Control method, control device, and control program

Abstract

The present invention is such that, in a control method for a charging / discharging device which charges and discharges a vehicle battery, a computer acquires a current SOC value of the battery, acquires historical information related to past electric power usage in the vehicle, and inputs historical information acquired by a learned model which has learned the relationship between past electric power usage of the vehicle and the necessary amount of electric power for the next time the vehicle is used, the computer thereby acquiring forecast information relating to the necessary amount of electric power, and then determining whether the current SOC value is larger than the optimal SOC value for suppressing deterioration of the battery, and, if the computer has determined that the current SOC value is larger than the optimal SOC value, the computer calculates, on the basis of the optimal SOC value and prediction information, a target SOC value for the battery during discharging of the battery, and outputs, to the charging / discharging device, control information instructing discharging from the battery to electric equipment outside the vehicle until the SOC value of the battery reaches the target value.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technique for discharging a battery of a vehicle to an electrical device outside the vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, with the spread of electric vehicles, attention has been focused on technology related to Vehicle to Home (V2H), in which the power charged in the battery of an electric vehicle is discharged to electrical equipment in the home, and Vehicle to Building (V2B), in which the power charged in the battery of an electric vehicle is discharged to electrical equipment in a business premises or factory.

[0003] As an example of such a technology, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which, taking into consideration reduction in electricity bills and suppression of deterioration of the battery of an electric vehicle, different target values ​​related to the charging and discharging of the battery are set in advance for each specified time period, such as late-night hours and active hours, and the charging and discharging of the battery of the electric vehicle is controlled.

[0004] However, in the technology of Patent Document 1, the charging and discharging of the battery is controlled on a rule-based basis based on a target value that is set in advance for each time period, and therefore it is not possible to suppress the deterioration of the vehicle battery by taking into detailed consideration the past usage history of the vehicle by each user. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-46421 A Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to suppress deterioration of a vehicle's battery by carefully considering the past usage history of the vehicle by each user.

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, a control method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a control method for a charging / discharging device that charges and discharges a battery of a vehicle, in which a computer acquires a current SOC value of the battery, acquires historical information regarding past amounts of power used by the vehicle, and inputs the acquired historical information into a learned model that has learned the relationship between the past amounts of power used by the vehicle and the amount of power required the next time the vehicle is used to acquire predicted information regarding the amount of power required, determines whether the current SOC value is greater than a predetermined optimal SOC value for suppressing deterioration of the battery, and if it is determined that the current SOC value is greater than the optimal SOC value, calculates a target value for the SOC value of the battery when discharging the battery based on the current SOC value, the optimal SOC value, and the predicted information, and outputs control information to the charging / discharging device that instructs the battery to discharge from the battery to an electrical device outside the vehicle until the SOC value of the battery reaches the target value. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a vehicle discharge system. [Diagram 2] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a control operation for causing a charge / discharge device to discharge a battery of a vehicle. [Diagram 3] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for calculating a target value of the SOC value of the battery when the battery is being discharged. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a first charge / discharge pattern and a second charge / discharge pattern. [Diagram 5] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating an example of a second charge / discharge pattern, a third charge / discharge pattern, and a fourth charge / discharge pattern. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a discharge notification setting screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a discharge confirmation screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] (Findings on which this disclosure is based) As described above, in recent years, attention has been focused on V2H and V2B technologies that discharge power from a battery of a vehicle such as an electric vehicle to an electric device outside the vehicle. It is also known that if a vehicle battery is not used for a long period of time, it deteriorates at a degree that depends on the period and the SOC (State Of Charge) value. For this reason, it has been proposed in the past, for example in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, to set a target value related to the charging and discharging of the battery in advance for each time period and control the charging and discharging of the battery in consideration of suppressing battery deterioration.

[0010] However, in the conventional technology, the charging and discharging of the battery is controlled on a rule-based basis using a target value that is determined in advance in consideration of suppressing battery deterioration. Therefore, there is a risk that battery deterioration cannot be suppressed by carefully considering the past usage history of the vehicle by each user. For example, in the conventional technology, even in a time period in which it is easily predicted that the user will use the vehicle for a long time in consideration of the user's past usage history of the vehicle, the battery is charged and discharged using a target value corresponding to the time period. As a result, problems such as the battery not being able to obtain the power required for long-term use of the vehicle and the user being unable to use the vehicle as desired may occur.

[0011] Therefore, the inventor conducted extensive research into suppressing deterioration of a vehicle's battery, taking into careful consideration of the vehicle's past usage history by each user, and came up with the following aspects of the present disclosure.

[0012] A control method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a control method for a charging / discharging device that charges and discharges a battery of a vehicle, in which a computer acquires a current SOC value of the battery, acquires historical information regarding past amounts of power used by the vehicle, and inputs the acquired historical information into a learned model that has learned the relationship between the past amounts of power used by the vehicle and the amount of power required the next time the vehicle is used to acquire predicted information regarding the amount of power required, determines whether the current SOC value is greater than a predetermined optimal SOC value for suppressing deterioration of the battery, and if it is determined that the current SOC value is greater than the optimal SOC value, calculates a target value for the SOC value of the battery when discharging the battery based on the current SOC value, the optimal SOC value, and the predicted information, and outputs control information to the charging / discharging device that instructs the battery to discharge from the battery to an electrical device outside the vehicle until the SOC value of the battery reaches the target value.

[0013] According to this aspect, by inputting historical information on the amount of power used in the past of the vehicle into a trained model that has learned the relationship between the amount of power used in the past of the vehicle and the amount of power required the next time the vehicle is used, prediction information on the amount of power required the next time the vehicle is used is obtained. This makes it possible to grasp the amount of power required the next time the vehicle is used, taking into careful consideration the amount of power used in the past of the vehicle by each user.

[0014] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the current SOC value is greater than the optimal SOC value, control information is output to the charging / discharging device instructing the battery to discharge to an electrical device outside the vehicle until the SOC value of the battery reaches a target value calculated based on the current SOC value, the optimal SOC value, and the prediction information.

[0015] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the current SOC value is greater than the optimal SOC value and it is considered necessary to suppress battery deterioration, the battery can be discharged to an external electric device until the battery SOC value reaches a target value calculated by carefully considering the amount of power used by each user in the past. This makes it possible to suppress deterioration of the battery in the vehicle by carefully considering the history of use of the vehicle by each user.

[0016] In addition, in the above aspect, the historical information input into the trained model may further include information indicating the date and time of past use of the vehicle, and the prediction information may include predicted date and time information indicating the date and time when the vehicle will next be used.

[0017] According to this aspect, the historical information further including information indicating the past use date and time of the vehicle is input to the trained model, and the prediction information acquired from the trained model includes the prediction date and time information indicating the date and time when the vehicle will be used next. As a result, this aspect can suppress the deterioration of the battery of the vehicle by taking into consideration the past use date and time of the vehicle by each user in detail.

[0018] In addition, in the above aspect, the determination may further determine whether an unused time, which is the time from the present to the date and time indicated by the predicted date and time information, is longer than a predetermined time, and the calculation may calculate the target value if it is determined that the current SOC value is greater than the optimal SOC value and the unused time is longer than the predetermined time.

[0019] According to this aspect, when the current SOC value is greater than the optimal SOC value and the unused time is longer than a predetermined time, the battery is discharged to an electrical device outside the vehicle. Therefore, this aspect can avoid discharging from the battery to an electrical device outside the vehicle when the unused time is shorter than the predetermined time and it is considered that the battery will not deteriorate due to not using the battery. As a result, this aspect can avoid accelerating battery deterioration due to discharging from the battery to an electrical device outside the vehicle in such a case.

[0020] In addition, in the above aspect, the calculation may include calculating a required SOC value capable of covering the required amount of power based on the prediction information, and if the optimal SOC value is greater than the required SOC value, calculating the optimal SOC value as the target value.

[0021] According to this aspect, when the optimal SOC value is greater than the required SOC value, the battery is discharged to an external electric device until the SOC value of the battery reaches the optimal SOC value. Therefore, this aspect can discharge the battery until it can cover the required amount of power when the vehicle is next used and can suppress deterioration of the battery.

