Battery charging management device

Abstract

To facilitate creation of a travel plan for a vehicle mounted with a battery to be charged with an external power source at a charging station.SOLUTION: A CPU 21 executes the processes to: extract a charging station existing in an object area as a specific station from map data; calculate charging information assuming that a battery 82 is charged for a predetermined period at the specific station as set charging information; and output the set charging information together with positional information of the specific station. The charging information includes at least one of the followings: a predicted increment in a charging rate of the battery 82; predicted charge rate of the battery 82 after charging; and a cruising distance of a vehicle 80 according to the predicted charging rate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a battery charging management device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle having a battery that can be charged by an external power source. This type of vehicle can charge the battery at a charging station, which is a facility for replenishing electric power. In the technology of Patent Document 1, during the charging of the battery at the charging station, information around the destination that the vehicle will head to later is provided on a display or the like installed at the charging station.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For example, when a user considers charging at a charging station while the vehicle is running, if the user can grasp information such as the location of the charging station and the increase amount of the charging rate when charging at that charging station, it will be easier for the user to make a subsequent driving plan. The technology described in Patent Document 1 has not considered this point and there is room for improvement.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A battery charging management device for solving the above problems is a battery charging management device that manages a vehicle driving battery that can be charged by an external power source of a charging station. It has an execution device and a storage device. The storage device stores in advance map data including the location information of a plurality of the charging stations, and the correspondence relationship between the charging rate of the battery and the charging time of the battery. The execution device performs a first process of extracting, as a specific station, the charging stations existing in a predetermined target area including the current position of the vehicle from the map data, a second process of calculating, as set charging information, the charging information when it is assumed that the battery is charged for a predetermined set charging time at the specific station based on the correspondence relationship, and a third process of outputting the set charging information together with the location information of the specific station. The charging information includes at least one of a predicted increase amount of the charging rate of the battery, a predicted charging rate of the battery after charging, and a travelable distance of the vehicle corresponding to the predicted charging rate. By outputting the set charging information together with the location information of the specific station as in this configuration, it becomes easier for the user to make a travel plan.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0006]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a battery charging management device will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, vehicle 80 includes a motor generator 81, a battery 82, a connector 83, and battery monitoring device 84. Motor generator 81 is a drive source of vehicle 80. Battery 82 is for driving vehicle 80. Battery 82 exchanges electric power with motor generator 81. Connector 83 is connected to battery 82. Connector 83 can be connected to an external power source 99. When external power source 99 is connected to connector 83, battery 82 can be charged by the supplied power of external power source 99. Battery monitoring device 84 detects information of battery 82. The information of battery 82 includes the temperature of battery 82, the voltage of battery 82, and the current flowing through battery 82. Battery monitoring device 84 repeatedly transmits the detected information to control module 20 described below.

[0008] Vehicle 80 has a battery charging management device 10. Charging management device 10 includes a control module 20, a display device 30, and a receiver 40. Control module 20 includes a CPU 21 which is an execution device, and a memory 22 which is a storage device. Memory 22 includes a RAM, a ROM, and an electrically rewritable non-volatile type. Memory 22 stores program codes or instructions configured to cause CPU 21 to execute processing. Memory 22, that is, a computer-readable medium, includes any available medium accessible by a general-purpose or dedicated computer. Note that CPU 21 includes a circuit that generates date and time information.

[0009] Display device 30 is, for example, a touch panel type liquid crystal display. That is, display device 30 also serves as an input device. Display device 30 has a display screen 31. Display screen 31 is located in the passenger compartment. Display device 30 is connected to control module 20. Display device 30 displays an image corresponding to the information output by CPU 21 of control module 20 on display screen 31. Further, when a user performs an input operation on display screen 31, display device 30 outputs information corresponding to the input operation to control module 20.

[0010] The receiver 40 receives information regarding the current position coordinates of the vehicle 80 from global positioning satellites. The receiver 40 repeatedly transmits the received information to the control module 20. The position coordinates are latitude and longitude.

