vehicle

Abstract

To suppress charging from being relatively prolonged when charging of a power storage device using electric power from another vehicle is desired.SOLUTION: When an external power supply is connected to a connector, a control device determines whether the external power supply is a system power supply or another vehicle, and when the external power supply is the other vehicle, the control device executes a change process of changing a charging setting from a first setting for charging a power storage device using electric power from the system power supply to a default setting or a second setting for charging the power storage device using electric power from the other vehicle, and then executes charging control in which a charger is controlled such that the power storage device is charged, in accordance with the charging setting.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as this type of technology, a charging device has been proposed that charges a battery of a power-receiving vehicle (a vehicle with a power shortage) using the power of a battery of a power-supplying vehicle (a rescue vehicle) (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this charging device, charging is started in a first charging mode based on an operation input for starting charging, and the first charging mode is terminated on the condition that the ratio of the battery voltage of the power-receiving vehicle to the battery voltage of the rescue vehicle has reached a predetermined value, and a second charging mode is started based on an operation input for restarting charging. Here, the maximum value of the current value that can be supplied to the power-receiving vehicle in the second charging mode is made smaller than that in the first charging mode.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a vehicle including a power storage device and a charger capable of charging the power storage device using power from a system power source, as a charging setting, current values, charging start times, etc. may be set for charging the power storage device using power from the system power source. In this case, when the vehicle desires to charge the power storage device using power from another vehicle due to a power shortage or the like, the charging of the power storage device may be relatively prolonged for that charging setting.

[0005] The main object of the vehicle of the present disclosure is to suppress the charging of the power storage device from being relatively prolonged when the vehicle desires to charge the power storage device using power from another vehicle. ​

[0006] The vehicle described herein employs the following means to achieve the primary objectives described above.

[0007] The vehicles disclosed herein are A vehicle comprising: an energy storage device; a connector to which an external power source can be connected directly or via a relay cable; a charger capable of charging the energy storage device using power from the external power source when the external power source is connected to the connector; and a control device for controlling the charger, When the external power supply is connected to the connector, the control device determines whether the external power supply is from the grid or another vehicle. If the external power supply is from another vehicle, it performs a change process to change the charging setting from a first setting for charging the energy storage device using power from the grid to the default setting or a second setting for charging the energy storage device using power from another vehicle. After that, it performs charging control to control the charger so that the energy storage device is charged, according to the charging setting. This is the gist of it.

[0008] In the vehicle of this disclosure, when an external power source is connected to the connector, the control device determines whether the external power source is from the grid or another vehicle. If the external power source is from another vehicle, it performs a change process to change the charging setting from a first setting for charging the energy storage device using power from the grid to the default setting or a second setting for charging the energy storage device using power from another vehicle. After that, it performs charging control to control the charger so that the energy storage device is charged, according to the charging setting. Here, the default setting and the second setting are configured to complete the charging of the energy storage device in a shorter time compared to the first setting. This makes it possible to suppress the relatively long charging time compared to when the charging setting is maintained at the first setting, when the vehicle (own vehicle) runs out of power and it is desired to charge the energy storage device using power from another vehicle.

[0009] In the vehicle of this disclosure, the system power supply outputs a first signal to the vehicle when connected to the connector, and the other vehicle outputs a second predetermined signal different from the first signal to the vehicle when connected to the connector. The control device may determine whether the external power supply is the system power supply or the other vehicle based on which of the first and second signals is input when the external power supply is connected to the connector. In this way, it is possible to appropriately determine whether the external power supply is the system power supply or the other vehicle.

[0010] In the vehicle of this disclosure, the relay cable section for the first charge and the relay cable section for the second charge have different resistance values ​​at predetermined locations, and the control device may determine whether the external power supply is the grid power supply or another vehicle based on the voltage at the predetermined location when the external power supply is connected to the connector via the relay cable section. In this way, it is possible to appropriately determine whether the external power supply is the grid power supply or another vehicle.