[0022] In addition, in the above aspect, the calculation may include calculating a required SOC value capable of covering the required amount of power based on the prediction information, and if the optimal SOC value is equal to or lower than the required SOC value, selecting a charge / discharge pattern that minimizes the degree of deterioration of the battery from among a plurality of predetermined charge / discharge patterns based on the current SOC value, the optimal SOC value, and the required SOC value, and calculating the target value according to the selected charge / discharge pattern.

[0023] According to this aspect, when the optimal SOC value is equal to or less than the required SOC value, the battery is discharged to an electric device outside the vehicle until the SOC value of the battery reaches the target value according to the charge / discharge pattern with the lowest degree of battery degradation. Therefore, in this aspect, when discharging the battery to the optimal SOC value would not be enough to cover the required amount of power the next time the vehicle is used, the battery is discharged to the target value according to the charge / discharge pattern with the lowest degree of battery degradation, thereby suppressing battery degradation as much as possible.

[0024] In addition, in the above aspect, when the required SOC value is greater than the optimal SOC value and the current SOC value, the calculation may select a charge / discharge pattern that minimizes the degree of deterioration of the battery from among a first charge / discharge pattern in which the battery is charged to the required SOC value immediately before the next time the vehicle is used, and a second charge / discharge pattern in which the battery is discharged to the optimal SOC value immediately after the current time and then charged to the required SOC value immediately before the next time the vehicle is used, and if the first charge / discharge pattern is selected, the current SOC value may be calculated as the target value, and if the second charge / discharge pattern is selected, the optimal SOC value may be calculated as the target value.

[0025] According to this embodiment, when the required SOC value is greater than the optimal SOC value and the current SOC value, if the charge / discharge pattern that results in the smallest degree of battery degradation is the first charge / discharge pattern, the current SOC value is calculated as the target value, and if the charge / discharge pattern that results in the smallest degree of battery degradation is the second charge / discharge pattern, the optimal SOC value is calculated as the target value.

[0026] As a result, in this embodiment, when the required SOC value is greater than the current SOC value and the battery needs to be charged to cover the amount of power required the next time the vehicle is used, the battery is not charged or discharged immediately after the current time, or the battery is discharged to the optimal SOC value, as per the minimum charge / discharge pattern. As a result, this embodiment can minimize the deterioration of the battery before the next time the vehicle is used.

[0027] Furthermore, in the above aspect, when the required SOC value is greater than the optimal SOC value and less than the current SOC value, the calculation may select a charge / discharge pattern that minimizes the degree of deterioration of the battery from among a second charge / discharge pattern in which the battery is discharged to the optimal SOC value immediately after the current time and charged to the required SOC value immediately before the next time the vehicle is used, a third charge / discharge pattern in which the battery is not charged or discharged until the next time the vehicle is used, and a fourth charge / discharge pattern in which the battery is discharged to the required SOC value immediately after the current time and is not charged or discharged until the next time the vehicle is used, and if the second charge / discharge pattern is selected, the optimal SOC value may be calculated as the target value, and if the third charge / discharge pattern is selected, the current SOC value may be calculated as the target value, and if the fourth charge / discharge pattern is selected, the required SOC value may be calculated as the target value.

[0028] According to this aspect, when the required SOC value is greater than the optimal SOC value but less than the current SOC value, if the charge / discharge pattern with the lowest degree of battery degradation is the second charge / discharge pattern, the optimal SOC value is calculated as the target value. If the charge / discharge pattern with the lowest degree of battery degradation is the third charge / discharge pattern, the current SOC value is calculated as the target value. If the charge / discharge pattern with the lowest degree of battery degradation is the fourth charge / discharge pattern, the required SOC value is calculated as the target value.

[0029] As a result, in this aspect, the required amount of power can be provided without charging the battery, but if discharging the battery to the optimal SOC value to suppress battery deterioration would require charging to provide the required amount of power, the battery can be prevented from being charged or discharged immediately after the current time, or the battery can be discharged to the required SOC value or the optimal SOC value, as per the minimum charge / discharge pattern. As a result, this aspect can suppress battery deterioration as much as possible before the next time the vehicle is used.

[0030] In addition, in the above aspect, the charge / discharge pattern may include at least one of a first period in which the battery is not charged or discharged and a second period in which the battery is charged or discharged, and the degree of deterioration of the battery in the first period may be calculated by the product of the first period and a predetermined first deterioration coefficient associated with the current SOC value, and the degree of deterioration of the battery in the second period may be calculated by the product of the charge amount or discharge amount of the battery in the second period and a predetermined second deterioration coefficient associated with the type of the battery.

[0031] According to this aspect, the deterioration level of the battery during a first period during which the battery included in the charge / discharge pattern is not charged or discharged is calculated by multiplying the first period by a predetermined first deterioration coefficient associated with a current SOC value, and the deterioration level of the battery during a second period during which the battery included in the charge / discharge pattern is charged or discharged is calculated by multiplying the charge amount or discharge amount of the battery during the second period by a predetermined second deterioration coefficient associated with the type of the battery.

[0032] Therefore, the present aspect can appropriately calculate the deterioration level of the battery in each charge / discharge pattern including at least one of the first period and the second period, and thus, the present aspect can prevent the battery from deteriorating as much as possible before the next time the vehicle is used by not charging or discharging the battery immediately after the current time according to the charge / discharge pattern that has the smallest calculated deterioration level.

[0033] In addition, in the above aspect, the output may include transmitting information to a communication terminal owned by a user of the vehicle inquiring as to whether or not to perform the discharge indicated by the control information before outputting the control information, and outputting the control information when information indicating that the discharge indicated by the control information will be performed is returned from the communication terminal.

[0034] According to this aspect, before the control information is output, information inquiring whether or not to perform the discharge indicated by the control information is transmitted to a communication terminal owned by a user of the vehicle, and the control information is output when information indicating that the discharge indicated by the control information is to be performed is returned from the communication terminal. Therefore, in this aspect, when permission to perform the discharge indicated by the control information is obtained from the user, the discharge indicated by the control information can be performed. This makes it possible to prevent the battery from having an SOC value that is not intended by the user the next time the user uses the vehicle.

[0035] In addition, in the above aspect, before outputting the control information, the output may accept input of an SOC value that is greater than or equal to the target value and less than the current SOC value, and transmit information to a communication terminal owned by a user of the vehicle inquiring whether to select a discharge mode in which the battery is discharged to the accepted SOC value, and when information indicating that the discharge mode is to be selected is returned from the communication terminal, information instructing the charging / discharging device to discharge the battery in the discharge mode may be output instead of the control information.

[0036] According to this aspect, when information indicating the selection of the discharge mode is returned from the communication terminal before the output of the control information, the battery is discharged to an SOC value equal to or greater than the target value inputted in the communication terminal and less than the current SOC value. This enables the battery to be discharged at a discharge amount according to the user's desire while suppressing battery deterioration as much as possible.

[0037] The present disclosure can also be realized as a control program that causes a computer to execute each of the characteristic configurations included in the control method according to the above-mentioned aspect, or as a control device operated by the control program. It goes without saying that such a control program can be distributed on a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM or via a communication network such as the Internet.

[0038] (Embodiment) Hereinafter, a vehicle discharge system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a vehicle discharge system 1. The vehicle discharge system 1 is a system that controls discharge from a battery 41 of a vehicle 4 to an electrical device 32 outside the vehicle 4.

[0039] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle discharge system 1 includes a building 3 owned by a user who has contracted to use electricity supplied by a power grid 8, a charging / discharging device 5, a vehicle 4, a communication terminal 9, and a server 2 (control device).

[0040] The building 3 includes, for example, a house in which the user lives, and an office and a factory owned by the user. The building 3 includes a distribution board 31 and an electric device 32.

[0041] The distribution board 31 distributes the power supplied from the power system 8 to the electric appliances 32 and the charging / discharging device 5.

[0042] The electric appliances 32 operate on power distributed by the distribution board 31. For example, the electric appliances 32 include an operation panel 321 including a touch panel and a display, as well as a television and an air conditioner (not shown). The operation panel 321 displays information acquired from an external device and a predetermined operation screen on the display via a communication device 322 (described later), and transmits information input by a user to the operation screen using the touch panel to the external device.

