Shared system

Abstract

The charging station can be shared and used by external vehicles other than those included in the work plan, allowing for effective use of the charging station outside of the work plan. [Solution] The shared system SY is a shared system SY for a charging station 100 for charging an electric vehicle 1, and comprises a charging plan calculation unit 74 that calculates a charging plan to ensure charging of the target vehicle 11 by the charging station 100 based on the amount of power held by the charging station 100, a work plan including work by the target vehicle 11 which is the electric vehicle 1, and the remaining battery charge of the target vehicle 11, and a shared charging determination unit 75 that determines whether or not to perform shared charging, which is charging of an external vehicle 12 other than the target vehicle 11 by the charging station 100, based on the amount of power held by the charging station 100 and the charging plan.

Description

[[Technical Field]]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sharing system for charging stations that charge electric vehicles. [[Background Art]]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a mobile charging station for electric vehicles (hereinafter may be appropriately referred to as a mobile charging station). Patent Document 2 discloses an electric tractor that estimates a battery state of charge when work in a predetermined field is completed. [[Prior Art Documents]] [[Patent Documents]]

[0003] [[Patent Document 1]] International Publication No. 2023 / 039272 [[Patent Document 2]] Japanese Patent No. 7409355 [[Summary of the Invention]] [[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]]

[0004] For example, it is conceivable that a field owner (i.e., an individual) owns the mobile charging station described in Patent Document 1 and uses it to charge the electric tractor described in Patent Document 2. For example, an electric tractor performs field work based on a pre-prepared field work plan, and is therefore charged by the mobile charging station during a charging period such as before or after the field work specified in the work plan. That is, in order for an individual's mobile charging station to enable the electric tractor to perform field work according to the work plan, it is necessary to prioritize and reliably perform charging of the owner's own electric tractor included in the work plan. Therefore, the actual situation is that the mobile charging station cannot be used to charge external vehicles other than those specified in the work plan (e.g., another person's electric vehicle).

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art, and aims to provide a shared system that allows charging stations to be shared and used by external vehicles other than those included in the work plan, and that enables the charging stations to be effectively utilized for purposes other than the work plan. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A sharing system according to one aspect of the present invention is a sharing system for a charging station for charging electric vehicles, comprising: a charging plan calculation unit that calculates a charging plan to ensure that the charging station charges the target vehicle based on the amount of power held by the charging station, a work plan that includes work performed by the target vehicle which is an electric vehicle, and the remaining battery charge of the target vehicle; and a share charging determination unit that determines whether or not to perform share charging, which is charging of an external vehicle other than the target vehicle by the charging station, based on the amount of power held by the charging station and the charge plan. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, charging stations can be shared and used by external vehicles other than those included in the work plan, and charging stations can be effectively utilized for purposes other than the work plan. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing a shared charging station system in one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a side view of the work vehicle. [Figure 3] This diagram shows that the vehicle in question is being ultra-fast charged by the charging station. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing a shared charging station system in an embodiment. [Figure 5] A diagram showing the configurations of the server and the portable charging station. [Figure 6] This is a block diagram showing the configurations of the server and the self-propelled charging station. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows the process of sharing charging stations on the server. [Figure 8A] This diagram shows the process for creating work plans, charging plans, and shared charging plans. [Figure 8B] This diagram shows an example of a charging plan, a shared charging plan, and a revised charging plan. [Figure 9] This diagram shows an example of charging station sharing. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the shared charging station 100 system SY in an embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the shared charging station 100 system SY is a system (device) that enables the sharing of a charging station 100 for charging an electric vehicle 1, for example.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the electric vehicle 1 is, for example, an electric tractor. Figure 2 is a side view of the electric vehicle 1. As shown in Figure 2, the electric vehicle 1 comprises a battery BT, a vehicle body 3, a prime mover 4, a transmission 5, and a running gear 7. The front wheels 7F of the running gear 7 may be of the tire type or the crawler type. Similarly, the rear wheels 7R of the running gear 7 may also be of the tire type or the crawler type. The prime mover 4 consists of an electric motor driven by power from the battery BT. The transmission 5 can switch the propulsion force of the running gear 7 by changing the gear, and can also switch the running gear 7 between forward and reverse. The driving force of the prime mover 4 is transmitted to the running gear 7 by the transmission 5, and the vehicle body 3 moves forward and backward as the running gear 7 is driven. The transmission 5 also transmits the power of the prime mover 4 to the PTO shaft 6. PTO is an abbreviation for "Power Take Off". The PTO shaft 6 is an output shaft that drives the working device 2 when connected to it.