[0011] The control module 20 manages the charging of the battery 82. The CPU 21 is capable of executing a display process for displaying information regarding the charging of the battery 82. The CPU 21 constantly grasps the current charging rate S [%] of the battery 82 as information necessary for executing the display process. The charging rate S of the battery 82 is a value expressed as a percentage of the remaining capacity [Ah] of the battery 82 with respect to the full charge capacity [Ah] of the battery 82. The CPU 21 calculates the current charging rate S of the battery 82 based on various parameters detected by the battery monitoring device 84. For example, the CPU 21 calculates the full charge capacity and the remaining capacity based on the voltage and temperature of the battery 82.

[0012] The memory 22 stores map data in advance as information necessary for the display process. The map data includes information on a plurality of nodes and a plurality of links. Each node indicates position coordinates. Each link is defined as a line segment connecting adjacent nodes. Each link indicates a road. The map data also includes information on a plurality of charging stations. The information on a specific charging station includes an identification value ID assigned to the charging station, the position coordinates of the charging station as the position information of the charging station, and the power supply amount of the external power supply 99 installed at the charging station. The power supply amount is the amount of power [W] supplied from the external power supply 99 to the battery 82 per unit time.

[0013] The memory 22 stores in advance a charge map as information necessary for display processing. As shown in FIG. 2, the charge map represents the correspondence between the charge rate S of the battery 82 and the charge time HA of the battery 82. Specifically, the charge map represents the transition of the charge rate S of the battery 82 according to the charge time HA. Here, the increase amount of the charge rate S when the battery 82 is charged for a certain unit time is called the charge efficiency. In the charge map, the higher the charge rate S, the lower the charge efficiency. The charge map is created by, for example, experiments or simulations under the condition that the battery 82 is in a new state and the temperature of the battery 82 is the reference temperature, when a reference power amount is supplied to the battery 82 per unit time. The reference temperature is the maximum temperature that the battery 82 can reach during use. The reference power amount is the upper limit value of the supply power amount described above. The reference power amount is also the maximum value of the power amount per unit that the battery 82 can accept. The memory 22 stores in advance the reference temperature and the reference power amount.

[0014] The CPU 21 starts display processing related to the charging of the battery 82 according to the user's operation on the display screen 31. When starting the display processing, the CPU 21 sets the initial charge time HU stored in the memory 22 as the initial value of the set charge time H described later. The initial charge time HU is predetermined as the length of a standard time when charging is performed at the charging station, for example, 30 minutes.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 3, when the CPU 21 starts the display process, it first performs the process of step S10. The process of step S10 is the first process. In step S10, the CPU 21 extracts a charging station that is a candidate for the vehicle 80 to charge the battery 82. Specifically, the CPU 21 refers to the map data stored in the memory 22. Then, the CPU 21 sets a virtual circle centered on the current position of the vehicle 80 on the map data. Then, with the range within this virtual circle as the target area, the CPU 21 extracts the charging stations existing in the target area as specific stations. Note that the radius of the virtual circle is the maximum distance from the current position that the vehicle 80 can travel without charging at the current charging rate S of the battery 82. The maximum distance is predetermined according to the charging rate S. The CPU 21 converts the current charging rate S of the battery 82 into the distance that the vehicle 80 can currently travel based on the specified charging rate K stored in the memory 22. The CPU 21 treats this distance as the radius of the virtual circle. The above-mentioned specified charging rate K is the charging rate S consumed by the battery 82 when the vehicle 80 travels a unit distance at a driving speed that can be regarded as somewhat general. The specified charging rate K is, for example, predetermined by experiments or simulations. The driving speed that can be regarded as somewhat general for the vehicle 80 is, for example, 30 [km / h] on ordinary roads and 80 [km / h] on highways. When the CPU 21 extracts the specific stations, the process proceeds to step S20. Note that if there are no charging stations in the target area, the CPU 21 displays a message to that effect on the display screen 31 and ends the display process.

[0016] In step S20, the CPU 21 calculates the set charging information J. The set charging information J is charging information when it is assumed that the battery 82 is charged for the set charging time H at a specific station. The charging information is, for example, the predicted increase amount ΔS which is the increase amount of the charging rate S of the battery 82, the predicted charging rate F which is the charging rate S of the battery 82 after charging, and the travelable distance D of the vehicle 80 corresponding to the predicted charging rate F. The set charging time H is the charging time for which the set charging information J is calculated. The CPU 21 calculates the set charging information J for the set charging time H set at the time of executing the process of step S20. Note that when the CPU 21 extracts a plurality of specific stations in step S10, the CPU 21 calculates the set charging information J for each of the extracted plurality of specific stations. Hereinafter, taking one specific station as an example, the method for calculating the set charging information J will be described.