[0043] The electric devices 32 also include communication devices 322 such as a router used when the operation panel 321 etc. communicates via a network 7 such as a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, or a telephone line network.

[0044] The charging / discharging device 5 is electrically connected to the distribution board 31. One end of a charging cable 51 is electrically connected to the charging / discharging device 5. The other end of the charging cable 51 is electrically connected to a vehicle 4, such as an electric vehicle, that has a chargeable / dischargeable battery 41. The charging / discharging device 5 also includes a built-in communication circuit (not shown) for communicating with an external device via a network 7.

[0045] When the charging / discharging device 5 receives, using a built-in communication circuit, control information indicating an instruction to charge the battery 41 of the vehicle 4 to the target charge amount from the server 2, the charging / discharging device 5 charges the battery 41 in accordance with the control information. Specifically, the charging / discharging device 5 supplies the power distributed by the distribution board 31 and corresponding to the target charge amount indicated by the control information to the battery 41 of the vehicle 4 via the charging cable 51.

[0046] Furthermore, when the charging / discharging device 5 receives from the server 2, using the built-in communication circuit, control information indicating an instruction to discharge a target amount of power from the battery 41 of the vehicle 4 to the electric device 32, the charging / discharging device 5 discharges power from the battery 41 to the electric device 32 outside the vehicle 4 in accordance with the control information. Specifically, the charging / discharging device 5 supplies the power charged in the battery 41, the target amount of power indicated by the control information, to the electric device 32 outside the vehicle 4 via the charging cable 51 and the distribution board 31.

[0047] The vehicle 4 includes, for example, vehicles equipped with a chargeable and dischargeable battery 41, such as an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, and an electric bicycle. The vehicle 4 includes the battery 41, a memory unit 42, a communication unit 43, a sensor 44, a drive unit 45, and a control unit 40.

[0048] The battery 41 is composed of a rechargeable secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery. The battery 41 is detachably connected to a charging cable 51 which is connected to the charging / discharging device 5. The battery 41 is charged by power supplied from the charging / discharging device 5 via the charging cable 51. Under the control of the charging / discharging device 5, the battery 41 also supplies the power stored in the battery 41 to an electrical device 32 outside the vehicle 4 via the charging cable 51.

[0049] The storage unit 42 is configured by a non-volatile memory in which a predetermined control program is stored, and a memory such as a RAM for temporarily storing information. The storage unit 42 stores various information related to the control of charging and discharging the battery 41.

[0050] For example, each time vehicle 4 is used, memory unit 42 stores history information regarding the amount of power used in the past by vehicle 4. The history information includes information indicating the date and time when vehicle 4 was used and the amount of power used by battery 41 at that date and time of use. The information indicating the date and time when vehicle 4 was used includes information indicating the date and time when use of vehicle 4 began. Note that the information indicating the date and time when vehicle 4 was used may also include the date and time when use of vehicle 4 ended. Memory unit 42 also stores the current SOC (State Of Charge) value of battery 41 (hereinafter, current SOC value).

[0051] The communication unit 43 is configured with a communication circuit for communicating with an external device such as the server 2 via the network 7. The communication unit 43 outputs information received from the external device to the control unit 40, and transmits information input from the control unit 40 to the external device.

[0052] The sensor 44 is composed of an SOC sensor, a timer, an electric power sensor, etc., and detects the current SOC value of the battery 41, the current date and time, and the amount of electric power used by the battery 41.

[0053] The drive unit 45 is composed of a drive motor (not shown) that controls the direction and rotation of wheels provided on the bottom surface of the main body of the vehicle 4.

[0054] The control unit 40 is configured with a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 40 controls each part of the vehicle 4 by executing a control program stored in the storage unit .

[0055] For example, when use of vehicle 4 begins, control unit 40 stores information indicating the current date and time detected using sensor 44 in memory unit 42 as information indicating the date and time of use of vehicle 4 included in the historical information.

[0056] After the use of the vehicle 4 is started, the control unit 40 periodically detects the current SOC value of the battery 41 using the sensor 44 until the use of the vehicle 4 is ended. The control unit 40 periodically updates the current SOC value stored in the storage unit 42 with the detected current SOC value.

[0057] After the use of the vehicle 4 is started, until the use of the vehicle 4 is ended, the control unit 40 periodically detects the amount of power used by the battery 41 using the sensor 44. Furthermore, the control unit 40 periodically updates information indicating the amount of power used in the history information stored in the storage unit 42, which includes the date and time when the use of the vehicle 4 was started as information indicating the date and time of use of the vehicle 4, with information indicating the cumulative value of the amount of power used detected from the date and time when the use of the vehicle 4 was started to the present.

[0058] When the control unit 40 receives the control information indicating an instruction to transmit the current SOC value transmitted from the server 2 via the communication unit 43, the control unit 40 causes the communication unit 43 to return information indicating the current SOC value stored in the storage unit 42 to the server 2. However, without being limited to this, the control unit 40 may periodically transmit information indicating the current SOC value to the server 2 via the communication unit 43.

[0059] When the control information indicating an instruction to transmit the history information transmitted from the server 2 is received by the communication unit 43, the control unit 40 causes the communication unit 43 to return the history information stored in the storage unit 42 to the server 2.

[0060] The communication terminal 9 is, for example, a smartphone, tablet terminal, and / or notebook computer owned by the user, and communicates various types of information with external devices via the network 7. The communication terminal 9 also includes a display and a touch panel (not shown). The communication terminal 9 displays information received from the external device and a predetermined operation screen on the display, and transmits information input by the user to the operation screen using the touch panel to the external device.

[0061] The server 2 communicates with the vehicle 4, the charging / discharging device 5, and the communication terminal 9 via a network 7, thereby controlling discharging from the battery 41 of the vehicle 4 to an electric device 32 outside the vehicle 4. Specifically, the server 2 includes a storage unit 21, a communication unit 22, and a control unit 20.

[0062] The storage unit 21 is configured with a non-volatile memory in which a predetermined control program is stored, and a memory such as a RAM for temporarily storing information. The storage unit 21 stores various information related to control for causing the charging / discharging device 5 to discharge the battery 41 of the vehicle 4.

[0063] For example, the storage unit 21 stores a trained model 211 that has learned the relationship between the amount of power used in the past by the vehicle 4 and the amount of power required the next time the vehicle 4 is used. The trained model 211 further learns the relationship between the date and time of the past use of the vehicle 4 and the date and time when the vehicle 4 will be used next. Details of the trained model 211 will be described later.

[0064] The storage unit 21 stores a predetermined optimum SOC value for suppressing deterioration of the battery 41. The optimum SOC value is determined to be an SOC value at which deterioration of the battery 41 is most suppressed, for example, based on experimental values. Note that the optimum SOC value is not limited to this, and for example, a predetermined representative value within a range of SOC values ​​that can at least suppress deterioration of the battery 41, such as a central value within the range, may be determined as the optimum SOC value.

[0065] Information indicating a plurality of predetermined charge / discharge patterns is stored in advance in the storage unit 21. The charge / discharge pattern defines a procedure for charging / discharging the battery 41, and includes at least one of a first period during which the battery 41 is not charged or discharged and a second period during which the battery 41 is charged or discharged. The charge / discharge pattern will be described in detail later.

[0066] The storage unit 21 stores various coefficients used to calculate the deterioration level of the battery 41. The coefficients include a first deterioration coefficient used to calculate the deterioration level of the battery 41 in a first period in which the battery 41 is not charged or discharged, and a second deterioration coefficient used to calculate the deterioration level of the battery 41 in a second period in which the battery 41 is charged or discharged. The first deterioration coefficient is a coefficient that differs depending on the current SOC value of the battery 41. The storage unit 21 stores a plurality of first deterioration coefficients in association with a plurality of current SOC values. The second deterioration coefficient is a coefficient that differs depending on the type of the battery 41, such as a lithium ion battery or a nickel metal hydride battery. The storage unit 21 stores a plurality of second deterioration coefficients in association with a plurality of types of the battery 41.

[0067] The communication unit 22 is configured with a communication circuit for communicating with an external device such as the vehicle 4. The communication unit 22 outputs information received from the external device to the control unit 20, and transmits information input from the control unit 20 to the external device.

