Charging control device, charging control method, and program

Abstract

To provide a charging control device, a charging control method, and a program that can promote shortening of a battery charging time.SOLUTION: In an electric vehicles 20, a charging control device 28 includes an acquisition unit 52 that acquires battery remaining amount information of a battery 22 provided in a mobile object 20 and physical quantity information related to the amount of power consumed in accordance with the movement of the electric vehicle, a determining unit 56 that determines the target charging rate on the basis of the battery remaining amount information and the physical quantity information such that the target charging rate is equal to or less than a limit charging rate, and a charging control unit 58 that charges the battery 22 until the battery remaining amount reaches the target charging rate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging control device, a charging control method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, research and development have been conducted on charging and discharging in mobility equipped with a secondary battery that contributes to energy efficiency in order to ensure more people's access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and advanced energy.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses that when the charge state of an in-vehicle power storage device approaches full charge, charging proceeds slowly.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Document

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, when charging proceeds slowly, there is a problem that the charging time becomes long.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and by extension, to contribute to energy efficiency.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A first aspect of the present invention is a charging control device comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires battery level information relating to the remaining amount of a battery provided in a mobile body, and physical quantity information indicating a physical quantity related to the amount of power consumed in accordance with the movement of the mobile body from the time charging of the battery is completed until charging of the battery is performed again; a determination unit that determines the target charging rate based on the battery level information and the physical quantity information so that the target charging rate when charging the battery is performed is less than or equal to the limiting charging rate which is a limiting target charging rate when charging the battery is performed; and a charging control unit that charges the battery until the remaining amount of the battery reaches the target charging rate.

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention is a charging control method comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring battery level information relating to the remaining amount of a battery provided in a mobile body, and physical quantity information indicating a physical quantity relating to the amount of power consumed in accordance with the movement of the mobile body from the time charging of the battery is completed until the battery is charged again; a determination step of determining a target charging rate based on the battery level information and the physical quantity information so that the target charging rate when the battery is charged is less than or equal to a limiting charging rate which is a limiting target charging rate when the battery is charged; and a charging control step of charging the battery until the battery level reaches the target charging rate.

[0009] A third aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a computer to perform the following steps: an acquisition step of acquiring battery level information relating to the remaining charge of a battery provided in a mobile body, and physical quantity information indicating a physical quantity relating to the amount of power consumed in accordance with the movement of the mobile body from the time charging of the battery is completed until the battery is charged again; a determination step of determining a target charge rate based on the battery level information and the physical quantity information so that the target charge rate when charging the battery is performed is less than or equal to a limit charge rate which is a limit target charge rate when charging the battery is performed; and a charge control step of charging the battery until the battery level reaches the target charge rate. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to shorten the battery charging time. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1A illustrates a scenario where a user travels to their workplace using a mobile device that has been charged at a charging station near their home. Figure 1B illustrates a scenario where a user returns to their workplace using the mobile device. Figure 1C illustrates a scenario where the battery of the mobile device, which has returned from the workplace, is being charged at the charging station shown in Figure 1A. [Figure 2] Figure 2 illustrates how the battery level changes over time during a daily commute between home and work. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the mobile unit. [Figure 4] Figure 4 schematically illustrates how the charging efficiency changes as battery charging progresses. [Figure 5] Figure 5 illustrates the process of battery charging using a target charge rate. [Figure 6]Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the processing steps of the charging control process performed by the charging control device. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the charge control process performed by a modified charge control device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Figure 1A illustrates a scenario in which a user travels to their workplace using a mobile device 20 that has been charged at a charging station 10 located near their home. The mobile device 20 is, for example, an electric vehicle. In this embodiment, the case where the mobile device 20 is an electric vehicle is described as an example. However, the mobile device 20 may be other mobile devices such as a robot or an aircraft. For the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that the charging station 10 is installed at approximately the same location CP as the user's home. Figure 1A illustrates the distance DT between the location CP of the charging station 10 and the location DP of the user's workplace.

[0013] Figure 1B illustrates a scenario in which a user returns to their workplace using the mobile device 20. Over the course of a day, the user travels a round trip distance DT using the mobile device 20. In other words, the total distance traveled by the mobile device 20 over a day is equal to twice the distance DT.

