Charging control device, charging system, charging control method and program

Abstract

To appropriately charge storage batteries respectively mounted on a plurality of electric vehicles.SOLUTION: A charge control device 1 includes a first communication unit 10, a determination unit 11 and a control unit 12. The first communication unit 10 communicates with each of a plurality of charging facilities 2. The determination unit 11 determines a charging current value to be distributed to the plurality of charging facilities 2. The control unit 12 controls the first communication unit 10 to transmit the charging current value determined by the determination unit 11 to each of the plurality of charging facilities 2. The determination unit 11 distributes a first current value to one or more charging facilities 2 which are not supplying a charge current among the plurality of charging facilities 2. The determination unit 11 distributes a second current value to one or more charging facilities 2 which are supplying a charge current among the plurality of charging facilities 2, and determines distribution such that the total of the first and the second current values does not exceed a predetermined upper limit value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a charge control device, a charging system, a charge control method, and a program, and more particularly to a charge control device, a charging system, a charge control method, and a program for charging a storage battery mounted on an electric vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] As a conventional example, the operation system described in Patent Document 1 is exemplified. The operation system described in Patent Document 1 is a system for providing a car sharing service. The operation system described in Patent Document 1 has a station in which a parking space for electric vehicles and charging equipment for charging the electric vehicles are installed. A user of the service rents an electric vehicle parked at the station, and after using the electric vehicle, returns the electric vehicle to the station. Then, after use, the electric vehicle is charged by the charging equipment installed at the station. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-018250 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, in the operation system described in Patent Document 1, when multiple charging facilities installed at one station simultaneously charge electric vehicles (motor-driven vehicles), it is undesirable for each charging facility to charge the electric vehicle with the maximum charging current it can supply.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a charge control device, a charging system, a charge control method, and a program that can appropriately charge storage batteries mounted on each of a plurality of electric vehicles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A charging control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure controls a plurality of charging facilities. Each of the charging facilities is electrically connectable to an electric vehicle equipped with a storage battery. Each of the charging facilities is configured to supply a charging current to the storage battery of the electrically connected electric vehicle within a range not exceeding a charging current value allocated by the charging control device. The charging control device includes a communication unit that communicates with each of the charging facilities, and a determination unit that determines the charging current value to be allocated to the plurality of charging facilities. The charging control device includes a control unit that causes the communication unit to transmit the charging current value determined by the determination unit to each of the plurality of charging facilities. The determination unit allocates a first current value to one or more of the charging facilities that are not supplying the charging current among the plurality of charging facilities. The determination unit allocates a second current value to one or more of the charging facilities that are supplying the charging current among the plurality of charging facilities, and determines the allocation such that the sum of the first current value and the second current value does not exceed a predetermined upper limit value.

[0007] A charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the charging control device and the plurality of charging devices controlled by the charging control device, each of the plurality of charging devices supplying the charging current so as not to exceed the second current value instructed by the charging control device.

[0008] A charging control method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a charging control method performed by the charging control device. The charging control method includes a step of allocating a first current value to one or more of the charging equipment that is not supplying the charging current among the plurality of charging equipment. The charging control method includes a step of allocating a second current value to one or more of the charging equipment that is supplying the charging current among the plurality of charging equipment. The charging control method determines the allocation such that a sum of the first current value and the second current value does not exceed a predetermined upper limit value.

[0009] A program according to an aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute the following steps, including a step of allocating a first current value to one or more charging facilities among a plurality of charging facilities that are not supplying a charging current, a step of allocating a second current value to one or more charging facilities among the plurality of charging facilities that are supplying the charging current, and a step of determining the allocation such that a sum of the first current value and the second current value does not exceed a predetermined upper limit value. Effect of the Invention

[0010] The charge control device, charging system, charge control method, and program disclosed herein have the advantage of being able to appropriately charge the storage batteries mounted on each of a plurality of electric vehicles. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the charge control device and the charging system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the charge control device and the charging system according to the first modification. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a system configuration diagram of a charging system according to the second modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The embodiment described below is merely one of various embodiments of the present disclosure. In addition, the embodiment described below can be modified in various ways depending on the design, etc., as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved.

[0013] (1) Overview of the embodiment (1-1) Overview of the charging control device according to the embodiment A charging control device 1 according to an embodiment controls a plurality of charging facilities 2. Each of the plurality of charging facilities 2 can be electrically connected to an electric vehicle (electric automobile 3) equipped with a storage battery 30. Furthermore, each of the plurality of charging facilities 2 is configured to supply a charging current to the storage battery 30 of the electrically connected electric vehicle within a range not exceeding a charging current value allocated by the charging control device 1 according to an embodiment (see FIG. 1).

[0014] The charging control device 1 according to the embodiment includes a communication unit (first communication unit 10) that communicates with each of the multiple charging facilities 2, and a determination unit 11 that determines a charging current value to be allocated to the multiple charging facilities 2. The charging control device 1 according to the embodiment further includes a control unit 12 that causes the communication unit to transmit the charging current value determined by the determination unit 11 to each of the multiple charging facilities 2 (see FIG. 2).

[0015] The determination unit 11 allocates a first current value to one or more charging facilities 2 that are not supplying charging current among the multiple charging facilities 2, and allocates a second current value to one or more charging facilities 2 that are supplying charging current among the multiple charging facilities 2. Furthermore, the determination unit 11 determines the allocation so that the sum of the first current value and the second current value does not exceed a predetermined upper limit value. Note that the upper limit value is, for example, a value that does not exceed the rated current of a main breaker 40 to which the multiple charging facilities 2 are electrically connected.

[0016] Here, assume that two of the four charging devices 2 (2A, 2B) are supplying charging current to an electric vehicle 3, and the remaining two charging devices 2 (2C, 2D) are not supplying charging current (see FIG. 1). In this case, if the difference between the sum of the second current values ​​allocated to the two charging devices 2A, 2B and the upper limit value is approximately zero, there is a possibility that the sum of the charging currents of the three charging devices 2A, 2B, 2C will exceed the upper limit value when an electric vehicle 3 is newly connected to charging device 2C.

[0017] Therefore, in the charging control device 1 according to the embodiment, the first current value (e.g., 6 A) is allocated even to the charging equipment 2C, 2D that is not supplying charging current, and the decision unit 11 decides the allocation of the second current value so that the sum of the first current value and the second current value does not exceed the upper limit value. Thus, in the charging control device 1 according to the embodiment, when an electric vehicle 3 is newly connected to charging equipment 2C, the sum of the charging currents of the three charging equipment 2A, 2B, 2C does not exceed the upper limit value even if charging equipment 2C starts supplying charging current at the first current value.

[0018] As a result, the charging control device 1 according to the embodiment can appropriately charge the storage batteries 30 mounted on each of the multiple electric vehicles (electric automobiles 3).

[0019] (1-2) Overview of charging system according to embodiment A charging system S1 according to an embodiment includes a charging control device 1 according to an embodiment, and a plurality of charging devices 2 controlled by the charging control device 1 according to an embodiment (see FIG. 1). Each of the plurality of charging devices 2 supplies a charging current so as not to exceed a second current value instructed by the charging control device 1.

[0020] The charging system S1 according to the embodiment includes the charging control device 1 according to the embodiment, and therefore can appropriately charge the storage batteries 30 mounted on each of a plurality of electrically powered vehicles (electric automobiles 3).

[0021] (2) Details of the embodiment (2-1) Details of the charging system according to the embodiment 1, a charging system S1 according to an embodiment (hereinafter, abbreviated as charging system S1) includes a charging control device 1 according to an embodiment (hereinafter, abbreviated as charging control device 1) and a plurality of (seven in the illustrated example) charging facilities 2. In the following description, the seven charging facilities 2 may be distinguished from one another by assigning the symbols "2A", "2B", "2C", "2D", "2E", "2F", and "2G" to each of the seven charging facilities 2.

[0022] The charging system S1 is installed in, for example, a sales office of a company engaged in manufacturing, retail, various services, or the like. At the sales office, multiple electric vehicles 3 are prepared as sales vehicles to be used by sales representatives. The sales representatives use the electric vehicles 3 to conduct sales activities, and after returning to the office, connect the electric vehicles 3 they used to charging equipment 2 to charge the storage battery 30 mounted on the electric vehicles 3. In the following description, charging the storage battery 30 mounted on the electric vehicles 3 may be expressed as "charging the electric vehicles 3."

[0023] Each charging facility 2 is electrically connected to one branch breaker 41. The branch breakers 41 (seven in the illustrated example) are, for example, circuit breakers with an overcurrent protection function configured to cut off an electric circuit when an overcurrent (short circuit current and overload current) flows. In the following description, the branch breakers 41 may be distinguished from one another by assigning each of the branch breakers 41 a reference symbol such as "41A," "41B," "41C," "41D," "41E," "41F," and "41G."