[0017] First, the CPU 21 calculates the arrival charging rate which is the charging rate S when the vehicle 80 arrives at the specific station in the future. When calculating the arrival charging rate, the CPU 21 refers to the map data stored in the memory 22. Then, the CPU 21 calculates the average travel distance of the vehicle 80 while the vehicle 80 travels from the current position to the specific station. The average travel distance may be the distance of the travel route when the vehicle 80 travels from the current position to the specific station at the shortest distance, or may be the distance of the travel route when the vehicle 80 travels from the current position to the specific station in the shortest time. Next, the CPU 21 calculates the decrement charging rate which is the consumption charging rate of the battery 82 while the vehicle 80 travels this travel distance. The CPU 21 converts the travel distance into the decrement charging rate based on the above-mentioned specified charging rate K stored in the memory 22. After calculating the decrement charging rate, the CPU 21 sets the value obtained by subtracting the decrement charging rate from the current charging rate S as the arrival charging rate.

[0018] When the CPU 21 calculates the achieved charge rate, it calculates a predicted increase amount ΔS which is one piece of charging information. Specifically, the CPU 21 refers to the charge map stored in the memory 22. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, when the achieved charge rate is the first charge rate S1, the CPU 21 specifies the charge time HA corresponding to the first charge rate S1 in the charge map as the first value H1. Then, the CPU 21 specifies a value obtained by adding the set charge time H to this first value H1 as the second value H2. Then, the CPU 21 calculates the second charge rate S2 which is the charge rate S when the charge time HA is the second value H2 in the charge map as the target charge rate. When the CPU 21 calculates the target charge rate, it calculates a value obtained by subtracting the achieved charge rate from the target charge rate as a provisional increase rate. When the CPU 21 calculates the provisional increase rate, it calculates a first correction coefficient for correcting this provisional increase rate. The first correction coefficient is a positive value of "1" or less. The CPU 21 varies the first correction coefficient according to the power supply amount of the specified station. The CPU 21 sets the case where the power supply amount is the same as the reference power supply amount as "1", and calculates the first correction coefficient as a smaller value as the power supply amount is smaller than the reference power supply amount. When the CPU 21 calculates the first correction coefficient, it calculates the product of the first correction coefficient and the provisional increase rate as the predicted increase amount ΔS. Due to the setting of the first correction coefficient, for the same set charge time H, the larger the power supply amount, the larger the predicted increase amount ΔS.

[0019] When the CPU 21 calculates the predicted increase amount ΔS, it calculates a predicted charge rate F which is one piece of charging information. Specifically, the CPU 21 sets the sum of the achieved charge rate and the predicted increase amount ΔS as the predicted charge rate F.

[0020] When the CPU 21 calculates the predicted charge rate F, it calculates the travelable distance D, which is one piece of charging information. When calculating the travelable distance D, the CPU 21 first calculates a tentative travelable distance, which is a tentative value of the travelable distance D. Specifically, the CPU 21 calculates, based on the above-mentioned specified charge rate K, the distance that the vehicle 80 can travel at the charge rate S of the battery 82 corresponding to the predicted charge rate F as the tentative travelable distance. When the CPU 21 calculates the tentative travelable distance, it calculates a second correction coefficient for correcting this tentative travelable distance. The second correction coefficient is a positive value of "1" or less. When calculating the second correction coefficient, the CPU 21 first calculates the number of days elapsed from the initial date stored in the memory 22 to the present day. The initial date is, for example, the date when the vehicle 80 was first driven using the battery 82 in a new state. The above-mentioned number of days elapsed is an index indicating the degree of deterioration of the battery 82. A longer number of days elapsed means a higher degree of deterioration. The CPU 21 changes the second correction coefficient according to this number of days elapsed and the latest temperature of the battery 82 detected by the battery monitoring device 84. Specifically, the CPU 21 calculates the second correction coefficient as follows. When the number of days elapsed is zero and the current temperature of the battery 82 is the reference temperature, the CPU 21 sets the second correction coefficient to "1". When the temperature of the battery 82 is the same, the CPU 21 calculates the second correction coefficient so that the value becomes smaller as the number of days elapsed becomes longer. Also, when the number of days elapsed is the same, the CPU 21 calculates the second correction coefficient so that the value becomes smaller as the temperature of the battery 82 is lower. When the CPU 21 calculates the second correction coefficient, it calculates the product of the second correction coefficient and the tentative travelable distance as the final travelable distance D. Here, the travelable distance D includes an increased travelable distance, which is the increased width of the travelable distance corresponding to the predicted increase amount ΔS. This increased travelable distance corresponds to the product of the predicted increase amount ΔS and the second correction coefficient. As can be seen from the definition of the second correction coefficient, the increased travelable distance becomes smaller as the number of days elapsed from the time when the battery 82 was new is longer for the same set charging time H. Also, the increased travelable distance becomes smaller as the temperature of the battery 82 is lower during the execution of the processing in this step S20 for the same set charging time H. Note that the processing in step S20 is the second processing.

