Charging control device and charging control method

The charging control device and method manage electric vehicle charging through multiple processes with SOC thresholds, addressing power reduction near full charge to ensure adherence to operation plans and user-defined schedules.

JP7852483B2Active Publication Date: 2026-04-28TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
Filing Date
2022-12-19
Publication Date
2026-04-28

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Charging power of electric vehicles decreases as they approach full charge, making it difficult to adhere to predetermined operation plans.

Method used

A charging control device and method that includes a charging information acquisition unit and a charging control unit to execute first and second charging processes based on operation plans and user-determined plans, respectively, with specific SOC thresholds to manage charging and discharging effectively.

Benefits of technology

Enables easy charging of electric vehicles according to operation plans by suppressing charging when power is low and allowing charging to continue beyond full charge thresholds, ensuring compliance with charging schedules.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a charge control device capable of easily charging an electric vehicle according to an operation plan.SOLUTION: A server 100 (charge control device) includes: a communication unit 103 (charging information acquisition unit) for acquiring information on charging of a battery 11 (secondary battery); and a processor 101(charge control unit) for controlling charging of the battery 11. The processor 101 performs VPP charging processing (first charging processing) in which charging is performed in a range in which SOC of the battery 11 is less than a predetermined charging threshold when a VPP charging / discharging mode (first charging mode) in which charging is performed based on a prescribed determined operation plan is set. The processor 101 performs normal charging / discharging processing (second charging processing) in which charging is performed when SOC is a value equal to or higher than the predetermined charging threshold when a normal charging / discharging mode (second charging mode) in which a plan of charging is determined by a suer of an electric vehicle 10 is set.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a charging control device and a charging control method.

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-156149 (Patent Document 1) discloses a system that controls charge and discharge operations of power equipment targeted for operation in a VPP system according to a predetermined operation plan.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Here, the charging power of power equipment such as an electric vehicle decreases as it approaches full charge. Therefore, in the system described in Patent Document 1, charging according to the operation plan may be difficult due to the decrease in the charging power of the power equipment. Thus, it is desired to easily charge the power equipment (electric vehicle) in accordance with the operation plan.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a charging control device and a charging control method capable of easily charging an electric vehicle in accordance with an operation plan.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The charging control device according to the first aspect of this disclosure is a charging control device that controls the charging of a secondary battery mounted on an electric vehicle, and comprises a charging information acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the charging of the secondary battery, and a charging control unit that controls the charging of the secondary battery. The charging control unit executes a first charging process when a first charging mode is set in which charging is performed based on a predetermined operation plan, in which case the State of Charge (SOC) of the secondary battery is within a range of less than a predetermined charging threshold, and executes a second charging process when a second charging mode is set in which the charging plan is determined by the user of the electric vehicle, in which case the SOC is charged to a value equal to or greater than a predetermined charging threshold.

[0007] In the charging control device according to the first aspect of this disclosure, as described above, when a first charging mode is set in which charging is performed based on a predetermined operation plan, a first charging process is executed in which charging is performed when the SOC is below a predetermined charging threshold. Furthermore, in the charging control device, when a second charging mode is set in which the charging plan is determined by the user of the electric vehicle, a second charging process is executed in which charging is performed until the SOC reaches a value equal to or greater than a predetermined charging threshold. This prevents the electric vehicle from being charged according to the operation plan when its SOC is above a predetermined charging threshold. Therefore, it is possible to suppress charging according to the operation plan when the electric vehicle's charging power is low. As a result, the electric vehicle can be easily charged according to the operation plan. In addition, because the second charging process can be executed, the electric vehicle can be charged even when the SOC is above a predetermined charging threshold.

[0008] In the charge control device relating to the first aspect described above, preferably, when the electric vehicle's State of Charge (SOC) is above a specified value, the charging power of the secondary battery is controlled to be lower than when the SOC is below a specified value. The predetermined charging threshold is a value less than the specified value. With this configuration, it is possible to further suppress the SOC from exceeding the specified value during the first charging process.

[0009] In the charge control device relating to the first phase described above, preferably, the charge information acquisition unit acquires information on the user's target value for the State of Charge (SOC). If the target value is greater than the predetermined charge threshold, the charge control unit performs a second charge process after the first charge process until the SOC reaches the target value. With this configuration, even if the target value is greater than the predetermined charge threshold, the SOC can be easily brought to the target value by the second charge process.