[0011] In the vehicle of this disclosure, the control device may, when the external power source is the other vehicle, execute the modification process if the modification process is permitted, and then execute the charging control according to the charging setting; and when the modification process is prohibited, retain the charging setting and execute the charging control according to the charging setting; and the control device may switch whether or not to permit the modification process based on the user's instructions. This allows for customization to the user's preferences. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the vehicle 10, charging station 30, and relay cable section 40 of this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of vehicle 10, other vehicles 50, and relay cable section 60. [Figure 3] This flowchart shows an example of a processing routine executed by the electronic control unit 20. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows an example of a processing routine executed by the electronic control unit 20. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the vehicle 10, charging station 30, and relay cable section 40 of this embodiment, and Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the vehicle 10, another vehicle 50, and relay cable section 60. In Figures 1 and 2, the configuration of the vehicle 10 is the same. Hereinafter, the vehicle 10 (own vehicle), charging station 30, relay cable section 40, other vehicle 50, and relay cable section 60 will be described in that order.

[0014] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle 10 is configured as an electric vehicle and includes a battery 11 as an energy storage device, a connector 12 (inlet), a power line 13, a power line 14, a charger 15, a ground line 16, a connection line 17, a resistive element 18, a communication line 19, and an electronic control unit 20. The vehicle 10 is connected to a charging station 30 via a relay cable section 40, or to another vehicle 50 via a relay cable section 60.

[0015] The battery 11 is configured as, for example, a lithium-ion secondary battery or a nickel-metal hydride secondary battery and is connected to the charger 15 via a power line 13. The connector 12 is connected to a power line 14 connected to the charger 15, a grounded ground line 16, a connection line 17 connected to the electronic control unit 20 and connected to a positive reference potential Vcc via a resistive element 18, and a communication line 19 connected to the electronic control unit 20. The connector 12 is configured to allow connection of the connector 41 of the relay cable section 40 and the connector 61 of the relay cable section 60. The resistive element 18 is a resistive element with a resistance value R0.

[0016] The charger 15 is connected to the battery 11 via power line 13 and to the connector 12 via power line 14. The charger 15 is configured to convert the AC power in power line 14 to DC power, adjust the voltage, and supply it to power line 13.

[0017] The electronic control unit 20 is equipped with a microcomputer, which has a CPU, ROM, RAM, flash memory, input / output ports, and communication ports. The electronic control unit 20 receives inputs of voltage, current, temperature, etc., from voltage sensors, current sensors, and temperature sensors (all not shown) attached to the battery 11 via its input ports. Connection lines 17 and communication lines 19, which are connected to connector 12, are connected to the input ports of the electronic control unit 20. The electronic control unit 20 calculates the charge level of the battery 11 based on the integrated value of the current of the battery 11. The electronic control unit 59 outputs, for example, control signals to the charger 15 via its output ports. The electronic control unit 59 communicates with the electronic control unit 39 of the charging station 30 when the vehicle 10 is connected to the charging station 30 via the relay cable section 40, and communicates with the electronic control unit 59 of the other vehicle 50 when the vehicle 10 is connected to the other vehicle 50 via the relay cable section 60.

[0018] Next, the charging station 30 will be described. The charging station 30 is installed in a home or charging station, and as shown in Figure 1, it comprises a grid power supply 31, a connector 32, a power line 33, a ground line 36, a control pilot circuit 37, a communication line 38, and an electronic control unit 39.

[0019] The system power supply 31 is connected to the connector 32 via the power line 33 and is also connected to a power system (not shown), and can supply 100V or 200V AC power from the power system to the power line 33. In addition to the system power supply 31 being connected to the connector 32 via the power line 33, a grounded ground line 36 and a communication line 38 connected to the control pilot circuit 37 are also connected to the connector 32. The connector 32 is configured to be able to connect the connector 42 of the relay cable section 40. The control pilot circuit 37 has an oscillation circuit (not shown), and converts a signal from the oscillation circuit into a control pilot signal with a duty D1 and a frequency f1 by a control signal from the electronic control unit 39 and outputs it to the communication line 38.

[0020] The electronic control unit 39 includes a microcomputer, and the microcomputer has a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, an input / output port, and a communication port. The electronic control unit 39 outputs, for example, a control signal to the control pilot circuit 37 via the output port. The electronic control unit 39 communicates with the electronic control unit 20 of the vehicle 10 when the vehicle 10 is connected to the charging stand 30 via the relay cable section 40.

[0021] Next, the relay cable section 40 will be described. The relay cable section 40 is configured as a cable section used for relaying between the vehicle 10 and the charging stand 30, and includes a connector 41, a connector 42, a power line 43, a ground line 46, a connection line 47, a resistance element 48, and a communication line 49.