[0068] The control unit 20 is configured with a microcomputer (computer) equipped with a CPU etc. The control unit 20 controls the operation of each part of the server 2 by executing a control program stored in the storage unit 21.

[0069] For example, the control unit 20 functions, in particular, as a learning unit 200, a first acquisition unit 201, a second acquisition unit 202, a third acquisition unit 203, a judgment unit 204, a calculation unit 205 and an output unit 206 by executing a control program stored in the memory unit 21.

[0070] The learning unit 200 receives input of history information on the amount of power used in the past in the vehicle 4. As described above, the history information includes information indicating the past use date and time of the vehicle 4 and the amount of power used by the battery 41 at the past use date and time. The learning unit 200 uses the input history information to perform machine learning such as deep learning using a neural network, thereby creating a trained model 211 that has learned the relationship between the past use date and time of the vehicle 4 and the amount of power used at the past use date and time, and the date and time when the vehicle 4 will next be used and the amount of power required when the vehicle 4 is used at that date and time, and stores the trained model 211 in the storage unit 21.

[0071] For example, when history information including two consecutive use dates and times of the vehicle 4 and the amount of power used at the use dates and times is input to the learning unit 200, the learning unit 200 performs machine learning using the first history information as an explanatory variable and the second history information as a target variable. In this way, when one piece of history information is input, the learning unit 200 creates a trained model 211 that predicts the date and time when the vehicle 4 will be used next and the amount of power required when the vehicle 4 is used at that date and time. Note that the trained model 211 can also be created on a day-of-the-week basis instead of on a day-of-the-week basis. In this case, the history information may include information indicating the day of the week when the vehicle 4 was used and the amount of power used by the battery 41 on that day of the week.

[0072] The first acquisition unit 201, the second acquisition unit 202, the third acquisition unit 203, the determination unit 204, the calculation unit 205, and the output unit 206 will be described in detail later.

[0073] Next, a control operation (hereinafter, discharge control) performed by the control unit 20 to cause the charge / discharge device 5 to discharge the battery 41 of the vehicle 4 will be described. In this description, details of the first acquisition unit 201, the second acquisition unit 202, the third acquisition unit 203, the determination unit 204, the calculation unit 205, and the output unit 206 will be described. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the control operation to cause the charge / discharge device 5 to discharge the battery 41 of the vehicle 4.

[0074] 2, in the server 2, when the control unit 20 starts the discharge control operation, the first acquisition unit 201 acquires the current SOC value of the battery 41 (step S101). Specifically, in step S101, the first acquisition unit 201 controls the communication unit 22 to transmit control information indicating an instruction to transmit the current SOC value to the vehicle 4. In response to this, as described above, when information indicating the current SOC value is returned from the vehicle 4, the first acquisition unit 201 acquires the returned information indicating the current SOC value of the vehicle 4 via the communication unit 22.

[0075] Next, the second acquisition unit 202 acquires history information related to the amount of power used in the past in the vehicle 4 (step S102). Specifically, in step S102, the second acquisition unit 202 controls the communication unit 22 to transmit control information indicating an instruction to transmit the history information to the vehicle 4. In response to this, as described above, when the history information is returned from the vehicle 4, the second acquisition unit 202 acquires the returned history information via the communication unit 22. The history information acquired in step S102 is input to the learning unit 200. When the history information is input, the learning unit 200 creates a trained model 211 using the input history information as described above, and stores the trained model 211 in the storage unit 21.

[0076] Next, the third acquisition unit 203 acquires prediction information regarding the amount of power required the next time the vehicle 4 is used (step S103) by inputting the history information corresponding to the most recent use date and time acquired in step S102 into the trained model 211. The prediction information includes information indicating the date and time when the vehicle 4 will next be used and the amount of power required when the vehicle 4 is used at that date and time, which are predicted by the trained model 211.

[0077] Next, the determination unit 204 determines whether or not the current SOC value acquired in step S101 is equal to or greater than the optimal SOC value stored in the storage unit 21 (step S104).

[0078] When it is determined in step S104 that the current SOC value is not equal to or greater than the optimal SOC value (NO in step S104), the control unit 20 ends the discharge control operation. This prevents the battery 41 from being discharged when the current SOC value is smaller than the optimal SOC value and it is considered that the battery 41 will deteriorate even if it is left unused. As a result, it is possible to prevent the deterioration of the battery 41 from being accelerated by discharging the battery 41.

[0079] On the other hand, in step S104, if the judgment unit 204 judges that the current SOC value is equal to or greater than the optimal SOC value (YES in step S104), it judges whether the unused time, which is the time from the present to the date and time when the vehicle 4 will next be used, is longer than a predetermined time (step S105).

[0080] Specifically, in step S105, the determination unit 204 obtains information indicating the date and time when the vehicle 4 will be used next (hereinafter, predicted date and time information), which is included in the prediction information obtained in step S103. The determination unit 204 calculates the time from the present to the date and time indicated by the obtained predicted date and time information as an unused time, and determines whether the calculated unused time is longer than a predetermined time. Note that the predetermined time is set based on, for example, experimental values, etc., as a time required for the battery 41 to deteriorate from the time when the battery 41, whose SOC value is not the optimal SOC value, is left unused (e.g., 24 hours).

[0081] If it is determined in step S105 that the unused time is not longer than the predetermined time (NO in step S105), the control unit 20 ends the discharge control operation. This prevents the battery 41 from being discharged when it is predicted that the vehicle 4 will be used within the predetermined time and it is considered that the battery 41 is unlikely to deteriorate even if it is left unused. As a result, it is possible to prevent the deterioration of the battery 41 from being accelerated by discharging the battery 41. In addition, it is possible to prevent the user from being hindered from using the vehicle 4 by discharging the battery 41.

[0082] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S105 that the unused time is longer than the predetermined time (YES in step S105), the calculation unit 205 calculates a target value of the SOC value of the battery 41 when the battery 41 is discharged based on the current SOC value acquired in step S101, the optimal SOC value stored in the storage unit 21, and the prediction information acquired in step S103 (step S106). Step S106 will be described later in detail.

[0083] Next, the output unit 206 generates control information instructing to discharge from the battery 41 to the electric device 32 outside the vehicle 4 until the SOC value of the battery 41 reaches the target value calculated in step S106 (step S107). Specifically, the output unit 206 calculates a target discharge amount to be discharged from the battery 41 to the electric device 32 by subtracting the current SOC value acquired in step S101 from the target value calculated in step S106. Then, the output unit 206 generates information indicating an instruction to discharge the target discharge amount from the battery 41 of the vehicle 4 to the electric device 32 as the control information.

[0084] Next, the output unit 206 inquires of the user of the vehicle 4 as to whether or not to permit the discharge indicated by the control information generated in step S107 (step S108).

[0085] Specifically, in step S108, the output unit 206 controls the communication unit 22 to transmit information inquiring as to whether or not to perform discharge as indicated by the control information generated in step S107 (hereinafter, inquiry information) to the communication terminal 9 owned by the user of the vehicle 4.

[0086] It is assumed that the output unit 206 acquires, via the communication unit 22, information indicating that the discharge indicated by the control information will not be performed, which is returned from the communication terminal 9, during the lapse of a predetermined time after the transmission of the inquiry information. In this case, the output unit 206 determines that the user of the vehicle 4 has not permitted the discharge indicated by the control information to be performed (NO in step S108). Furthermore, if the communication unit 22 does not receive a reply from the communication terminal 9 when the predetermined time has elapsed after the transmission of the inquiry information, the output unit 206 determines that the user of the vehicle 4 has not permitted the discharge indicated by the control information to be performed (NO in step S108). In these cases, the control unit 20 ends the discharge control operation.

[0087] On the other hand, when the output unit 206 obtains via the communication unit 22 information indicating that discharging is to be performed as indicated by the control information returned from the communication terminal 9, it determines that the user of the vehicle 4 has consented to performing the discharging indicated by the control information (YES in step S108).

[0088] In this case, output unit 206 transmits the control information generated in step S107 to charging / discharging device 5 (step S109). Upon receiving the control information transmitted in step S109, charging / discharging device 5 discharges power from battery 41 to electrical device 32 outside vehicle 4 in accordance with the control information (step S110). Specifically, in step S110, charging / discharging device 5 supplies the target discharge amount of power indicated by the control information, which is charged in battery 41, to electrical device 32 outside vehicle 4 via charging cable 51 and distribution board 31 as described above.

