Charging system

Abstract

To provide a charging system capable of starting charging a running battery by communicating between a vehicle control device and a charging control device even when an auxiliary battery supplying power to the vehicle control device runs out of power.SOLUTION: A charging system charges a vehicle's running battery by connecting the vehicle's inlet and a charging device's connector and communicating between a vehicle control unit provided in the vehicle and a charging control device provided in the charging device. The vehicle is equipped with an auxiliary battery that supplies power to the vehicle control unit, the charging device is equipped with a 12 V power supply, and the auxiliary battery and the 12 V power supply are electrically connected when the inlet and the connector are connected. The charging control device charges the auxiliary battery by supplying power from the 12 V power supply to the auxiliary battery when communication with the vehicle control device is not possible.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for suppressing a voltage drop in the auxiliary battery by adding a DC-DC converter for charging the auxiliary battery to an on-board charger. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-211548 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In an electric vehicle, if the auxiliary battery runs out of power due to being left unused for a long period of time, the auxiliary battery cannot supply power to the vehicle control device even if the driving battery has remaining power, and the vehicle control device will not start. As a result, the charging control device provided in the charging device cannot communicate with the vehicle control device, and will not be able to start charging the driving battery.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a charging system that can start charging the driving battery by communicating between the vehicle control device and the charging control device even if the auxiliary battery that supplies power to the vehicle control device runs out of power. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the charging system of the present invention is a charging system that connects an inlet of a vehicle to a connector of a charging device, communicates between a vehicle control device provided in the vehicle and a charging control device provided in the charging device, and charges the vehicle's driving battery, wherein the vehicle is equipped with an auxiliary battery that supplies power to the vehicle control device, the charging device is equipped with a 12V power supply, and is configured so that when the inlet and the connector are connected, the auxiliary battery and the 12V power supply are electrically connected, and the charging control device supplies power from the 12V power supply to the auxiliary battery to charge the auxiliary battery when communication with the vehicle control device is not possible.

[0007] In the charging system according to the present invention, when the auxiliary battery of the vehicle runs out of power, the auxiliary battery is charged from the 12V power supply of the charging facility, thereby ensuring power to be supplied to the vehicle control device of the vehicle. As a result, the charge control device of the charging device can communicate with the vehicle control device and start charging the driving battery.

[0008] In the above invention, the charging device may include an arm device that automatically inserts and removes the connector into and from the inlet.

[0009] This allows the arm device to automatically insert and remove the connector into the inlet, thereby enabling automatic charging to be performed to charge the vehicle's driving battery. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] In the charging system according to the present invention, when the auxiliary battery of the vehicle runs out of power, the auxiliary battery is charged from the 12V power supply of the charging facility, thereby ensuring power to be supplied to the vehicle control device of the vehicle. This advantageously allows the charge control device of the charging device to communicate with the vehicle control device and start charging the driving battery. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a charging system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of control performed by the charging system. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a charging system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a charging system according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] (Embodiment 1) A first embodiment of a charging system according to the present invention will be described below, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0013] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a charging system 100 according to embodiment 1. The charging system 100 according to embodiment 1 includes a vehicle 1 and an automatic charging device 2.

[0014] The vehicle 1 is parked in a parking space provided to the side of the automatic charging device 2. The vehicle 1 is, for example, an electric vehicle having at least a traction motor as a power source for traveling. The vehicle 1 includes a main battery 11, a DC-DC converter 12, an auxiliary battery 13, a first ECU 14, a second ECU 15, a third ECU 16, drive wheels 17, and an inlet 18. The main battery 11 is, for example, a drive battery that stores power to be supplied to a drive motor and an inverter that drive the drive wheels 17 when the vehicle 1 is traveling. The DC-DC converter 12 transforms power from the main battery 11 and supplies it to the auxiliary battery 13. The auxiliary battery 13 stores power to be supplied to, for example, the first ECU 14, the second ECU 15, and the third ECU 16. The main battery 11 and the auxiliary battery 13 are configured to be chargeable by a charging facility 21 via the inlet 18.