[0010] In this case, preferably, the charge control unit shortens the time it takes to execute the first charge process based on the operation plan, the larger the difference between the target value and the predetermined charge threshold. With this configuration, the larger the difference, the longer it takes to execute the second charge process. As a result, even if the target value is greater than the predetermined charge threshold, the SOC can be more easily brought to the target value by the second charge process.

[0011] A charging control method relating to the second aspect of this disclosure is a charging control method for controlling the charging of a secondary battery installed in an electric vehicle, comprising: a step of acquiring information relating to the charging of the secondary battery; a step of executing a first charging process in which, when a first charging mode is set in which charging is carried out based on a predetermined operation plan, charging is carried out within a range in which the SOC of the secondary battery is less than a predetermined charging threshold; and a step of executing a second charging process in which, when a second charging mode is set in which the charging plan is determined by the user of the electric vehicle, charging is carried out until the SOC is equal to or greater than a predetermined charging threshold.

[0012] In the charging control method relating to the second aspect of this disclosure, as described above, when a first charging mode is set in which charging is performed based on a predetermined operation plan, a first charging process is executed in which charging is performed within a range in which the SOC is below a predetermined charging threshold. Furthermore, in the charging control device, when a second charging mode is set in which the charging plan is determined by the user of the electric vehicle, a second charging process is executed in which charging is performed until the SOC reaches a value equal to or greater than a predetermined charging threshold. This makes it possible to provide a charging control method that enables easy charging of the electric vehicle in accordance with the operation plan.

[0013] A discharge control device relating to the third aspect of this disclosure is a discharge control device that controls the discharge of a secondary battery mounted on an electric vehicle based on a set discharge mode, and comprises a discharge information acquisition unit that acquires information regarding a predetermined discharge threshold for the State of Charge (SOC) of the secondary battery, and a discharge control unit that controls the discharge of the secondary battery. When a discharge mode for performing discharge based on a predetermined operation plan is set, the discharge control unit performs a discharge process in which the SOC is greater than the predetermined discharge threshold.

[0014] In the discharge control method relating to the third aspect of this disclosure, as described above, when a discharge mode is set to perform discharge based on a predetermined operation plan, a discharge process is performed in which the State of Charge (SOC) is greater than a predetermined discharge threshold. This prevents the electric vehicle from discharging in accordance with the operation plan when its SOC is below the predetermined discharge threshold. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the electric vehicle from stopping its discharge during the discharge according to the operation plan. As a result, the electric vehicle can be easily discharged in accordance with the operation plan. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to this disclosure, electric vehicles can be easily charged in accordance with the operational plan. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1]It is a diagram showing the configuration of a charge-discharge control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing the relationship between the charging power of a battery and the SOC. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing the relationship between the discharging power of a battery and the SOC. [Figure 4] It is the first figure showing the sequence of a charge-discharge control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing the relationship between the difference between the target SOC of a battery and the charging threshold and the length of the VPP control period. [Figure 6] It is the second figure showing the sequence of a charge-discharge control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing the configuration of a charge-discharge control system according to a modification of an embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will not be repeated.

[0018] (Configuration of Charge-Discharge Control System) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a charge-discharge control system 1 according to the present embodiment. The charge-discharge control system 1 includes a server 100, a system management server 200, a power grid PG, an electric vehicle 10, and an EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) 20. Note that the server 100 is an example of the "charge control device" of the present disclosure.

[0019] The power grid PG is a power grid constructed by a power plant and power transmission and distribution facilities not shown. The system management server 200 manages the power supply and demand in the power grid PG (power grid). The system management server 200 transmits a request (power supply and demand adjustment request) for adjusting the power demand of the power grid PG to the server 100 (communication unit 103 described later) based on the generated power and consumed power by each power adjustment resource managed by the system management server 200.

[0020] The above adjustment requirements include requirements for charging the battery 11 in accordance with a predetermined operation plan in VPP (Virtual Power Plant) control. Specifically, the above adjustment requirements include requirements for the execution time (time zone) of charging and discharging according to VPP control, and requirements for the charging amount (charging power) and discharging amount (discharging power) according to VPP control, etc. Note that the above adjustment requirements are an example of the "information regarding charging of the secondary battery" of the present disclosure.