[0089] Next, a detailed description will be given of the process of calculating a target value of the SOC value of the battery 41 when the battery 41 is discharged, which is performed in step S106 (FIG. 2). FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the process of calculating a target value of the SOC value of the battery 41 when the battery 41 is discharged.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 3, when starting step S106 (FIG. 2), the calculation unit 205 calculates a required SOC value capable of covering the amount of power required the next time the vehicle 4 is used, based on the prediction information acquired in step S103 (step S201).

[0091] Specifically, in step S201, the calculation unit 205 calculates the required SOC value as the sum of the SOC value of the battery 41 corresponding to the amount of power required the next time the vehicle 4 is used, which is indicated by the prediction information, and a predetermined margin SOC value. Here, the predetermined margin SOC value is an SOC value set as a margin so that the required amount of power can be covered by the battery 41, that is, so that the required amount of power can be reliably discharged from the battery 41. The predetermined margin SOC value may be 0, or may not be set.

[0092] Next, the calculation unit 205 determines whether or not the optimal SOC value stored in the storage unit 21 is greater than the required SOC value calculated in step S201 (step S202).

[0093] In step S202, when it is determined that the optimum SOC value is greater than the required SOC value (YES in step S202), the calculation unit 205 calculates the optimum SOC value as the target value (step S203).

[0094] In this case, in step S107 (FIG. 2), a target discharge amount is calculated by subtracting the current SOC value acquired in step S101 from the optimal SOC value, which is a target value, and control information is generated indicating an instruction to discharge the target discharge amount from the battery 41 of the vehicle 4 to the electric device 32. As a result, in step S110 (FIG. 2), the target discharge amount is discharged from the battery 41 of the vehicle 4 to the electric device 32. As a result, the SOC value of the battery 41 becomes the optimal SOC value, and deterioration of the battery 41 is suppressed.

[0095] On the other hand, in step S202, when the calculation unit 205 determines that the optimum SOC value is equal to or less than the required SOC value (NO in step S202), the calculation unit 205 performs the processes in and after step S210. As a result, the calculation unit 205 selects, from among a plurality of predetermined charge / discharge patterns, a charge / discharge pattern that minimizes the deterioration level of the battery 41 based on the current SOC value, the optimum SOC value, and the required SOC value, and calculates the target value according to the selected charge / discharge pattern.

[0096] Specifically, in step S202, if the calculation unit 205 determines that the optimal SOC value is equal to or lower than the required SOC value (NO in step S202), it determines whether the required SOC value calculated in step S201 is greater than the current SOC value (step S210).

[0097] As a result, the calculation unit 205 determines whether or not charging of the battery 41 is necessary in order to have the battery 41 supply the amount of power required for the next time the vehicle 4 is used, as indicated by the predicted date and time information included in the prediction information acquired in step S103 (Figure 2), on the date and time when the vehicle 4 will be used next, as indicated by the predicted date and time information.

[0098] Next, in step S210, if the calculation unit 205 determines that the required SOC value is greater than the current SOC value (YES in step S210), it selects a first charge / discharge pattern and a second charge / discharge pattern that will set the SOC value of the battery 41 at the date and time when the vehicle 4 is next used to the required SOC value (step S211).

[0099] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a first charge / discharge pattern G11 and a second charge / discharge pattern G12. In Fig. 4, the horizontal axis indicates the elapsed time from the present time, and the vertical axis indicates the SOC value of the battery 41. On the horizontal axis of Fig. 4, 0 indicates the present time, and T indicates the elapsed time from the present time to the date and time when the vehicle 4 will next be used, which is indicated by the predicted date and time information included in the prediction information acquired in step S103 (Fig. 2). On the vertical axis of Fig. 4, Qn indicates the required SOC value, Qc indicates the current SOC value, and Qo indicates the optimal SOC value.

[0100] 4, the first charge / discharge pattern G11 is a charge / discharge pattern in which the battery 41 is not charged or discharged until immediately before the next use of the vehicle 4, and the battery 41 is charged to the required SOC value Qn immediately before the next use of the vehicle 4. The second charge / discharge pattern G12 is a charge / discharge pattern in which the battery 41 is discharged to the optimal SOC value Qo immediately after the current time, and then the battery 41 is not charged or discharged until immediately before the next use of the vehicle 4, and the battery 41 is charged to the required SOC value Qn immediately before the next use of the vehicle 4.

[0101] Next, the calculation unit 205 determines, from the first charge / discharge pattern G11 and the second charge / discharge pattern G12 selected in step S211, the charge / discharge pattern that minimizes the deterioration level of the battery 41 (step S212).

[0102] Specifically, in step S212, the calculation unit 205 calculates the deterioration level of the battery 41 during a first period in which the battery 41 is not charged or discharged by multiplying the first period by a predetermined first deterioration coefficient associated with the current SOC value Qc. Also, the calculation unit 205 calculates the deterioration level of the battery 41 during a second period in which the battery 41 is charged or discharged by multiplying the charge / discharge amount of the battery 41 during the second period by a predetermined second deterioration coefficient associated with the type of the battery 41.

[0103] That is, the calculation unit 205 calculates the deterioration level D1 of the battery 41 in the first charging / discharging pattern G11 by using the following formula (1). D1=T1×K1[Qc]+(Qn-Qc)×K2[Li]...(1)

[0104] In addition, in formula (1), T1 indicates a first period during which the battery 41 is not charged or discharged. Specifically, the first period T1 included in the first charge / discharge pattern G11 corresponds to a period from the present time to time t3 shown in FIG. 4. However, the first period T1 may be approximated by a period (T-0) from the present time until the next time the vehicle 4 is used. In formula (1), K1[Qc] indicates a first deterioration coefficient associated with the current SOC value Qc. In formula (1), Li indicates that the type of the battery 41 is a lithium ion battery, and K2[Li] indicates a second deterioration coefficient associated with a lithium ion battery.

[0105] On the other hand, the calculation unit 205 calculates the deterioration level D2 of the battery 41 in the second charging / discharging pattern G12 by using the following formula (2). D2=(Qc-Qo)×K2[Li]+T1×K1[Qc]+(Qn-Qo)×K2[Li]...(2)

[0106] In addition, in the formula (2), T1 indicates a first period during which the battery 41 is not charged or discharged. Specifically, the first period T1 included in the second charge / discharge pattern G12 corresponds to a period (t2-t1) from a point where a time t1 has elapsed from the current time to a point where a time t2 has elapsed from the current time, as shown in FIG. 4. However, the first period T1 may be approximated by a period (T-0) from the current time until the next time the vehicle 4 is used. In the formula (2), K1[Qc] and K2[Li] indicate a first deterioration coefficient associated with the current SOC value Qc and a second deterioration coefficient associated with the lithium-ion battery, as in the formula (1). However, the calculation method of the deterioration degree of the battery 41 in each of the above-mentioned charge / discharge patterns is merely an example, and the deterioration degree of the battery 41 in each of the charge / discharge patterns may be calculated by other calculation methods.

[0107] In step S212, if the calculation unit 205 determines that the charge / discharge pattern that minimizes the degree of deterioration of the battery 41 is the first charge / discharge pattern G11 (first in step S212), it calculates the current SOC value Qc as the target value of the SOC value of the battery 41 when the battery 41 is discharged (step S213).

[0108] In this case, in step S107 (FIG. 2), 0, which is the result of subtracting the current SOC value Qc acquired in step S101 from the current SOC value Qc, which is the target value, is calculated as the target discharge amount. In this case, since there is no need to discharge from the battery 41 to the electric device 32, the output unit 206 does not perform the process of step S108 (FIG. 2) and subsequent steps, and the control unit 20 ends the discharge control operation. In this case, no discharge is performed from the battery 41 of the vehicle 4 to the electric device 32, and the battery 41 is left without being charged or discharged immediately after the current time, as shown in the first charge / discharge pattern G11 (FIG. 4).

