Charging control device and charging control method

Abstract

To provide a charge control device and a charge control method in which a charge process can be started even when its own NMK value is equal to an NMK value of an external charging device at the time when the charging plug is connected.SOLUTION: A charge control device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a control unit. The control unit includes: performing a SLAC process in which prescribed data stored in an external charging device are shared with the external charging device when it is detected that the external charging device becomes connected to a vehicle; and performing a charge process by establishing a communication link with the external charging device. The control unit also includes: determining whether or not the communication link with the external charging device is established when detecting the connection to the external charging device; and, when determining the establishment is complete, performing the charge process instead of the SLAC process.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The disclosed embodiments relate to a charging control device and a charging control method.

Background Art

[0002] Plug-in hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles include a charging control device that controls the charging of an in-vehicle battery. When a charging plug of an external charging device installed in a charging stand is connected to the vehicle, for example, the charging control device executes a handshake process called SLAC (Signal Level Attenuation Characterization) processing with the external charging device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] At this time, the charging control device confirms by SLAC processing that the partner of the handshake process is the directly connected external charging device. After that, the charging control device shares predetermined data (for example, NMK (Network Management Key) value) received from the external charging device with the external charging device, establishes a communication link for PLC (Power Line Communication), and then starts the charging process.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, when the NMK value of the charging control device matches the NMK value of the external charging device at the time when the charging plug is connected, the charging control device establishes a communication link with the external charging device immediately after the charging plug is connected, so it does not proceed to the SLAC process and cannot start the subsequent charging process.

[0006] One embodiment, made in view of the above, aims to provide a charging control device and a charging control method that can start the charging process even when the NMK value of the device itself matches the NMK value of the external charging device at the time the charging plug is connected. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A charging control device according to one embodiment includes a control unit. When the control unit detects that an external charging device has been connected to the vehicle, it performs SLAC (Signal Level Attenuation Characterization) processing to share predetermined data held by the external charging device with the external charging device, establishes a communication link with the external charging device, and performs charging processing. When the control unit detects that it has been connected to the external charging device, it determines whether or not a communication link with the external charging device has been established, and if it determines that a link has been established, it performs charging processing without performing the SLAC processing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] A charging control device and charging control method according to one embodiment has the effect of being able to start the charging process even if its own NMK value matches the NMK value of the external charging device when the charging plug is connected. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a sequence diagram showing the basic operation flow during charging of the charging control device and external charging device according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the process performed by the charging control device according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the process performed by the charging control device according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the charging control device and charging control method will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below. In the following description, a charging control device installed in an electric vehicle will be used as an example, but the charging control device according to the embodiment may be installed in any vehicle that runs on electricity charged in an on-board battery, such as a plug-in hybrid vehicle or an electric motorcycle.

[0011] [1.Basic operation] First, with reference to Figure 1, the basic operation flow of the charging control device and external charging device during charging will be explained. Figure 1 is a sequence diagram showing the basic operation flow of the charging control device and external charging device during charging according to the embodiment.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the charging control device 1 according to this embodiment is mounted on a vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 is charged when, for example, a charging plug 202 attached to the end of a charging cable 201 extending from an external charging device 200 installed at a charging station is connected to the charging port of the vehicle 100.

[0013] The external charging device 200 includes an external charging device side control unit 20. The external charging device side control unit 20 is a PLC chip that communicates with the vehicle's charging control device 1, for example, using PLC (Power Line Communication) to supply charging power to the vehicle's battery.

[0014] The charging control device 1 includes a control microcomputer (MCU) 10 and a vehicle-side control unit 11. The control microcomputer 10 includes a microcomputer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and various circuits.

[0015] The vehicle - side control unit 11 controls the operation of the vehicle - side control unit 11 by causing a CPU to execute a program stored in a ROM using a RAM as a work area, thereby giving various instructions to the vehicle - side control unit 11.

[0016] The vehicle - side control unit 11 is a PLC chip that, in accordance with an instruction from the control microcomputer 10, communicates with the external charging device - side control unit 20, for example, by PLC, to perform charging control of the in - vehicle battery.

[0017] When the charging plug 202 is connected to the charging port of the vehicle 100, the external charging device - side control unit 20 executes an initialization process of initializing an NMK (Network Management Key) value used to establish a communication link with the vehicle - side control unit 11 to an arbitrary value (step S1).

