Charging control device and charging control method

Abstract

To provide a charge control device capable of preventing charging time from becoming longer when a power-feeding amount from an external charge device to an on-vehicle battery decreases, and to provide a charge control method therefor.SOLUTION: A charge control device relating to one aspect of the embodiment is a charge control device provided in a vehicle in which an on-vehicle battery is charged by an external charge device. The charge control device comprises a controller. The controller gives a notice to a user of the vehicle during charging of the on-vehicle battery by the external charge device for which an accounting system is a time-accounting system, when a power-feeding amount from the external charge device to the on-vehicle battery is less than a power-feeding amount threshold value.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] When the power storage amount of an electric vehicle and a plug-in hybrid vehicle is insufficient during travel, for example, the charging plug of an external charging device installed at a charging stand is connected to the charging port of the vehicle, and the in-vehicle battery is charged. As a charging billing method by an external charging device, there is a time-based billing method in which billing is performed according to the charging time (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the time-based billing method, when the power supply amount from the external charging device to the in-vehicle battery decreases due to some factor, the charging time becomes longer with respect to the charging amount, and the billing amount becomes higher.

[0005] One aspect of the embodiment has been made in view of the above, and an object is to provide a charging control device and a charging control method capable of suppressing an increase in charging time when the power supply amount from an external charging device to an in-vehicle battery decreases.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A charging control device according to one embodiment is a charging control device installed in a vehicle whose onboard battery is charged by an external charging device. The charging control device includes a controller. The controller notifies the user of the vehicle when the amount of power supplied from the external charging device to the onboard battery falls below a power supply threshold while the onboard battery is being charged by the external charging device using a time-based billing method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] A charging control device and charging control method according to one embodiment has the effect of suppressing an increase in charging time when the amount of power supplied from an external charging device to the vehicle battery decreases. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of the charging control method according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of the charging control method according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a functional block diagram showing an example configuration of a charging control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a process performed by the controller of the charging control device according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a process performed by the controller of a charging control device according to a modified embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] 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 described below.

[0010] [1. Overview of Charging Control Method] First, an overview of the charging control method according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the charging control device 1 according to this embodiment is installed in an electric vehicle (hereinafter referred to as "vehicle 100") or a plug-in hybrid vehicle in which the onboard battery (hereinafter referred to as "battery 12") is charged by an external charging device 200. The vehicle 100 is charged with the charging plug of the external charging device 200, which is installed, for example, at a charging station, connected to the charging port on the vehicle 100. Charging from the external charging device 200 may be wired (charging plug connected to the vehicle) or contactless.

[0012] There are two billing methods for charging using the external charging device 200: a time-based billing method, where charges are based on charging time, and a charge-based billing method, where charges are based on the amount of charge (amount of energy [Wh]) charged. In the time-based billing method, the amount of power supplied from the external charging device 200 to the battery 12 may decrease due to various factors.

[0013] For example, if the battery temperature 12 is abnormally high or abnormally low, the charging control device 1 sends an instruction to the external charging device 200 to reduce the amount of power supplied in order to protect the battery 12. As a result, the amount of power supplied from the external charging device 200 to the battery 12 decreases.

[0014] The amount of power supplied from the external charging device 200 to the battery 12 is, for example, the instantaneous current value [A] or power value [W], the average current value [A] or power value [W] over a predetermined period of time (e.g., a few seconds to a few minutes), or the amount of energy [Wh] over a predetermined period of time (e.g., a few seconds to a few minutes).

[0015] Furthermore, infrastructure issues or problems with the external charging device 200 may cause a decrease in the amount of power supplied from the external charging device 200 to the battery 12. In this case, the charging time will be longer relative to the amount of power supplied, and the charge amount will be higher compared to charging with the normal, proper amount of power supplied.

[0016] Therefore, when the charging of the battery 12 by the external charging device 200 starts (step S1), the charging control device 1 determines whether the power supply amount from the external charging device 200 to the battery 12 is less than the power supply amount threshold value (step S2). The power supply amount threshold value is, for example, a value of the power supply amount that is 10% less than the maximum power supply amount that the external charging device 200 can supply. Note that the power supply amount threshold value is not limited to this.

