107 that the lock operation has been performed and charging to the charger / discharger 2 has started, the control unit 12 ends the charging control process at the time of the warning in FIG.

[0044] [2-3. Mode switching process] Next, the mode switching process executed by the control unit 22 of the charger / discharger 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 3. This mode switching process is executed periodically. In this mode switching process, the subject of charging control is set to either the control device 1 or the charger / discharger 2 depending on whether the charger / discharger 2 can communicate with the control device 1 or not.

[0045] First, in S201, the control unit 22 determines whether or not communication with the control device 1 is possible. Even if an alarm is issued and no power outage occurs, it is assumed that only communication between devices will be interrupted. If the control unit 22 determines in S201 that communication with the control device 1 is possible, the process proceeds to S202.

[0046] In S202, the control unit 22 sets the control mode to an instruction standby mode. In this control mode, the locking operation and the start and stop of charging are performed according to a control signal from the control device 1. When communication with the control device 1 is possible, this control mode is set.

[0047] On the other hand, when the control unit 22 determines in S201 that communication with the control device 1 is not possible, the control unit 22 shifts the process to S203. In this case, the charger / discharger 2 shifts to a control mode in which it operates without waiting for a control signal from the control device 1. In S203, the control unit 22 determines whether the spare emergency charging instruction flag is ON. When the control unit 22 receives the spare emergency charging instruction from the control device 1, the control unit 22 sets the spare emergency charging instruction flag to ON. That is, the spare emergency charging instruction flag is set to ON by receiving the third control signal included in the spare emergency charging instruction. When the control unit 22 determines in S203 that the spare emergency charging instruction flag is ON, the control unit 22 shifts the process to S204.

[0048] In S204, the control unit 22 determines the control mode for starting charging of the power storage device 51 to be the emergency mode. After that, the mode switching process in Fig. 3 is terminated. The emergency mode is a control mode in which charging by the above-mentioned special control is performed without receiving a control signal from the control device 1. The specific control content of the emergency mode may be held in advance in the memory of the charger / discharger 2, or may be received from the control device 1 along with a backup emergency charging instruction.

[0049] Furthermore, when the control unit 22 determines in S203 that the flag for the emergency backup charging instruction is not ON, the control unit 22 shifts the process to S205. In S205, the control unit 22 determines the control mode for starting charging of the power storage device 51 to be the normal mode. The normal mode is a control mode in which charging by the above-mentioned normal control is performed without receiving a control signal from the control device 1. In other words, the normal mode is a mode in which the charger / discharger 2 executes a locking operation and starts charging when a predetermined time has come. The specific control content of the normal mode may be stored in the memory of the charger / discharger 2 in advance. Thereafter, the mode switching process of FIG. 3 is terminated. In other words, if the flag of the emergency charging instruction for the backup is not ON, this means that an alarm has not been issued or that the alarm has been released, and therefore the control mode for starting charging of the power storage device 51 is determined to be the normal mode.

[0050] When the control device 1 is enabled to communicate with the charger / discharger 2 and the device enters the instruction standby mode, the current charging operation may differ from the intended charging operation due to a change in weather information. When the control device 1 recovers communication with the charger / discharger 2, the control device 1 outputs an appropriate control signal at that time to the charger / discharger 2 to make the charging operation appropriate.

[0051] [2-4. Lock processing] Next, the locking process executed by the control unit 22 of the charger / discharger 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 4. This locking process is executed when an emergency charging instruction is received from the control device 1 in the instruction standby mode, specifically, when a first control signal is received.

[0052] In S301, the control unit 22 executes a locking operation. In the locking operation, an actuator is actuated to execute the locking operation. After that, the locking process in FIG. 4 is terminated. Note that, when the user of the vehicle 5 operates a button to execute the locking operation, the actuator is actuated in the same manner as in the process of S301 described above. Also, when charging of the power storage device 51 by normal control is executed in the normal mode, and when charging of the power storage device 51 by special control is executed in the emergency mode, the actuator is actuated in the same manner as in the process of S301 described above. Note that the locking operation may be executed regardless of whether or not the vehicle 5 and the charger / discharger 2 are connected, or may be executed after the connection between the vehicle 5 and the charger / discharger 2 is confirmed.