[0022] Connector 41 is connected to a power line 43, a ground line 46, a connection line 47 connected to the ground line 46 via a resistance element 48, and a communication line 49. The connector 41 is configured to be connected to the connector 12 of the vehicle 10. A resistance element 48 with a resistance value R1 is used. Connector 42 is connected to a power line 43, a ground line 46, and a communication line 49. The connector 42 is configured to be connected to the connector 32 of the charging stand 30.

[0023] When the connector 41 of the relay cable section 40 is connected to the connector 12 of the vehicle 10 and the connector 42 of the relay cable section 40 is connected to the connector 32 of the charging stand 30, the power line 14 of the vehicle 10 and the power line 33 of the charging stand 30 are connected via the power line 43 of the relay cable section 40. Also, the ground line 16 of the vehicle 10 and the ground line 36 of the charging stand 30 are connected via the ground line 46 of the relay cable section 40. Further, the communication line 19 of the vehicle 10 and the communication line 38 of the charging stand 30 are connected via the communication line 49 of the relay cable section 40. As a result, a control pilot signal (a signal with a duty D1 and a frequency f1) from the control pilot circuit 37 is input to the electronic control unit 20. The connection line 17 of the vehicle 10 and the connection line 47 of the relay cable section 40 are also connected. As a result, the reference potential Vcc and the ground line 46 are connected via the resistance element 18, the connection line 17, the connection line 47, and the resistance element 48. Therefore, the potential of the connection line 17 becomes the potential (Vcc×R1 / (R0 + R1)) which is the product of the ratio of the resistance value R1 of the resistance element 48 to the sum of the resistance value R0 of the resistance element 18 and the resistance value R1 of the resistance element 48, and the reference potential Vcc.

[0024] Next, the other vehicle 50 will be described. The other vehicle 50 is configured as an electric vehicle, hybrid vehicle, or fuel cell vehicle capable of supplying power to the outside of the vehicle, and as shown in Figure 2, it is equipped with a battery 51 as an energy storage device, a connector 52 (inlet), a power line 53, a power line 54, a bidirectional charger 55, a ground line 56, a control pilot circuit 57, a communication line 58, and an electronic control unit 59.

[0025] Battery 51 is configured similarly to battery 11 of vehicle 10. Connector 52 is connected to a power line 54 connected to a bidirectional charger 55, a grounded ground line 56, and a communication line 58 connected to a control pilot circuit 37. Connector 52 is configured to allow connection of connector 62 of the relay cable section 60.

[0026] The bidirectional charger 55 is connected to the battery 51 via power line 53 and to the connector 52 via power line 54. This bidirectional charger 55 is configured to convert the AC power in power line 54 to DC power, further adjust the voltage, and supply it to power line 53, or to adjust the voltage of the DC power in power line 53, further convert it to AC power, and supply it to power line 54. The control pilot circuit 57 has an oscillator circuit similar to the control pilot circuit 37 of the charging station 30, and converts the signal from the oscillator circuit into a control pilot signal with duty cycle D2 and frequency f2 using a control signal from the electronic control unit 59, and outputs it to the communication line 58. Duty cycle D2 and frequency f2 are different from the duty cycle D1 and frequency f1 of the control pilot signal output by the control pilot circuit 37 of the charging station 30.

[0027] The electronic control unit 59 is equipped with a microcomputer, which has a CPU, ROM, RAM, flash memory, input / output ports, and communication ports. The electronic control unit 59 receives inputs of voltage, current, and temperature of the battery 51 from, for example, voltage sensors, current sensors, and temperature sensors (all not shown) attached to the battery 51 via input ports. The electronic control unit 59 calculates the charge level of the battery 51 based on the integrated value of the battery 51's current. The electronic control unit 59 outputs, for example, control signals to the bidirectional charger 55 and control signals to the control pilot circuit 57 via output ports. When the vehicle 10 is connected to another vehicle 50 via a relay cable section 60, the electronic control unit 59 communicates with the electronic control unit 20 of the vehicle 10.

[0028] Next, the relay cable section 60 will be described. The relay cable section 60 is configured as a cable section used for relaying between vehicle 10 and other vehicles 50, and includes a connector 61, a connector 62, a power line 63, a ground line 66, a connection line 67, a resistive element 68, and a communication line 69.