[0012] The vehicle body 3 is equipped with a cabin 9. Inside the cabin 9 is a driver's seat 10. At the rear of the vehicle body 3 is a coupling device 8, which consists of a three-point linkage mechanism. The coupling device 8 connects the vehicle body 3 to an implement 2 for performing agricultural work. Specifically, by connecting the implement 2 to the coupling parts 8g and 8h provided on the coupling device 8, the implement 2 and the vehicle body 3 are connected, making it possible for the electric vehicle 1 to tow the implement 2. In other words, the electric vehicle 1 is capable of being fitted with the implement 2.

[0013] The working device 2 is a device that performs work on a work area (e.g., a field) or on an object to be worked on in that work area (e.g., crops planted in the field). The working device 2 includes tilling devices for tilling, furrowing devices for making ridges, furrowing devices for making furrows, harvesting devices for harvesting crops, mowing devices for cutting grass, etc., spreading devices for spreading grass, etc., grass collecting devices for collecting grass, etc., shaping devices for shaping grass, etc., fertilizer spreading devices for spreading fertilizer, pesticide spraying devices for spraying pesticides, and separation devices for separating crops. In this embodiment, the working device 2 is, for example, a fertilizer spreading device and a pesticide spraying device.

[0014] The electric vehicle 1 has a positioning device 21 that detects its own position. The positioning device 21 is a device that detects its own position (latitude, longitude) based on data from positioning satellites such as GPS and Michibiki (positioning satellite system). The positioning device 21 may also have inertial devices such as an acceleration sensor that detects acceleration and a gyro sensor that detects angular velocity, and the position may be corrected using the acceleration and angular velocity detected by the inertial devices, or the position may be corrected using other correction signals, etc., and is not limited to these.

[0015] The electric vehicle 1 is not limited to an electric tractor, but may also be an electric construction machine such as an electric backhoe, an electric loader (electric wheel loader, electric compact track loader, electric skid steer loader, etc.), an electric utility vehicle (multipurpose work vehicle), or an electric motor vehicle other than an electric work vehicle.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the shared system SY for charging stations 100 includes, for example, the charging station 100 and a server 70. The charging station 100 and the server 70 are capable of communicating via an information communication network such as the Internet.

[0017] The charging station 100 is a charger that charges the electric vehicle 1. The charging station 100 includes an Energy Storage System (ESS), which can temporarily store electric power and supply the electric power when needed. As shown in Figure 1, the charging station 100 is, for example, a portable charging station 100A. The portable charging station 100A can be transported by being towed or loaded by a transport vehicle. The transport vehicle may be either an electric transport vehicle or a non-electric transport vehicle. An electric transport vehicle is an electric-type vehicle, and examples thereof include electric tractors, electric trucks, and the like. A non-electric transport vehicle is a non-electric-type vehicle such as a gasoline vehicle or a diesel vehicle, and examples thereof include a tractor or a truck in which the prime mover 4 is configured of an engine. Further, the transport vehicle may be the target vehicle 11. Note that the charging station 100 is not limited to the portable type shown in Figure 1, and may be a self-propelled type as shown in Figure 6 described later.

[0018] For example, an administrator (e.g., an owner) of a farm field H1 shown in Figure 9 described later owns the charging station 100. The administrator is, for example, an owner or a farmer who owns or manages the farm field H1, but is not limited thereto. The administrator of the farm field H1 prepares a work plan WP for the farm field H1 in advance by using the target vehicle 11 or a terminal device 60 described later and the server 70.

[0019] The work plan WP for field H1 includes the work area H (field H1, etc.) shown in Figure 9, which is the target of work by electric vehicle 1, the travel route from the current location of electric vehicle 1 to work area H, and the work to be performed by electric vehicle 1 at work area H. For example, in the case of rice planting, the work may include preparing the soil, building levees, tilling, sowing seeds, fertilizing, planting rice seedlings, plowing, digging furrows, weeding, top dressing, and harvesting.