[0017] The power supply amount threshold value may be, in addition to the maximum power supply amount that the external charging device 200 can supply, the maximum power supply amount that the vehicle can handle, the power supply amount set in the charging plan, the power supply amount set by the user at the start of charging, and the like.

[0018] When the charging control device 1 determines that the power supply amount is less than the power supply amount threshold value (step S3), it notifies the user 10 of the vehicle 10 to that effect (step S4). For example, the charging control device 1 notifies by transmitting a message indicating that the power supply amount is decreasing to the mobile terminal 11 of the user 10.

[0019] Thereby, when the power supply amount from the external charging device 200 to the battery 12 decreases due to some factor during charging, for example, the user 10 can immediately know that, and thus can take measures such as stopping the charging and charging at another charging station. Therefore, the charging control device 1 can suppress the charging time from becoming long.

[0020] After that, as shown in FIG. 2, when the charging control device 1 determines that the power supply amount is less than the power supply amount threshold value, it acquires the charging billing method from the external charging device 200 (step S5). Then, when the charging control device 1 determines that the billing method is the time billing method or unknown (step S6), it determines whether the power storage amount of the battery 12 is greater than or equal to the power storage amount threshold value (step S7). The power storage amount is, for example, the SOC (State Of Charge).

[0021] The power storage threshold value is, for example, the minimum power storage amount required by the user 10. Specific examples of the power storage threshold value will be described later. Note that the acquisition of the charging method may be performed before detecting a decrease in the power supply amount, such as at the start of external charging.

[0022] After that, when the charge control device 1 determines that the power storage amount of the battery 12 is equal to or greater than the power storage threshold value (step S8), the charge control device 1 stops charging even if it is not fully charged (step S9). Thereby, when the power supply amount from the external charging device 200 to the battery 12 decreases, the charge control device 1 can suppress the wasteful increase in the charging time and the increase in the charging amount.

[0023] [2. Configuration example of the charge control device 1] Next, referring to FIG. 3, a configuration example of the charge control device 1 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration example of the charge control device 1 according to the embodiment. Among the components shown in FIG. 3, the external charging device 200 is provided outside the vehicle 100. Also, it is assumed that the portable terminal 11 of the user 10 is also provided outside the vehicle 100. Other components such as the charge control device 1 are provided in the vehicle 100.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, when charging, the charge control device 1 is connected to the external charging device 200. Also, the charge control device 1 is wirelessly connected to the portable terminal 11 of the user 10. The portable terminal 11 is, for example, a smartphone or a tablet terminal device. Also, the charge control device 1 is connected to the battery 12, the input operation unit 13, the car navigation system (hereinafter referred to as "car navigation 14"), and the temperature adjuster 15.

[0025] The battery 12 is, for example, a lithium-ion battery that supplies power to a motor that drives the vehicle 100. Note that the battery 12 may be a secondary battery other than a lithium-ion battery. The input operation unit 13 is a user interface that receives input operations of various information by the user 10 and outputs information corresponding to the operations to the charge control device 1. <00​The car navigation system 14 is a device that provides route guidance from the current location to a destination set by the user 10. The temperature controller 15 is a device that adjusts the temperature of the battery 12. The temperature controller 15 includes a fan for cooling the battery 12 and a heater for heating the battery 12.

[0027] The charging control device 1 includes a controller 2. The controller 2 includes a microcomputer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and various circuits. The controller 2 includes multiple processing units that function by the CPU executing a program stored in ROM, using RAM as a working area.

[0028] For example, the controller 2 includes a charge detection unit 21, a power supply amount determination unit 22, a notification unit 23, a billing method acquisition unit 24, a stored energy amount determination unit 25, a stored energy amount threshold setting unit 26, a cause determination unit 27, and a temperature adjustment unit 28. Note that some or all of the multiple processing units in the controller 2 may be composed of hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0029] Each processing unit in Controller 2 realizes or executes the information processing operations described below. Note that the internal configuration of Controller 2 is not limited to the configuration shown in Figure 3; other configurations are also acceptable as long as they perform the information processing described later.

[0030] The charge detection unit 21 can send and receive various types of information bidirectionally by performing PLC (Power Line Communication) communication via the charging cable of the external charging device 200. The controller 2 may be configured to send and receive information with the external charging device 200 using various communication methods other than PLC communication, such as CAN (Controller Area Network) communication.