[0029] Connector 61 is connected to a power line 63, a ground line 66, a connection line 67 connected to the ground line 66 via a resistor 68, and a communication line 69. Connector 61 is configured to connect to connector 12 of vehicle 10. The resistor 68 is a resistor with a resistance value R2 that is different from the resistance value R1 of the resistor 48 of the relay cable section 40. Connector 42 is connected to a power line 63, a ground line 66, and a communication line 69. Connector 62 is configured to connect to connector 52 of another vehicle 50.

[0030] When connector 61 of the relay cable section 60 is connected to connector 12 of vehicle 10, and connector 62 of the relay cable section 60 is connected to connector 52 of other vehicle 50, the power line 14 of vehicle 10 and the power line 53 of other vehicle 50 are connected via the power line 63 of the relay cable section 60. Also, the ground line 16 of vehicle 10 and the ground line 56 of other vehicle 50 are connected via the ground line 66 of the relay cable section 60. Furthermore, the communication line 19 of vehicle 10 and the communication line 58 of other vehicle 50 are connected via the communication line 69 of the relay cable section 60. As a result, the control pilot signal (a signal with duty cycle D2 and frequency f2) from the control pilot circuit 57 is input to the electronic control unit 20. The connection line 17 of vehicle 10 and the connection line 67 of the relay cable section 60 are also connected. As a result, the reference potential Vcc and the ground line 66 are connected via the resistive element 18, connection line 17, connection line 67, and resistive element 68. Therefore, the potential of the connection line 17 is the product of the reference potential Vcc and the ratio of the resistance value R2 of the resistor element 68 to the sum of the resistance value R0 of the resistor element 18 and the resistance value R2 of the resistor element 68, which is the potential (Vcc × R2 / (R0 + R2)).

[0031] Next, the operation of the vehicle 10 configured in this way, in particular, the operation during external charging, in which the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 is charged using power from an external power source, will be described. Examples of external power sources include the grid power supply 31 of the charging station 30 as shown in Figure 1, and other vehicles 50 as shown in Figure 2. If the other vehicle 50 is configured as an electric vehicle, power from the battery 51 is used as the power source from the external power source. However, if the other vehicle 50 is configured as a hybrid vehicle equipped with an engine and a motor, power generated by the motor using power from the engine may be used as the power source from the external power source, either in place of or in addition to the power from the battery 51. Furthermore, if the other vehicle 50 is configured as a fuel cell vehicle equipped with a fuel cell, power generated by the fuel cell may be used as the power source from the external power source, either in place of or in addition to the power from the battery 51. Hereinafter, charging the battery 11 using power from the grid power supply 31 will be referred to as "grid charging," and charging the battery 11 using power from the other vehicle 50 will be referred to as "rescue charging." Rescue charging is generally performed when the vehicle 10 runs out of power.

[0032] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing routine executed by the electronic control unit 20 of the vehicle 10. This routine is executed when a charging station 30 is connected to the vehicle 10 via a relay cable 40 for grid charging, or when another vehicle 50 is connected to the vehicle 10 via a relay cable 60 for rescue charging. The following describes the case where the first settings for grid charging are set as the charging settings for external charging. Examples of the first settings include the charging start time when charging the battery 11 using power from the charging station 30 at home, and the target current, which is the target value of the charging current for external charging. For example, the charging start time may be set to charge the battery 11 during off-peak hours when electricity rates are low, or a relatively small power may be set as the target current to suppress temperature rise of the battery 11, power line 13, charger 15, etc.

[0033] When the processing routine shown in Figure 3 is executed, the electronic control unit 20 of the vehicle 10 first determines whether the external power source is the grid power source 31 or another vehicle 50 (steps S100, S102). As described above, when the charging station 30 is connected to the vehicle 10 via the relay cable section 40, a control pilot signal (a signal with duty cycle D1 and frequency f1) from the control pilot circuit 37 is input to the electronic control unit 20, and the potential of the connection line 17 connected to the electronic control unit 70 becomes (Vcc × R1 / (R0 + R1)). Also, when another vehicle 50 is connected to the vehicle 10 via the relay cable section 60, a control pilot signal (a signal with duty cycle D2 and frequency f2) from the control pilot circuit 57 is input to the electronic control unit 20, and the potential of the connection line 17 becomes (Vcc × R2 / (R0 + R2)). Furthermore, unlike duty cycle D1 and duty cycle D2, unlike frequency f1 and frequency f2, and unlike resistance values ​​R1 and resistance values ​​R2. Therefore, by examining the duty cycle and frequency of the control pilot signal input to the electronic control unit 70, or by examining the potential of the connection line 17 connected to the electronic control unit 70, it is possible to determine whether the external power source is the grid power supply 31 or another vehicle 50.