[0018] On the other hand, in general charging control, when the charging plug 202 is connected to the charging port of the vehicle 100, the control microcomputer 10 of the charging control device 1 transmits a SLAC (Signal Level Attenuation Characterization) start instruction to the vehicle - side control unit 11 (step S2).

[0019] In general charging control, when the vehicle - side control unit 11 receives a SLAC start instruction from the control microcomputer 10, it executes a handshake process called SLAC processing with the external charging device - side control unit 20 (step S3). In the SLAC process, the vehicle - side control unit 11 transmits a predetermined signal to the external charging device - side control unit 20 (step S4).

[0020] When the external charging device - side control unit 20 receives a predetermined signal from the vehicle - side control unit 11, it executes SLAC processing (step S5). In the SLAC process, the external charging device - side control unit 20 determines the signal strength of the predetermined signal received from the vehicle - side control unit 11 and transmits the determination result to the vehicle - side control unit 11 (step S6).

[0021] Here, the PLC is a technology that uses the charging cable 201 as a communication cable by superimposing a high-frequency communication signal on the power line that supplies electrical energy for transmission. Therefore, when a plurality of external charging devices 200 are installed at the charging stand, the vehicle-side control unit 11 may receive communication signals between an external charging device 200 not directly connected to the vehicle 100 and other vehicles via the charging cable 201, and crosstalk may occur.

[0022] However, the signal strength of the signal received by the vehicle-side control unit 11 from an external charging device not directly connected to the vehicle 100 is lower than the signal strength of the signal received from the external charging device 200 directly connected to the vehicle 100.

[0023] Therefore, if the signal strength received by the vehicle-side control unit 11 from the external charging device-side control unit 20 in step S6 is equal to or greater than a predetermined signal strength, it can be determined that the external charging device-side control unit 20 that transmitted the signal strength is directly connected to the vehicle 100. Thereafter, the external charging device-side control unit 20 transmits the initialized NMK value to the vehicle-side control unit 11 (step S⑦).

[0024] The vehicle-side control unit 11 updates and holds the currently held NMK value to the NMK value received from the external charging device-side control unit 20, thereby sharing the same NMK value with the external charging device-side control unit 20 (step S⑧). Note that the NMK value before update held by the vehicle-side control unit 11 is the NMK value shared with the external charging device-side control unit 20 during the previous charging.

[0025] [[ID=十六]]In this way, the vehicle-side control unit 11 establishes a communication link with the external charging device-side control unit 20 by sharing the same NMK value with the external charging device-side control unit 20 (step S⑨). Thereafter, the vehicle-side control unit 11 performs a charging process by the power supply from the directly connected external charging device 200 (step S⑩).

[0026] Thus, when the vehicle-side control unit 11 detects that the external charging device 200 has been connected to the vehicle 100, it performs SLAC processing to share predetermined data held by the external charging device 200 with the external charging device 200, establishes a communication link with the external charging device 200, and performs charging processing.

[0027] However, in the charging system described above, there are cases where the NMK value held by the charging control device 1 before the charging plug 202 is connected to the charging port of the vehicle 100 coincides with the NMK value held by the external charging device 200 that is to be connected.

[0028] In this case, the charging control device 1 establishes a communication link with the external charging device 200 immediately after the charging plug 202 is connected to the charging port of the vehicle 100, preventing it from proceeding to SLAC processing and thus preventing it from starting the subsequent charging process.

[0029] Specifically, when the charging plug 202 is connected to the charging port of the vehicle 100, the control microcontroller 10 sends an SLAC start instruction to the vehicle-side control unit 11 in order to establish a communication link between the vehicle-side control unit 11 and the external charging device-side control unit 20.

[0030] On the other hand, the vehicle-side control unit 11 shares the same NMK value with the external charging device-side control unit 20 as soon as the charging plug 202 is connected. Therefore, immediately after the charging plug 202 is connected, a communication link with the external charging device-side control unit 20 is already established.

[0031] Therefore, the vehicle-side control unit 11 does not accept the SLAC start instruction from the control microcontroller 10 and does not start the SLAC process. As a result, it does not execute the predetermined steps S8 to S10, and thus cannot perform the charging process.

[0032] Thus, in typical charging control, the charging control device 1 cannot perform the charging process if, before connecting the charging plug 202, the NMK value it holds and the NMK value held by the external charging device 200 happen to match.

[0033] Therefore, when the vehicle-side control unit 11 detects that it has been connected to the external charging device 200, it determines whether or not a communication link with the external charging device 200 has been established. If it determines that a link has been established, it performs the charging process without performing SLAC processing.