[0031] The charging detection unit 21 detects the start of charging. The charging detection unit 21 also instructs the external charging device 200 to stop and restart charging. When the charging detection unit 21 detects the start of charging, it notifies the power supply amount determination unit 22 of this fact.

[0032] When the power supply amount determination unit 22 receives notification that charging has started, it determines whether the amount of power supplied from the external charging device 200 to the battery 12 is less than the power supply threshold. If the power supply amount determination unit 22 determines that the amount of power supplied is less than the power supply threshold, it notifies the notification unit 23, the billing method acquisition unit 24, and the cause determination unit 27 of this fact.

[0033] When the notification unit 23 receives notification that the power supply amount is below the power supply threshold, it notifies the user 10's mobile terminal 11 that the power supply amount from the external charging device 200 is decreasing. When the billing method acquisition unit 24 receives notification that the power supply amount is below the power supply threshold, it acquires the billing method for charging from the external charging device 200 via the charging detection unit 21. If the acquired billing method is a time-based billing method or is unknown, the billing method acquisition unit 24 notifies the notification unit 23 and the stored power amount determination unit 25 accordingly.

[0034] The billing method acquisition unit 24 may be configured to acquire the billing method from a center that manages charging reservations, etc. Alternatively, the billing method acquisition unit 24 may be configured to acquire the billing method based on input from the user.

[0035] The notification unit 23 receives notification that the billing method is time-based, and when the amount of power supplied from the external charging device 200 to the battery 12 falls below the power supply threshold, it notifies the user that the amount of power supplied by the external charging device 200 has decreased. It may also be configured to notify the user if the billing method is unknown.

[0036] This allows user 10 to take action, such as stopping charging and charging at another charging station, if the amount of power supplied from the external charging device 200 to the battery 12 decreases. Therefore, the charging control device 1 can suppress the charging time from becoming excessive. Furthermore, by providing notification even when the billing method is unknown, the suppression of excessive charging time can be more reliably achieved.

[0037] When the charge level determination unit 25 receives notification that the billing method is time-based or unknown, it determines whether the charge level of the battery 12 is equal to or greater than the charge level threshold. The charge level threshold is set by the charge level threshold setting unit 26.

[0038] The stored energy threshold is set lower than the threshold for the amount of stored energy required to complete charging normally (e.g., full charge) without any abnormality occurring where the amount of power supplied from the external charging device 200 to the battery 12 falls below the supply amount threshold.

[0039] If the charge level determination unit 25 determines that the charge level of battery 12 is below the charge level threshold, it instructs the external charging device 200 to continue charging via the charging detection unit 21. In other words, if the charge level of battery 12 is below the charge level threshold, the controller 2 notifies the user that the amount of power supplied by the external charging device 200 is decreasing, and then continues charging. This allows the charging control device 1 to continue charging at a minimum level while making the user aware that the charging time will be longer.

[0040] When the charge level determination unit 25 determines that the charge level of the battery 12 has reached or exceeded the charge level threshold, it instructs the external charging device 200 to terminate charging via the charge detection unit 21. This allows the charging control device 1 to prevent unnecessary charging from continuing after, for example, the battery 12 has reached full charge.

[0041] The energy storage threshold setting unit 26 can set the energy storage threshold based on information input from the input operation unit 13 or the car navigation system 14. For example, the energy storage threshold setting unit 26 can set the value of the energy storage amount set by the user 10 as the energy storage threshold.

[0042] As a result, the charging control device 1 can terminate charging when the user 10 has reached the desired amount of stored energy, thus preventing unnecessarily long charging times in the case of a time-based billing system.

[0043] Furthermore, the energy storage threshold setting unit 26 can set the energy storage threshold to a value representing the amount of energy required to enable the vehicle 100 to travel a predetermined distance or a predetermined time. The predetermined distance or time may be set as a default. Alternatively, the predetermined distance or time may be set by the user 10.

[0044] As a result, the charging control device 1 can terminate charging as soon as the minimum necessary amount of stored energy is secured, thus preventing unnecessarily long charging times in the case of a time-based billing system.