[0024] The four branch breakers 41A, 41B, 41C, and 41D are electrically connected in parallel to the secondary terminals of one main breaker 40A. That is, the four branch breakers 41A, 41B, 41C, and 41D are provided one each for the four branch circuits branched off from the secondary terminals of the main breaker 40A. The remaining three branch breakers 41E, 41F, and 41G are electrically connected in parallel to the secondary terminals of another main breaker 40B. That is, the three branch breakers 41E, 41F, and 41G are provided one each for the three branch circuits branched off from the secondary terminals of the main breaker 40B.

[0025] The primary terminals of each of the two main breakers 40 (40A, 40B) are electrically connected in parallel to a commercial power system 8. AC voltages of effective values ​​of 100V and 200V are supplied from the power system 8 to each of the main breakers 40A, 40B by a single-phase three-wire power distribution system.

[0026] Here, the charging system S1 and the charging control device 1 are linked to an energy management system (hereinafter, abbreviated as EMS) 5. The EMS 5 measures the input current input from the power system 8 to the primary terminals of the two main breakers 40A and 40B using a current meter 6, and calculates the average value of the amount of power used at the office every 30 minutes, for example. If the peak value of the input current during the calculation period of the average amount of power used exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the EMS 5 issues an alert to the charging control device 1. In other words, if the peak value of the input power exceeds the threshold value, the average amount of power used increases and the maximum amount of power used in the month also increases, which increases the contracted power with the power company and increases the electricity bill. In order to suppress such an increase in the electricity bill, it is preferable that the EMS 5 issues an alert to the charging control device 1 and reduces the charging current to the charging control device 1 and the charging system to reduce the amount of power used.

[0027] (2-2) Details of charging equipment As shown in Fig. 2, the charging equipment 2 includes a second communication unit 20, an electricity control unit 21, an opening / closing unit 22, a vehicle communication unit 23, and a connection unit 24. However, since all seven charging equipment 2 have the same configuration, only one charging equipment 2 is shown in Fig. 2.

[0028] The charging facility 2 is a so-called "normal charging facility." The term "normal charging facility" refers to electrical equipment for charging an electric vehicle (EV) by connecting an AC circuit of 250V or less to a vehicle (see Japan Wiring System Industry Association technical document JWD-T33 "Installation Guidelines for Electrical Equipment for Normal EV Charging (2nd Edition)"). The electric vehicle 3 described in the embodiment corresponds to a so-called "high-load electric vehicle" whose charging current (current value) exceeds 6A during normal charging (see Japan Wiring System Industry Association technical document JWD-T33 "Installation Guidelines for Electrical Equipment for Normal EV Charging (2nd Edition)"). However, the charging facility in the embodiment is not limited to a normal charging facility, and may be a so-called "rapid charging facility." The "rapid charging facility" is, for example, a charging facility that aims to shorten the charging time by supplying a charging current larger than that of normal charging according to a charging standard standardized by the CHAdeMO Association. The standard for rapid charging may be a standard other than the CHAdeMO Association standard (GBT, CCS, etc.). Furthermore, the charging control device 1 described below controls the charging current supplied from the charging facility 2 to the electric vehicle 3, but it may also control the power supplied from the charging facility to the electric vehicle 3.

[0029] The connection unit 24 has a charging cable and a charging connector. The charging connector is provided at the end of the charging cable. The charging cable has a pair of power lines for passing a charging current and a plurality of signal lines for transmitting a CPLT (Control Pilot) signal, which will be described later.

[0030] The charging connector is removably connected to a charging port (also called a charging inlet) provided on the body of the electric vehicle 3. The charging port is electrically connected to a charging circuit 31 that charges the storage battery 30 mounted on the electric vehicle 3. In other words, the connection unit 24 is electrically connected to the charging circuit 31 of the electric vehicle 3 by a charging cable and a charging connector. Note that a signal line of the charging cable is electrically connected to an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) for charging control mounted on the electric vehicle 3 through the charging connector and the charging port.

[0031] The switching unit 22 has a relay contact inserted in an electric path connecting the secondary terminal of the branch breaker 41 and the charging cable (power line) of the connection unit 24, and an electromagnetic relay that opens and closes the relay contact. The relay contact is a normally open relay contact. The switching unit 22 closes (turns on) the relay contact with the electromagnetic relay, thereby conducting the electric path between the secondary terminal of the branch breaker 41 and the charging cable (power line) of the connection unit 24.

[0032] The second communication unit 20 performs data communication with the first communication unit 10 (described later) of the charge control device 1 in accordance with, for example, a communication standard of a wired LAN. However, the second communication unit 20 may perform data communication in accordance with a communication standard other than the wired LAN (for example, a communication standard of a wireless LAN).

[0033] The current control unit 21 has a microcontroller as its main component, and controls the switching unit 22 to open and close the electric path between the secondary terminal of the branch breaker 41 and the charging cable (power line) of the connection unit 24 .

[0034] The vehicle communication unit 23 performs data communication with the ECU of the electric vehicle 3 by the CPLT signal flowing on the signal line of the connection unit 24. The vehicle communication unit 23 applies a predetermined voltage to the signal line, and the ECU detects that the charging connector of the connection unit 24 is connected to the charging port by detecting the voltage. The ECU also transmits a CPLT signal by changing the line voltage of the signal line, and notifies the vehicle communication unit 23 that the charging connector is connected to the charging port. Then, the vehicle communication unit 23 oscillates the line voltage of the signal line at a constant frequency and duty ratio. As a result, the CPLT signal becomes a square wave signal that oscillates at a constant frequency and duty ratio. The vehicle communication unit 23 also causes the second communication unit 20 to notify the first communication unit 10 of the charging control device 1 that the charging connector is connected to the charging port.

[0035] When the ECU confirms that the CPLT signal has become a square wave signal, it changes the peak value of the CPLT signal to a predetermined voltage. When the vehicle communication unit 23 detects that the peak value of the CPLT signal has been changed to a predetermined voltage, it notifies the energization control unit 21. When the energization control unit 21 receives the notification from the vehicle communication unit 23, it controls the opening / closing unit 22 to close the electric path between the secondary terminal of the branch breaker 41 and the charging cable (power line) of the connection unit 24. As a result, it becomes possible to supply a charging current from the charging equipment 2 to the electric vehicle 3.

[0036] Here, the vehicle communication unit 23 notifies the ECU of the electric vehicle 3 of the magnitude of the charging current that can be supplied from the charging equipment 2 (called the supplyable value) by adjusting the duty ratio of the CPLT signal (square wave signal). The ECU controls the charging circuit 31 to charge the storage battery 30 so as not to exceed the supplyable value notified by the vehicle communication unit 23. Then, when charging of the storage battery 30 is completed, the ECU notifies the vehicle communication unit 23 of the charging equipment 2 that charging has been completed by using the CPLT signal.

[0037] Vehicle communication unit 23 passes the notification of the end of charging received from the ECU to energization control unit 21. Upon receiving the notification of the end of charging, energization control unit 21 stops the electromagnetic relay and opens (turns off) the relay contact, thereby interrupting the electrical path between the secondary terminal of branch breaker 41 and the charging cable (power line) of connection unit 24.

[0038] The electric vehicle 3 described in the embodiment is equipped with a charging circuit 31 that charges the storage battery 30. The storage battery 30 is configured as a lithium-ion storage battery. The charging circuit 31 includes a converter that converts the AC supplied from the charging equipment 2 into DC, a constant current circuit that makes the DC current output from the converter constant, and the like. The constant current circuit operates to make the charging current supplied to the storage battery 30 coincide with a target value instructed by the ECU.

[0039] (2-3) Details of the charging control device As shown in FIG. 2, the charge control device 1 includes a first communication unit 10, a decision unit 11, a control unit 12, and a third communication unit 13.

[0040] The first communication unit 10 performs data communication with the second communication unit 23 of the charging equipment 2 in accordance with, for example, a communication standard of a wired LAN. However, the first communication unit 10 may perform data communication in accordance with a communication standard other than the wired LAN (for example, a communication standard of a wireless LAN).

[0041] The third communication unit 13 performs data communication with the EMS 5 in accordance with, for example, a wired LAN communication standard. However, the third communication unit 13 may perform data communication in accordance with a communication standard other than the wired LAN (for example, a wireless LAN communication standard). The third communication unit 33 receives an alert transmitted from the EMS 5 when, for example, the current value (magnitude of the input current) measured by the current meter 6 exceeds a threshold value, and passes the alert to the control unit 12.

[0042] The determination unit 11 and the control unit 12 are realized by one computer. However, the determination unit 11 and the control unit 12 may be realized by separate computers.