[0014] Figure 1C illustrates the charging process of a battery 22 installed in a mobile device 20 that has returned from its workplace, using the charging station 10 shown in Figure 1A. The battery 22 is charged daily at a predetermined charging station 10.

[0015] Figure 2 illustrates the change in battery level P over time during a daily round trip between home and work. At time T11 on day 1, the mobile device 20 begins moving from home (location CP of the charging station 10) towards work. During this movement, the battery level (SOC: State Of Charge) P of the battery 22 decreases. At time T12 on day 1, the mobile device 20 ends its movement at location DP of work. While the mobile device 20 remains at location DP of work, the battery level P remains approximately constant.

[0016] At the time T13 on the first day, the moving body 20 starts moving from the workplace towards home (the position CP of the charging stand 10). During this movement, the remaining battery level P decreases. At the time T14 on the first day, the moving body 20 ends its movement at the position CP of the charging stand 10. Charging of the battery 22 is performed at the charging stand 10. During charging, the remaining battery level P increases. At the time T15 on the first day, the charging stops. After the charging stops, the remaining battery level P remains substantially constant.

[0017] On the second day as well as on the first day, the user uses the moving body 20 to commute between home and the workplace. At the time T21 on the second day, the moving body 20 starts moving from home towards the workplace. During this movement, the remaining battery level P of the battery 22 decreases. At the time T22 on the second day, the moving body 20 ends its movement at the position DP of the workplace. While the moving body 20 stays at the position DP of the workplace, the remaining battery level P remains substantially constant.

[0018] At the time T23 on the second day, the moving body 20 starts moving from the workplace towards home. During this movement, the remaining battery level P decreases. At the time T24 on the second day, the moving body 20 ends its movement at the position CP of the charging stand 10. Charging of the battery 22 is performed at the charging stand 10. During charging, the remaining battery level P increases. At the time T25 on the second day, the charging stops. After the charging stops, the remaining battery level P remains substantially constant.

[0019] At the time T11 on the first day, charging of the battery 22 has already been completed. At the time T14 on the first day, charging of the battery 22 is performed again. The moving distance of the moving body 20 that commutes between home and the workplace from the time T11 to the time T14 is 2×DT as described above. The power consumption amount PF, which is the amount of power consumed in response to the movement of the moving body 20 from the time T11 to the time T14, is shown in FIG. 2. The power consumption amount PF is obtained by multiplying the moving distance 2×DT by a proportional coefficient determined in advance according to the battery 22.

[0020] At time T15 on the first day, the charging of the battery 22 is completed. At time T24 on the second day, the charging of the battery 22 is performed again. The moving distance of the mobile body 20 that travels back and forth between home and the workplace from time T21 to time T24 is 2×DT, the same as on the first day. The power consumption amount corresponding to the movement of the mobile body 20 from time T11 to time T14 is also substantially the same as the power consumption amount PF on the first day, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0021] By the daily round trip between home and the workplace, power of the power consumption amount PF is discharged from the battery 22, and power of an amount substantially equal to the power consumption amount PF is charged to the battery 22. By charging the battery 22 with higher charging efficiency, shortening of the charging time is expected. Therefore, a limit charging rate, which is a charging rate that is a limit target when charging is performed, is set so that the battery 22 is charged with high charging efficiency. The limit charging rate will be described later.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the mobile body 20. The mobile body 20 includes, in addition to the battery 22 described above, a battery control device 24, a moving distance meter 26, and a charge control device 28. The battery control device 24 estimates the remaining battery amount P of the battery 22 based on, for example, the charge and discharge current of the battery 22. The moving distance meter 26 measures the total moving distance of the mobile body 20 based on, for example, the outer diameter and the number of rotations of the wheels.

[0023] The charge control device 28 includes a processing circuit 40 and a storage unit 42. The processing circuit 40 includes a processor such as a CPU or a GPU. The storage unit 42 includes a volatile memory such as a RAM and a non-volatile memory such as a ROM or a flash memory. The volatile memory is used as the working memory of the processor. The non-volatile memory stores the program executed by the processor and other necessary data.

[0024] The processing circuit 40 includes a generation unit 50, an acquisition unit 52, a determination unit 54, a decision unit 56, and a charge control unit 58. The generation unit 50, acquisition unit 52, determination unit 54, decision unit 56, and charge control unit 58 are realized when the processing circuit 40 executes a program stored in the storage unit 42. At least a portion of the generation unit 50, acquisition unit 52, determination unit 54, decision unit 56, and charge control unit 58 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or FPGA, or by an electronic circuit including discrete devices.