[0015] The automatic charging device 2 includes a charging facility 21 and an arm device 22. The charging facility 21 is an external power supply facility such as a charging stand connected to a system power supply 30. The charging facility 21 includes a control device 211 and a 12V power supply 23. The control device 211 is a charging control device that can perform charging control by receiving a charging start instruction from a user and communicating with the first ECU 14 of the vehicle 1 for charging.

[0016] Arm device 22 includes a charging arm 24 having a connector 25. Arm device 22 automatically drives charging arm 24 to insert and remove connector 25 into and from inlet 18 of vehicle 1 located in a parking space provided to the side of automatic charging device 2.

[0017] In the automatic charging device 2, the control device 211 of the charging facility 21 controls the arm device 22, and the arm device 22 automatically inserts and removes the connector 25 into and from the inlet 18 of the vehicle 1, thereby enabling automatic charging to be performed to charge the main battery 11 of the vehicle 1. In addition, the 12V power supply 23 of the charging facility 21 is electrically connected to the auxiliary battery 13 of the vehicle 1 via the arm device 22 when the inlet 18 of the vehicle 1 and the connector 25 of the arm device 22 are connected.

[0018] In the vehicle 1 according to the first embodiment, the first ECU 14 is a vehicle control device configured to be able to communicate with the control device 211 of the charging facility 21 when the connector 25 is connected to the inlet 18, and is capable of controlling charging of the main battery 11. The second ECU 15 is a vehicle control device configured to be able to communicate with the DC-DC converter 12, and is capable of controlling the DC-DC converter 12. The third ECU 16 is a vehicle control device configured to be able to communicate with the traction motor and the inverter, and is capable of controlling the traction motor and the inverter. The first ECU 14, the second ECU 15, and the third ECU 16 are each started up by receiving power from the auxiliary battery 13, and are capable of performing various controls.

[0019] Here, if the auxiliary battery 13 of the vehicle 1 is short of power and cannot supply power from the auxiliary battery 13 to the first ECU 14, the first ECU 14 cannot be activated. Therefore, the first ECU 14 cannot communicate with the charging facility 21, and automatic charging by the automatic charging device 2 cannot be started. Furthermore, if the auxiliary battery 13 cannot supply power to the second ECU 15 due to a power shortage, the second ECU 15 cannot be activated. Therefore, the second ECU 15 cannot control the DC-DC converter 12, and cannot convert power from the main battery 11 to the DC-DC converter 12 and supply it to the auxiliary battery 13 to charge the auxiliary battery 13. Furthermore, if the auxiliary battery 13 cannot supply power to the third ECU 16 due to a power shortage, the third ECU 16 cannot be activated. Therefore, the third ECU 16 cannot control the traction motor and inverter that drive the drive wheels 17, and the vehicle 1 cannot be driven.

[0020] In contrast, in the charging system 100 according to the first embodiment, when communication cannot be established between the first ECU 14 of the vehicle 1 and the control device 211 of the charging facility 21, power is supplied from the 12V power supply 23 of the charging facility 21 to the auxiliary battery 13 to charge the auxiliary battery 13. As a result, the auxiliary battery 13 is charged to a certain voltage, and power can be supplied from the auxiliary battery 13 to the first ECU 14, the second ECU 15, and the third ECU 16. Therefore, by activating the first ECU 14, communication can be established between the first ECU 14 and the charging facility 21, and automatic charging by the automatic charging device 2 can be started. In addition, by activating the second ECU 15, the second ECU 15 controls the DC-DC converter 12 to transform the power of the main battery 11 and supply it to the auxiliary battery 13, thereby charging the auxiliary battery 13. Also, the third ECU 16 is activated to control the driving motor and inverter that drive the drive wheels 17, thereby making it possible to run the vehicle 1.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of control performed by the charging system 100.