[0020] Server 70 manages the charging station 100. For example, Server 70 manages the charging station 100 by knowing its location and controlling its charging and discharging.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, the server 70 and the multiple electric vehicles 1 can communicate via an information and communication network such as the Internet. The multiple electric vehicles 1 may also be able to communicate with the charging station 100. The shared system SY of the charging station 100 only needs to be able to communicate with the multiple electric vehicles 1, and may or may not include the multiple electric vehicles 1 as part of its configuration.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, the shared system SY of the charging station 100 may include a terminal device 60. The terminal device 60 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, tablet, PDA, or notebook personal computer.

[0023] Here, the configurations of the shared system SY of the charging station 100 in this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a block diagram of the shared system SY of the charging station 100 in this embodiment.

[0024] Server 70 is a fixed computer installed, for example, at a farm, farming company, agricultural machinery manufacturer, or agricultural service provider. Alternatively, Server 70 may be a portable computer that can be carried by administrators, workers, etc.

[0025] The server 70 is equipped with a communication device 71 capable of communicating with the charging station 100 and the electric vehicle 1. The communication device 71 is a communication module that performs either direct or indirect communication with the charging station 100 and the electric vehicle 1, and is, for example, a communication standard of the IEEE 802.11 series, such as Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity, registered trademark), BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy), LPWA (Low Power, Wide Area), and LPWAN (Low-Power Wide-Area). Wireless communication can be performed via a network, etc. Furthermore, the communication device 71 can perform wireless communication via, for example, a mobile phone network or a data communication network.

[0026] Server 70 is equipped with a control device 72. The control device 72 consists of electrical and electronic circuits, a processor, memory, etc. The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Server 70 functions as a control device 72 when the processor executes a control program. The control device 72 can perform various calculations and controls, such as generating a work plan WP for field H1, generating a charging plan CP according to the work plan WP, and controlling the charging station 100 according to the charging plan CP.

[0027] Server 70 is equipped with a storage device 78 that stores various information, programs, etc. The storage device 78 is a non-volatile storage device, such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage device 78 stores a setting value indicating whether or not shared charging by the charging station 100 is permitted. When Server 70 receives permission information from the first terminal device 60A (described later), it sets the setting value to permitted. If permission information has not been received (or permission information has been received), it sets the setting value to not permitted.

[0028] Alternatively, instead of the storage device 78 of the server 70, the storage device of the charging station 100 (e.g., HDD, SSD, etc.) may store the setting value indicating whether or not shared charging by the charging station 100 is permitted. In this case, the server 70 may determine whether to permit or deny (prohibit) shared charging by checking the setting value of the charging station 100. Alternatively, the charging station 100 may determine whether to permit or deny (prohibit) shared charging by checking the setting value.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the electric vehicle 1 is broadly divided into a target vehicle 11 and an external vehicle 12. The target vehicle 11 is an electric vehicle that performs work in field H1 based on a pre-created work plan WP for field H1 and receives charging from the charging station 100 based on a charging plan CP corresponding to the work plan WP. In other words, the target vehicle 11 is a vehicle 1A that is included in the work plan WP for field H1 and is charged according to the charging plan CP.

[0030] On the other hand, external vehicle 12 is an electric vehicle belonging to another person that is not included in the work plan WP for field H1, and may be either an electric work vehicle or an electric vehicle other than an electric work vehicle. Although external vehicle 12 is a vehicle unrelated to the work plan WP for field H1, it may become a shared charging target vehicle 1B that receives shared charging from charging station 100 if the conditions for shared charging are met. Charging the above-mentioned target vehicle 11 is called priority charging. Priority charging refers to charging the target vehicle 11 by charging station 100 at a work plan WP that includes work performed by the target vehicle 11. In other words, priority charging refers to charging the target vehicle 11 by charging station 100 based on a charging plan that ensures charging for the target vehicle 11. Shared charging refers to charging external vehicles 12 other than the target vehicle 11 (shared charging target vehicle 1B) by charging station 100.

[0031] As shown in Figure 4, the vehicle to be charged 1A (target vehicle 11) has a communication device 11A. The communication device 11A is a communication module that communicates directly or indirectly with the server 70, and can perform wireless communication using, for example, the IEEE 802.11 series communication standard Wi-Fi (registered trademark), BLE, LPWA, LPWAN, etc. The communication device 11A can also perform wireless communication using, for example, a mobile phone network or a data communication network.