[0025] The generation unit 50 acquires data on the total distance traveled by the mobile body 20 from the distance meter 26. The generation unit 50 acquires data on the remaining battery charge P of the battery 22 from the battery control device 24. Based on the data on the remaining battery charge P, the generation unit 50 generates battery charge information related to the remaining battery charge P.

[0026] The total distance traveled and the remaining battery charge P are physical quantities related to the power consumption PF, which is the amount of electricity consumed in accordance with the movement of the mobile body 20. The generation unit 50 acquires multiple physical quantity data representing these physical quantities. Based on the multiple acquired physical quantity data, the generation unit 50 generates physical quantity information representing the physical quantities related to the power consumption PF. The physical quantity information is, for example, information representing the average value of the multiple acquired physical quantities.

[0027] The generation unit 50 stores battery level information and physical quantity information related to power consumption PF in the storage unit 42. The acquisition unit 52 acquires the battery level information and physical quantity information related to power consumption PF generated by the generation unit 50 from the storage unit 42.

[0028] The determination unit 54 determines whether or not the battery 22 is charged at a predetermined charging station 10. The predetermined charging station 10 is the charging station 10 that the user uses on their daily commute between home and work. If the battery 22 is charged at the predetermined charging station 10 every day, it is thought that the change in the battery level P shown in Figure 2 over time will be repeated every day. The determination by the determination unit 54 is made, for example, based on the result of comparing the location information of the charging station 10 with the location information of the mobile device 20.

[0029] The determination unit 56 determines the target charge rate for when charging the battery 22, based on the battery level information and physical quantity information acquired by the acquisition unit 52.

[0030] The charging control unit 58 controls the battery control device 24 to charge the battery 22 until the battery charge level P of the battery 22 reaches the target charge level determined by the determination unit 56. When the battery charge level P reaches the target charge level, the charging control unit 58 instructs the battery control device 24 to stop charging the battery 22.

[0031] The charging control device 28 may be provided in the charging station 10.

[0032] Figure 4 schematically illustrates how charging efficiency changes as battery charging progresses. Charging efficiency is, for example, the amount of charge per unit time TX. The amount of charge per unit time TX is expressed as the change in battery charge P over the elapsed unit time TX. As battery charging progresses and the battery charge P approaches full charge, the charging efficiency decreases.

[0033] In the example shown in Figure 4, when the battery level P is 70% or less of the battery capacity, the change in the battery level P over a unit time TX is TY1. When the battery level P exceeds 70% of the battery capacity, the change in the battery level P over a unit time TX is TY2, which is smaller than TY1. Therefore, the charging efficiency when the battery level P is 70% or less of the battery capacity is greater than the charging efficiency when the battery level P exceeds 70% of the battery capacity.

[0034] The 70% of the battery capacity exemplified in Figure 4 is called the limiting charge rate (PU), which is the target charge rate that must be limited when charging the battery. The limiting charge rate (PU) is not limited to 70% and is determined according to the battery performance, etc. Charging efficiency increases when the battery is charged within the range below the limiting charge rate (PU).

[0035] As illustrated in Figure 4, 20% of the battery capacity is predetermined as the minimum remaining charge value PL to suppress battery degradation. However, the minimum remaining charge value PL is not limited to 20% of the battery capacity and is determined according to battery performance and other factors. Battery degradation is suppressed when the battery is charged while the remaining charge P is equal to or greater than the minimum remaining charge value PL.

[0036] Figure 5 illustrates the process of battery charging using the target charge rate PA. The generation unit 50 calculates the travel distance of the mobile body 20 on the second day based on the total travel distance data acquired at time T15 on the first day and time T24 on the second day, as shown in Figure 2. Time T15 on the first day is the time when charging of the battery 22 is completed. Since the total travel distance at time T15 is equal to the total travel distance at time T14, the total travel distance at time T14 may be used. Time T24 on the second day is the time when charging of the battery 22 is performed again.

[0037] Thus, the generation unit 50 acquires data on the distance traveled on the second day as physical quantity data related to the power consumption PF. Charging control on the third day is performed using the data on the distance traveled on the second day, and the target charge rate PA determined based on the battery remaining charge P and distance traveled data acquired on the third day. The charging control performed on the third and fourth days will be explained with reference to Figure 5.