[0021] The electric vehicle 10 performs power charging and discharging with the power grid PG via the EVSE 20. The electric vehicle 10 is equipped with a battery 11 that supplies power to power equipment (not shown) provided in the electric vehicle 10. Note that the battery 11 is an example of the "secondary battery" of the present disclosure.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, in the electric vehicle 10, charging is performed at the rated power when the SOC (State Of Charge) of the battery 11 is in the range less than the charge limit SOC (for example, 80%). Also, the charging power of the electric vehicle 10 decreases compared to the above-mentioned rated power when the SOC of the battery 11 is in the range of the charge limit SOC or more. Specifically, in the range where the SOC is less than the charge limit SOC, as the SOC of the battery 11 increases, the charging power gradually decreases due to constant voltage charging being performed. Thereafter, constant power charging is performed with a power lower than the above-mentioned rated power. Note that the charge limit SOC is an example of the "specified value" of the present disclosure.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3, in the electric vehicle 10, discharging is performed at the rated power when the SOC of the battery 11 is in the range greater than a predetermined discharge threshold (for example, 10%). Also, when the SOC of the battery 11 is in the range below the above-mentioned discharge threshold, the discharging of the battery 11 is stopped.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 1 again, the server 100 is a server managed by an aggregator. An aggregator is an electric utility that bundles a plurality of power adjustment resources such as regions and predetermined facilities to provide an energy management service.

[0025] The server 100 includes a processor 101, a memory 102, and a communication unit 103. The processor 101 is an example of the "charge control unit" in this disclosure. The communication unit 103 is an example of the "charge information acquisition unit" in this disclosure.

[0026] The communication unit 103 can communicate with the electric vehicle 10, the EVSE 20, and the system management server 200. For example, the communication unit 103 acquires information regarding charging and discharging by the electric vehicle 10. Specifically, the communication unit 103 acquires information such as the amount of charge / discharge, the charging / discharging time, and the time period during which charging / discharging occurred between the electric vehicle 10 and the EVSE 20 during charging / discharging.

[0027] Memory 102 stores not only the program executed by the processor 101, but also information used by the program (for example, maps, mathematical formulas, and various parameters).

[0028] The processor 101 controls the charging and discharging of the battery 11 between the electric vehicle 10 and the EVSE 20. The processor 101 sets a VPP charge / discharge mode in which the above charging and discharging is performed based on a predetermined operation plan. The VPP charge / discharge mode is an example of the "first charging mode" in this disclosure.

[0029] The VPP charge / discharge mode is a mode set in the server 100 (processor 101) based on the adjustment request received by the communication unit 103.

[0030] When the VPP charge / discharge mode is set, the processor 101 performs the above charge / discharge (VPP charge / discharge processing) within a range where the SOC of the battery 11 is below a predetermined charge threshold. Note that the VPP charge / discharge processing is an example of the "first charge processing" in this disclosure.

[0031] Here, the above charging threshold is a value less than the above charging throttle SOC. For example, if the charging throttle SOC is 80%, the processor 101 sets the charging threshold to, for example, 70% to 80%. This makes it possible to prevent the SOC of the battery 11 from exceeding the above charging throttle SOC during VPP charging control. Note that the charging threshold may be set to a value other than the above.

[0032] Furthermore, in the VPP charge / discharge process, the processor 101 performs the charge / discharge when the SOC is greater than a predetermined discharge threshold (for example, 10%). Also, in the VPP charge / discharge process, the processor 101 stops the charge / discharge when the SOC is less than or equal to the discharge threshold. In other words, the discharge threshold is the lower limit of the SOC during the charge / discharge process.

[0033] The processor 101 is set to a normal charge / discharge mode in which the user determines the charge / discharge plan for the battery 11 (execution time, execution time period, and charge / discharge power amount, etc.). Note that the normal charge / discharge mode is an example of the "second charge mode" in this disclosure.

[0034] The normal charge / discharge mode is a charge / discharge mode set by the server 100 (processor 101) based on a request from the user received by the communication unit 103.

[0035] When the normal charge / discharge mode is set, the processor 101 performs a normal charge / discharge process in which it charges the SOC to a value equal to or greater than the above-mentioned charge threshold. In other words, in the normal charge / discharge mode, the processor 101 can increase the SOC of the battery 11 from a value less than the above-mentioned charge threshold to a value equal to or greater than the above-mentioned charge threshold. Furthermore, when the normal charge / discharge mode is set, the battery 11 can be discharged even when the SOC is in the range equal to or greater than the above-mentioned charge threshold. Note that the normal charge / discharge process is an example of the "second charge process" in this disclosure.

[0036] Furthermore, in normal charge-discharge processing, the processor 101 performs the charge-discharge process when the SOC is greater than the discharge threshold. Also, in normal charge-discharge processing, the processor 101 stops the charge-discharge process when the SOC is less than or equal to the discharge threshold.