[0043] The determination unit 11 determines a charging current value to be allocated to the multiple charging facilities 2. Specifically, the determination unit 11 allocates a first current value to one or more charging facilities 2 that are not supplying a charging current among the multiple charging facilities 2, and allocates a second current value to one or more charging facilities 2 that are supplying a charging current among the multiple charging facilities 2. Furthermore, the determination unit 11 determines the allocation such that the sum of the first current value and the second current value does not exceed a predetermined upper limit value. Note that the upper limit value is, for example, a value that does not exceed the rated current of the main breaker 40 (40A, 40B).

[0044] The control unit 12 causes the first communication unit 10 to notify each charging facility 2 of the charging current value (first current value or second current value) determined by the determination unit 11. In each charging facility 2, the second communication unit 20 receives the charging current value notified from the first communication unit 10. The second communication unit 20 passes the received charging current value to the energization control unit 21. The energization control unit 21 stores the charging current value received from the second communication unit 20 in a built-in memory of a computer. Then, when the connection unit 24 is connected to the electric vehicle 3, the energization control unit 21 notifies the ECU of the electric vehicle 3 of the charging current value (second current value) stored in the built-in memory by a CPLT signal from the vehicle communication unit 23. The ECU controls the charging circuit 31 to charge the storage battery 30 so that the charging current value does not exceed the charging current value (second current value) notified from the vehicle communication unit 23. In other words, the second current value corresponds to a supplyable value.

[0045] (3) Operation of the charging control device Next, the operation of the charge control device 1 will be described in detail while giving specific numerical examples.

[0046] Table 1 shows a data table stored in the built-in memory of the computer constituting the determination unit 11 of the charging control device 1. In this data table, "charging facility number" is a code for distinguishing between multiple charging facilities 2. In Table 1, the codes "2A", "2B", "2C", "2D", "2E", "2F", and "2G" given to the individual charging facilities 2 are regarded as charging facility numbers.

[0047] Also, the "group No." is the number "1" corresponding to the first group and the number "2" corresponding to the second group. The first group includes four charging equipment 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D connected in parallel to the secondary terminal of the main breaker 40A via four branch breakers 41A, 41B, 41C, and 41D. The second group includes three charging equipment 2E, 2F, and 2G connected in parallel to the secondary terminal of the main breaker 40B via three branch breakers 41E, 41F, and 41G.

[0048] Furthermore, in Table 1, the "upper limit" corresponding to the first group is set, for example, to a value (54A) obtained by subtracting a 10% margin from the rated current (60A) of main breaker 40A. The "upper limit" corresponding to the second group is set, for example, to a value (36A) obtained by subtracting a 10% margin from the rated current (40A) of main breaker 40B. However, the margin to be subtracted from the rated current is not limited to 10%. Also, it is not necessary to subtract the margin from the rated current.

[0049] [Table 1]

[0050] Next, a specific operation of the charging control device 1 will be described with reference to Table 2. Note that, although the following describes a case where four charging facilities 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D belonging to the first group are controlled, charging facilities 2E, 2F, and 2G belonging to the second group can also be controlled in the same manner.

[0051] In Table 2, "Charging Equipment No." indicates the four charging equipment 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D belonging to the first group. Also, "Scene No." in Table 2 indicates the charging current supply status of the four charging equipment 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D. That is, Scene No. 1 corresponds to a situation where all four charging equipment 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are not supplying charging current. Scene No. 2 corresponds to a situation where one charging equipment 2A is supplying charging current, and the remaining three charging equipment 2B, 2C, and 2D are not supplying charging current. Scene No. 3 corresponds to a situation where two charging equipment 2A and 2B are supplying charging current, and the remaining two charging equipment 2C and 2D are not supplying charging current. Scene No. 4 corresponds to a situation where three charging equipment 2A, 2B, and 2C are supplying charging current, and the remaining one charging equipment 2D is not supplying charging current. Scene No. 5 corresponds to a situation in which all four charging devices 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are supplying charging current. Table 2 lists the charging current values ​​(first current value and second current value) allocated to the four charging devices 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D in each scene.

[0052] [Table 2]

[0053] (3-1) Scene No.1 In scene No. 1, all four charging equipment 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are not supplying charging current. Note that charging equipment 2 may not be supplying charging current when connection part 24 is not connected to the charging port of electric vehicle 3, or when charging of electric vehicle 3 has ended with connection part 24 connected to the charging port. In either case, if opening / closing part 22 of charging equipment 2 has interrupted the electric circuit, it is considered that charging equipment 2 is not supplying charging current to electric vehicle 3.

[0054] The control unit 12 of the charging control device 1 stores status flags indicating the status (open / closed) of the opening / closing unit 22 of each of the charging equipment 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D in the built-in memory of the computer. For example, the status flag of the charging equipment 2 in which the opening / closing unit 22 is open is set to 0, and the status flag of the charging equipment 2 in which the opening / closing unit 22 is closed is set to 1. The status flags of each of the charging equipment 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are changed by the control unit 12 every time a change in the status of the opening / closing unit 22 is notified from the energization control unit 21 through the first communication unit 10 and the second communication unit 20.

[0055] The determination unit 11 refers to the status flags of the charging equipment 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D, and determines that the charging equipment 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D is not supplying a charging current because all the status flags are set to 0. The determination unit 11 then determines the charging current value to be allocated to the charging equipment 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D that is not supplying a charging current to be the first current value. Note that the determination unit 11 sets the first current value to 6A, which is the reference value of the charging current during normal charging of an electric vehicle 3 that corresponds to a high-load electric vehicle. However, the first current value is not limited to 6A.

[0056] The determination unit 11 notifies the control unit 12 of the charging current value (first current value) to be allocated to each of the charging facilities 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D. The control unit 12 generates transmission data for notifying the charging current value (first current value) of each of the charging facilities 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D determined by the determination unit 11, and passes the data to the first communication unit 10. The first communication unit 10 generates a frame including the transmission data passed from the control unit 12 for each of the charging facilities 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D, and transmits the generated frame to the second communication unit 20 of each of the charging facilities 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D.

[0057] The second communication unit 20 of each of the charging facilities 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D acquires transmission data from the frame received from the first communication unit 10 of the charging control device 1, and passes the acquired transmission data to the energization control unit 21. The energization control unit 21 stores the charging current value (first current value) included in the transmission data acquired from the second communication unit 20 in an internal memory. Note that, since each of the charging facilities 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D does not supply charging current, the total load current (charging current) flowing from the main breaker 40A to the four branch circuits is 0 A (see Table 2).

[0058] (3-2) Scene No.2 Assume that the scene has shifted from scene No. 1 to scene No. 2. In scene No. 2, an electric vehicle 3 is connected to the connection unit 24 of one charging facility 2A. When the current control unit 21 of the charging facility 2A is notified by the vehicle communication unit 23 that the connection unit 24 has been connected to the electric vehicle 3, the current control unit 21 controls the opening / closing unit 22 to close the electric circuit. In addition, the current control unit 21 of the charging facility 2A notifies the ECU of the electric vehicle 3 of the charging current value (first current value) stored in the built-in memory as a supplyable value by the CPLT signal from the vehicle communication unit 23. In other words, the charging circuit 31 of the electric vehicle 3 connected to the charging facility 2A starts charging the storage battery 30 so that the charging current does not exceed the first current value (6 A).

[0059] When the opening / closing unit 22 of the charging facility 2A changes from open to closed, the control unit 12 of the charging control device 1 changes the status flag of the charging facility 2A from 0 to 1.

[0060] The determination unit 11 refers to the status flags of the charging equipment 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D, and determines that the charging equipment 2A has started supplying a charging current because the status flag of the charging equipment 2A has become 1. The determination unit 11 then determines the charging current value to be allocated to the other three charging equipment 2B, 2C, and 2D that are not supplying a charging current to be the first current value. Meanwhile, because the only charging equipment 2 that is supplying a charging current is the charging equipment 2A, the determination unit 11 changes the charging current value to be allocated to the charging equipment 2A from the first current value (6A) to the second current value. The second current value is set to, for example, 30A, which is the maximum value of the charging current of the charging equipment 2.

[0061] The determination unit 11 notifies the control unit 12 of the charging current values ​​(first current value and second current value) to be allocated to each of the charging facilities 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D. The control unit 12 generates transmission data for notifying the charging current values ​​(first current value and second current value) of each of the charging facilities 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D determined by the determination unit 11, and passes the data to the first communication unit 10. The first communication unit 10 generates a frame including the transmission data passed from the control unit 12 for each of the charging facilities 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D, and transmits the generated frame to the second communication unit 20 of each of the charging facilities 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D.