[0038] On the third day, at time T31, the mobile unit 20 begins moving from home to its workplace. During this movement, the battery level P of the battery 22 decreases. On the third day, at time T32, the mobile unit 20 ends its movement at the workplace location DP. While the mobile unit 20 remains at the workplace location DP, the battery level P remains approximately constant.

[0039] On the third day, at time T33, the mobile unit 20 begins moving from its workplace to its home. During this movement, the battery level P decreases. On the third day, at time T34, the mobile unit 20 ends its movement at location CP of the charging station 10. Charging of the battery 22 takes place at the charging station 10. During charging, the battery level P increases. On the third day, at time T35, the battery level P reaches the target charge level PA, which is determined to be below the limit charge level PU. Charging stops at time T35. After charging stops, the battery level P remains approximately constant.

[0040] The procedure for determining the target charge rate PA used for charging performed from time T34 to time T35 on the third day will be described. At time T34 on the third day, the generation unit 50 acquires data on the remaining battery charge P of the battery 22 and generates battery charge information. Based on the total distance traveled data acquired at time T25 on the second day and time T34 on the third day, the generation unit 50 calculates the distance traveled by the mobile body 20 on the third day. Time T25 on the second day is the time when charging of the battery 22 is completed. Since the total distance traveled at time T25 is equal to the total distance traveled at time T24, the total distance traveled at time T24 may be used. At time T34 on the third day is the time when charging of the battery 22 is performed again.

[0041] In this way, the generation unit 50 acquires data on the distance traveled on the third day as physical quantity data related to the power consumption PF. As mentioned above, the distance traveled on the second day has already been calculated. Based on the data for two days (two sets of data) of the distance traveled per day, the generation unit 50 generates information on the average daily distance traveled.

[0042] The acquisition unit 52 acquires the battery level information and the average daily travel distance information generated by the generation unit 50. Based on the battery level information and physical quantity information acquired by the acquisition unit 52, the determination unit 56 determines the target charge rate PA for when charging the battery 22, as follows.

[0043] The determination unit 56 determines the target charge rate PA such that the target charge rate PA is less than or equal to the limit charge rate PU. The determination unit 56 also determines the target charge rate PA such that the battery remaining amount P after the mobile unit 20's movement on the following day (day 4) is greater than or equal to the lower limit value PL. Since the mobile unit 20 will travel back and forth between home and work on the following day as well, it is estimated that the distance traveled by the mobile unit 20 on the following day will be approximately equal to the average daily travel distance calculated by the generation unit 50. Therefore, it is estimated that the amount of power consumed by the mobile unit 20 traveling back and forth between home and work will be approximately equal to the amount of power consumed PF shown in Figure 2.

[0044] In the example shown in Figure 5, the target charge rate PA is determined such that the remaining battery charge PB after movement, obtained by subtracting the estimated power consumption PF from the target charge rate PA, is equal to or greater than the lower limit of remaining charge PL. In other words, the target charge rate PA is determined such that it is greater than the value obtained by adding the power consumption PF to the lower limit of remaining charge PL.

[0045] On the fourth day, at time T41, the mobile unit 20 begins moving from home to its workplace. During this movement, the battery level P of the battery 22 decreases. On the fourth day, at time T42, the mobile unit 20 ends its movement at the workplace location DP. While the mobile unit 20 remains at the workplace location DP, the battery level P remains approximately constant.

[0046] On the fourth day, at time T43, the mobile unit 20 begins moving from its workplace to its home. During this movement, the battery level P decreases. On the fourth day, at time T44, the mobile unit 20 ends its movement at location CP of the charging station 10. Charging of the battery 22 takes place at the charging station 10. During charging, the battery level P increases. On the fourth day, at time T45, the battery level P reaches the target charge level PA, which is determined to be below the limit charge level PU. Charging stops at time T45. After charging stops, the battery level P remains approximately constant.

[0047] The procedure for determining the target charge rate PA used for charging from time T44 to time T45 on the fourth day is the same as on the third day, so the explanation is omitted. On the fifth day, the mobile unit 20 travels back and forth between home and work. The change in battery level P over time on the fifth day is the same as on the fourth day.