[0034] If it is determined in steps S100 and S102 that the external power source is the grid power source 31, the charging setting is kept at the first setting (step S110), and the battery 11 is charged by executing charging control according to that charging setting (first setting) (step S120), and this routine ends. Here, the charging control (charging of the battery 11) starts when the charging start condition is met and ends when the charging end condition is met, such as when the charge level of the battery 11 reaches the target level. In addition, the charging control controls the charger 15 so that the AC power of the power line 14 is converted into DC power of the target current and supplied to the power line 13. When the charging setting is the first setting, the charging start condition is the condition instructed by the user to start charging or the condition that the charging start time of the first setting has been reached when the external power source is the grid power source 31 of the home charging station 30, and when the external power source is the grid power source 31 of the charging station charging station 30, the condition instructed by the user to start charging is used. Furthermore, the value of the first setting is used as the target current for charge control.

[0035] If it is determined in steps S100 and S102 that the external power source is another vehicle 50, the first charging setting is temporarily canceled, specifically, the charging setting is changed from the first setting to the default setting (step S130). Subsequently, the battery 11 is charged by executing charging control according to the charging setting (default setting) (step S140). The start and end timings of the charging control (charging of the battery 11) and the control method of the charger 15 in the charging control have been described above. The default setting is configured to complete the charging of the battery 11 in a shorter time compared to the first setting, for example, by prohibiting the setting of the charging start time and setting the target current to a relatively large value (for example, the allowable upper limit). Therefore, when the charging setting is the default setting, the conditions for starting charging instructed by the user are used as the charging start conditions, and a relatively large value is used as the target current for charging control. Since rescue charging is generally performed when the vehicle 10 runs out of power, it is required that the charging of the battery 11 be completed in a relatively short time. If the charging setting is kept at the first setting and charging control is performed according to that setting, the charging of battery 11 may take a relatively long time. In contrast, by changing the charging setting from the first setting to the default setting and performing charging control according to that setting, it is possible to suppress the charging of battery 11 from taking a relatively long time. After the charging of battery 11 is complete, the charging setting is changed back from the default setting to the setting before charging started (first setting) (step S150), and this routine is terminated.

[0036] In the vehicle 10 of this embodiment described above, the electronic control unit 70 determines whether the external power source is the grid power source 31 or the other vehicle 50 when a charging station 30 is connected to the vehicle 10 via the relay cable section 40 or when another vehicle 50 is connected via the relay cable section 60. If the external power source is the other vehicle 50, the charging setting is changed from the first setting to the default setting, and charging control is performed according to that charging setting (default setting). This makes it possible to suppress the relatively long charging time of the battery 11 when rescue charging is desired, compared to when the charging setting is kept at the first setting and charging control is performed according to that charging setting (first setting).

[0037] Furthermore, in the vehicle 10 of this embodiment, when the charging station 30 is connected to the vehicle 10 via the relay cable section 40, a control pilot signal (a signal with duty cycle D1 and frequency f1) from the control pilot circuit 37 is input to the electronic control unit 20, and the potential of the connection line 17 connected to the electronic control unit 70 becomes (Vcc × R1 / (R0 + R1)). Also, when another vehicle 50 is connected to the vehicle 10 via the relay cable section 60, a control pilot signal (a signal with duty cycle D2 and frequency f2) from the control pilot circuit 57 is input to the electronic control unit 20, and the potential of the connection line 17 becomes (Vcc × R2 / (R0 + R2)). Therefore, based on the duty cycle and frequency of the control pilot signal input to the electronic control unit 70, and the potential of the connection line 17 connected to the electronic control unit 70, it is possible to determine whether the external power source is the grid power supply 31 or the other vehicle 50.