[0062] The second communication unit 20 of each of the charging facilities 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D acquires transmission data from the frame received from the first communication unit 10 of the charging control device 1, and passes the acquired transmission data to the energization control unit 21. The energization control unit 21 stores the charging current values ​​(the first current value and the second current value) included in the transmission data acquired from the second communication unit 20 in an internal memory.

[0063] Then, the current control unit 21 of the charging equipment 2A notifies the ECU of the electric vehicle 3 of the second current value (30A) stored in the built-in memory as the available supply value via the vehicle communication unit 23 using a CPLT signal. The ECU of the electric vehicle 3 then controls the charging circuit 31 to charge the storage battery 30 so that the charging current value does not exceed the charging current value (second current value) notified by the vehicle communication unit 23. Note that, since the remaining three charging equipment 2B, 2C, and 2D are not supplying charging current, the total load current (charging current) flowing from the main breaker 40A to the four branch circuits is a maximum of 30A (see Table 2).

[0064] (3-3) Scene No.3 Assume that scene No. 2 has been followed by scene No. 3. In scene No. 3, an electric vehicle 3 is newly connected to the connection unit 24 of another charging facility 2B. However, charging of the electric vehicle 3 by the charging facility 2A continues.

[0065] When the energization control unit 21 of the charging equipment 2B is notified by the vehicle communication unit 23 that the connection unit 24 is connected to the electric vehicle 3, the energization control unit 21 controls the opening / closing unit 22 to close the electric circuit. Furthermore, the energization control unit 21 of the charging equipment 2B causes the vehicle communication unit 23 to notify the ECU of the electric vehicle 3 of the charging current value (first current value) stored in the built-in memory as a supplyable value by using a CPLT signal. In other words, the charging circuit 31 of the electric vehicle 3 connected to the charging equipment 2B starts charging the storage battery 30 so that the charging current does not exceed the first current value (6 A). At this time, the total value of the charging current of the two charging equipment 2A, 2B is a maximum of 36 A, which is sufficiently lower than the upper limit value (54 A), and therefore the main breaker 40A will not trip due to the overcurrent protection function.

[0066] When the opening / closing unit 22 of the charging facility 2B changes from open to closed, the control unit 12 of the charging control device 1 changes the status flag of the charging facility 2B from 0 to 1.

[0067] The determination unit 11 refers to the status flags of the charging equipment 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D, and determines that the charging equipment 2B has started supplying a charging current because the status flag of the charging equipment 2B has become 1. The determination unit 11 then determines the charging current value to be allocated to the other two charging equipment 2C and 2D that are not supplying a charging current to be the first current value. Meanwhile, the determination unit 11 changes the charging current value to be allocated to the charging equipment 2B that has newly started supplying a charging current from the first current value (6A) to the second current value. However, because the number of charging equipment 2 supplying a charging current has increased to two, the determination unit 11 changes the charging current value (second current value) to be allocated to the charging equipment 2A that has already started supplying a charging current. For example, the determination unit 11 reduces the charging current value (second current value) to be allocated to charging equipment 2A by adding 3A to the reference charging current value (6A) to set it at 21A, and determines the charging current value (second current value) to be allocated to charging equipment 2B to be the same value (21A). Note that the charging current values ​​to be allocated to the remaining two charging equipment 2C and 2D are not changed from the first current value (6A).

[0068] The determination unit 11 notifies the control unit 12 of the charging current value (second current value) to be allocated to the two charging equipment 2A, 2B whose charging current value is to be changed. The control unit 12 generates transmission data for notifying the charging current value (second current value) of each charging equipment 2A, 2B determined by the determination unit 11. Then, the control unit 12 passes the transmission data for notifying the second current value allocated to the charging equipment 2A whose second current value before the change was larger (30A) to the first communication unit 10. The first communication unit 10 generates a frame including the transmission data passed from the control unit 12, and transmits the generated frame to the second communication unit 20 of the charging equipment 2A.

[0069] The second communication unit 20 of the charging equipment 2A acquires transmission data from the frame received from the first communication unit 10 of the charging control device 1, and passes the acquired transmission data to the energization control unit 21. The energization control unit 21 stores the charging current value (second current value) included in the transmission data acquired from the second communication unit 20 in an internal memory.

[0070] Then, the current control unit 21 of the charging equipment 2A notifies the ECU of the electric vehicle 3 of the second current value (21A) stored in the built-in memory as a supplyable value by a CPLT signal from the vehicle communication unit 23. Then, the ECU of the electric vehicle 3 connected to the charging equipment 2A controls the charging circuit 31 to charge the storage battery 30 so that the charging current value does not exceed the charging current value (second current value: 21A) notified by the vehicle communication unit 23.

[0071] Next, the control unit 12 passes transmission data for notifying the second current value (21 A) assigned to the charging equipment 2B having the smaller second current value (6 A) before the change to the first communication unit 10. The first communication unit 10 generates a frame including the transmission data passed from the control unit 12, and transmits the generated frame to the second communication unit 20 of the charging equipment 2B.

[0072] The second communication unit 20 of the charging equipment 2B acquires transmission data from the frame received from the first communication unit 10 of the charging control device 1, and passes the acquired transmission data to the energization control unit 21. The energization control unit 21 stores the charging current value (second current value) included in the transmission data acquired from the second communication unit 20 in an internal memory.

[0073] Then, the current control unit 21 of the charging equipment 2B notifies the ECU of the electric vehicle 3 of the second current value (21A) stored in the built-in memory as the available supply value via a CPLT signal from the vehicle communication unit 23. Then, the ECU of the electric vehicle 3 connected to the charging equipment 2B controls the charging circuit 31 to charge the storage battery 30 so that the charging current does not exceed the charging current value (second current value: 21A) notified by the vehicle communication unit 23. Note that, since the remaining two charging equipment 2C and 2D are not supplying charging current, the total load current (charging current) flowing from the main breaker 40A to the four branch circuits is a maximum of 42A (see Table 2).

[0074] Therefore, when changing the distribution of charging current values ​​in a direction that increases the total load current, the total load current can be prevented from exceeding the upper limit by changing (reducing) the charging current values ​​in order from the charging equipment with the larger charging current value before the change, as described above.

[0075] (3-4) Scene No.4 Assume that scene No. 3 has been followed by scene No. 4. In scene No. 4, the electric vehicle 3 is newly connected to the connection unit 24 of another charging facility 2C. However, charging of the electric vehicle 3 by the two charging facilities 2A and 2B continues.

[0076] When the energization control unit 21 of the charging equipment 2C is notified by the vehicle communication unit 23 that the connection unit 24 is connected to the electric vehicle 3, the energization control unit 21 controls the opening / closing unit 22 to close the electric circuit. Furthermore, the energization control unit 21 of the charging equipment 2C causes the vehicle communication unit 23 to notify the ECU of the electric vehicle 3 of the charging current value (first current value) stored in the built-in memory as a supplyable value by using a CPLT signal. In other words, the charging circuit 31 of the electric vehicle 3 connected to the charging equipment 2C starts charging the storage battery 30 so that the charging current does not exceed the first current value (6A). At this time, the total value of the charging current of the three charging equipment 2A, 2B, and 2C is a maximum of 48A, which is less than the upper limit value (54A), and therefore the main breaker 40A does not trip due to the overcurrent protection function.

[0077] When the opening / closing unit 22 of the charging facility 2C changes from open to closed, the control unit 12 of the charging control device 1 changes the status flag of the charging facility 2C from 0 to 1.

[0078] The determination unit 11 refers to the status flags of the charging facilities 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D, and determines that the charging facility 2C has started supplying a charging current because the status flag of the charging facility 2C has become 1. The determination unit 11 then determines the charging current value to be allocated to the remaining charging facility 2D that is not supplying a charging current to be the first current value. Meanwhile, the determination unit 11 changes the charging current value to be allocated to the charging facility 2C that has newly started supplying a charging current from the first current value (6A) to the second current value. However, because the number of charging facilities 2 supplying a charging current has increased to three, the determination unit 11 changes the charging current value (second current value) to be allocated to the two charging facilities 2A and 2B that have already started supplying a charging current. For example, the determination unit 11 reduces the charging current value (second current value) to be allocated to the two charging equipment 2A, 2B by 1 A less (5 A) than the reference charging current value (6 A) to 16 A, and determines the charging current value (second current value) to be allocated to charging equipment 2C to be the same value (16 A). Note that the charging current value to be allocated to the remaining charging equipment 2D is not changed from the first current value (6 A).

[0079] The determination unit 11 notifies the control unit 12 of the charging current value (second current value) to be allocated to the three charging equipment 2A, 2B, 2C whose charging current value is to be changed. The control unit 12 generates transmission data for notifying the charging current value (second current value) of each charging equipment 2A, 2B, 2C determined by the determination unit 11. Then, the control unit 12 passes the transmission data for notifying the second current value allocated to the charging equipment 2A, 2B having the larger second current value (21A) before the change to the first communication unit 10. The first communication unit 10 generates a frame including the transmission data passed from the control unit 12 for each charging equipment 2A, 2B, and transmits the generated frame to the second communication unit 20 of each charging equipment 2A, 2B.