[0048] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the charging control process performed by the charging control device 28. This processing procedure is performed, for example, by the processing circuit 40 of the charging control device 28 executing a program stored in the storage unit 42. When this processing procedure is started, in step S10, the generation unit 50 acquires data on the remaining battery charge P of the battery 22 and data on the total distance traveled by the mobile body 20. Based on the data on the remaining battery charge P, the generation unit 50 generates battery charge information and stores it in the storage unit 42.

[0049] In step S12, the generation unit 50 calculates the distance traveled in one day between the completion of the previous charge and the current charge, based on the total distance traveled data. In step S14, the generation unit 50 generates information on the average daily distance traveled based on the distance traveled data obtained by calculating multiple times in the past. In the examples shown in Figures 2 and 5, the information on the average daily distance traveled is generated based on the distance traveled data for a total of two days (days 2 and 3). The generation unit 50 stores the information on the average daily distance traveled in the storage unit 42.

[0050] In step S16, the determination unit 54 determines whether or not the battery 22 will be charged at the predetermined charging station 10. If the result in step S16 is YES, the process proceeds to step S18. If the result in step S16 is NO, the process ends.

[0051] In step S18, the acquisition unit 52 acquires battery level information and average travel distance information from the storage unit 42. In step S20, the determination unit 56 determines the target charge rate PA based on the battery level information and average travel distance information.

[0052] In step S22, the charging control unit 58 controls the battery control device 24 to charge the battery 22 to the target charge level PA. When the battery charge level P of the battery 22 reaches the target charge level PA, in step S24, the charging control unit 58 controls the battery control device 24 to stop charging the battery 22. Charging of the battery 22 is completed. When the process in step S24 is completed, this process procedure ends.

[0053] [Differentiation] The above embodiment may be modified as follows.

[0054] The generation unit 50 may, instead of data on the distance traveled by the mobile body 20, acquire the amount of power consumed PF itself as physical quantity data related to the amount of power consumed PF, in accordance with the movement of the mobile body 20. That is, the amount of power consumed PF in accordance with the movement of the mobile body 20 from the time charging of the battery 22 is completed until charging of the battery 22 is performed again is acquired.

[0055] In the example shown in Figure 2, the generation unit 50 calculates the power consumption corresponding to the movement of the mobile body 20 on the second day based on the battery charge P data of the battery 22 acquired at time T15 on the first day and time T24 on the second day. Time T15 on the first day is the time when charging of the battery 22 is completed. Time T24 on the second day is the time when charging of the battery 22 is performed again. In this way, the generation unit 50 acquires the power consumption data for the second day as physical quantity data related to the power consumption PF.

[0056] The generation unit 50 calculates the power consumption corresponding to the movement of the mobile body 20 on the third day based on the battery charge P data of the battery 22 acquired at time T25 on the second day and time T34 on the third day. Time T25 on the second day is the time when charging of the battery 22 is completed. Time T34 on the third day is the time when charging of the battery 22 is performed again. In this way, the generation unit 50 acquires the power consumption data for the third day as physical quantity data related to the power consumption PF.

[0057] The generation unit 50 generates information on the average daily power consumption based on two sets of data (two days' worth) of daily power consumption. The average daily power consumption is estimated to be approximately equal to the power consumption PF shown in Figure 2. The determination unit 56 determines the target charge rate PA so that the target charge rate PA is less than or equal to the limit charge rate PU. The determination unit 56 also determines the target charge rate PA so that the battery remaining charge P after the mobile unit 20 moves on the fourth day is greater than or equal to the lower limit value PL.

[0058] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the charge control process performed by the charge control device 28 in a modified example. This processing procedure is performed, for example, by the processing circuit 40 of the charge control device 28 executing a program stored in the memory unit 42. The symbols assigned to the steps of this processing procedure shown in Figure 7 and the symbols assigned to the steps of the processing procedure shown in Figure 6 partially coincide. Since the same processing is performed in steps where the symbols coincide, the explanation of the processing in those steps is omitted.

[0059] When this processing procedure is started, in step S50, the generation unit 50 acquires data on the remaining battery level P of the battery 22. Based on the data on the remaining battery level P, the generation unit 50 generates battery level information and stores it in the storage unit 42.

[0060] In step S52, the generation unit 50 calculates the amount of power consumed PF for one day between the completion of the previous charge and the current charge, based on the battery level P data acquired in the past and the battery level P data acquired in step S50. The battery level P data acquired in the past is the battery level P data acquired in the process corresponding to step S66, which will be described later, when the previous charge was completed.