[0109] However, without being limited thereto, in step S107 (FIG. 2), the output unit 206 may generate control information indicating an instruction to discharge from the battery 41 of the vehicle 4 to the electric device 32 with a target discharge amount of zero, and perform processing from step S108 onwards. In this case, in step S110 (FIG. 2), discharge is performed from the battery 41 of the vehicle 4 to the electric device 32 with a target discharge amount of zero. That is, in reality, discharge from the battery 41 of the vehicle 4 to the electric device 32 is not performed, and the battery 41 is left without being charged or discharged immediately after the current time, as shown in the first charge / discharge pattern G11 (FIG. 4).

[0110] On the other hand, in step S212, if the calculation unit 205 determines that the charge / discharge pattern that minimizes the degree of deterioration of the battery 41 is the second charge / discharge pattern G12 (second in step S212), it calculates the optimal SOC value Qo as the target value of the SOC value of the battery 41 when discharging the battery 41 (step S214).

[0111] In this case, in step S107 (FIG. 2), a target discharge amount is calculated by subtracting the current SOC value Qc acquired in step S101 from the optimum SOC value Qo, which is the target value, and control information is generated indicating an instruction to discharge the target discharge amount from the battery 41 of the vehicle 4 to the electric device 32. As a result, in step S110 (FIG. 2), as shown in the second charge / discharge pattern G12 (FIG. 4), discharge from the battery 41 to the electric device 32 is performed immediately after the current time until the SOC value of the battery 41 reaches the optimum SOC value Qo.

[0112] On the other hand, in step S210, if the calculation unit 205 determines that the required SOC value is equal to or lower than the current SOC value (NO in step S210), it selects a second charge / discharge pattern, a third charge / discharge pattern, and a fourth charge / discharge pattern that will set the SOC value of the battery 41 at the date and time when the vehicle 4 is next used to the required SOC value or the current SOC value (step S215).

[0113] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a second charge / discharge pattern G22, a third charge / discharge pattern G23, and a fourth charge / discharge pattern G24. In Fig. 5, the horizontal axis indicates the elapsed time from the current time, and the vertical axis indicates the SOC value of the battery 41. On the horizontal axis of Fig. 5, 0 indicates the current time, and T indicates the elapsed time from the current time to the date and time when the vehicle 4 will next be used, which is indicated by the predicted date and time information included in the prediction information acquired in step S103 (Fig. 2). On the vertical axis of Fig. 5, Qn indicates the required SOC value, Qc indicates the current SOC value, and Qo indicates the optimal SOC value.

[0114] 5, the second charge / discharge pattern G22 is a charge / discharge pattern in which the battery 41 is discharged to the optimal SOC value Qo immediately after the current time, and then the battery 41 is not charged or discharged until immediately before the vehicle 4 is next used, and the battery 41 is charged to the required SOC value Qn immediately before the vehicle 4 is next used. The third charge / discharge pattern G23 is a charge / discharge pattern in which the battery 41 is not charged or discharged until the vehicle 4 is next used. The fourth charge / discharge pattern G24 is a charge / discharge pattern in which the battery 41 is discharged to the required SOC value Qn immediately after the current time, and then the battery 41 is not charged or discharged until the vehicle 4 is next used.

[0115] Next, the calculation unit 205 determines the charge / discharge pattern that minimizes the deterioration level of the battery 41 from among the second charge / discharge pattern G22, the third charge / discharge pattern G23, and the fourth charge / discharge pattern G24 selected in step S215 (step S216).

[0116] Specifically, in step S216, similar to step S212, the calculation unit 205 calculates the deterioration level of the battery 41 in a first period during which the battery 41 is not charged or discharged by multiplying the first period by a predetermined first deterioration coefficient associated with the current SOC value Qc. In addition, the calculation unit 205 calculates the deterioration level of the battery 41 in a second period during which the battery 41 is charged or discharged by multiplying the charge / discharge amount of the battery 41 in the second period by a predetermined second deterioration coefficient associated with the type of the battery 41.

[0117] That is, the calculation unit 205 calculates the deterioration level D2 of the battery 41 in the second charge / discharge pattern G22 by using the above formula (2) in the same manner as in step S212. In step S216, in formula (2), the first period T1 during which the battery 41 included in the second charge / discharge pattern G22 is not charged or discharged corresponds to the period (t13-t12) from the point at which time t12 has elapsed from the present time to the point at which time t13 has elapsed from the present time, as shown in Fig. 5. However, the first period T1 may be approximated by the period (T-0) from the present time until the next time the vehicle 4 is used.

[0118] The calculation unit 205 calculates the deterioration level D3 of the battery 41 in the third charging / discharging pattern G23 by using the following formula (3). D3 = T1 × K1 [Qc] (3)

[0119] In addition, in the formula (3), T1 indicates a first period during which the battery 41 is not charged or discharged. Specifically, the first period T1 included in the third charging / discharging pattern G23 corresponds to the period (T-0) from the present to the next time the vehicle 4 is used, as shown in Fig. 5. In the formula (3), K1[Qc] indicates a first deterioration coefficient associated with the current SOC value Qc, similar to the above formula (1).

[0120] The calculation unit 205 calculates the deterioration level D4 of the battery 41 in the fourth charge / discharge pattern G24 by using the following formula (4). D4=(Qc-Qn)×K2[Li]+T1×K1[Qn]...(4)

[0121] In addition, in the formula (4), T1 indicates a first period in which the battery 41 is not charged or discharged. Specifically, the first period T1 included in the fourth charge / discharge pattern G24 corresponds to a period (T-t11) from the time t11 elapsed from the present time until the next time the vehicle 4 is used, as shown in FIG. 5. However, the first period T1 may be approximated by a period (T-0) from the present time until the next time the vehicle 4 is used. In the formula (4), K1[Qn] indicates a first deterioration coefficient associated with the required SOC value Qn. K2[Li] indicates a second deterioration coefficient associated with the lithium-ion battery, as in the formula (1). However, the calculation method of the deterioration degree of the battery 41 in each of the above-mentioned charge / discharge patterns is merely an example, and the deterioration degree of the battery 41 in each of the charge / discharge patterns may be calculated by other calculation methods.

[0122] In step S216, when the calculation unit 205 determines that the charge / discharge pattern that minimizes the deterioration level of the battery 41 is the second charge / discharge pattern G22 (second in step S216), the calculation unit 205 performs step S214. That is, the calculation unit 205 calculates the optimal SOC value Qo as a target value of the SOC value of the battery 41 when the battery 41 is discharged.

[0123] In this case, in step S107 (FIG. 2), a target discharge amount is calculated by subtracting the current SOC value Qc acquired in step S101 from the optimal SOC value Qo, which is the target value, and control information is generated indicating an instruction to discharge the target discharge amount from the battery 41 of the vehicle 4 to the electric device 32. As a result, in step S110 (FIG. 2), as shown in the second charge / discharge pattern G22 (FIG. 5), discharge from the battery 41 to the electric device 32 is performed immediately after the current time until the SOC value of the battery 41 reaches the optimal SOC value Qo.

[0124] In step S216, if the calculation unit 205 determines that the charge / discharge pattern that minimizes the degree of deterioration of the battery 41 is the third charge / discharge pattern G23 (third in step S216), similar to step S213, it calculates the current SOC value Qc as the target value of the SOC value of the battery 41 when the battery 41 is discharged (step S217).

[0125] In this case, in step S107 (FIG. 2), 0, which is the result of subtracting the current SOC value Qc acquired in step S101 from the current SOC value Qc, which is the target value, is calculated as the target discharge amount. In this case, since there is no need to discharge from the battery 41 to the electric device 32, the output unit 206 does not perform the processes in and after step S108 (FIG. 2), and the control unit 20 ends the discharge control operation. In this case, no discharge is performed from the battery 41 of the vehicle 4 to the electric device 32, and the battery 41 is left without being charged or discharged immediately after the current time point, as shown in the third charge / discharge pattern G23 (FIG. 5).

[0126] However, without being limited thereto, in step S107 (FIG. 2), the output unit 206 may generate control information indicating an instruction to discharge from the battery 41 of the vehicle 4 to the electric device 32 with a target discharge amount of zero, and perform the processes from step S108 onwards. In this case, in step S110 (FIG. 2), discharge is performed from the battery 41 of the vehicle 4 to the electric device 32 with a target discharge amount of zero. That is, in reality, discharge from the battery 41 of the vehicle 4 to the electric device 32 is not performed, and the battery 41 is left without being charged or discharged immediately after the current time, as shown in the third charge / discharge pattern G23 (FIG. 5).