[0080] The second communication unit 20 of each of the charging facilities 2A, 2B acquires transmission data from the frame received from the first communication unit 10 of the charging control device 1, and passes the acquired transmission data to the energization control unit 21. The energization control unit 21 stores the charging current value (second current value) included in the transmission data acquired from the second communication unit 20 in an internal memory.

[0081] Then, the current control units 21 of each of the two charging equipment 2A, 2B notify the ECU of the electric vehicle 3 of the second current value (16 A) stored in the built-in memory as the available supply value via a CPLT signal from the vehicle communication unit 23. Then, the ECUs of the two electric vehicles 3 control the charging circuits 31 to charge the storage batteries 30 so that the charging current value does not exceed the charging current value (second current value: 16 A) notified by the vehicle communication unit 23.

[0082] Next, the control unit 12 passes transmission data to the first communication unit 10 for notifying the second current value (16 A) assigned to the charging equipment 2C having the smaller second current value (6 A) before the change. The first communication unit 10 generates a frame including the transmission data passed from the control unit 12, and transmits the generated frame to the second communication unit 20 of the charging equipment 2C.

[0083] The second communication unit 20 of the charging equipment 2C acquires transmission data from the frame received from the first communication unit 10 of the charging control device 1, and passes the acquired transmission data to the energization control unit 21. The energization control unit 21 stores the charging current value (second current value) included in the transmission data acquired from the second communication unit 20 in an internal memory.

[0084] Then, the current control unit 21 of the charging equipment 2C notifies the ECU of the electric vehicle 3 of the second current value (16 A) stored in the built-in memory as the available supply value by a CPLT signal from the vehicle communication unit 23. Then, the ECU of the electric vehicle 3 connected to the charging equipment 2C controls the charging circuit 31 to charge the storage battery 30 so that the charging current does not exceed the charging current value (second current value: 16 A) notified by the vehicle communication unit 23. Note that, since the remaining charging equipment 2D is not supplying a charging current, the total load current (charging current) flowing from the main breaker 40A to the four branch circuits is a maximum of 48 A (see Table 2).

[0085] (3-5) Scene No.5 Assume that the scene has moved from scene No. 4 to scene No. 5. In scene No. 5, an electric vehicle 3 is newly connected to the connection part 24 of another charging device 2D, and all four charging devices 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D supply charging current.

[0086] When the energization control unit 21 of the charging equipment 2D is notified by the vehicle communication unit 23 that the connection unit 24 is connected to the electric vehicle 3, the energization control unit 21 controls the opening / closing unit 22 to close the electric circuit. Furthermore, the energization control unit 21 of the charging equipment 2D causes the vehicle communication unit 23 to notify the ECU of the electric vehicle 3 of the charging current value (first current value) stored in the built-in memory as a supplyable value by using a CPLT signal. In other words, the charging circuit 31 of the electric vehicle 3 connected to the charging equipment 2D starts charging the storage battery 30 so that the charging current does not exceed the first current value (6A). At this time, the total value of the charging current of the four charging equipment 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D is a maximum of 54A, which is less than the upper limit value (54A), and therefore the main breaker 40A does not trip due to the overcurrent protection function.

[0087] When the opening / closing unit 22 of the charging facility 2D changes from open to closed, the control unit 12 of the charging control device 1 changes the status flag of the charging facility 2D from 0 to 1.

[0088] The determination unit 11 refers to the status flags of the charging equipment 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D, and determines that the charging equipment 2D has started supplying a charging current because the status flag of the charging equipment 2D has become 1. The determination unit 11 then changes the charging current value to be allocated to the charging equipment 2D that has newly started supplying a charging current from the first current value (6A) to the second current value. However, since the number of charging equipment 2 supplying a charging current has increased to four, the determination unit 11 changes the charging current value (second current value) to be allocated to the three charging equipment 2A, 2B, and 2C that have already started supplying a charging current. For example, the determination unit 11 determines the charging current value (second current value) to be allocated to the three charging equipment 2A, 2B, and 2C to be a value (13.5A) obtained by dividing the upper limit value (54A) into four, and determines the charging current value (second current value) to be allocated to the charging equipment 2D to be the same value (13.5A).

[0089] The determination unit 11 notifies the control unit 12 of the charging current value (second current value) to be allocated to each of the charging facilities 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D. The control unit 12 generates transmission data for notifying the charging current value (second current value) of each of the charging facilities 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D determined by the determination unit 11. Then, the control unit 13 passes the transmission data for notifying the second current value allocated to the charging facilities 2A, 2B, and 2C having the larger second current value before the change (16A) to the first communication unit 10. The first communication unit 10 generates a frame including the transmission data passed from the control unit 12 for each of the charging facilities 2A, 2B, and 2C, and transmits the generated frame to the second communication unit 20 of each of the charging facilities 2A, 2B, and 2C.

[0090] The second communication unit 20 of each of the charging facilities 2A, 2B, 2C acquires transmission data from the frame received from the first communication unit 10 of the charging control device 1, and passes the acquired transmission data to the energization control unit 21. The energization control unit 21 stores the charging current value (second current value) included in the transmission data acquired from the second communication unit 20 in an internal memory.

[0091] Then, the current control units 21 of each of the three charging equipment 2A, 2B, 2C notify the ECU of the electric vehicle 3 of the second current value (13.5 A) stored in the built-in memory as the available supply value via a CPLT signal from the vehicle communication unit 23. Then, the ECUs of the three electric vehicles 3 control the charging circuits 31 to charge the storage batteries 30 so that the charging current value does not exceed the charging current value (second current value: 13.5 A) notified by the vehicle communication unit 23.

[0092] Next, the control unit 12 passes transmission data to the first communication unit 10 for notifying the second current value (13.5 A) assigned to the charging equipment 2D having the smaller second current value (6 A) before the change. The first communication unit 10 generates a frame including the transmission data passed from the control unit 12, and transmits the generated frame to the second communication unit 20 of the charging equipment 2D.

[0093] The second communication unit 20 of the charging equipment 2D acquires transmission data from the frame received from the first communication unit 10 of the charging control device 1, and passes the acquired transmission data to the energization control unit 21. The energization control unit 21 stores the charging current value (second current value) included in the transmission data acquired from the second communication unit 20 in an internal memory.

[0094] Then, the current control unit 21 of the charging equipment 2D notifies the ECU of the electric vehicle 3 of the second current value (13.5 A) stored in the built-in memory as the available supply value by a CPLT signal from the vehicle communication unit 23. Then, the ECU of the electric vehicle 3 connected to the charging equipment 2D controls the charging circuit 31 to charge the storage battery 30 so that the charging current value does not exceed the charging current value (second current value: 13.5 A) notified by the vehicle communication unit 23. Note that, since all the charging equipment 2 are supplying charging current, the total load current (charging current) flowing from the main breaker 40A to the four branch circuits is a maximum of 54 A (see Table 2).

[0095] Here, it is assumed that in each of the above-mentioned scenes No. 2 to No. 5, the third communication unit 13 of the charge control device 1 receives an alert from the EMS 5. The third communication unit 13 passes the received alert to the control unit 12. In accordance with the received alert, the control unit 12 instructs the determination unit 11 to determine a charging current value so as to reduce the total value of the charging current.

[0096] For example, the determination unit 11 uniformly reduces the charging current value (second current value) to be allocated to the four charging facilities 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D by 1 A each. However, instead of uniformly reducing the charging current value (second current value) to be allocated to the four charging facilities 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D, the determination unit 11 may reduce only the charging current value (second current value) to be allocated to charging facilities 2 1 to 3.

[0097] As described above, the charging control device 1 allocates a charging current value (first current value) even to charging equipment 2 that is not supplying a charging current, and when the charging equipment 2 newly starts supplying a charging current, supplies the charging current to the charging equipment 2 so that the charging current does not exceed the first current value. Therefore, the charging control device 1 can appropriately charge the storage batteries 30 mounted on each of the multiple electric vehicles 3 while preventing a sudden increase in the charging current. Note that, when there are multiple charging equipment 2 that are not supplying a charging current, the charging control device 1 may allocate the first current value of 6A only to at least one charging equipment 2, rather than allocating the first current value of 6A to all of the multiple charging equipment 2.

[0098] Incidentally, in the charging control device 1, when the difference between the total value of the second current values ​​and the upper limit value becomes equal to or less than a predetermined margin value, it is preferable that the decision unit 11 reduces the second current value allocated to at least one charging facility 2.