[0034] As a result, the charging control device 1 can perform the charging process even if the NMK value it holds happens to match the NMK value held by the external charging device 200 before the charging plug 202 is connected.

[0035] [2. Processes executed by the vehicle-side control unit] Next, with reference to Figure 2, an example of processing performed by the vehicle-side control unit according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 2 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the charging control device according to the embodiment.

[0036] As shown in Figure 2, when the charging plug 202 of the external charging device 200 is connected to the charging port of the vehicle 100, the vehicle-side control unit 11 first determines whether or not a communication link has been established with the external charging device 200 (step S101).

[0037] At this time, the vehicle-side control unit 11 sends a predetermined inquiry to the external charging device-side control unit 20, for example, and determines that a communication link has been established when it receives a response to the predetermined inquiry from the external charging device-side control unit 20. The vehicle-side control unit 11 also determines that a communication link has not been established if it does not receive a response within a predetermined time.

[0038] Furthermore, the vehicle-side control unit 11 may, for example, send a predetermined number of square waves to the external charging device-side control unit 20 to determine whether or not a communication link has been established. In this case, the external charging device-side control unit 20 returns the number of square waves received from the vehicle-side control unit 11 to the vehicle-side control unit 11.

[0039] The vehicle-side control unit 11 determines that a communication link has been established if the number of square waves transmitted matches the number of square waves returned. The vehicle-side control unit 11 also determines that a communication link has not been established if the number of square waves transmitted does not match the number of square waves returned, or if there is no reply from the external charging device-side control unit 20.

[0040] If the vehicle-side control unit 11 determines that a communication link has not been established (step S101, No), it performs SLAC processing because the NMK value it holds and the NMK value held by the external charging device 200 are not the same (step S102).

[0041] Then, in the SLAC processing, the vehicle-side control unit 11 updates the NMK value it holds to the NMK value received from the external charging device-side control unit 20 and holds it, thereby establishing communication with the external charging device 200 (step S103).

[0042] Subsequently, the vehicle-side control unit 11 starts the charging process (step S104) and determines whether charging is complete or not (step S105). If the vehicle-side control unit 11 determines that charging is not complete (step S105, No), it repeats the determination process in step S105 until charging is complete. Then, if the vehicle-side control unit 11 determines that charging is complete (step S105, Yes), it terminates the process.

[0043] Furthermore, if the vehicle-side control unit 11 determines that a communication link has been established (step S101, Yes), it determines whether the external charging device 200 on which the communication link has been established is an external charging device 200 directly connected to the vehicle 100 (step S106).

[0044] At this time, the vehicle-side control unit 11 determines whether the external charging device 200 with which a communication link has been established is the external charging device 200 directly connected to the vehicle 100 by exchanging messages such as CM_VALIDATE.REQ / CNF with the external charging device-side control unit 20.

[0045] If the vehicle-side control unit 11 determines that the external charging device 200 is not directly connected (step S106, No), it terminates the process. This prevents the charging control device 1 from establishing a communication link with an external charging device other than the external charging device 200 that is directly connected, thus preventing crosstalk from occurring.

[0046] Furthermore, if the vehicle-side control unit 11 determines that the external charging device 200 is directly connected (step S106, Yes), it moves the process to step S104. This allows the charging control device 1 to prevent crosstalk and to perform the charging process normally even if the NMK value it holds and the NMK value held by the external charging device 200 happen to match.

[0047] Note that the process in step S106 shown in Figure 2 may be omitted. In this case, if the vehicle-side control unit 11 determines in step S101 that a communication link has been established, it moves the process to step S104.

[0048] Thus, when the vehicle-side control unit 11 detects that it has been connected to the external charging device 200, it determines whether or not a communication link with the external charging device 200 has been established. If it determines that a link has been established, it performs the charging process without performing SLAC processing. As a result, the charging control device 1 can perform the charging process normally even if the NMK value it holds and the NMK value held by the external charging device 200 happen to match.

[0049] [3. Variations of processes executed by the vehicle-side control unit] Next, with reference to Figure 3, a modified example of the process performed by the charging control device according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the process performed by the charging control device according to the embodiment.

[0050] As shown in Figure 3, when the charging plug 202 of the external charging device 200 is connected to the charging port of the vehicle 100, the vehicle-side control unit 11 first determines whether or not a communication link has been established with the external charging device 200 (step S201). The method for determining whether or not a communication link has been established is the same as the method described in step S101 of Figure 2.