[0038] In the embodiment described above, when a charging station 30 is connected to a vehicle 10 via a relay cable 40, or when another vehicle 50 is connected via a relay cable 60, the electronic control unit 70 determines whether the external power source is the system power supply 31 of the charging station 30 or another vehicle 50 based on the duty cycle and frequency of the control pilot signal input to the electronic control unit 70 and the potential of the connection line 17 connected to the electronic control unit 70. However, it is also possible to determine whether the external power source is the system power supply 31 or another vehicle 50 based on only a part of the duty cycle of the control pilot signal, the frequency of the control pilot signal, and the potential of the connection line 17. If the duty cycle of the control pilot signal is not used, the duty cycles D1 and D2 of the control pilot signals from the control pilot circuits 37 and 57 may be the same. If the frequency of the control pilot signal is not used, the frequencies f1 and f2 of the control pilot signals from the control pilot circuits 37 and 57 may be the same. If the potential of the connection line 17 is not used, the resistance values ​​R1 and R2 of the resistor elements 48 and 68 may be the same.

[0039] In the embodiment described above, when the charging station 30 is connected to the vehicle 10 via the relay cable section 40, a control pilot signal from the control pilot circuit 37 is input to the electronic control unit 20. Also, when another vehicle 50 is connected to the vehicle 10 via the relay cable section 60, a control pilot signal from the control pilot circuit 57 is input to the electronic control unit 20. However, since the electronic control unit 20 only needs to be able to distinguish between the control pilot signal from the control pilot circuit 37 and the control pilot signal from the control pilot circuit 57, one of the control pilot signals from the control pilot circuits 37 and 57 may be a signal with superimposed harmonics, and the other may be a signal without superimposed harmonics.

[0040] In the embodiment described above, the electronic control unit 70 of the vehicle 10 changes the charging setting from the first setting to the default setting when the external power source is another vehicle 50, and performs charging control according to that charging setting (default setting). However, instead, the charging setting may be changed from the first setting for grid charging to the second setting for rescue charging, and charging control may be performed according to that charging setting (second setting). The second setting is a setting in which at least a part of the default setting has been changed by the user, and like the default setting, it is set so that the charging of the battery 11 can be completed in a shorter time compared to the first setting.

[0041] In the embodiment described above, the electronic control unit 70 of the vehicle 10 executes the processing routine shown in Figure 3. However, it may instead execute the processing routine shown in Figure 4. The processing routine in Figure 4 is identical to the processing routine in Figure 3, except that the processing in step S200 is added. Therefore, the same step numbers are used for the processing in the processing routine in Figure 4 that are identical to the processing routine in Figure 3, and detailed explanations are omitted. As a prerequisite in this case, the user can select whether or not to allow the change processing (processing in step S130) to change the charging setting from the first setting to the default setting during rescue charging by operating the display of the vehicle 10 (not shown) or by operating an application on a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet.

[0042] In the processing routine shown in Figure 4, when the electronic control unit 70 of the vehicle 10 determines in steps S100 and S102 that the external power source is another vehicle 50, it determines whether the user is permitted or prohibited to make changes (step S200). If it determines in step S200 that the user is permitted to make changes, it executes the processes from step S130 onward. That is, it changes the charging setting from the first setting to the default setting, charges the battery 11 by executing charging control according to that charging setting (default setting), and after the battery 11 is fully charged, it returns the charging setting from the default setting back to the setting before charging started (first setting). If it determines in step S200 that the user is prohibited from making changes, it executes the processes from step S110 onward. That is, it maintains the charging setting at the first setting and charges the battery 11 by executing charging control according to that charging setting (first setting). In this way, it is possible to tailor the process to the user's preferences.

[0043] In the embodiment described above, the vehicle 10 is connected to the charging station 30 via the relay cable section 40, or to another vehicle 50 via the relay cable section 60. However, the connector 12 of the vehicle 10 and the connector 32 of the charging station 30 may be configured so that the vehicle 10 and the charging station 30 can be connected directly without going through the relay cable section 40.

[0044] In the embodiment described above, a battery was used as the energy storage device for the vehicle 10. However, a capacitor may also be used as the energy storage device.

[0045] In the embodiment described above, the vehicle 10 is configured as an electric vehicle. However, it may also be configured as a hybrid vehicle or a fuel cell vehicle. If the vehicle 10 is a hybrid vehicle and the engine fuel is low and depleted, or if the vehicle 10 is a fuel cell vehicle and the fuel cell fuel is low and depleted, it is conceivable that a rescue charge may be necessary, just as if the vehicle 10 were an electric vehicle and depleted.