[0099] For example, if the upper limit value is set to the rated current (60A) of the main breaker 40A, when the difference between the sum of the second current values ​​and the upper limit value becomes equal to or less than a predetermined margin value (e.g., 6A), the decision unit 11 reduces the second current value to be allocated to the charging equipment 2 supplying the charging current.

[0100] As a result, the charging control device 1 can prevent the total value of the charging current from exceeding the upper limit value and causing the main breaker 40A to break the electric circuit.

[0101] In each charging facility 2, the charging current (first current value) allocated from the charging control device 1 is stored in an internal memory (a built-in memory of a computer constituting the energization control unit 21). Therefore, even if communication between the charging control device 1 and the charging facility 2 is interrupted, the energization control unit 21 of the charging facility 2 can notify the ECU of the electric vehicle 3 of the first current value (6A) stored in the internal memory as a supplyable value when starting to newly supply a charging current. As a result, even in a state in which communication between the charging control device 1 and each charging facility 2 is interrupted, the electric vehicle 3 connected to each charging facility 2 can be charged without exceeding the rated current of the main breakers 40A and 40B. In addition, if communication between the charging control device 1 and each charging facility 2 is restored, the charging control device 1 can quickly allocate the charging current to each charging facility 2.

[0102] (4) Modifications of the charging control device according to the embodiment Next, some modified examples of the charging control device 1 according to the embodiment will be described. However, since the basic configurations of the modified examples described below are common to the embodiment, the same reference numerals will be used for the configurations common to the embodiment, and the description and illustration will be omitted as appropriate.

[0103] (4-1) Variation 1 The charging control device 1 of the first modification example differs from the embodiment in that it includes a measuring device 7, as shown in Fig. 3. The measuring device 7 has a plurality of current sensors 70. Each of the plurality of current sensors 70 is configured to output a voltage proportional to a current (load current) flowing from the branch breaker 41 to the charging equipment 2. However, Fig. 3 illustrates only one of the plurality of branch breakers 41 and the plurality of charging equipment 2.

[0104] The measurement device 7 measures the load current flowing through each of the multiple branch circuits from the voltages output from the multiple current sensors 70. The magnitude (current value) of the load current of each branch circuit is approximately equal to the magnitude (current value) of the charging current supplied to the electric vehicle 3 from each charging facility 2. In other words, the measurement device 7 can measure the charging current supplied to the electric vehicle 3 from the charging facility 2 by measuring the load current of the branch circuit. The measurement device 7 transmits the measurement value of the load current (charging current) of each charging facility 2 to the first communication unit 10.

[0105] The first communication unit 10 passes the measurement value of the charging current received from the measurement device 7 to the control unit 12. The control unit 12 compares the charging current value (second current value) allocated to each charging facility 2 with the measurement value of the charging current of each charging facility 2, i.e., the current value of the charging current actually supplied to the electric vehicle 3 from each charging facility 2. The control unit 12 then passes the comparison result to the determination unit 11.

[0106] Based on the comparison result received from the control unit 12, the determination unit 11 appropriately changes the charging current value (second current value) to be allocated to each power supply facility 2.

[0107] For example, assume the situation of Scene No. 4 described above, that is, a situation in which three charging facilities 2A, 2B, and 2C are supplying charging current, and one charging facility 2D is not supplying charging current.

[0108] At this time, the determination unit 11 sets the charging current value (second current value) to be allocated to the three charging equipment 2A, 2B, and 2C to 18 A, and the charging current value (first current value) to be allocated to the charging equipment 2D to 6 A (see Table 3).

[0109] [Table 3]

[0110] Here, assume that the measured values ​​of the charging currents of the charging facilities 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D measured by the measuring device 7 are 18 A, 18 A, 10 A, and 0 A. In other words, for the two charging facilities 2A and 2B, the distribution (second current value) determined by the determining unit 11 matches the measured values ​​of the charging currents, but for the single charging facility 2C, the measured value (10 A) is less than the second current value (18 A) by more than 40%. As a result, the total of the charging currents of the four charging facilities 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D is also similarly small.

[0111] Therefore, the determination unit 11 changes the second current value so as to increase the charging current value (second current value) allocated to the two charging equipment 2A, 2B. For example, it is preferable that the determination unit 11 equally divides the surplus of the total value (54A-46A=8A) and adds 4A each to the second current value (18A) for the two charging equipment 2A, 2B to increase it to 22A. However, the determination unit 11 may also add 8A to the second current value for one charging equipment 2A (or 2B) to make it 26A.

[0112] The two charging equipment 2A, 2B transmit the changed second current value (supplyable value) to the ECU of the electric vehicle 3 by a CPLT signal. Therefore, in the electric vehicle 3 to which charging currents are respectively supplied from the two charging equipment 2A, 2B, the charging time can be shortened by charging the storage battery 30 with a larger charging current.

[0113] Thus, the charging control device 1 of the first modification acquires measurement values ​​of the charging current supplied from each of the multiple charging facilities 2, and when the total of the acquired measurement values ​​is smaller than the total of the second current values, the decision unit 11 increases the second current value allocated to at least one charging facility. As a result, the charging control device 1 of the first modification can more appropriately charge the storage batteries 30 mounted on each of the multiple electric vehicles 3 while preventing a sudden increase in the charging current.

[0114] (4-2) Variation 2 Next, a second modification of the charge control device 1 according to the embodiment will be described. In a charging system S1 having the charge control device 1 of the second modification, a load other than the charging equipment 2 is connected to a branch circuit branched off from a main breaker 40A (see FIG. 4).

[0115] A fifth branch breaker 41 (41H) is electrically connected to the secondary terminal of the main breaker 40A, and a load 9 is electrically connected to the secondary terminal of the branch breaker 41H. In other words, the five branch breakers 41A, 41B, 41C, 41D, and 41H belong to the first group.

[0116] The load 9 is a general electrical device including, for example, lighting equipment, office equipment such as a copy machine, etc. Although Fig. 4 shows only one load 9 and one branch breaker 41H connected to the load 9, a plurality of loads and branch breakers may be connected to the secondary terminal of the main breaker 40A.

[0117] In the charge control device 1 of the second modification, the upper limit value corresponding to the first group is set to a value (e.g., 50 A) obtained by subtracting the current consumption of the load 9 and a 10% margin from the rated current (60 A) of the main breaker 40A. However, it is considered that the load 9 is basically used during the business hours of the business office, and not outside the business hours. Therefore, the upper limit value during the business hours of the business office and the upper limit value outside the business hours may be set to different values, for example, the upper limit value during business hours may be set to 50 A, and the upper limit value outside the business hours may be set to 54 A.

[0118] Then, the determination unit 11 of the charging control device 1 of the second modification determines the distribution so that the load current flowing through the load 9 and the sum of the first current value and the second current value do not exceed the upper limit value. Therefore, the charging control device 1 of the second modification can appropriately charge the storage batteries 30 of the multiple electric vehicles 3 even if a load current is supplied to a load 9 other than the charging facility 2.

[0119] (4-3) Variation 3 The charging control device 1 of the third modification is characterized in that it is possible to set whether or not to give priority to charging among a plurality of charging facilities 2.

[0120] For example, assume that the charging control device 1 is set to give priority to charging equipment 2A among four charging equipment 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D (see Table 4). Note that Table 4 is obtained by adding a "Priority Setting" item to Table 2. In the "Priority Setting" item, "1" indicates that charging is set to be given priority, and "0" indicates that charging is not set to be given priority.

[0121] The determination unit 11 of the charge control device 1 fixes the charging current value (second current value) to be allocated to the charging equipment 2A set as a priority in each of Scene No. 2 to Scene No. 5 to 30 A. Then, the determination unit 11 determines the charging current value to be allocated to each of the charging equipment 2B, 2C, 2D so that the total of the charging current values ​​(second current values) to be allocated to the three charging equipment 2B, 2C, 2D does not exceed the value (24 A) obtained by subtracting 30 A from the upper limit value (54 A). However, the number of charging equipment 2 set as a priority is not limited to one.

[0122] [Table 4]

[0123] For example, when trying to shorten the charging time of a frequently used electric vehicle 3, by connecting the electric vehicle 3 to the prioritized charging facility 2A and charging it, the charging time can be shortened compared to connecting the electric vehicle 3 to the other non-prioritized charging facilities 2B, 2C, 2D.

[0124] (4-4) Variation 4 The charging control device 1 of the fourth modification is characterized in that it determines a charging current value to be allocated to each of the multiple charging facilities 2 within a range in which the power supply in each of the charging facilities 2 does not exceed an upper limit value.

[0125] Determination unit 11 in modification 4 calculates the supply power by multiplying the effective value (200V) of the AC voltage supplied from power system 8 by the charging current value. For example, the rated power (rated supply power) of charging equipment 2A, 2B, 2D is calculated as 6kW by multiplying the rated value of the charging current, 30A, by 200V. Also, the rated power of charging equipment 2C is calculated as 3.2kW by multiplying the rated value of the charging current, 16A, by 200V.