[0127] In step S216, if the calculation unit 205 determines that the charge / discharge pattern that minimizes the degree of deterioration of the battery 41 is the fourth charge / discharge pattern G24 (fourth in step S216), it calculates the required SOC value Qn as a target value for the SOC value of the battery 41 when the battery 41 is discharged (step S218).

[0128] In this case, in step S107 (FIG. 2), a target discharge amount is calculated by subtracting the current SOC value Qc acquired in step S101 from the required SOC value Qn, which is a target value, and control information is generated indicating an instruction to discharge the target discharge amount from the battery 41 of the vehicle 4 to the electric device 32. As a result, in step S110 (FIG. 2), as shown in the fourth charge / discharge pattern G24 (FIG. 4), discharge from the battery 41 to the electric device 32 is performed immediately after the current time until the SOC value of the battery 41 reaches the required SOC value Qn.

[0129] Next, a process performed in the communication terminal 9 owned by the user of the vehicle 4 will be described.

[0130] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a discharge notification setting screen W1. The communication terminal 9 can display the discharge notification setting screen W1 shown in Fig. 6 on a display provided on the communication terminal 9 at any timing by an operation by a user of the vehicle 4. The discharge notification setting screen W1 is a screen for setting in advance information to be returned to the server 2 when inquiry information inquiring whether or not to perform discharge indicated by the control information generated in step S107 (Fig. 2), which is transmitted from the server 2 in step S108 (Fig. 2), is received.

[0131] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the discharge notification setting screen W1 includes a message 900 inquiring as to whether or not to automatically reply to the server 2 when the inquiry information is received, an approval button 901, a non-approval button 902, and a confirmation each time button 903.

[0132] The accept button 901 is an operation button for making a setting such that, when the inquiry information is received, information indicating that discharging indicated by the control information will be performed is automatically returned to the server 2. In other words, when the accept button 901 is pressed by the user, thereafter, when the communication terminal 9 receives the inquiry information, the communication terminal 9 automatically returns information indicating that discharging indicated by the control information will be performed to the server 2.

[0133] The non-approval button 902 is an operation button for making a setting such that, when the inquiry information is received, information indicating that the discharge indicated by the control information will not be performed is automatically returned to the server 2. In other words, when the non-approval button 902 is pressed by the user, thereafter, when the communication terminal 9 receives the inquiry information, it automatically returns information indicating that the discharge indicated by the control information will not be performed to the server 2.

[0134] The confirm each time button 903 is an operation button for making a setting to confirm with the user whether or not to perform the discharge indicated by the control information each time the inquiry information is received. In other words, when the confirm each time button 903 is pressed by the user, the communication terminal 9 thereafter displays the discharge confirmation screen W2 shown in Fig. 7 on the display of the communication terminal 9 each time the inquiry information is received. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the discharge confirmation screen W2.

[0135] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the discharge confirmation screen W2 includes a prediction result message 910, a discharge content message 911, an approval button 912, a disapproval button 913, and a discharge amount setting button 914.

[0136] The prediction result message 910 is a message indicating the time from the present to the date and time when the vehicle 4 will be used next and the amount of power required the next time the vehicle 4 is used. The prediction result message 910 is generated using the prediction information predicted in step S103 (FIG. 2). For this reason, in step S108 (FIG. 2), the output unit 206 transmits the prediction information predicted in step S103 (FIG. 2) together with the inquiry information to the communication terminal 9.

[0137] The discharge content message 911 is a message indicating the content of the discharge indicated by the control information. Specifically, the discharge content message 911 includes the current SOC value of the battery 41 and a target value of the SOC value of the battery 41 when performing the discharge indicated by the control information. The discharge content message 911 is generated using the current SOC value acquired in step S101 (FIG. 2) and the target value calculated in step S106. Therefore, in step S108 (FIG. 2), the output unit 206 transmits information indicating the current SOC value acquired in step S101 (FIG. 2) and the target value calculated in step S106 together with the inquiry information to the communication terminal 9.

[0138] The permission button 912 is an operation button for returning information indicating that the discharge indicated by the control information will be performed. In other words, when the communication terminal 9 receives the inquiry information, the communication terminal 9 displays the discharge confirmation screen W2 on the display and then returns the information indicating that the discharge indicated by the control information will be performed to the server 2 when the user presses the permission button 912.

[0139] The non-approval button 913 is an operation button for returning information indicating that the discharge indicated by the control information will not be performed. In other words, when the communication terminal 9 receives the inquiry information, it displays the discharge confirmation screen W2 on the display, and then, when the non-approval button 913 is pressed by the user, returns to the server 2 information indicating that the discharge indicated by the control information will not be performed.

[0140] The discharge amount setting button 914 is an operation button for accepting input of an SOC value that is equal to or greater than the target value included in the discharge content message 911 and is less than the current SOC value of the battery 41 included in the discharge content message 911, and for selecting a discharge mode for discharging the battery 41 to the accepted SOC value.

[0141] That is, when the communication terminal 9 receives the inquiry information, it displays the discharge confirmation screen W2 on the display, and then, when the user presses the discharge amount setting button 914, displays on the display an operation screen that allows input of an SOC value that is equal to or greater than the target value included in the discharge content message 911 and is less than the current SOC value of the battery 41 included in the discharge content message 911. When the user inputs an SOC value by operating the operation screen, the communication terminal 9 accepts the input SOC value and replies to the server 2 with information indicating that a discharge mode for discharging the battery 41 to the accepted SOC value is selected.

[0142] In step S108 (FIG. 2), it is assumed that output unit 206 acquires, via communication unit 22, information indicating the selection of the discharging mode returned from communication terminal 9. In this case, output unit 206 performs step S109 (FIG. 2), and in step S109, transmits, to charging / discharging device 5, information instructing to discharge battery 41 in the discharging mode indicated by the acquired information, instead of the control information generated in step S107.

[0143] When the charging / discharging device 5 receives the transmitted information, it discharges from the battery 41 to the electrical device 32 outside the vehicle 4 in accordance with the received information until the SOC value of the battery 41 reaches an SOC value that is equal to or greater than the target value calculated in step S106 and less than the current SOC value acquired in step S101 (FIG. 2), as indicated by the discharge mode.

[0144] The above-mentioned aspects are merely examples of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure to the above-mentioned aspects. For example, the following modified embodiments may be used.

[0145] (1) In step S108 (FIG. 2), the output unit 206 may send the inquiry information to an operation panel 321 (FIG. 1) in the building 3 owned by the user of the vehicle 4, thereby inquiring of the user of the vehicle 4 as to whether or not to permit the discharge indicated by the control information generated in step S107. In this case, the operation panel 321 (FIG. 1) may display on a display a discharge notification setting screen W1 shown in FIG. 6 and a discharge confirmation screen W2 shown in FIG. 7, and may accept operations on these screens by the user.

[0146] (2) The discharge confirmation screen W2 shown in Fig. 7 may not include the discharge amount setting button 914. In addition, the discharge confirmation screen W2 may be provided with an operation button for displaying a discharge operation screen (not shown) that allows an operation to specify one or more electric devices 32 to be destinations of the power discharged from the battery 41 and the amount of power to be supplied to each of the one or more electric devices 32.

[0147] In conjunction with this, when the operation button is pressed, the communication terminal 9 or the operation panel 321 may display a discharge operation screen, and reply to the server 2 with discharge detailed information including information identifying one or more electrical devices 32 specified on the discharge operation screen and information indicating the amount of power to be supplied to each of the one or more electrical devices 32, together with information indicating that discharge is to be performed as indicated by the control information.

[0148] In step S109 (FIG. 2), the output unit 206 may transmit the discharge detailed information returned from the communication terminal 9 or the operation panel 321 together with the control information to the charging / discharging device 5. In step S110 (FIG. 2), the charging / discharging device 5 may supply the power stored in the battery 41 of the vehicle 4 to one or more electric devices 32 indicated in the discharge detailed information received from the server 2, with the amount of power indicated by the discharge detailed information. At that time, the communication terminal 9 or the operation panel 321 may display icon images representing the battery 41 and the one or more electric devices 32 on a display, and may display an image indicating that power is being supplied from the icon image representing the battery 41 to each of the icon images representing the one or more electric devices 32.