[0032] The vehicle to be charged, 1A (target vehicle 11), has a SOC calculation unit 11B. The SOC calculation unit 11B calculates the State of Charge (SOC) of the battery BT, that is, the charge state and charge rate. For example, if fully charged, the SOC will be 100%, and if completely discharged, the SOC will be 0%.

[0033] The vehicle to be charged 1A (target vehicle 11) has a work plan input unit 11C. The work plan input unit 11C receives information regarding the work plan WP for field H1 from, for example, a manager or worker. Various input devices can be used as the work plan input unit 11C, such as a keyboard, mouse, voice input device, or touch panel provided on the display screen of a display device.

[0034] The communication device 11A of the vehicle to be charged transmits to the server 70 SOC information indicating the SOC calculated by the SOC calculation unit 11B, and information regarding the work plan WP for field H1 that has been entered into the work plan input unit 11C.

[0035] The control device 72 of the server 70 transmits information about the vehicle to be charged (SOC, work plan WP) and the priority charging plan (i.e., the charging plan CP based on the work plan WP) to the charging station 100 via the communication device 71, based on the SOC information from the vehicle to be charged 1A and the work plan WP information for field H1 (work plan WP).

[0036] As shown in Figure 4, the charging station 100 has, for example, a battery 110. The battery 110 is, for example, a high-voltage (HV) battery, but is not limited to this. The charging station 100 has an AC charging port 101 for charging the battery 110. The AC charging port 101 is, for example, a port (charging port) that conforms to the standard specification for normal charging, such as "J1772". The charging station 100 receives AC power from the AC power grid, i.e., AC power from the commercial power supply, through a charging cable to the AC charging port 101, and the input AC voltage is converted to a DC voltage suitable for the battery 110 to charge the battery 110. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the charging station 100 may be configured to include a power cable 101A and charge the battery 110 by connecting the power cable 101A to a commercial power supply of 480V three-phase AC. In this configuration, where the built-in power cable 101A is directly plugged into (connected to) the commercial power supply, power can be drawn from the commercial power supply of 480V three-phase AC, allowing the battery 110 to be charged with a larger power (e.g., 100kW) than when using the above-mentioned "J1772" (charging of about 10kW per hour). In other words, it becomes possible to charge 100kWh per hour. Alternatively, the charging station 100 may be configured to include a DC charging port 101B and charge the battery 110 by high-voltage charging from the DC charging port 101B. The charging station 100 may be equipped with one or more of the following: the AC charging port 101, the power cable 101A, and the DC charging port 101B.

[0037] Furthermore, the charging station 100 includes a low-voltage output unit 102 and a high-voltage output unit 103. The low-voltage output unit 102 is an AC charging plug located at the end of the low-voltage connection cable, and outputs (supplies) AC power to the electric vehicle 1 for normal charging. The low-voltage output unit 102 conforms to, for example, the standard specification for normal charging called "J1772". Note that the low-voltage output unit 102 may also be an output outlet.

[0038] The high-voltage output unit 103 is a DC charging plug located at the end of the high-voltage connection cable, and is intended to output (supply) DC power to the electric vehicle 1 for ultra-rapid charging. The high-voltage output unit 103 conforms to ultra-rapid charging standards such as "CHAdeMO (registered trademark)" or "CCS (Combined Charging System)". The high-voltage output unit 103 may also be an output outlet.

[0039] The charging station 100 transmits charging station information to the server 70, which includes the State of Charge (SOC) information of the battery 110 and the location information of the charging station 100. The charging station 100 transmits charge / discharge control information to the server 70, which includes discharge information to the electric vehicle 1 (in other words, information to charge the electric vehicle 1), indicating that the electric vehicle 1, whose machine ID (identification information) is "XX", will be charged at "YY" kW. The charge / discharge control information may also include charging information for the charging station 100 (information to charge the charging station 100 from a commercial power source, etc.).

[0040] As shown in Figure 4, the vehicle 1B (external vehicle 12) subject to shared charging has a communication device 12A. The communication device 12A is a communication module that communicates directly or indirectly with the server 70, and performs wireless communication using, for example, the IEEE 802.11 series communication standard Wi-Fi (registered trademark), BLE, LPWA, LPWAN, etc. The communication device 12A can also perform wireless communication using, for example, a mobile phone network or a data communication network.