[0126] Here, it is assumed that the maximum power that can be consumed by the four charging facilities 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D is 13 kW. The determination unit 11 determines the charging current value to be allocated to each of the charging facilities 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D so that the total of the power supplied by each of the four charging facilities 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D does not exceed the maximum power (13 kW).

[0127] [Table 5]

[0128] Table 5 shows the charging current value (second current value) during charging for each charging device 2 in Table 2 and the corresponding charging power (the charging current value multiplied by 200V). However, of the four charging devices 2, the rated power (rated supply power) of three charging devices 2A, 2B, and 2D is 6kW, and the rated power of one charging device 2C is 3.2kW. Note that the "Scene No." in Table 5 indicates the charging current supply status and supply power status of the four charging devices 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D.

[0129] That is, scene No. 6 corresponds to a situation in which two charging devices 2A and 2C are supplying charging current, and the remaining two charging devices 2B and 2D are not supplying charging current. Scene No. 7 corresponds to a situation in which one charging device 2B starts supplying charging current from the situation in scene No. 6. Scene No. 8 corresponds to a situation in which the charging current value (second current value) allocated to one charging device 2B is increased from the situation in scene No. 7. Scene No. 9 corresponds to a situation in which the remaining charging device 2D starts supplying charging current from the situation in scene No. 8. Scene No. 10 corresponds to a situation in which the supply of charging current from one charging device 2A is stopped from the situation in scene No. 9.

[0130] First, a case where the charging equipment 2B starts supplying a new charging current (Scene No. 7) will be described. In this case, the difference between the total supply power (9.2 kW) of the two charging equipment 2A and 2C currently supplying the charging current and the maximum power (13 kW) exceeds the supply power (1.2 kW) when the charging equipment 2B supplies the charging current of the first current value (6 A). Therefore, the determination unit 11 does not change the charging current values ​​(first current value and second current value) assigned to the three charging equipment 2A, 2B, and 2C including the two charging equipment 2A and 2C currently supplying the charging current.

[0131] Here, the total supply power (10.4 kW) of the three charging facilities 2A, 2B, and 2C is sufficiently smaller than the maximum power (13 kW), so the determination unit 11 increases the charging current value (second current value) allocated to charging facility 2B from 6 A to, for example, 14 A (Scene No. 8). Even if the charging current value allocated to charging facility 2B is increased to 14 A, the total supply power of the three charging facilities 2A, 2B, and 2C becomes 12 kW, which is kept below the maximum power (13 kW).

[0132] Next, a case where the remaining charging equipment 2D starts supplying a new charging current (Scene No. 9) will be described. In this case, the difference between the total supply power (12 kW) of the three charging equipment 2A, 2B, and 2C currently supplying the charging current and the maximum power (13 kW) is less than the supply power (1.2 kW) when the charging equipment 2D supplies the charging current of the first current value (6 A). Therefore, the determination unit 11 changes the second current value allocated to the charging equipment 2A, which has the largest second current value among the three charging equipment 2A, 2B, and 2C currently supplying the charging current, from 30 A to 24 A. Note that the determination unit 11 does not change the charging current values ​​(first current value and second current value) allocated to the remaining three charging equipment 2B, 2C, and 2D. Therefore, the total supply power of the four charging equipment 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D is maintained at 12 kW.

[0133] Furthermore, a case will be described in which, in a situation in which four charging devices 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are supplying charging current (Scene No. 9), one charging device 2A stops supplying charging current (Scene No. 10).

[0134] When charging equipment 2A stops supplying charging current, the total supply power of the remaining three charging equipment 2B, 2C, and 2D becomes 7.2 kW. Therefore, the decision unit 11 changes the charging current values ​​allocated to the two charging equipment 2B and 2D to 22 A each. Note that, for the remaining charging equipment 2C, the decision unit 11 does not change the charging current value (second current value) because the rated current (16 A) has already been allocated as the charging current value. Therefore, the total supply power of the three charging equipment 2B, 2C, and 2D is maintained at 12 kW. However, the above-mentioned values ​​of the charging current value, supply power, and the like are merely examples and are not limited to these values.

[0135] The charging facility 2 in the embodiment is not limited to one that only supplies charging current to the electric vehicle 3. In other words, the charging facility 2 in the embodiment may be a charging facility compatible with technology and a system for mutually supplying power between a building and the electric vehicle 3, so-called vehicle to building (V2B).

[0136] (5) Charging control method and program The charge control method according to the embodiment is executed by the decision unit 11 of the charge control device 1 according to the embodiment.

[0137] The charging control method according to the embodiment includes a step of allocating a first current value to one or more charging facilities 2 that are not supplying charging current among the multiple charging facilities 2. The charging control method according to the embodiment also includes a step of allocating a second current value to one or more charging facilities 2 that are supplying charging current among the multiple charging facilities 2. Then, the charging control method according to the embodiment determines the allocation such that the sum of the first current value and the second current value does not exceed a predetermined upper limit value.

[0138] Furthermore, the program (computer program) according to the embodiment causes the computer to execute a step of allocating a first current value to one or more charging facilities 2 that are not supplying charging current among the multiple charging facilities 2. The program according to the embodiment causes the computer to execute a step of allocating a second current value to one or more charging facilities 2 that are supplying charging current among the multiple charging facilities 2. The program according to the embodiment causes the computer to execute a step of determining the allocation such that the sum of the first current value and the second current value does not exceed a predetermined upper limit value.

[0139] According to the charge control method and program of the embodiment, the storage batteries 30 of the electric vehicles 3 can be appropriately charged.

[0140] (6) Summary A charging control device (1) according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure controls a plurality of charging facilities (2). Each of the charging facilities (2) can be electrically connected to an electric vehicle (electric car 3) equipped with a storage battery (30). Each of the charging facilities (2) is configured to supply a charging current to the storage battery (30) of the electrically connected electric vehicle within a range not exceeding a charging current value allocated from the charging control device (1). The charging control device (1) according to the first embodiment includes a communication unit (first communication unit 10) that communicates with each of the plurality of charging facilities (2) and a determination unit (11) that determines a charging current value to be allocated to the plurality of charging facilities (2). The charging control device (1) according to the first embodiment includes a control unit (12) that causes the communication unit to transmit the charging current value determined by the determination unit (11) to each of the plurality of charging facilities (2). The determination unit (11) allocates a first current value to one or more charging facilities (2) that are not supplying a charging current among the plurality of charging facilities (2). The determination unit (11) allocates the second current value to one or more charging facilities (2) that are supplying charging current among the multiple charging facilities (2), and determines the allocation such that the sum of the first current value and the second current value does not exceed a predetermined upper limit value.

[0141] The charge control device (1) according to the first aspect allocates the first current value even to the charging equipment (2) that is not supplying a charging current, and the determination unit (11) determines the allocation of the second current value such that the sum of the first current value and the second current value does not exceed the upper limit value. Therefore, even if a new charging equipment (2) starts supplying a charging current at the first current value, the charge control device (1) according to the first aspect ensures that the sum of the charging current including the one or more charging equipment (2) that are already supplying the charging current does not exceed the upper limit value. As a result, the charge control device (1) according to the first aspect can appropriately charge the storage batteries (30) mounted on each of the multiple electric vehicles.

[0142] A charge control device (1) according to a second aspect of the present disclosure can be realized by combining with the first aspect. In the charge control device (1) according to the second aspect, it is preferable that the determination unit (11) sets the second current value to a current value equal to or greater than the first current value.

[0143] In the charge control device (1) according to the second aspect, the decision unit (11) sets the second current value to a current value equal to or greater than the first current value, thereby making it possible to reduce the time required to charge the electric vehicle.

[0144] A charge control device (1) according to a third aspect of the present disclosure can be realized in combination with the second aspect. In the charge control device (1) according to the third aspect, it is preferable that the determination unit (11) sets the first current value to a value equal to or less than a minimum value of a charging current required for charging the storage battery (30).

[0145] The charge control device (1) according to the third aspect can make it even more unlikely that the total of the charging currents supplied from the multiple charging equipment (2) will exceed the upper limit when the charging equipment (2) starts supplying the charging current, so long as the first current value is equal to or less than the minimum charging current required for charging the storage battery (30).

[0146] A charge control device (1) according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure can be realized by combining with any one of the first to third aspects. In the charge control device (1) according to the fourth aspect, it is preferable that each of the multiple charging facilities (2) is supplied with power via an electric path protected by one or more circuit breakers (main breakers 40). It is preferable that the determination unit (11) sets an upper limit value so as not to exceed a current value at which the circuit breaker breaks due to an overcurrent.