[0045] Specifically, when a decrease in power supply is detected, even if the device has not yet reached the amount of charge required to complete charging under normal conditions (e.g., full charge), if it has exceeded the minimum charge threshold, charging will be terminated at that point. This ensures a minimum amount of charge is maintained while preventing unexpected charges.

[0046] Furthermore, the battery level threshold setting unit 26 can set the battery level threshold as the distance from the current location to the destination set in the car navigation system 14, or the time required from the current location to the destination, or the minimum amount of battery required to enable the vehicle 100 to run. The battery level threshold setting unit 26 can obtain the distance or time required from the current location to the destination set in the car navigation system 14 from the car navigation system 14. In addition to the car navigation information mentioned above, the minimum amount of battery may also be estimated from past performance data in the user's schedule data or the planned use of the vehicle after charging.

[0047] As a result, the charge level threshold setting unit 26 can terminate charging when the amount of charge sufficient to allow the vehicle 100 to travel the distance or time set on the car navigation system 14 from the current location is secured. This prevents unnecessarily long charging times in the case of a time-based billing system.

[0048] Furthermore, the charge threshold setting unit 26 can set a charge threshold value that is obtained by adding a predetermined amount of charge to the amount of charge at the start of charging. For example, the charge threshold setting unit 26 can obtain the State of Charge (SOC) of the battery 12 at the start of charging from the battery 12 and set the SOC value obtained by adding 10% to the SOC at the start of charging as the charge threshold value.

[0049] As a result, the charging control device 1 can terminate charging as soon as the minimum necessary amount of stored energy is secured, thus preventing unnecessarily long charging times in the case of a time-based billing system.

[0050] The cause determination unit 27 determines the cause of the amount of power supplied from the external charging device 200 to the battery 12 falling below the power supply threshold. The cause determination unit 27 obtains the status of the external charging device 200 via the charging determination unit, and if it determines that the cause is a problem with the external charging device 200 based on the status of the external charging device 200, it sends an instruction to the external charging device 200 via the charging detection unit 21 to stop charging. This allows the charging control device 1 to prevent unnecessarily long charging times from continuing under a time-based billing system when the decrease in power supply cannot be improved on the vehicle 100 side.

[0051] Furthermore, the cause determination unit 27 obtains the temperature of the battery 12 from the battery 12. If the cause determination unit 27 determines that the reason the amount of power supplied from the external charging device 200 to the battery 12 falls below the power supply threshold is due to the battery 12 being abnormally hot, it sends an instruction to the external charging device 200 via the charging detection unit 21 to stop charging. In addition, the cause determination unit 27 notifies the temperature control unit 28 that the reason the amount of power supplied to the battery 12 falls below the power supply threshold is due to the battery 12 being abnormally hot.

[0052] When the temperature control unit 28 receives notification that the battery 12 is abnormally hot, it cools the battery 12 using the temperature controller 15. Subsequently, when the temperature of the battery 12 returns to a predetermined temperature range, the cause determination unit 27 sends an instruction to the external charging device 200 via the charge detection unit 21 to resume charging.

[0053] The predetermined temperature range is a temperature range in which the battery 12 will not be damaged even when the external charging device 200 charges at the maximum amount of power it can supply, and is a temperature range in which the charging control device 1 does not instruct the external charging device 200 to reduce the amount of power supplied.

[0054] The predetermined temperature range may be not only the temperature range in which the external charging device 200 can supply the maximum amount of power that can be used for charging, but also the temperature range in which the vehicle can supply the maximum amount of power it can handle, the amount of power set in the charging plan, or the amount of power set by the user at the start of charging. This allows the charging control device 1 to suppress the charge from becoming too high relative to the amount of power charged, although the time until charging is completed may be longer.

[0055] Furthermore, if the cause determination unit 27 determines that the reason the amount of power supplied from the external charging device 200 to the battery 12 falls below the power supply threshold is an abnormally low temperature of the battery 12, it sends an instruction to the external charging device 200 via the charging detection unit 21 to stop charging. In addition, the cause determination unit 27 notifies the temperature control unit 28 that the reason the amount of power supplied to the battery 12 falls below the power supply threshold is an abnormally low temperature of the battery 12.