[0061] In step S54, the generation unit 50 generates information on the average daily power consumption based on power consumption data obtained by calculating multiple times in the past. In the examples shown in Figures 2 and 5, the information on the average daily power consumption is generated based on power consumption data for a total of two days, from the second and third days. The generation unit 50 stores the information on the average daily power consumption in the storage unit 42.

[0062] Once the process in step S54 is completed, the procedure proceeds to step S16. If the answer in step S16 is YES, the procedure proceeds to step S58. If the answer in step S16 is NO, the procedure proceeds to step S66.

[0063] In step S58, the acquisition unit 52 acquires battery level information and average power consumption information from the storage unit 42. Once the processing in step S58 is complete, the process proceeds to step S20.

[0064] Once the processing in step S24 is complete, the process proceeds to step S66. In step S66, the generation unit 50 acquires data on the remaining battery charge P of the battery 22. The acquired data on the remaining battery charge P is used to calculate the amount of power consumed PF for one day, from the completion of the current charge until the next charge is performed. Based on the data on the remaining battery charge P, the generation unit 50 generates battery charge information and stores it in the storage unit 42. Once the processing in step S66 is complete, the process ends.

[0065] [Invention obtained from the embodiment] The inventions that can be understood from the above embodiments and modified examples are described below.

[0066] (1) The charging control device (28) includes an acquisition unit (52) that acquires battery level information relating to the remaining battery level (P) of the battery (22) provided in the mobile body (20), and physical quantity information indicating a physical quantity related to the amount of power consumed (PF), which is the amount of power consumed in accordance with the movement of the mobile body from the time charging of the battery is completed until the battery is charged again; a determination unit (56) that determines the target charge rate (PA) when charging the battery is performed, based on the battery level information and the physical quantity information, so that the target charge rate (PA) when charging the battery is performed is less than or equal to the limit charge rate (PU), which is the limit target charge rate when charging the battery; and a charging control unit (58) that charges the battery until the battery level reaches the target charge rate. This makes it possible to shorten the battery charging time.

[0067] (2) The charging efficiency of the battery when the remaining battery level is below the limit charge rate may be greater than the charging efficiency of the battery when the remaining battery level exceeds the limit charge rate. This can further promote a reduction in the battery charging time.

[0068] (3) The physical quantity may be the amount of power consumed in accordance with the movement of the mobile body between the completion of charging the battery and the time when charging the battery is performed again. This makes it possible to accurately determine the target charge level.

[0069] (4) The physical quantity may be the distance the moving body traveled between the completion of the charging of the battery and the start of the charging of the battery again. This makes it possible to easily determine the target charge level.

[0070] (5) The charging control device may further include a generation unit (50) that acquires a plurality of physical quantity data in advance that represent the physical quantity related to the amount of power consumed, and generates the physical quantity information based on the plurality of acquired physical quantity data. This makes it possible to determine a target charging rate that corresponds to the average usage of the mobile body.

[0071] (6) The charging control device further includes a determination unit (54) that determines whether or not the charging of the battery is performed at a predetermined charging station (10). If the determination unit determines that the battery is to be charged at the predetermined charging station, the determination unit determines the target charge rate, and the charging control unit may perform the charging of the battery until the remaining battery level reaches the target charge rate. This makes it possible to determine a target charge rate that corresponds to the most frequent usage of the mobile device.

[0072] (7) The determination unit may determine the target charge rate such that the target charge rate is less than or equal to the limit charge rate, and the remaining battery charge after the move is greater than or equal to the lower limit (PL) of the remaining charge for suppressing battery degradation. This makes it possible to determine a target charge rate that takes battery life into consideration.

[0073] (8) The charging control method comprises an acquisition step of acquiring battery level information relating to the remaining charge of a battery (22) provided in a mobile body (20), and physical quantity information indicating a physical quantity related to the amount of power consumed in accordance with the movement of the mobile body from the time charging of the battery is completed until the time charging of the battery is performed again; a determination step of determining the target charge rate (PA) based on the battery level information and the physical quantity information so that the target charge rate (PA) when charging the battery is performed is less than or equal to the limit charge rate (PU), which is a limit target charge rate when charging the battery; and a charging control step of charging the battery until the battery level reaches the target charge rate. This makes it possible to shorten the battery charging time.