[0147] The charging control device (1) according to the fourth aspect can prevent the charging of the electric vehicle by the charging equipment (2) from being stopped due to the circuit breaker cutting off the electric path.

[0148] A charging control device (1) according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure can be realized by combining with any one of the first to fourth aspects. In the charging control device (1) according to the fifth aspect, it is preferable that the determination unit (11) determines the distribution such that the load current flowing through the load (9) other than the multiple charging facilities (2) and the total value of the first current value and the second current value do not exceed an upper limit value.

[0149] The charge control device (1) according to the fifth aspect can appropriately charge the storage batteries (30) of the multiple electric vehicles even when a load current is supplied to a load (9) other than the charging facility (2).

[0150] A charging control device (1) according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure can be realized by combining with any one of the first to fifth aspects. In the charging control device (1) according to the sixth aspect, it is preferable that the decision unit (11) reduces the second current value allocated to at least one charging facility (2) when the difference between the total value of the second current values ​​and the upper limit value becomes equal to or smaller than a predetermined margin value.

[0151] The charge control device (1) according to the sixth aspect can prevent the total value of the charging current from exceeding the upper limit value.

[0152] A charge control device (1) according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure can be realized by combining with any one of the first to sixth aspects. In the charge control device (1) according to the seventh aspect, it is preferable that the determination unit (11) changes the first current value in accordance with the number of charging facilities (2) that are not supplying a charging current when the number of charging facilities (2) changes.

[0153] The charging control device (1) according to the seventh aspect, for example, by reducing the first current value when the number of charging equipment (2) that is not supplying charging current decreases among a plurality of charging equipment (2), can prevent the total value of charging current from exceeding the upper limit value when the number of charging equipment (2) that starts supplying charging current further increases.

[0154] A charging control device (1) according to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure can be realized by combining with any one of the first to seventh aspects. In the charging control device (1) according to the eighth aspect, it is preferable that the determination unit (11) changes the second current value in accordance with the number of charging facilities (2) supplying the charging current when the number of charging facilities (2) changes.

[0155] The charging control device (1) according to the eighth aspect, for example, by reducing the second current value when the number of charging equipment (2) supplying charging current increases among a plurality of charging equipment (2), can prevent the total value of charging current from exceeding the upper limit value when the number of charging equipment (2) starting to supply charging current further increases.

[0156] A charging control device (1) according to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure may be realized by combining with any one of the first to eighth aspects. The charging control device (1) according to the ninth aspect preferably includes an acquisition unit (measurement device 7) that acquires a measurement value of the charging current supplied from each of the multiple charging equipment (2). When the total value of the measurement values ​​acquired by the acquisition unit is smaller than the total value of the second current values, the determination unit (11) preferably increases the second current value allocated to at least one charging equipment (2).

[0157] The charge control device (1) according to the ninth aspect can more appropriately charge the storage batteries (30) mounted on each of the plurality of electric vehicles while preventing a sudden increase in charging current.

[0158] A charging control device (1) according to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure may be realized by combining with any of the first to ninth aspects. In the charging control device (1) according to the tenth aspect, it is preferable that the decision unit (11) sets the second current value to be allocated to one or more charging facilities (2) that are given priority for charging among the multiple charging facilities (2) to be larger than the second current value to be allocated to one or more charging facilities (2) that are not given priority for charging.

[0159] The charge control device (1) according to the tenth aspect can shorten the charging time of an electric vehicle that is charged by one or more charging facilities (2) that are given priority for charging.

[0160] A charging system (S1) according to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure includes a charging control device (1) according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, and a plurality of charging devices (2) controlled by the charging control device (1). Each of the plurality of charging devices (2) supplies a charging current so as not to exceed a second current value instructed by the charging control device (1).

[0161] The charging system (S1) according to the eleventh aspect has a charging control device (1) according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, and is therefore able to appropriately charge the storage batteries (30) mounted on each of a plurality of electric vehicles.

[0162] A charge control method according to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure is performed by a charge control device (1) according to any one of the first to tenth aspects. The charge control method according to the twelfth aspect includes a step of allocating a first current value to one or more charging facilities (2) that are not supplying a charging current among a plurality of charging facilities (2). The charge control method according to the twelfth aspect includes a step of allocating a second current value to one or more charging facilities (2) that are supplying a charging current among the plurality of charging facilities (2). The charge control method according to the twelfth aspect determines the allocation such that the sum of the first current value and the second current value does not exceed a predetermined upper limit value.

[0163] The charge control method according to the twelfth aspect makes it possible to appropriately charge the storage batteries (30) of the plurality of electric vehicles.

[0164] A program according to a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute a step of allocating a first current value to one or more charging facilities (2) that are not supplying a charging current among a plurality of charging facilities (2). A program according to the thirteenth aspect causes a computer to execute a step of allocating a second current value to one or more charging facilities (2) that are supplying a charging current among the plurality of charging facilities (2). A program according to the thirteenth aspect causes a computer to execute a step of determining the allocation such that the sum of the first current value and the second current value does not exceed a predetermined upper limit value.

[0165] The program according to the thirteenth aspect can appropriately charge the storage batteries (30) of the plurality of electric vehicles. [Explanation of symbols]

[0166] S1 Charging System 1. Charging control device 2 Charging equipment 3. Electric vehicles (electric vehicles) 7. Measurement equipment (acquisition unit) 9. Load 10 First Communication Department (Communication Department) 11 Decision Section 12 Control section 30 Storage battery 40 Main breaker (circuit breaker)

Claims

1. A charging control device that controls a plurality of charging facilities, each of the plurality of charging facilities is electrically connectable to an electric vehicle equipped with a storage battery, and is configured to supply a charging current to the storage battery of the electrically connected electric vehicle within a range not exceeding a charging current value allocated by the charging control device; A communication unit that communicates with each of the plurality of charging facilities; A determination unit that determines the charging current value to be allocated to the plurality of charging facilities; a control unit that causes the communication unit to transmit the charging current value determined by the determination unit to each of the plurality of charging facilities; Equipped with the determination unit allocates a first current value to one or more of the charging facilities that are not supplying the charging current among the plurality of charging facilities, allocates a second current value to one or more of the charging facilities that are supplying the charging current among the plurality of charging facilities, and determines the allocation such that a sum of the first current value and the second current value does not exceed a predetermined upper limit value. Charging control device.

2. the determination unit sets the second current value to a current value equal to or greater than the first current value. The charge control device according to claim 1.

3. The determination unit sets the first current value to a value equal to or less than a minimum value of the charging current required to charge the storage battery. The charge control device according to claim 2.

4. Each of the plurality of charging stations is powered via an electrical path protected by one or more circuit breakers; The determination unit sets the upper limit value so as not to exceed a current value at which the circuit breaker is interrupted due to an overcurrent. A charge control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the determination unit determines the distribution such that a load current flowing through a load other than the plurality of charging facilities and a total value of the first current value and the second current value do not exceed the upper limit value. A charge control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The determination unit reduces the second current value allocated to at least one of the charging facilities when a difference between the total value of the second current values ​​and the upper limit value becomes equal to or smaller than a predetermined margin value. A charge control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. When the number of the charging facilities that are not supplying the charging current changes, the determination unit changes the first current value in accordance with the number of the charging facilities. A charging control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. When the number of the charging facilities supplying the charging current changes, the determination unit changes the second current value in accordance with the number of the charging facilities. A charge control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. an acquisition unit that acquires a measurement value of the charging current supplied from each of the plurality of charging facilities; When the sum of the measurement values ​​acquired by the acquisition unit is smaller than the sum of the second current values, the determination unit increases the second current value allocated to at least one of the charging facilities. A charge control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The determination unit sets the second current value to be allocated to one or more charging facilities that are given priority for charging among the plurality of charging facilities to be greater than the second current value to be allocated to one or more charging facilities that are not given priority for charging. A charge control device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A charge control device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, The plurality of charging facilities controlled by the charging control device; having Each of the plurality of charging facilities supplies the charging current so as not to exceed the second current value instructed by the charging control device. Charging system.

12. A charge control method performed by a charge control device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, allocating a first current value to one or more of the charging facilities that are not supplying the charging current among the plurality of charging facilities; allocating a second current value to one or more of the charging facilities that are supplying the charging current among the plurality of charging facilities; having determining the distribution so that a sum of the first current value and the second current value does not exceed a predetermined upper limit value; Charging control method.

13. On the computer, allocating a first current value to one or more charging facilities that are not supplying a charging current among the plurality of charging facilities; allocating a second current value to one or more of the charging facilities that are supplying the charging current among the plurality of charging facilities; determining the distribution so that a sum of the first current value and the second current value does not exceed a predetermined upper limit value; Execute the program.

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