[0056] When the temperature control unit 28 receives notification that the battery 12 is abnormally cold, it heats the battery 12 using the temperature controller 15. Subsequently, when the temperature of the battery 12 returns to a predetermined temperature range, the cause determination unit 27 sends an instruction to the external charging device 200 via the charge detection unit 21 to resume charging.

[0057] The predetermined temperature range is a temperature range in which the battery 12 will not be damaged even when the external charging device 200 charges at the maximum amount of power it can supply, and is a temperature range in which the charging control device 1 does not instruct the external charging device 200 to reduce the amount of power supplied.

[0058] The predetermined temperature range may be not only the temperature range in which the external charging device 200 can supply the maximum amount of power that can be used for charging, but also the temperature range in which the vehicle can supply the maximum amount of power it can handle, the amount of power set in the charging plan, or the amount of power set by the user at the start of charging. This allows the charging control device 1 to suppress the charge from becoming too high relative to the amount of power charged, although the time until charging is completed may be longer.

[0059] [3. Processes executed by the controller 2 of the charging control device 1] Next, with reference to Figures 4 and 5, an example of processing performed by the controller 2 of the charging control device 1 according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the controller 2 according to the embodiment. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the controller 2 of the charging control device 1 according to a modified example of the embodiment.

[0060] The controller 2 repeatedly executes the process shown in Figure 4 during the period when the vehicle 100 is running (including the period when the vehicle's main power is off, such as in the IG off state or READY off state, and only some control devices related to external charging are running).

[0061] Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, when the vehicle 100 is started, the controller 2 first determines whether or not charging has started (step S101). When the controller 2 detects that the charging plug of the external charging device 200 is connected to the charging port of the vehicle 100 and that power is being supplied from the external charging device 200, it determines that charging has started.

[0062] If controller 2 determines that charging has not started (step S101, No), it terminates the process and restarts the process from step S101. If controller 2 determines that charging has started (step S101, Yes), it determines whether the amount of power supplied from the external charging device 200 is less than the power supply threshold (step S102).

[0063] If the controller 2 determines that the power supply amount is less than the power supply threshold (step S102, Yes), it notifies the user 10 of this (step S103) and obtains the billing method from the external charging device 200 (step S104). Steps S103 and S104 may be skipped if they have been performed once during an external charging process. In other words, steps S103 and S104 do not need to be performed from the second time onward.

[0064] Next, controller 2 determines whether the billing method is time-based or unknown (step S105). If controller 2 determines that the billing method is time-based or unknown (step S105, Yes), it determines whether the amount of charge stored in battery 12 is equal to or greater than the charge threshold (step S106).

[0065] If controller 2 determines that the amount of stored energy is not equal to or greater than the storage amount threshold (step S106, No), it repeats the determination process in step S106 until the amount of stored energy is equal to or greater than the storage amount threshold. Then, if controller 2 determines that the amount of stored energy is equal to or greater than the storage amount threshold (step S106, Yes), it stops charging (step S107) and terminates the process.

[0066] Furthermore, if the controller 2 determines that the amount of power supplied from the external charging device 200 is not less than the power supply threshold (step S102, No), and if it determines that the billing method is not time-based billing or unknown (step S105, No), it determines whether charging has finished or not (step S108).

[0067] The controller 2 determines that charging is complete when the power supply from the external charging device 200 is stopped and the charging plug of the external charging device 200 is removed from the charging port of the vehicle 100. In addition to when the charging plug is removed, the controller 2 may also be configured to determine that charging is complete when the amount of stored energy reaches a preset amount of stored energy (such as a full charge).

[0068] If controller 2 determines that charging is not complete (step S108, No), it moves the process to step S102. If controller 2 determines that charging is complete (step S108, Yes), it stops charging (step S107) and terminates the process.

[0069] Furthermore, the controller 2 may execute the process shown in Figure 5 instead of, or in parallel with, the process shown in Figure 4. Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, when the vehicle 100 is started, the controller 2 first determines whether or not charging has started (step S201). When the controller 2 detects that the charging plug of the external charging device 200 is connected to the charging port of the vehicle 100 and that power is being supplied from the external charging device 200, it determines that charging has started.

[0070] If controller 2 determines that charging has not started (step S201, No), it terminates the process and restarts the process from step S101. If controller 2 determines that charging has started (step S201, Yes), it determines whether the amount of power supplied from the external charging device 200 is less than the power supply threshold (step S202).