[0022] First, in the charging system 100, when the charging equipment 21 receives a charging start instruction from a user, the arm device 22 drives the charging arm 24 to perform a connection operation of inserting and connecting the connector 25 into the inlet 18 of the vehicle 1 (step S1). Next, the control device 211 of the charging equipment 21 starts communication for charging with the first ECU 14 of the vehicle 1 (step S2). Next, the control device 211 of the charging equipment 21 determines whether or not communication with the first ECU 14 of the vehicle 1 is established (step S3). If the control device 211 of the charging equipment 21 determines that communication with the first ECU 14 of the vehicle 1 is not established (No in step S3), it supplies power from the 12V power supply 23 of the charging equipment 21 to the auxiliary battery 13 of the vehicle 1 (step S7). Thereafter, the process returns to step S3, where the control device 211 of the charging equipment 21 again determines whether or not communication with the first ECU 14 of the vehicle 1 is established, and repeats the same control until communication is established.

[0023] If the control device 211 of the charging facility 21 determines that communication with the first ECU 14 of the vehicle 1 is possible (Yes in step S3), it supplies power from the charging facility 21 to the main battery 11 via the arm device 22 to start charging (step S4). Thereafter, for example, when the main battery 11 is fully charged, the first ECU 14 of the vehicle 1 communicates with the control device 211 of the charging facility 21 to stop the supply of power from the charging facility 21 to the main battery 11 and end charging (step S5). Next, the arm device 22 drives the charging arm 24 to perform a detachment operation of unplugging the connector 25 from the inlet 18 of the vehicle 1 (step S6). Thereafter, the example control in the charging system 100 ends.

[0024] In the charging system 100 of embodiment 1, even if the auxiliary battery 13 of the vehicle 1 is short of power, power can be supplied to the auxiliary battery 13 from the 12V power supply 23 of the charging equipment 21, ensuring power to start the first ECU 14, and charging of the main battery 11 can begin.

[0025] (Embodiment 2) A charging system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Note that the description of the second embodiment common to the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0026] 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a charging system 100 according to embodiment 2. The charging system 100 according to embodiment 2 is configured by a vehicle 1 and a charging facility 21.

[0027] The charging equipment 21 includes a charging cable 26 having a connector 27 that can be connected to the inlet 18 of the vehicle 1. In the charging system 100 according to the second embodiment, the user can manually insert or remove the connector 27 into or from the inlet 18 of the vehicle 1 to charge the vehicle.

[0028] In the charging system 100 according to the second embodiment, after a user manually inserts the connector 27 into the inlet 18 of the vehicle 1, the charging equipment 21 receives a charging start instruction from the user, and starts charging communication between the first ECU 14 of the vehicle 1 and the charging equipment 21. If the control device 211 of the charging equipment 21 is unable to communicate with the first ECU 14 of the vehicle 1, the control device 211 determines that communication is not possible due to insufficient power in the auxiliary battery 13, and supplies power from the 12V power supply 23 of the charging equipment 21 to the auxiliary battery 13 of the vehicle 1. If the auxiliary battery 13 is charged to a certain level of power and communication with the first ECU 14 of the vehicle 1 becomes possible, the control device 211 of the charging equipment 21 starts charging by supplying power from the charging equipment 21 to the main battery 11. If the auxiliary battery 13 is charged to a certain level of power and communication with the first ECU 14 of the vehicle 1 becomes possible, the control device 211 of the charging equipment 21 starts charging by supplying power ...

[0029] In the charging system 100 of embodiment 2, even if the auxiliary battery 13 of the vehicle 1 is short of power, power can be supplied to the auxiliary battery 13 from the 12V power supply 23 of the charging equipment 21, ensuring power to start the first ECU 14, and charging of the main battery 11 can begin.

[0030] (Embodiment 3) A charging system according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Note that the description of the third embodiment common to the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0031] 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a charging system 100 according to embodiment 3. The charging system 100 according to embodiment 3 is configured by a vehicle 1 and a charging facility 5.