[0074] (9) The program causes the computer to perform the following steps: an acquisition step of acquiring battery level information relating to the remaining charge of the battery (22) provided in the mobile body (20), and physical quantity information indicating a physical quantity related to the amount of power consumed (PF), which is the amount of power consumed in accordance with the movement of the mobile body from the time charging of the battery is completed until the battery is charged again; a determination step of determining the target charge rate (PA), which is the target charge rate when the battery is charged, based on the battery level information and the physical quantity information, so that the target charge rate (PA) when the battery is charged is less than or equal to the limit charge rate (PU), which is the limit target charge rate when the battery is charged; and a charge control step of charging the battery until the battery level reaches the target charge rate.

[0075] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the disclosure described above, and can take various configurations without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 10...Charging stand 20...Mobile unit 22...Battery 24...Battery control unit 26... Distance meter 28... Charging control device 40…Processing circuit 42…Memory unit 50...Generation section 52...Acquisition section 54...Judgment section 56...Decision section 58…Charging control unit

Claims

1. A determination unit that determines whether or not charging of the battery installed in the mobile device is performed at a predetermined charging station, When the determination unit determines that the battery is to be charged at the predetermined charging station, the acquisition unit acquires battery level information relating to the remaining battery capacity and physical quantity information indicating a physical quantity related to the amount of power consumed, which is the amount of power consumed in accordance with the movement of the mobile body from the time the charging of the battery is completed until the charging of the battery is performed again. A determination unit determines the target charge rate based on the battery remaining charge information and the physical quantity information such that the target charge rate when charging the battery is less than or equal to the limit charge rate, which is the limit target charge rate when charging the battery. A charge control unit that charges the battery until the battery level reaches the target charge rate, A charging control device equipped with the following features.

2. A charging control device according to claim 1, A charging control device wherein the charging efficiency of the battery when the remaining battery level is below the limit charge rate is greater than the charging efficiency of the battery when the remaining battery level exceeds the limit charge rate.

3. A charging control device according to claim 1 or 2, A charging control device in which the physical quantity is the amount of power consumed in accordance with the movement of the moving body between the completion of charging the battery and the time when charging the battery is performed again.

4. A charging control device according to claim 1 or 2, A charging control device in which the physical quantity is the distance the moving body travels between the completion of the charging of the battery and the start of the charging of the battery again.

5. A charging control device according to claim 1 or 2, A charging control device further comprises a generation unit that acquires a plurality of physical quantity data representing the physical quantity related to the amount of power consumed in advance, and generates the physical quantity information based on the plurality of acquired physical quantity data.

6. A charging control device according to claim 1 or 2, The determination unit determines the target charge rate such that the target charge rate is less than or equal to the limit charge rate, and the remaining battery charge after movement is greater than or equal to the lower limit for suppressing battery degradation.

7. A determination step to determine whether or not charging of the battery installed in the mobile device is performed at a predetermined charging station, If the determination step determines that the battery is to be charged at the predetermined charging station, the acquisition step involves acquiring battery level information relating to the remaining battery capacity and physical quantity information indicating a physical quantity related to the amount of power consumed, which is the amount of power consumed in accordance with the movement of the mobile body from the time the charging of the battery is completed until the charging of the battery is performed again. A determination step in which the target charge rate for when the battery is charged is determined based on the battery remaining charge information and the physical quantity information such that the target charge rate for when the battery is charged is less than or equal to the limit charge rate, which is the limit target charge rate for when the battery is charged; A charging control step that charges the battery until the battery level reaches the target charge level, A charging control method comprising:

8. A determination step to determine whether or not charging of the battery installed in the mobile device is performed at a predetermined charging station, If the determination step determines that the battery is to be charged at the predetermined charging station, the acquisition step involves acquiring battery level information relating to the remaining battery capacity and physical quantity information indicating a physical quantity related to the amount of power consumed, which is the amount of power consumed in accordance with the movement of the mobile body from the time the charging of the battery is completed until the charging of the battery is performed again. A determination step in which the target charge rate for when the battery is charged is determined based on the battery remaining charge information and the physical quantity information such that the target charge rate for when the battery is charged is less than or equal to the limit charge rate, which is the limit target charge rate for when the battery is charged; A charging control step that charges the battery until the battery level reaches the target charge level, A program that causes a computer to execute something.

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