[0071] If the controller 2 determines that the power supply amount is below the power supply threshold (step S202, Yes), it notifies the user 10 of this (step S203). This step S203 process may be skipped if it has been performed once during an external charging process. In other words, the process in step S203 does not need to be performed from the second time onward. Subsequently, the controller 2 determines whether the reason the power supply amount fell below the power supply threshold is a problem with the external charging device 200 (step S204).

[0072] If the controller 2 determines that the cause is an abnormally high temperature of the battery 12 (step S204, Yes), it stops charging (step S205) and terminates the process. Also, if the controller 2 determines that the cause is not a problem with the external charging device 200 (step S204, No), it determines whether the cause is an abnormally high temperature of the battery 12 (step S206).

[0073] If Controller 2 determines that the cause is not an abnormally high temperature of Battery 12 (Step S206, No), it determines whether the cause is an abnormally low temperature of Battery 12 (Step S207). If Controller 2 determines that the cause is not an abnormally low temperature of Battery 12 (Step S207, No), it moves the process to Step S212.

[0074] In the flowchart shown in Figure 5, if the cause of the decrease in power supply is unknown (step S207, No), charging is to continue as usual. However, even if the cause of the decrease in power supply is unknown (step S207, No), charging may be terminated (step S205), similar to the case of step S204, Yes.

[0075] Furthermore, if the controller 2 determines that the cause is an abnormally high temperature of the battery 12 (step S206, Yes), or if it determines that the cause is an abnormally low temperature of the battery 12 (step S207, Yes), it stops charging (step S208).

[0076] Next, the controller 2 adjusts the temperature of the battery 12 (step S209). For example, if the battery 12 is abnormally hot, the controller 2 cools the battery 12. Also, if the battery 12 is abnormally cold, the controller 2 cools the battery 12.

[0077] Subsequently, the controller 2 determines whether the temperature of the battery 12 is within a predetermined range (step S210). If the controller 2 determines that the temperature of the battery 12 is not within the predetermined range (step S210, No), the process moves to step S209.

[0078] If the controller 2 determines that the temperature of the battery 12 is within a predetermined range (step S210, Yes), it restarts charging (step S211) and determines whether charging is complete or not (step S212). When the controller 2 detects that the charging plug of the external charging device 200 is connected to the charging port of the vehicle 100 and that power is being supplied from the external charging device 200, it determines that charging has started.

[0079] If controller 2 has not determined that charging is complete (step S212, No), it moves the process to step S202. If controller 2 has determined that charging is complete (step S212, Yes), it stops charging (step S205) and terminates the process.

[0080] Controller 2 may be configured to determine that charging is complete not only when the charging plug is unplugged, but also when the amount of stored energy reaches a preset amount (such as full charge). Furthermore, if Controller 2 receives a command from User 10 to stop or terminate charging while executing the processes shown in Figures 4 and 5, it will stop or terminate charging at that point.

[0081] [4. Addendum] As an addendum, the features of the present invention are as follows. (1) A charging control device installed in a vehicle in which the onboard battery is charged by an external charging device, The system includes a controller that notifies the vehicle user when the amount of power supplied from the external charging device to the vehicle battery falls below a power supply threshold while the vehicle battery is being charged by the external charging device using a time-based billing method. Charging control device. (2) The aforementioned controller, Even if the billing method is unknown, the user will be notified when the amount of power supplied from the external charging device to the vehicle battery falls below the power supply threshold. The charging control device described in (1) above. (3) The aforementioned controller, If the amount of power supplied falls below the power supply threshold, and the billing method is a time-based billing method, and the amount of charge stored in the vehicle battery is equal to or greater than the charge threshold, then charging will be stopped. The charging control device described in (1) or (2) above. (4) The aforementioned controller, If the amount of charge stored in the vehicle battery falls below the charge level threshold, the user will be notified and charging will continue. The charging control device described in (3) above. (5) The aforementioned charge amount threshold is lower than the charge amount threshold at which charging is completed normally without an abnormality occurring where the amount of power supplied falls below the charge amount threshold. The charging control device described in (3) or (4) above. (6) The aforementioned energy storage threshold is The value set by the user, A value representing the amount of stored energy necessary to enable the vehicle to travel a predetermined distance or time. The distance from the current location to the destination set in the car navigation system, or the time required from the current location to the destination, or the amount of stored energy required to enable the vehicle to run. The value obtained by adding a predetermined amount of stored energy to the amount of stored energy at the start of charging. It is at least one of the following: A charging control device as described in any one of (3) to (5) above. (7) The controller is If the reason the amount of power supplied falls below the power supply threshold is the temperature of the vehicle battery, then charging will be stopped and the temperature of the vehicle battery will be adjusted. When the temperature of the vehicle battery reaches a predetermined temperature range, charging is resumed. A charging control device as described in any one of (1) to (7) above. (8) If the reason the amount of power supplied falls below the power supply threshold is due to a problem with the external charging device, the charging will be stopped. A charging control device as described in any one of (1) to (7) above. (9) A charging control method performed by a controller of a charging control device installed in a vehicle in which the vehicle battery is charged by an external charging device, When the amount of power supplied from the external charging device to the vehicle battery falls below a power supply threshold while the vehicle battery is being charged using a time-based billing method, the user of the vehicle is notified. Charging control method.