[0021] The CPU 21 calculates the set charging information J as described above. When the CPU 21 calculates the set charging information J for each specific station, as shown in FIG. 3, the process proceeds to step S25.

[0022] In step S25, the CPU 21 calculates various option information. Here, taking a certain specific station as the departure point, the charging rate S of the battery 82 required to travel from the departure point to the destination point of the vehicle 80 is called the required charging rate. Also, the time required to increase the charging rate S of the battery 82 to the required charging rate by the external power source 99 of the specific station used as the departure point is called the required time N. Further, the time required to charge the battery 82 from the current charging rate S to full charge is called the maximum time M.

[0023] In step S25, the CPU 21 first causes a message prompting the input of the destination point of the vehicle 80 to be displayed on the display screen 31. When the destination point is input, the CPU 21 starts calculating the required time N. For example, if the CPU 21 already knows the destination point in relation to, for example, route guidance, the CPU 21 immediately starts calculating the required time N. If the CPU 21 extracts a plurality of specific stations in step S10, the required time N is calculated for each of the extracted plurality of specific stations. Hereinafter, taking one specific station as an example, the method of calculating the required time N will be described.

[0024] First, the CPU 21 calculates the driving distance of the vehicle 80 during the drive from the specific station to the destination point based on the map data stored in the memory 22. The CPU 21, for example, sets as the required driving distance a value obtained by adding a value equal to 10% of this driving distance. Then, the CPU 21 converts this required driving distance into the consumption charging rate of the battery 82 using the above-mentioned specified charging rate K. The CPU 21 sets this consumption charging rate as the required charging rate. Therefore, the process of step S25 is the sixth process.

[0025] Next, the CPU 21 refers to the achieved charge rate calculated in step S20. When this achieved charge rate is a value greater than or equal to the required charge rate, the CPU 21 calculates the required time N as zero. On the other hand, when the achieved charge rate is less than the required charge rate, the CPU 21 calculates, as a provisional time, the time required to increase the charge rate S of the battery 82 from the achieved charge rate to the required charge rate. At this time, the CPU 21 uses the charge map. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, assume that the required charge rate is the second charge rate S2 and the achieved charge rate is the first charge rate S1. In this case, the CPU 21 sets, as the provisional time, the difference between the second value H2, which is the charging time HA corresponding to the second charge rate S2, and the first value H1, which is the charging time HA corresponding to the first charge rate S1. When the CPU 21 calculates the provisional time, it calculates a third correction coefficient for correcting this provisional time. The third correction coefficient is a positive value of "1" or more. The CPU 21 varies the third correction coefficient according to the power supply amount of the specific station. The CPU 21 sets the case where the power supply amount is the same as the reference power supply amount as "1", and calculates the third correction coefficient as a larger value as the power supply amount is smaller than the reference power supply amount. When the CPU 21 calculates the third correction coefficient, it calculates the product of the third correction coefficient and the provisional time as the required time N. Therefore, the process of step S25 is the seventh process.

[0026] Also, in step S25, the CPU 21 calculates the maximum time M. Similar to the required time N, the CPU 21 calculates the maximum time M for each specific station extracted in step S10. When calculating the maximum time M, the CPU 21 uses the charge map. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, assume that the current charge rate S is the second charge rate S2. In this case, the CPU 21 sets, as the provisional value of the maximum time M, the difference between the second value H2 of the charging time HA and the charging time HA when the charge rate S is 100 [%]. The CPU 21 calculates the product of this provisional value and the above-described third correction coefficient determined for each specific station as the maximum time M. When the CPU 21 calculates the required time N and the maximum time M in this way, as shown in FIG. 3, the process proceeds to step S30.