[0037] (Sequence control of charge / discharge control system) Next, the sequence control of the charge / discharge control system 1 will be explained with reference to Figures 4 to 6.

[0038] In step S1, the server 100 (communication unit 103) receives the above adjustment request and obtains information regarding the charging and discharging requests of the battery 11 in VPP control (execution time, execution time period, and charge / discharge power amount, etc.).

[0039] In step S2, the server 100 (processor 101) notifies the user of the electric vehicle 10 of the information regarding the charge / discharge request acquired in step S1 via the communication unit 103. This information regarding the charge / discharge request is transmitted to a communication device (not shown) in the electric vehicle 10, or to the user's mobile terminal (not shown).

[0040] In step S3, it is assumed that the user of the electric vehicle 10 has accepted the charge / discharge request notified in step S2.

[0041] In step S4, the user of the electric vehicle 10 responds to the server 100 that the charge / discharge request in step S3 was accepted. In step S5, the server 100 (communication unit 103) receives the response from step S4.

[0042] In step S6, the electric vehicle 10 is plugged into the EVSE 20 for VPP control in response to the adjustment request.

[0043] In step S7, the server 100 (processor 101) obtains information on the user's target value (target SOC) for the battery 11's SOC through the communication unit 103. In this embodiment, the target SOC is, for example, 95%.

[0044] In step S8, the server 100 (processor 101) begins acquiring SOC information of the battery 11 from the EVSE 20 via the communication unit 103. From this point onward, the server 100 continuously acquires SOC information of the battery 11. Note that the SOC information of the battery 11 may also be acquired from the electric vehicle 10 via a telematics server or the like. The server 100 (processor 101) may also estimate the SOC of the battery 11 based on various information such as the driving history and charge / discharge history of the electric vehicle 10. Note that in the above estimation, a trained model generated by machine learning techniques such as deep learning may be used.

[0045] In step S9, the server 100 (processor 101) obtains information regarding the scheduled departure time of the electric vehicle 10 from the user of the electric vehicle 10 via the communication unit 103. The scheduled departure time refers to the time when the electric vehicle 10 exits charging and discharging via the EVSE 20 and begins to drive.

[0046] In step S10, the server 100 (processor 101) obtains the above-mentioned charge-limiting SOC information of the battery 11. Specifically, the server 100 (processor 101) estimates the charge-limiting SOC by referring to the vehicle type information of the electric vehicle 10. Alternatively, a trained model generated by machine learning techniques such as deep learning may be used to estimate the charge-limiting SOC. Furthermore, the charge-limiting SOC may be estimated from the profile (power change data) of the battery 11 during normal charging or from the results of a prior evaluation regarding the charging of the battery 11. Note that normal charging refers to charging corresponding to the normal charge and discharge process.

[0047] In step S11, the server 100 (processor 101) obtains the discharge threshold information of the battery 11. The discharge threshold may also be obtained in the same way as the method for obtaining the charge-restricted SOC in step S10.

[0048] In step S12, the server 100 (processor 101) sets the charging threshold based on the charging throttle SOC obtained in step S10. Specifically, the processor 101 may set the charging threshold to a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined value (for example, 0 to 10%) from the charging throttle SOC.

[0049] In step S13, the server 100 (processor 101) calculates the difference between the target SOC obtained in step S7 and the charge threshold set in step S12.

[0050] In step S14, the server 100 (processor 101) calculates the VPP control period based on the difference calculated in step S13. Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, when the difference is in the positive range (greater than or equal to 0), the processor 101 lengthens the VPP control period as the difference increases.

[0051] Furthermore, the processor 101 may keep the length of the VPP control period constant when the above difference is in the negative range (less than 0).

[0052] Next, with reference to Figure 6, the control flow of server 100 from step S14 onwards, as shown in Figure 4, will be explained.

[0053] In step S21, the processor 101 determines whether the SOC of the battery 11 is less than or equal to the charge threshold set in step S12 (see Figure 4). If the SOC of the battery 11 is less than or equal to the charge threshold (Yes in S21), the process proceeds to step S22. If the SOC of the battery 11 is greater than the charge threshold (No in S21), the process proceeds to step S24.

[0054] In step S22, the processor 101 determines whether the State of Charge (SOC) of the battery 11 is greater than or equal to the discharge threshold obtained in step S11 (see Figure 4). If the SOC of the battery 11 is greater than or equal to the discharge threshold (Yes in S22), the process proceeds to step S23. If the SOC of the battery 11 is less than the charge threshold (No in S22), the process proceeds to step S24.