[0051] If the vehicle-side control unit 11 determines that a communication link has not been established (step S201, No), it performs SLAC processing because the NMK value it holds and the NMK value held by the external charging device 200 are not the same (step S202).

[0052] Then, in the SLAC processing, the vehicle-side control unit 11 updates the NMK value it holds to the NMK value received from the external charging device-side control unit 20 and holds it, thereby establishing communication with the external charging device 200 (step S203).

[0053] Subsequently, the vehicle-side control unit 11 starts the charging process (step S204) and determines whether charging is complete or not (step S205). If the vehicle-side control unit 11 determines that charging is not complete (step S205, No), it repeats the determination process in step S205 until charging is complete. Then, if the vehicle-side control unit 11 determines that charging is complete (step S205, Yes), it terminates the process.

[0054] Furthermore, if the vehicle-side control unit 11 determines that a communication link has been established (step S201, Yes), it updates its own NMK value to a different NMK value because the NMK value it holds and the NMK value held by the external charging device 200 happen to match (step S206).

[0055] This disconnects the communication link between the vehicle-side control unit 11 and the external charging device-side control unit 20. Subsequently, the vehicle-side control unit 11 moves the process to step S202. As a result, the charging control device 1 can execute predetermined steps S202 to S205 sequentially because the NMK value it holds and the NMK value held by the external charging device 200 are different values.

[0056] Thus, when the vehicle-side control unit 11 detects that it has been connected to the external charging device 200, it determines whether or not a communication link with the external charging device 200 has been established. If it determines that a link has been established, it changes the NMK value it holds, performs SLAC processing, and then performs charging processing. As a result, the charging control device 1 can perform charging processing normally even if the NMK value it holds and the NMK value held by the external charging device 200 happen to match.

[0057] Furthermore, the vehicle-side control unit 11 may be configured to determine the initial values ​​of predetermined data using random numbers. This further reduces the risk that the NMK value held by the charge control device 1 and the NMK value held by the external charge device 200 may coincide by chance.

[0058] [4. Addendum] As an addendum, the features of the present invention are as follows. (1) The control unit, upon detecting that an external charging device has been connected to the vehicle, performs SLAC (Signal Level Attenuation Characterization) processing to share predetermined data held by the external charging device with the external charging device, establishes a communication link with the external charging device, and performs charging processing. The control unit, When it is detected that the device is connected to the external charging device, it is determined whether a communication link with the external charging device has been established. If it is determined that a link has been established, the charging process is performed without performing the SLAC processing. Charging control device. (2) The control unit, If it is determined that a communication link with the external charging device has been established, it is determined whether the external charging device is the one that is directly connected, and if it is determined that it is the external charging device that is directly connected, the charging process is started. The charging control device described in (1) above. (3) The control unit, upon detecting that an external charging device has been connected to the vehicle, performs SLAC (Signal Level Attenuation Characterization) processing to share predetermined data held by the external charging device with the external charging device, establishes a communication link with the external charging device, and performs charging processing. The control unit, When it detects that the device is connected to the external charging device, it determines whether a communication link with the external charging device has been established. If it determines that a link has been established, it modifies the predetermined data it holds, performs the SLAC processing, and then performs the charging process. Charging control device. (4) The control unit, When it is detected that the device is connected to the external charging device, a predetermined inquiry is sent to the external charging device. If a response to the predetermined inquiry is received from the external charging device, it is determined that a communication link has been established. If no response is received within a predetermined time, it is determined that a communication link has not been established. A charging control device as described in any one of (1) to (3) above. (5) When the control unit detects that it has been connected to the external charging device, it transmits a predetermined number of square waves to the external charging device. If the number of square waves received from the external charging device matches the number of square waves transmitted, it determines that a communication link has been established. If they do not match or if there is no reply from the external charging device, it determines that a communication link has not been established. A charging control device as described in any one of (1) to (3) above. (6) The control unit, The initial value of the predetermined data is determined by a random number. A charging control device as described in any one of (1) to (5) above. (7) When the control unit of the charging control device detects that an external charging device has been connected to the vehicle, it performs SLAC (Signal Level Attenuation Characterization) processing to share predetermined data held by the external charging device with the external charging device, establishes a communication link with the external charging device, and performs charging processing. When it is detected that the device is connected to the external charging device, it is determined whether a communication link with the external charging device has been established. If it is determined that a link has been established, the charging process is performed without performing the SLAC processing. Charging control method. (8) When the control unit of the charging control device detects that an external charging device has been connected to the vehicle, it performs SLAC (Signal Level Attenuation Characterization) processing to share predetermined data held by the external charging device with the external charging device, establishes a communication link with the external charging device, and performs charging processing. When it detects that the device is connected to the external charging device, it determines whether a communication link with the external charging device has been established. If it determines that a link has been established, it modifies the predetermined data it holds, performs the SLAC processing, and then performs the charging process. Charging control method.