[0082] 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]

[0083] 1. Charging control device 2 Controllers 10 users 11 Mobile devices 12 batteries 13 Input operation section 14. Car Navigation System 15 Temperature regulator 21 Charging detection unit 22 Power supply amount determination unit 23 Notification Department 24. Billing Method Acquisition Section 25. Energy storage amount determination unit 26. Energy storage threshold setting unit 27 Factor Determination Unit 28 Temperature adjustment section 100 vehicles 200 External charging device

Claims

1. A charging control device installed in a vehicle in which the onboard battery is charged by an external charging device, The system includes a controller that notifies the vehicle user when, during charging of the vehicle battery by the external charging device using a time-based billing method, the amount of power supplied from the external charging device to the vehicle battery falls below a power supply threshold. The aforementioned controller, If the amount of power supplied falls below the amount of power supplied threshold, and the billing method is a time-based billing method, and the amount of power stored in the vehicle battery is equal to or greater than the amount of power stored threshold, then charging will be stopped. The aforementioned charge amount threshold is lower than the charge amount threshold at which charging is completed normally without an abnormality occurring where the amount of power supplied falls below the charge amount threshold. Charging control device.

2. The aforementioned controller, Even if the billing method is unknown, the user will be notified when the amount of power supplied from the external charging device to the vehicle battery falls below the power supply threshold. The charging control device according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned controller, If the amount of charge stored in the vehicle battery falls below the charge level threshold, the user will be notified and charging will continue. The charging control device according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned energy storage threshold is The value set by the user, A value representing the amount of stored energy necessary to enable the vehicle to travel a predetermined distance or time. The distance from the current location to the destination set in the car navigation system, or the time required from the current location to the destination, or the amount of stored energy that enables the vehicle to run. The value obtained by adding a predetermined amount of stored energy to the amount of stored energy at the start of charging. It is at least one of the following: The charging control device according to claim 1.

5. The controller is If the reason the amount of power supplied falls below the power supply threshold is the temperature of the vehicle battery, then charging will be stopped and the temperature of the vehicle battery will be adjusted. When the temperature of the vehicle battery reaches a predetermined temperature range, charging is resumed. The charging control device according to claim 1.

6. If the reason the amount of power supplied falls below the power supply threshold is due to a problem with the external charging device, the charging will be stopped. The charging control device according to claim 1.

7. A charging control method performed by a controller of a charging control device installed in a vehicle in which the vehicle battery is charged by an external charging device, When the amount of power supplied from the external charging device to the vehicle battery falls below a power supply threshold while the external charging device is charging the vehicle battery using a time-based billing method, the user of the vehicle is notified. If the amount of power supplied falls below the amount of power supplied threshold, and the billing method is a time-based billing method, and the amount of power stored in the vehicle battery is equal to or greater than the amount of power stored threshold, then charging will be stopped. The aforementioned charge amount threshold is lower than the charge amount threshold at which charging is completed normally without an abnormality occurring where the amount of power supplied falls below the charge amount threshold. Charging control method.

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