[0055] In step S23, the processor 101 performs a charge / discharge process (VPP charge / discharge process) on the battery 11. This enables VPP control. When step S23 is performed for the first time, the charge / discharge process begins. In subsequent executions of step S23, the charge / discharge process continues.

[0056] In step S24, the processor 101 stops the execution of the battery 11 charging and discharging process (VPP charging and discharging process). As a result, VPP control is stopped. If the charging and discharging process was not executed before step S24, the process remains in that state.

[0057] In step S25, the processor 101 determines whether the current time is within the VPP control period calculated in step S14. If the current time is within the VPP control period (Yes in S25), the process proceeds to step S26. If the current time is not within the VPP control period (No in S25), the process proceeds to step S32.

[0058] In step S26, the processor 101 determines whether the user's scheduled departure time, based on the information obtained in step S9, is earlier than the end time of the VPP control period, based on the VPP control period calculated in step S14. If the scheduled departure time is earlier than the end time (Yes in S26), the process proceeds to step S27. If the scheduled departure time is later than or equal to the end time (No in S26), the process returns to step S21.

[0059] In step S27, the processor 101 determines whether the target SOC is greater than the charging threshold. If the target SOC is greater than the charging threshold (Yes in S27), the process proceeds to step S28. If the target SOC is less than or equal to the charging threshold (No in S27), the process returns to step S21.

[0060] In step S28, the processor 101 determines whether the current time is a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes) before the scheduled departure time. If the current time is a predetermined time before the scheduled departure time, the process proceeds to step S32. If the current time is not a predetermined time before the scheduled departure time, the process returns to step S21. The processor 101 may vary the predetermined time according to, for example, the target SOC. Specifically, the processor 101 may increase the predetermined time as the target SOC increases.

[0061] On the other hand, in step S29, the processor 101 determines, similar to step S25, whether the current time is within the VPP control period. If the current time is within the VPP control period (Yes in S29), the process proceeds to step S30. If the current time is not within the VPP control period (No in S29), the process proceeds to step S32.

[0062] In step S30, the processor 101 determines, similar to step S26, whether the user's scheduled departure time is earlier than the end time of the VPP control period. If the scheduled departure time is earlier than the end time (Yes in S30), the process proceeds to step S31. If the scheduled departure time is later than or equal to the end time (No in S30), the process returns to step S29.

[0063] In step S31, the processor 101 determines, similar to step S28, whether the current time is a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes) before the scheduled departure time. If the current time is a predetermined time before the scheduled departure time, the process proceeds to step S32. If the current time is not a predetermined time before the scheduled departure time, the process in step S31 is repeated.

[0064] In step S32, the processor 101 performs normal charging of the battery 11 based on the normal charging and discharging process described above. When step S32 is performed for the first time, the normal charging starts. In subsequent steps of step S32, the normal charging continues.

[0065] In step S33, the processor 101 determines whether the SOC of the battery 11 is smaller than the target SOC. If the SOC of the battery 11 is smaller than the target SOC (Yes in S33), the process returns to step S32. If the SOC of the battery 11 is greater than or equal to the target SOC (No in S33), the process proceeds to step S34. If the first step S33 is No, the normal charging is not performed and the process proceeds to step S34. Then, in step S34, the processor 101 terminates the normal charging process for the battery 11.

[0066] As described above, in this embodiment, the processor 101 performs VPP charge / discharge processing, which charges the battery 11 while its SOC is below the above-mentioned charge threshold. The processor 101 also performs normal charge / discharge processing, which charges the battery until its SOC is equal to or greater than the above-mentioned charge threshold. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the charging power of the battery 11 during charging based on the VPP charge / discharge processing, which occurs when the SOC of the battery 11 exceeds the above-mentioned charge threshold.

[0067] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the target SOC is greater than the charging threshold, the processor 101 performs charging by normal charging / discharging after the VPP charging / discharging process until the SOC reaches the target SOC. This makes it easy to increase the SOC above the charging threshold by normal charging / discharging, where no charging threshold is set.