[0053] [2-5. Charging in emergency mode] Next, the charging process in the emergency mode executed by the control unit 22 of the charger / discharger 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 5. The charging process in the emergency mode is executed periodically when communication with the control device 1 is not established.

[0054] First, in S401, the control unit 22 determines whether or not the connection between the vehicle 5 and the charger / discharger 2 has been locked by a locking operation. When the locking operation is performed after the vehicle 5 and the charger / discharger 2 are connected by a connector, the connection between the vehicle 5 and the charger / discharger 2 is locked. When the connection between the vehicle 5 and the charger / discharger 2 is locked, charging of the power storage device 51 becomes possible. When the control unit 22 determines in S401 that the connection between the vehicle 5 and the charger / discharger 2 is locked, the control unit 22 shifts the process to S402.

[0055] In S402, the control unit 22 starts charging the power storage device 51. Next, in S403, the control unit 22 transmits a control signal indicating that charging of the power storage device 51 has started to the control device 1. Thereafter, the charging process in the emergency mode of FIG. 5 is terminated.

[0056] On the other hand, when the control unit 22 determines in S401 that the connection between the vehicle 5 and the charger / discharger 2 is not locked, the control unit 22 ends the charging process in the emergency mode in Fig. 5. Note that, when charging of the power storage device 51 by special control is performed in the instruction standby mode, the same processes as those in S401 to S403 are performed.

[0057] [2-6. Changes in SOC of the storage device due to charging of the charger / discharger] An example of the change in SOC in the power storage device 51 of the vehicle 5 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the power storage device 51 is assumed to be fully charged in the morning, that is, the SOC is 100%. The change in SOC in this embodiment based on switching of the driving mode, which is executed by transmitting a driving control signal and an emergency charging instruction from the control device 1 after an alarm is issued, charging by special control of the charger / discharger 2 after an alarm is issued, and charging by normal control after the alarm is released, is shown by a solid line. The change in SOC based on charging by normal control of the charger / discharger 2 when an alarm is not issued is shown by a dotted line. Note that in the conventional technology, when an alarm is issued, a driving control signal is not transmitted, and an emergency charging instruction is not periodically transmitted. In such a conventional technology, even when the vehicle 5 and the charger / discharger 2 are not connected when an alarm is issued, the change in SOC may be as shown by the dotted line.

[0058] 6, when the user of vehicle 5 leaves home at 8 a.m. and drives in EV mode to travel to work, the SOC of power storage device 51 decreases to 60%. Then, when the user arrives at the company, vehicle 5 remains parked until the user leaves work, and power storage device 51 does not consume electricity, so the SOC does not change. After that, when the user leaves work at 6 p.m. and drives vehicle 5 in EV mode to travel home, the SOC decreases.

[0059] Here, if an alarm is issued at 19:00 before the vehicle 5 arrives at home, the control device 1 transmits a travel control signal to the vehicle 5, and the control device 1 transmits an emergency charging instruction to the charger / discharger 2. Therefore, the travel mode of the vehicle 5 is switched to the gasoline mode based on the travel control signal, so the SOC does not decrease after the travel mode is switched. On the other hand, if an alarm is not issued at 19:00, the travel mode is not switched and travel in the EV mode continues, so the SOC continues to decrease. Also, if an alarm is issued, special control is executed by the charger / discharger 2 based on the emergency charging instruction, so that after the user returns home and the vehicle 5 and the charger / discharger 2 are connected, charging of the power storage device 51 is started without waiting for 2:00 a.m., which is the time when charging by normal control is started, and the SOC increases. However, as shown in FIG. 6, if the alarm is released at 22:00, charging based on the emergency charging instruction is stopped. On the other hand, if an alarm is not issued, normal control is executed by the charger / discharger 2, so charging is not executed until a predetermined time condition is met (for example, until 2:00 a.m. in the example shown in FIG. 6). Therefore, at 10 p.m. when the alarm is released, the SOC has increased to 80% in this embodiment, whereas the SOC remains reduced to 20% in the comparative example. Therefore, a difference in the change in SOC occurs depending on whether an alarm is issued or not, as shown by the arrow in Fig. 6. Note that in this embodiment, if the SOC is not 100% after the alarm is released, normal control is executed by the charger / discharger 2, and charging is executed from 2 a.m. until full charging. [3. Effects] According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects are achieved.