[0046] The correspondence between the main elements of the embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the section on means for solving the problem will be explained. In the embodiment, the battery 11 corresponds to an "energy storage device", the connector 12 corresponds to a "connector", the charger 15 corresponds to a "charger", and the electronic control unit 20 corresponds to a "control device".

[0047] Furthermore, the correspondence between the main elements of the embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the section on means for solving the problem is merely an example to specifically explain the form in which the embodiment implements the invention described in the section on means for solving the problem, and does not limit the elements of the invention described in the section on means for solving the problem. In other words, the interpretation of the invention described in the section on means for solving the problem should be based on the description in that section, and the embodiment is merely one specific example of the invention described in the section on means for solving the problem.

[0048] While embodiments for implementing this disclosure have been described above, this disclosure is not limited in any way to these embodiments, and can of course be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of this disclosure. [Industrial applicability]

[0049] This disclosure can be used in industries such as vehicle manufacturing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 10 Vehicle, 11 Battery, 12 Connector, 13 Power line, 14 Power line, 15 Charger, 16 Ground line, 17 Connection line, 18 Resistor element, 19 Communication line, 20 Electronic control unit, 30 Charging station, 31 System power supply, 32 Connector, 33 Power line, 36 Ground line, 37 Control pilot circuit, 38 Communication line, 39 Electronic control unit, 40 Relay cable section, 41 Connector, 42 Connector, 43 Power line, 46 Ground line, 47 Connection line, 48 Resistor element, 49 Communication line, 50 Other vehicle, 51 Battery, 52 Connector, 53 Power line, 54 Power line, 55 Bidirectional charger, 56 Ground line, 57 Control pilot circuit, 58 Communication line, 59 Electronic control unit, 60 Relay cable section, 61 Connector, 62 Connector, 63 Power line, 66 Grounding line, 67 Connection line, 68 Resistor element, 69 Communication line, 70 Electronic control unit.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising: an energy storage device; a connector to which an external power source can be connected directly or via a relay cable; a charger capable of charging the energy storage device using power from the external power source when the external power source is connected to the connector; and a control device for controlling the charger, When the external power supply is connected to the connector, the control device determines whether the external power supply is from the grid or another vehicle. If the external power supply is from another vehicle, it performs a change process to change the charging setting from a first setting, which is a setting for charging the energy storage device using power from the grid, to a second setting, which is a setting for charging the energy storage device using power from another vehicle and which increases the charging current of the energy storage device compared to the first setting. After that, it performs charging control according to the charging setting to control the charger so that the energy storage device is charged. The aforementioned power supply outputs a first signal to the vehicle when connected to the connector. When the other vehicle is connected to the connector, it outputs a second signal to the vehicle having a different duty cycle and / or frequency from the first signal. When the external power supply is connected to the connector, the control device determines whether the external power supply is the system power supply or the other vehicle based on which of the first signal and the second signal is input. vehicle.

2. A vehicle comprising: an energy storage device; a connector to which an external power source can be connected directly or via a relay cable; a charger capable of charging the energy storage device using power from the external power source when the external power source is connected to the connector; and a control device for controlling the charger, When the external power supply is connected to the connector, the control device determines whether the external power supply is from the grid or another vehicle. If the external power supply is from another vehicle, it performs a change process to change the charging setting from a first setting, which is a setting for charging the energy storage device using power from the grid, to a second setting, which is a setting for charging the energy storage device using power from another vehicle and which increases the charging current of the energy storage device compared to the first setting. After that, it performs charging control according to the charging setting to control the charger so that the energy storage device is charged. The relay cable section for charging the energy storage device using power from the grid power supply and the relay cable section for charging the energy storage device using power from another vehicle have different resistance values ​​at predetermined points. When the external power supply is connected to the connector via the relay cable, the control device determines whether the external power supply is the grid power supply or another vehicle based on the voltage at the predetermined location. vehicle.

3. A vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, The control device, when the external power source is the other vehicle, executes the change process if the change process is permitted, and then executes the charge control according to the charge setting; when the change process is prohibited, it holds the charge setting and executes the charge control according to the charge setting. The control device switches whether to allow or deny the change process based on the user's instructions. vehicle.

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