[0027] In step S30, the CPU 21 combines various images and causes them to be displayed on the display device 30. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 21 generates a first image E1. The first image E1 is an image that combines the road existing around the vehicle 80, the current position of the vehicle 80 on the road, and the position of a specific station. The CPU 21 uses a mark, such as a triangle mark, that can be distinguished from other objects as a plot indicating the current position of the vehicle 80. Also, the CPU 21 uses, for example, the identification value ID of the specific station as a plot indicating the position of the specific station.

[0028] In addition to the first image E1, the CPU 21 generates a second image E2. The second image E2 shows the set charging information J of the specific station in tabular form. For example, in the second image E2, the CPU 21 arranges the set charging time H, the predicted increase amount ΔS, the predicted charging rate F, and the travelable distance D side by side in association with the identification value ID of the specific station. Also, when the CPU 21 extracts a plurality of specific stations in step S10, the CPU 21 arranges the specific stations from top to bottom in ascending order of proximity to the current position of the vehicle 80. Note that the second image E2 also includes information on the distance Z from the current position of the vehicle 80 to the specific station.

[0029] In step S30, in addition to the first image E1 and the second image E2, the CPU 21 generates various images. Specifically, the CPU 21 generates a third image E3 for selecting the set charging time H. The third image E3 is an icon that combines a straight line and a point movable along the straight line. By the user touching the display screen 31 of the display device 30 and moving the above point on the straight line, one of a plurality of predetermined times can be selected as the set charging time H. The plurality of times are, for example, defined in 10-minute increments with a minimum of 10 minutes. That is, the plurality of times are different from each other. Note that until step S50 described later is executed, the third image E3 is an image in which the above point is located at a position corresponding to the initial charging time HU on the straight line.

[0030] Further, the CPU 21 generates a fourth image E4. The fourth image E4 is an icon that indicates the display of the required time N. Also, the CPU 21 generates a fifth image E5. The fifth image E5 is an icon that indicates the display of the maximum time M. Further, the CPU 21 generates a sixth image E6. The sixth image E6 is an icon that instructs to erase the third image E3 to the fifth image E5 from the screen. Also, the CPU 21 generates a seventh image E7. The seventh image E7 is an icon that indicates the end of the display process.

[0031] Also, the CPU 21 generates a first option image G1. The first option image G1 shows the required time N of a specific station in the form of a table. When the CPU 21 extracts a plurality of specific stations in step S10, the required times N are arranged from the top in the order of proximity to the current position of the vehicle 80. Also, the CPU 21 generates a second option image G2. The second option image G2 shows the maximum time M of a specific station in the form of a table. When the CPU 21 extracts a plurality of specific stations in step S10, the maximum times M are arranged from the top in the order of proximity to the current position of the vehicle 80.

[0032] When the CPU 21 generates the above first image E1 to sixth image E6, first option image G1, and second option image G2, it combines these images into one image and outputs it to the display device 30. At this time, the CPU 21 adjusts the arrangement of the second image E2 and the first option image G1 so that the required time N of a specific station is arranged horizontally with the identification value ID and the set charging information J of the corresponding specific station. Also, the CPU 21 adjusts the arrangement of the second image E2 and the second option image G2 so that the maximum time M of a specific station is arranged horizontally with the identification value ID and the set charging information J of the corresponding specific station.

[0033] Also, while executing the display process, the CPU 21 switches between displaying and not displaying the first option image G1 each time the user touches the fourth image E4. Similarly, while executing the display process, the CPU 21 switches between displaying and not displaying the second option image G2 each time the user touches the fifth image E5.