[0060] (3a) In this embodiment, an emergency charging instruction is transmitted from the control device 1 to the charger / discharger 2 at a predetermined cycle. Therefore, the locking operation is executed by the charger / discharger 2 multiple times in accordance with the first control signal included in the emergency charging instruction. As a result, even if the vehicle 5 is outside a chargeable area and the power storage device 51 is not connected to the charger / discharger 2 when the predetermined weather information is acquired, if the vehicle 5 moves into a chargeable area and the power storage device 51 is connected to the charger / discharger 2, the locking operation is executed at the timing when the above cycle is reached and charging of the power storage device 51 is started. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, even if an alarm is issued at 19:00 before the vehicle 5 arrives at a house where the charger / discharger 2 is installed from a remote location, if the locking operation is executed after the vehicle 5 returns to the house and the connection between the power storage device 51 and the charger / discharger 2 is locked, charging of the power storage device 51 is started immediately thereafter. Therefore, the emergency charging instruction transmitted from the control device 1 based on the weather information can promote the securing of power for the power storage device 51 mounted on the vehicle 5 in preparation for a power outage.

[0061] (3b) In this embodiment, if the vehicle 5 is traveling in EV mode when the predetermined weather information is acquired, a traveling control signal is transmitted to switch the traveling mode of the vehicle 5 from EV mode to gasoline mode. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when an alarm is issued at 19:00 while the vehicle 5 is traveling from an outside location to a house where the charger / discharger 2 is installed at 18:00, if the vehicle 5 has been traveling in EV mode up until that point, the traveling mode is switched to gasoline mode in accordance with the traveling control instruction. Therefore, the power stored in the power storage device 51 is prevented from being further reduced. In other words, when the predetermined weather information is acquired, the consumption of the power stored in the power storage device 51 is prevented, and power is secured. Therefore, the traveling control signal transmitted from the control device 1 based on the weather information can promote the securing of power in the power storage device 51 mounted on the vehicle 5 in preparation for a power outage.

[0062] (3c) In this embodiment, when charging by special control is in progress when an issued warning is released and the time when the warning is released is outside the time period that satisfies the predetermined time condition for charging the power storage device 51 by normal control, charging is stopped. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the time when charging of the power storage device 51 by normal control starts is 2:00 a.m., if the warning is released at 10:00 p.m., charging by special control is temporarily stopped at 10:00 p.m. Then, if the power storage device 51 is not fully charged, the remaining charging by normal control is then performed at 2:00 a.m. When an alarm is issued, charging of the power storage device 51 by special control is performed to secure power, while charging is performed during the time period when the electricity rate is low after the warning is released, thereby preventing electricity rates from becoming high.

[0063] (3d) In the present embodiment, in the case of a time period other than the time period satisfying a predetermined time condition in which the charger / discharger 2 executes charging of the power storage device 51 by normal control, the length of the predetermined cycle for transmitting an emergency charging instruction is set longer than that in the case of the time period. For this reason, in the time period in which it is highly likely that charging is not in a state in which it is possible to start, for example, in the time period earlier than the usual home time of the user of the vehicle 5, the predetermined cycle can be lengthened. This can reduce the number of times that an emergency charging instruction is transmitted in the time period in which it is highly likely that charging is not in a state in which it is possible to start, thereby reducing the processing load of the control device 1. In particular, in the case where a locking operation is executed in accordance with the first control signal included in the emergency charging instruction, wear on parts such as the actuator can be suppressed by lengthening the predetermined cycle.

[0064] (3e) In the present embodiment, when the distance between the vehicle 5 and the charger / discharger 2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance, the length of the predetermined cycle for transmitting an emergency charging instruction is set to be longer than when the distance is less than the predetermined distance. For this reason, when it is highly likely that it will take time before charging starts, for example, when the vehicle 5 is located away from the house where the charger / discharger 2 is installed, the predetermined cycle can be lengthened. This can reduce the number of times that an emergency charging instruction is transmitted in a situation where it is highly likely that it will take time before charging starts, thereby reducing the processing load on the control device 1. In particular, when a locking operation is performed in accordance with a first control signal included in the emergency charging instruction, wear on parts such as an actuator can be suppressed by lengthening the predetermined cycle.