[0032] The vehicle 1 includes a main battery 11, a DC-DC converter 12, an auxiliary battery 13, a first ECU 14, a second ECU 15, a third ECU 16, drive wheels 17, an inlet 18, and a charger 19. The inlet 18 is electrically connected to the main battery 11 via the charger 19. The inlet 18 is also electrically connected to the auxiliary battery 13. The main battery 11 and the auxiliary battery 13 are configured to be chargeable by a charging facility 5 via the inlet 18.

[0033] The charging equipment 5 is an external power supply equipment, such as a home, connected to the power grid 30. The charging equipment 5 includes an outlet 51, a control device 52, and a charging cable 41. The charging equipment 5 is configured to output power supplied from the power grid 30 from the outlet 51. The control device 52 is a charging control device that can control charging by receiving a charging start instruction from a user and communicating with the first ECU 14 of the vehicle 1 for charging. The charging cable 41 has a plug 42 connectable to the outlet 51 of the charging equipment 5 and a connector 43 connectable to the inlet 18 of the vehicle 1 at each end. The charging cable 41 also includes a control box 44 located midway along the cable. The control box 44 has a communication function that enables communication with the first ECU 14 of the vehicle 1 and a display function that displays the communication results. The control box 44 receives various information through communication with the first ECU 14 of the vehicle 1, such as whether charging is in progress, whether charging is complete, and whether there is no abnormality such as a ground fault, and appropriately displays this information on the display. The control box 44 also includes a built-in 12V power supply 45 and the like.

[0034] In the charging system 100 according to the third embodiment, first, a user manually connects the connector 43 of the charging cable 41 to the inlet 18 of the vehicle 1 and then manually connects the plug 42 of the charging cable 41 to the outlet 51 of the charging equipment 5. Next, the first ECU 14 of the vehicle 1 starts communication for charging with the control device 52 of the charging equipment 5. If the control device 52 of the charging equipment 5 is unable to communicate with the first ECU 14 of the vehicle 1, the control device 52 determines that communication is not possible due to insufficient power in the auxiliary battery 13 and supplies power from the 12V power supply 45 of the control box 44 to the auxiliary battery 13 of the vehicle 1. Then, once the auxiliary battery 13 has been charged to a certain level and communication with the first ECU 14 of the vehicle 1 is possible, the control device 52 of the charging equipment 5 starts charging by supplying power to the main battery 11 from the outlet 51 of the charging equipment 5 via the charger 19.

[0035] In the charging system 100 of embodiment 3, even if the auxiliary battery 13 of the vehicle 1 is short of power, power can be supplied from the 12V power supply 45 to the auxiliary battery 13 to ensure power to start the first ECU 14, and charging of the main battery 11 can begin. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1 vehicle 2 Automatic charging device 5 Charging equipment 11 Main battery 12 DC-DC converter 13 Auxiliary battery 14 1st ECU 15 2nd ECU 16 3rd ECU 17 Drive wheels 18 Inlet 19 Charger 21 Charging equipment 22 Arm device 23,45 12V power supply 24 Charging Arm 25 connectors 30 Grid power supply 41 Charging cable 42 Plug 43 Connector 44 Control Box 100 Charging System 52,211 Control device

Claims

1. A charging system in which an inlet of a vehicle is connected to a connector of a charging device connected to a system power supply, communication is performed between a vehicle control device provided in the vehicle and a charging control device provided in the charging device, and power is supplied from the charging device to charge a driving battery of the vehicle, the vehicle includes an auxiliary battery that supplies power to the vehicle control device; The charging device is equipped with a 12V power supply; When the inlet and the connector are connected, the auxiliary battery and the 12V power supply are electrically connected to each other, When the charging control device is unable to communicate with the vehicle control device, it supplies power from the 12V power supply to the auxiliary battery to charge the auxiliary battery, and when power is supplied from the charged auxiliary battery to the vehicle control device and the communication becomes possible, it supplies power from the charging device to the driving battery to start charging the driving battery. A charging system characterized by:

2. 2. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein the charging device includes an arm device that automatically inserts and removes the connector into and from the inlet.

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