[0034] Note that the first image E1 includes the position information of a specific station. Also, the second image E2 includes the set charging information J. Therefore, the process of step S30 corresponds to the third process. Also, the third image E3 is an icon for selecting the set charging time H. Therefore, the process of step S30 corresponds to the fourth process. Furthermore, the first option image G1 includes the required time N. Therefore, the process of step S30 corresponds to the eighth process.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3, when the CPU 21 causes an image to be displayed on the display screen 31, the CPU 21 advances the process to step S40. In step S40, the CPU 21 determines whether the user has instructed the end of the display process. If the CPU 21 has not received operation information corresponding to the user touching the seventh image E7, the CPU 21 determines that the user has not instructed the end of the display process (step S40: NO). In this case, the CPU 21 advances the process to step S50.

[0036] In step S50, the CPU 21 determines whether the user has instructed a change in the set charging time H. If the CPU 21 has received the set charging time H corresponding to the user touching the third image E3, the CPU 21 determines that there has been an instruction to change the set charging time H (step S50: YES). In this case, the CPU 21 advances the process to step S60. And in step S60, the CPU 21 sets the received set charging time H as a new set charging time H for calculating the set charging information J in step S20. After that, the CPU 21 returns to the process of step S10. Note that the process of step S50 is the fifth process.

[0037] On the one hand, in step S50, if the CPU 21 has not received the set charging time H, it directly returns to the process of step S10. When the CPU 21 returns to the process of step S10, it executes the series of processes after step S10 again. The CPU 21 repeats the series of processes until the determination in step S40 becomes YES. During this period, for example, the current position of the vehicle 80 in the first image E1 is updated at any time. When the determination in step S40 becomes YES, that is, when the CPU 21 receives the operation information corresponding to the operation of the end button, it ends the display process. Accordingly, the CPU 21 ends the display of each image on the display screen 31.

[0038] This embodiment has the following effects. (1) When the CPU 21 executes the display process, it causes the set charging information J to be displayed on the display screen 31 together with the position information of the specific station. By this, the user can grasp at which charging station and to what extent the charging rate S can be restored, and thus how much cruising range can be ensured. By obtaining this information, it becomes easier for the user to make the subsequent driving plan of the vehicle 80.

[0039] (2) Even if the charging rate S of the battery 82 is the same, the amount of electric power that the battery 82 can output varies according to the degree of deterioration of the battery 82 and the temperature of the battery 82. Therefore, the available driving distance D for the same charging rate S also varies. In this embodiment, the available driving distance D is calculated in consideration of the difference in the available driving distance D according to the degree of deterioration of the battery 82 and the current temperature of the battery 82. By this, the available driving distance D can be accurately calculated.

[0040] (3) The power supply amount varies depending on the charging station. In this embodiment, the predicted increase amount ΔS is calculated in consideration of the power supply amount at each charging station. By this, the predicted increase amount ΔS can be accurately calculated.

[0041] (4) In this embodiment, a third image E3 is displayed on the display screen 31. By touching this third image E3, the user can select the set charging time H by himself / herself. Therefore, the convenience for the user is increased.

[0042] (5) In this embodiment, information on the required time N can be provided to the user through the display of the first option image G1. As a result, the user can grasp the minimum time to stay at the charging station when driving the vehicle 80 to the destination.

[0043] The above embodiment can be modified as follows. The above embodiment and the following modification examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically non - conflicting range. · The configuration of the image displayed on the display screen 31 is not limited to the example of the above embodiment. For example, the first image E1 may be omitted. In this case, the position coordinates of the specific station may be displayed in the second image E2. The image displayed on the display screen 31 may be any content that can grasp the set charging information J and the position information of the specific station.

[0044] · The information of the charging station may include, for example, the name and address of the charging station. And in the second image E2, instead of arranging the set charging information J of a plurality of specific stations in the order of proximity to the current position of the vehicle 80, it may be arranged in the order of the kana syllabary or alphabetical order of the names or addresses of the specific stations.

[0045] · When the user considers charging at the charging station, if the user can grasp the position of the charging station and the information on the time required to charge the battery 82 to a specific charging rate S at that charging station, it will be easier for the user to make a subsequent driving plan. From this perspective, for example, the time required to charge the battery 82 to a specific charging rate S may be displayed on the display screen 31. At that time, an image such as an icon may be displayed on the display screen 31 so that the user can select a specific charging rate S.

[0046] ·The radius of the virtual circle may be set to a fixed value, or a range different from the virtual circle may be used as the target area. ·Calculation of the required time N and the maximum time M and display of images related thereto are not essential. Either the calculation of the required time N or the maximum time M may be omitted, or both calculations may be omitted.