[0149] (3) Step S105 (FIG. 2) may be omitted. As a result, when it is determined in step S104 that the current SOC value is equal to or greater than the optimal SOC value (YES in step S104), the processes in and after step S106 (FIG. 2) may be performed regardless of the unused time, which is the time from the present to the date and time when the vehicle 4 will be used next.

[0150] (4) Step S108 (FIG. 2) may be omitted. In this way, after the control information is generated in step S107, the processes in and after step S109 (FIG. 2) may be performed, so that the discharge indicated by the control information is performed without inquiring of the user of the vehicle 4.

[0151] In the above embodiment and modified embodiment, the control unit 20 of the server 2 performs the discharge control. Alternatively, the same control as the discharge control performed by the server 2 may be performed by a computer provided in the charging / discharging device 5 or a control unit 40 provided in the vehicle 4. In this case, a trained model similar to the trained model 211 stored in the storage unit 21 of the server 2 may be stored in a storage device or storage unit 42 (not shown) provided in the charging / discharging device 5.

[0152] Furthermore, the computer of the charging / discharging device 5 or the control unit 40 of the vehicle 4 does not need to function in the same manner as the learning unit 200. In this case, the computer of the charging / discharging device 5 or the control unit 40 of the vehicle 4 requests the server 2 to transmit the trained model 211 stored in the storage unit 21, stores the trained model 211 returned in response from the server 2 in the storage device or storage unit 42 (not shown), and uses the trained model 211. [Industrial Applicability]

[0153] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present disclosure is useful in suppressing deterioration of a vehicle's battery by taking into careful consideration the past usage history of the vehicle by each user.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a charging / discharging device that charges and discharges a battery of a vehicle, comprising: The computer Obtaining a current SOC value of the battery; Acquire historical information regarding the amount of electricity used in the past in the vehicle; The acquired historical information is input into a trained model that has learned the relationship between the amount of power used in the past of the vehicle and the amount of power required the next time the vehicle is used, thereby acquiring predicted information regarding the amount of power required; determining whether the current SOC value is greater than a predetermined optimum SOC value for suppressing deterioration of the battery; when it is determined that the current SOC value is greater than the optimal SOC value, calculating a target value of the SOC value of the battery during discharging of the battery based on the current SOC value, the optimal SOC value, and the prediction information; outputting, to the charging / discharging device, control information instructing the charging / discharging device to discharge the battery to an electrical device outside the vehicle until the SOC value of the battery reaches the target value; Control methods.

2. The history information to be input to the trained model further includes information indicating a past use date and time of the vehicle, The prediction information includes predicted date and time information indicating the date and time when the vehicle will be used next. The control method according to claim 1.

3. The determination further includes determining whether or not an unused time, which is a time from the present time to the date and time indicated by the predicted date and time information, is longer than a predetermined time. In the calculation, when it is determined that the current SOC value is greater than the optimal SOC value and the unused time is longer than the predetermined time, the target value is calculated. The control method according to claim 2 .

4. In the above calculation, Calculating a required SOC value capable of covering the required amount of power based on the prediction information; If the optimum SOC value is greater than the required SOC value, the optimum SOC value is calculated as the target value. A control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. In the above calculation, Calculating a required SOC value capable of covering the required amount of power based on the prediction information; If the optimum SOC value is equal to or less than the required SOC value, selecting a charge / discharge pattern that minimizes the deterioration level of the battery from among a plurality of predetermined charge / discharge patterns based on the current SOC value, the optimum SOC value, and the required SOC value, and calculating the target value according to the selected charge / discharge pattern; A control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. In the above calculation, If the required SOC value is greater than the optimal SOC value and the current SOC value, a first charge / discharge pattern for charging the battery to the required SOC value immediately before the vehicle is next used; a second charge / discharge pattern in which the battery is discharged to the optimum SOC value immediately after the current time, and then the battery is charged to the required SOC value immediately before the vehicle is used; Select a charge / discharge pattern that minimizes the deterioration of the battery, When the first charge / discharge pattern is selected, the current SOC value is calculated as the target value, and when the second charge / discharge pattern is selected, the optimal SOC value is calculated as the target value. The control method according to claim 5.

7. In the above calculation, If the required SOC value is greater than the optimal SOC value and less than the current SOC value, a second charge / discharge pattern in which the battery is discharged to the optimum SOC value immediately after the current time, and then the battery is charged to the required SOC value immediately before the vehicle is used; a third charge / discharge pattern in which the battery is not charged or discharged until the vehicle is next used; a fourth charge / discharge pattern in which the battery is discharged to the required SOC value immediately after the current time and the battery is not charged or discharged until the next time the vehicle is used; Select a charge / discharge pattern that minimizes the deterioration of the battery, When the second charge / discharge pattern is selected, the optimal SOC value is calculated as the target value, when the third charge / discharge pattern is selected, the current SOC value is calculated as the target value, and when the fourth charge / discharge pattern is selected, the required SOC value is calculated as the target value.

7. A control method according to claim 5 or 6.

8. the charge / discharge pattern includes at least one of a first period in which the battery is not charged or discharged and a second period in which the battery is charged or discharged, a deterioration degree of the battery in the first period is calculated by multiplying the first period by a predetermined first deterioration coefficient associated with the current SOC value; the deterioration degree of the battery in the second period is calculated by multiplying a charge / discharge amount of the battery in the second period by a predetermined second deterioration coefficient associated with a type of the battery; A control method according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

9. In the output, Before outputting the control information, transmitting information inquiring whether or not to perform the discharge indicated by the control information to a communication terminal owned by a user of the vehicle, and outputting the control information when information indicating that the discharge indicated by the control information is to be performed is returned from the communication terminal; A control method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. In the output, Before outputting the control information, accepts an input of an SOC value equal to or greater than the target value but less than the current SOC value, and transmits information to a communication terminal owned by a user of the vehicle inquiring whether or not to select a discharge mode in which the battery is discharged to the accepted SOC value, and when information indicating that the discharge mode is to be selected is returned from the communication terminal, outputs to the charging / discharging device, in place of the control information, information instructing the charging / discharging device to discharge the battery in the discharge mode. A control method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A control device that controls a charging / discharging device that charges and discharges a battery of a vehicle, A first acquisition unit that acquires a current SOC value of the battery; A second acquisition unit that acquires history information regarding a past amount of power usage in the vehicle; a third acquisition unit that acquires prediction information regarding the required amount of power by inputting the acquired history information into a trained model that has learned a relationship between the amount of power used in the past of the vehicle and the amount of power required the next time the vehicle is used; a determination unit that determines whether the current SOC value is greater than a predetermined optimum SOC value for suppressing deterioration of the battery; a calculation unit that calculates a target value of an SOC value of the battery during discharging of the battery based on the current SOC value, the optimal SOC value, and the prediction information when it is determined that the current SOC value is greater than the optimal SOC value; an output unit that outputs control information to the charging / discharging device, the control information instructing the charging / discharging device to discharge the battery to an electrical device outside the vehicle until an SOC value of the battery reaches the target value; A control device comprising:

12. A control program for a control device that controls a charging / discharging device that charges and discharges a battery of a vehicle, A computer included in the control device, A first acquisition unit that acquires a current SOC value of the battery; A second acquisition unit that acquires history information regarding a past amount of power usage in the vehicle; a third acquisition unit that acquires prediction information regarding the required amount of power by inputting the acquired history information into a trained model that has learned a relationship between the amount of power used in the past of the vehicle and the amount of power required the next time the vehicle is used; a determination unit that determines whether the current SOC value is greater than a predetermined optimum SOC value for suppressing deterioration of the battery; a calculation unit that calculates a target value of an SOC value of the battery during discharging of the battery based on the current SOC value, the optimal SOC value, and the prediction information when it is determined that the current SOC value is greater than the optimal SOC value; an output unit that outputs control information to the charging / discharging device, the control information instructing the charging / discharging device to discharge the battery to an electrical device outside the vehicle until an SOC value of the battery reaches the target value; The control program that makes it work.

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