[0065] (3f) In this embodiment, when predetermined weather information is acquired, a backup emergency charging instruction is transmitted to the charger / discharger 2 separately from the emergency charging instruction. For this reason, even in a situation where, for example, a power outage does not occur due to abnormal weather conditions but only communication between devices is interrupted and the first control signal transmitted from the control device 1 at a predetermined cycle cannot be received, periodic charging can be started according to the previously received third control signal. Therefore, even when communication between devices is interrupted, the backup emergency charging instruction transmitted from the control device 1 based on the weather information while communication is possible can promote the securing of power in the power storage device 51 mounted on the vehicle 5 in preparation for a power outage.

[0066] The vehicle 5 corresponds to a moving body, the vehicle information corresponds to moving body information, the EV mode corresponds to the first mode, the gasoline mode corresponds to the second mode, the control unit 53 corresponds to an in-vehicle device, and the control unit 12 corresponds to a weather information acquisition unit. S101 and S106 correspond to the processing of a charging instruction unit, S102 corresponds to the processing of a position information acquisition unit and a moving body information acquisition unit, and S105 corresponds to the processing of a running signal transmission unit. S108 corresponds to the processing of a setting unit, and S402 corresponds to the processing of a start unit.

[0067] [4. Other embodiments] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be implemented in various modified forms.

[0068] (4a) In the above embodiment, when predetermined weather information is acquired, the control device 1 transmits the traveling control signal, the first control signal and the second control signal included in the emergency charging instruction, and the third control signal included in the backup emergency charging instruction. However, the control signal transmitted from the control device 1 when the predetermined weather information is acquired is not limited to this, and may be any one or two of the above three control signals. For example, the control device 1 may transmit the emergency charging instruction to the charger / discharger 2, and the backup emergency charging instruction and the traveling control signal are not transmitted. For example, the control device 1 may transmit the emergency charging instruction and the backup emergency charging instruction to the charger / discharger 2, and the traveling control signal is not transmitted. For example, the control device 1 may transmit the traveling control signal to the vehicle 5, and the emergency charging instruction and the backup emergency charging instruction are not transmitted. For example, the control device 1 may transmit the traveling control signal to the vehicle 5, and the emergency charging instruction is transmitted from the control device 1 to the charger / discharger 2, and the backup emergency charging instruction is not transmitted.

[0069] (4b) In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the length of the predetermined period during which an emergency charging instruction is transmitted is determined based on the time of day and the distance between the vehicle 5 and the charger / discharger 2. However, the length of the predetermined period during which an emergency charging instruction is transmitted may be determined based on other conditions, for example, or may be configured not to be changeable from a preset length.

[0070] (4c) In the above embodiment, when the time period is other than the time period satisfying the predetermined time condition for executing charging of the power storage device 51 by normal control, the length of the predetermined cycle for transmitting the emergency charging instruction is set to be longer than that during the time period. However, for example, the configuration may be such that the emergency charging instruction is not transmitted at the predetermined cycle during the time period other than the time period. Also, in the above embodiment, when the distance between the vehicle 5 and the charger / discharger 2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance, the length of the predetermined cycle for transmitting the emergency charging instruction is set to be longer than that during the time period less than the predetermined distance. However, for example, the configuration may be such that the emergency charging instruction is not transmitted at the predetermined cycle during the distance equal to or greater than the predetermined distance.

[0071] (4d) In the above embodiment, when it is determined in S104 that the vehicle 5 is traveling in EV mode, a travel control signal is transmitted to switch the travel mode of the vehicle 5 from EV mode to gasoline mode. However, for example, a condition according to the SOC may be set for switching from the EV mode to the gasoline mode. Specifically, for example, a travel control signal may be transmitted to maintain continuation of the EV mode until a predetermined remaining charge is reached according to the SOC, and to switch to the gasoline mode when the remaining charge falls below the predetermined remaining charge.