[0047] ·Display of the third image E3 may be omitted. That is, selection of the set charging time H by the user is not essential. ·Regarding the calculation of the predicted increase amount ΔS, correction by the first correction coefficient may be abolished.

[0048] ·As an index of the degree of deterioration of the battery 82, in addition to the number of elapsed days, any one of the integrated value of the current flowing through the battery 82, the integrated value of the charging time of the battery 82, the integrated value of the discharge time, and the integrated value of the travel distance using the battery 82 may be used. Also, a combination of two or more of these may be used. The degree of deterioration increases as the integrated value of the current is larger, as the integrated value of the charging time and the integrated value of the discharge time of the battery 82 are longer, and as the integrated value of the travel distance is longer.

[0049] ·Regarding the calculation of the travelable distance D, correction by the second correction coefficient may be omitted. ·It is not essential to adopt all three of the predicted increase amount ΔS, the predicted charging rate F, and the travelable distance D as the set charging information J. The set charging information J only needs to include at least one of these.

[0050] ·An input device for inputting a user's instruction to the control module 20 may be provided separately from the display device 30. For example, a push switch may be adopted as the input device. ·The display device 30 is not limited to in-vehicle ones. For example, the display device may be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone owned by the user. In this case, various information may be output from the control module 20 to the mobile terminal.

[0051] · The charging management device 10 does not have to be in-vehicle. For example, a user's mobile terminal may constitute the execution device and the storage device of the charging management device 10. Then, various information may be output from the mobile terminal to the in-vehicle display device 30. The mobile terminal constituting the charging management device may display information on its own display screen.

[0052] · Part or all of the storage device may be located outside the vehicle 80. In this case, the storage device may also be configured by cloud storage or the like. Even when the storage device is located outside the vehicle 80, it is sufficient that the execution device can acquire necessary information from the storage device via an external communication network.

[0053] · The execution device may be a server located outside the vehicle 80.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0054] 10… Charging management device, 21… CPU, 22… Memory, 30… Display device, 80… Vehicle, 82… Battery, 84… Battery monitoring device, 99… External power source.

Claims

1. A battery charging management device for managing a vehicle driving battery that can be charged by an external power source of a charging station, comprising: an execution device, a storage device, a display device, and an input device; the storage device stores in advance map data including location information of a plurality of the charging stations, and a correspondence relationship between the charging rate of the battery and the charging time of the battery; the execution device performs a first process of extracting, as a specific station, the charging station existing in a predetermined target area including the current position of the vehicle from the map data, a second process of calculating, for each of the plurality of specific stations, charging information as set charging information assuming that the battery is charged for the same set charging time selected collectively based on the correspondence relationship, a third process of outputting the set charging information to the display device together with the location information of the specific station, a fourth process of causing the display device to display an image for collectively selecting one of a plurality of different times as the set charging time for the plurality of specific stations using the input device, and a fifth process of receiving the set charging time selected collectively using the input device; the charging information includes at least one of a predicted increase amount of the charging rate of the battery, a predicted charging rate of the battery after charging, and a travelable distance of the vehicle corresponding to the predicted charging rate; A battery charging management device.

2. The vehicle has a device for detecting the temperature of the battery; the execution device calculates the degree of deterioration of the battery; the charging information includes the travelable distance; the execution device reduces the increase width of the travelable distance with respect to the set charging time as the degree of deterioration of the battery is higher, and reduces the increase width of the travelable distance with respect to the set charging time as the temperature of the battery during the execution of the second process is lower. The battery charging management device according to Claim 1.

3. The map data includes information on the power supply amount per unit time that can be supplied from the external power source to the battery at each of the charging stations; the charging information includes the predicted increase amount; the execution device increases the predicted increase amount with respect to the set charging time as the power supply amount of the specific station is larger. The battery charging management device according to claim 1.

4. The execution device executes a sixth process of calculating a required charging rate necessary for traveling from the specific station as a starting point to a destination point of the vehicle, a seventh process of calculating a required time necessary for increasing the charging rate of the battery to the required charging rate by the external power supply of the specific station set as the starting point in the sixth process, and an eighth process of outputting the required time calculated in the seventh process. The battery charging management device according to claim 1.

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