[0059] Further effects and modifications can be readily derived by those skilled in the art. Therefore, broader aspects of the present invention are not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments expressed and described above. Accordingly, various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the overall concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0060] 1. Charging control device 10 Control microcontroller 11 Vehicle-side control unit 100 vehicles 200 External charging device 201 Charging Cable 202 Charging Plug

Claims

1. The control unit, upon detecting that an external charging device has been connected to the vehicle via a charging plug, performs SLAC (Signal Level Attenuation Characterization) processing to share the NMK (Network Management Key) value held by the external charging device with the external charging device, establishes a PLC (Power Line Communication) communication link with the external charging device, and performs charging processing. The control unit, When it is detected that the system is connected to the external charging device, it is determined whether a PLC communication link has been established with the external charging device. If it is determined that a link has been established, it is determined whether the external charging device with which the PLC communication link has been established is an external charging device connected to the vehicle via a charging plug. If it is determined that the external charging device is an external charging device connected to the vehicle via a charging plug, the charging process is performed without performing the SLAC processing. Charging control device.

2. The control unit, The determination of whether the external charging device with which the PLC communication link has been established is an external charging device connected to the vehicle via the charging plug is made by exchanging CM_VALIDATE messages with the external charging device with which the PLC communication link has been established. The charging control device according to claim 1.

3. The control unit, upon detecting that an external charging device has been connected to the vehicle via a charging plug, performs SLAC (Signal Level Attenuation Characterization) processing to share the NMK (Network Management Key) value held by the external charging device with the external charging device, establishes a PLC (Power Line Communication) communication link with the external charging device, and performs charging processing. The control unit, When it detects that the device is connected to the external charging device, it determines whether a PLC communication link has been established with the external charging device. If it determines that a link has been established, it changes the NMK value it holds and performs the SLAC processing before performing the charging process. Charging control device.

4. The control unit, When it is detected that the device is connected to the external charging device, a predetermined query is sent to the external charging device. If a response to the predetermined query is received from the external charging device, it is determined that the PLC communication link has been established. If no response is received within a predetermined time, it is determined that the PLC communication link has not been established. The charging control device according to claim 1.

5. When the control unit detects that it has been connected to the external charging device, it transmits a predetermined number of square waves to the external charging device. If the number of square waves received from the external charging device matches the number of square waves transmitted, it determines that a PLC communication link has been established. If they do not match or if there is no reply from the external charging device, it determines that a PLC communication link has not been established. The charging control device according to claim 1.

6. The control unit, The initial value of the NMK value is determined by a random number. The charging control device according to claim 1.

7. When the control unit of the charging control device detects that an external charging device has been connected to the vehicle via a charging plug, it performs SLAC (Signal Level Attenuation Characterization) processing to share the NMK (Network Management Key) value held by the external charging device with the external charging device, establishes a PLC (Power Line Communication) communication link with the external charging device, and performs charging processing. When it is detected that the system is connected to the external charging device, it is determined whether a PLC communication link has been established with the external charging device. If it is determined that a link has been established, it is determined whether the external charging device with which the PLC communication link has been established is an external charging device connected to the vehicle via a charging plug. If it is determined that the external charging device is an external charging device connected to the vehicle via a charging plug, the charging process is performed without performing the SLAC processing. Charging control method.

8. When the control unit of the charging control device detects that an external charging device has been connected to the vehicle via a charging plug, it performs SLAC (Signal Level Attenuation Characterization) processing to share the NMK (Network Management Key) value held by the external charging device with the external charging device, establishes a PLC (Power Line Communication) communication link with the external charging device, and performs charging processing. When it detects that the device is connected to the external charging device, it determines whether a PLC communication link has been established with the external charging device. If it determines that a link has been established, it changes the NMK value it holds and performs the SLAC processing before performing the charging process. Charging control method.

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