[0072] (4e) In the above embodiment, when communication between the control device 1 and the charger / discharger 2 is possible, the control device 1 mainly causes the charger / discharger 2 to charge the electricity storage device 51 by normal control or special control based on an instruction, and when the above communication is not possible, the charger / discharger 2 mainly performs charging without receiving an instruction from the control device 1. However, even when the above communication is possible, the control device 1 may instruct the charger / discharger 2 to perform only either normal control or special control, and operate the charger / discharger 2 to charge the electricity storage device 51.

[0073] (4f) In the above embodiment, the charging start operation repeated in the special control includes a locking operation, but the charging start operation is not limited to this. For example, the charging start operation does not have to include a locking operation. In other words, the emergency charging instruction does not have to include the first control signal. When the locking operation is not performed, even if the length of the predetermined period for transmitting the emergency charging instruction is set to be long depending on the conditions, the number of times the emergency charging instruction is transmitted is reduced, so that the processing load at the time of starting the processing in the charger / discharger 2 can be reduced.

[0074] (4g) The control unit 12 of the control device 1 and the method thereof described in the present disclosure, and the control unit 22 of the charger / discharger 2 and the method thereof described in the present disclosure may be realized by a dedicated computer provided by configuring a processor and a memory programmed to execute one or more functions embodied in a computer program. Alternatively, the control unit 12 of the control device 1 and the method thereof described in the present disclosure, and the control unit 22 of the charger / discharger 2 and the method thereof described in the present disclosure may be realized by a dedicated computer provided by configuring a processor with one or more dedicated hardware logic circuits. Alternatively, the control unit 12 of the control device 1 and the method thereof described in the present disclosure, and the control unit 22 of the charger / discharger 2 and the method thereof described in the present disclosure may be realized by one or more dedicated computers configured by a combination of a processor and a memory programmed to execute one or more functions and a processor configured with one or more hardware logic circuits. In addition, the computer program may be stored in a computer-readable non-transitory tangible recording medium as instructions executed by a computer.

[0075] (4h) Multiple functions possessed by one component in the above embodiments may be realized by multiple components, or one function possessed by one component may be realized by multiple components. Also, multiple functions possessed by multiple components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by multiple components may be realized by one component. Also, part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. Also, at least part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments.

[0076] (4i) In addition to the control unit 12 of the control device 1 described above, the present disclosure can also be realized in various forms, such as a system including the control unit 12 of the control device 1 as a component, a program for causing a computer to function as the control unit 12 of the control device 1, a non-transient physical recording medium such as a semiconductor memory on which this program is recorded, and a method for controlling charging in the event of an alarm. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1...control device, 2...charger / discharger, 3...first server, 4...second server, 5...vehicle, 11, 21, 41, 52...communication unit, 12, 22, 42, 53...control unit, 51...energy storage device, 100...control system.

Claims

1. A control device (1) capable of controlling a charger / discharger (2) capable of charging and discharging an electricity storage device (51) mounted on a moving body (5), A weather information acquisition unit (12) configured to acquire weather information via a network; A charge instruction unit (S101, S106) configured to cause the charger / discharger to start charging the power storage device; A setting unit (S108) configured to set a predetermined period; A location information acquisition unit (S102) configured to acquire location information of the moving object; Equipped with The charging instruction unit is When the predetermined weather information has not been acquired, charging of the power storage device is started on the condition that a predetermined time condition is satisfied; when the predetermined weather information is acquired, regardless of whether the predetermined time condition is satisfied or not, cause the charger / discharger to execute a predetermined operation for satisfying a charge start condition for the power storage device, and cause the charger / discharger to start charging the power storage device, at the predetermined cycle; The predetermined operation is a lock operation that physically locks a connected state between the moving object and the charger / discharger, The setting unit is When the time period is other than the time period that satisfies the predetermined time condition, the length of the predetermined period is set to be longer than when the time period is the time period that satisfies the predetermined time condition; When a distance between the moving object and the charger / discharger is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance based on the position information, the length of the predetermined period is set to be longer than when the distance is less than the predetermined distance. Control device.