[0068] The above embodiment shows an example in which charging of the battery 11 during the VPP control period is limited based on the State of Charge (SOC) of the battery 11, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, control similar to the above embodiment may be performed during the control period in energy management. Specifically, as shown in Figure 7, the server 110 of the charging control system 2 requests the electric vehicle 10 to charge and discharge the battery 11 based on a power supply and demand adjustment request from a management server 210 that manages the power state of a predetermined facility (e.g., building 211). The management server 210 may also manage the power state of facilities other than buildings (e.g., factories and houses). Furthermore, the control of this modified example and the control of the above embodiment may be combined and executed. The server 110 is an example of a "charging control device" in this disclosure.

[0069] The above embodiment shows an example in which thresholds are provided for both charging and discharging of the battery 11, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. A threshold may be provided for only one of charging or discharging of the battery 11.

[0070] The above embodiment shows an example in which the charge throttle SOC is estimated by the server, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, information on the charge throttle SOC may be transmitted from the user of the electric vehicle 10 to the server 100. In this case, the electric vehicle 10 or the server 100 may correct the reference value of the charge throttle SOC corresponding to the reference temperature (ambient temperature) based on the ambient temperature. Also, in the above embodiment, the server 100 may correct the estimated value of the charge throttle SOC based on the ambient temperature.

[0071] The above embodiment shows an example of setting a charging threshold below the charging limit SOC, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The charging limit SOC itself may also be used as the charging threshold.

[0072] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which control is performed to switch to normal charging a predetermined time before the scheduled departure time if the user's scheduled departure time is earlier than the VPP end time, but this disclosure is not limited to this. This control does not have to be performed.

[0073] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of this disclosure is indicated by the claims rather than by the description of the embodiments above, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0074] 10 Electric vehicle, 11 Battery (secondary battery), 100, 110 Server (charging control device), 101 Processor (charging control unit), 103 Communication unit (charging information acquisition unit).

Claims

1. A charging control device that controls the charging of a secondary battery installed in an electric vehicle, A charging information acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the charging of the secondary battery, The system includes a charge control unit that controls the charging of the secondary battery, The charging control unit, When a first charging mode is set in which charging is performed based on a predetermined operational plan in response to a request to adjust the amount of electricity demand in the power grid, a first charging process is performed in which charging is carried out within a range in which the State of Charge (SOC) of the secondary battery is below a predetermined charging threshold. A charging control device that, when a second charging mode is set in which the charging plan is determined by the user of the electric vehicle, performs a second charging process in which the SOC charges up to a value equal to or greater than the predetermined charging threshold.

2. The electric vehicle is controlled such that when the SOC is above a specified value, the charging power of the secondary battery is reduced compared to when the SOC is below a specified value. The charging control device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined charging threshold is a value less than the specified value.

3. The charging control unit is Obtain the information of the aforementioned specified value, The charging control device according to claim 2, wherein the value obtained by subtracting a predetermined value from the aforementioned specified value is set as the predetermined charging threshold.

4. The charging information acquisition unit acquires information on the user's target value related to the SOC, The charging control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, if the target value is greater than the predetermined charging threshold, the charging control unit performs the charging by a second charging process after the first charging process until the SOC reaches the target value.

5. The charging control device according to claim 4, wherein the charging control unit shortens the time during which the first charging process is executed based on the operation plan as the difference between the target value and the predetermined charging threshold increases.

6. The charging control device according to claim 4, wherein if the target value is smaller than the predetermined charging threshold, the time for which the first charging process is executed based on the operation plan is set to a predetermined fixed time.

7. The charging information acquisition unit acquires information on the scheduled departure time when the electric vehicle will stop charging the secondary battery and begin driving, The charging control unit, Based on the difference between the target value and the predetermined charging threshold, the time for which the first charging process is executed according to the operation plan is calculated. The charging control device according to claim 4, wherein, when the scheduled departure time is earlier than the scheduled end time of the first charging process based on the time, and the target value is greater than the predetermined charging threshold, the first charging process is terminated and the second charging process is started a predetermined time before the scheduled departure time.

8. The charging control device according to claim 7, wherein the charging control unit increases the predetermined time as the target value increases.

9. A charging control method for controlling the charging of a secondary battery installed in an electric vehicle, A step of obtaining information regarding the charging of the secondary battery, When a first charging mode is set in which charging is performed based on a predetermined operational plan in response to a request to adjust the amount of electricity demand in the power grid, the first charging process is performed in which the State of Charge (SOC) of the secondary battery is within a range below a predetermined charging threshold. A charging control method comprising the step of performing a second charging process in which the SOC performs charging up to a value equal to or greater than the predetermined charging threshold when a second charging mode is set in which the charging plan is determined by the user of the electric vehicle.

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