2. The control device according to claim 1 , The control device, wherein the charging instruction unit, when the specified weather information is acquired, causes the charger / discharger to start charging the storage device at the specified period by sending a control signal to the charger / discharger at the specified period.

3. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, The control device, wherein the charging instruction unit, when the specified weather information is acquired, transmits a control signal to the charger / discharger to cause the charger / discharger to start periodic charging, thereby causing the charger / discharger to start charging the storage device at the specified cycle.

4. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The vehicle is configured to be capable of wireless communication with an in-vehicle device (53) that controls the traveling of the vehicle, a mobile object information acquisition unit (S102) configured to acquire mobile object information including information related to charging and discharging of the power storage device from the mobile object when the predetermined weather information is acquired; The control device further includes a driving signal transmission unit (S105) configured to transmit to the moving body a driving control signal that switches the driving mode of the moving body from a first mode in which the moving body runs using power from the power storage device to a second mode in which the moving body runs without using power from the power storage device based on the moving body information.

5. A control device (1) configured to be capable of wireless communication with an in-vehicle device (53) that controls the running of a moving body (5) equipped with a power storage device (51), and capable of controlling a charger / discharger (2) that can charge and discharge the power storage device, A weather information acquisition unit (12) configured to acquire weather information via a network; A charge instruction unit (S101, S106) configured to cause the charger / discharger to start charging the power storage device; A setting unit (S108) configured to set a predetermined period; A location information acquisition unit (S102) configured to acquire location information of the moving object; a mobile object information acquisition unit (S102) configured to acquire mobile object information including information related to charging and discharging of the power storage device from the mobile object when predetermined weather information is acquired; a travel signal transmission unit (S105) configured to transmit to the moving body a travel control signal for switching a travel mode of the moving body from a first mode in which the moving body travels using the power of the power storage device to a second mode in which the moving body travels without using the power of the power storage device based on the moving body information; Equipped with The charging instruction unit is When the predetermined weather information has not been acquired, charging of the power storage device is started on condition that a predetermined time condition is satisfied; when the predetermined weather information is acquired, regardless of whether the predetermined time condition is satisfied or not, cause the charger / discharger to execute a predetermined operation for satisfying a charge start condition for the power storage device, and cause the charger / discharger to start charging the power storage device, at the predetermined cycle; The predetermined operation is a lock operation that physically locks a connected state between the moving object and the charger / discharger, The setting unit is When the time period is other than the time period that satisfies the predetermined time condition, the length of the predetermined period is set to be longer than when the time period is the time period that satisfies the predetermined time condition; When a distance between the moving object and the charger / discharger is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance based on the position information, the length of the predetermined period is set to be longer than when the distance is less than the predetermined distance. Control device.

6. A control system (100) including a charger / discharger (2) capable of charging and discharging an electricity storage device (51) mounted on a moving body (5), and a control device (1) capable of controlling the charger / discharger, The control device includes: A weather information acquisition unit (12) configured to acquire weather information via a network; A charge instruction unit (S101, S106) configured to cause the charger / discharger to start charging the power storage device; A setting unit (S108) configured to set a predetermined period; A location information acquisition unit (S102) configured to acquire location information of the moving object; Equipped with The charging instruction unit is When the predetermined weather information has not been acquired, charging of the power storage device is started on the condition that a predetermined time condition is satisfied; when the predetermined weather information is acquired, regardless of whether the predetermined time condition is satisfied or not, cause the charger / discharger to execute a predetermined operation for satisfying a charge start condition for the power storage device, and cause the charger / discharger to start charging the power storage device, at the predetermined cycle; The predetermined operation is a lock operation that physically locks a connected state between the moving object and the charger / discharger, The setting unit is When the time period is other than the time period that satisfies the predetermined time condition, the length of the predetermined period is set to be longer than when the time period is the time period that satisfies the predetermined time condition; When a distance between the moving object and the charger / discharger is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance based on the position information, the length of the predetermined period is set to be longer than when the distance is less than the predetermined distance; The charger / discharger includes: A control system comprising: an initiation unit (S402) that initiates charging of the power storage device when the power storage device is in a state where charging can be initiated.

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