[0041] The vehicle 1B (external vehicle 12) subject to shared charging has an input device 12B and a display device 12C. The input device 12B can be various input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, voice input device, or a touch panel on the display screen of the display device 12C. The display device 12C is a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The input device 12B receives shared charging reservation information, including at least a shared charging reservation, from the driver of the external vehicle 12. The shared charging reservation information may also include time information indicating the desired amount of shared charging and the charging period.

[0042] The communication device 12A of the vehicle 1B (external vehicle 12) subject to shared charging transmits the shared charging reservation information input to the input device 12B to the server 70.

[0043] The control device 72 of the server 70 creates a shared charging plan SP based on the shared charging reservation information from the vehicle 1B to be charged, and transmits shared charging feasibility information, indicating whether the shared charging plan SP can be carried out without affecting the work plan WP, to the terminal device 60 and the vehicle 1B to be charged via the communication device 71. If the control device 72 of the server 70 determines that the shared charging plan SP can be carried out, it transmits the shared charging plan SP to the charging station 100 and the vehicle 1B to be charged via the communication device 71.

[0044] As shown in Figure 4, the terminal device 60 has a communication device 61. The communication device 61 is a communication module that communicates with the server 70 either directly or indirectly, and performs wireless communication using, for example, the IEEE 802.11 series communication standards such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), BLE, LPWA, LPWAN, etc. The communication device 61 can also perform wireless communication using, for example, a mobile phone network or a data communication network.

[0045] The terminal device 60 includes a work plan input unit 62 and a display device 63. The work plan input unit 62 receives information regarding the work plan WP for field H1 from, for example, a manager or worker. The work plan input unit 62 can employ various input devices, such as a keyboard, mouse, voice input device, or a touch panel provided on the display screen of the display device 63. The display device 63 is, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display.

[0046] The communication device 61 of the terminal device 60 transmits the work plan WP entered in the work plan input unit 62 to the server 70.

[0047] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the configurations of the server 70 and the portable charging station 100A.

[0048] As shown in Figure 5, the charging station 100 has a battery 110. The battery 110 is equipped with a BMU (battery management unit; battery monitoring device) 111. In Figure 5, the BMU 111 is located inside the corresponding battery 110, but it may also be located outside the battery 110.

[0049] The BMU111 monitors and controls the battery 110. Specifically, the BMU111 controls the opening and closing of relays located inside the battery 110 to control the start and stop of power supply from the battery 110 to the PDU105. The BMU111 also monitors the status of the battery 110. For example, the BMU111 detects the temperature, voltage, current, or terminal voltage of the internal cells of the battery 110.

[0050] Furthermore, the BMU111 detects the remaining capacity of the battery 110 using a voltage measurement method, for example, based on the terminal voltages of the cells inside the battery 110. Note that the method for detecting the remaining capacity of the battery 110 is not limited to a voltage measurement method; other methods such as a Coulomb counter method, a battery cell modeling method, or an impedance track method may also be used. Additionally, a capacity detection device for detecting the remaining capacity of the battery 110 may be provided separately from the BMU111.

[0051] As shown in Figure 5, the charging station 100 includes a charging control device 120, an OBC 104, a PDU 105, and a DC-DC converter 106. The OBC 104 is called an On-Board Battery Charger and is a device used when charging the battery 110. The OBC 104 converts the AC voltage from the AC charging port 101 to the DC voltage required for the battery 110 and outputs it to the PDU 105.

[0052] The PDU 105 is a Power Distribution Unit. When charging the battery 110, it charges the battery 110 with power distributed based on the charging control device 120. When discharging the battery 110, it distributes power from the battery 110 based on the discharging control device 120 and outputs it to the DC-DC converter 106. The DC-DC converter 106 converts the input voltage to a predetermined output voltage and outputs it to the high-voltage output unit 103.

[0053] The charging control device 120 includes a BMS 121 and a charge / discharge control unit 122. The BMS 121 is a Battery Management System and includes a State of Charge (SOC) calculation unit. The charge / discharge control unit 122 controls the AC charging port 101, the battery 110's BMU 111, OBC 104, PDU 105, DC-DC converter 106, low voltage output unit 102, and high voltage output unit 103.

[0054] As shown in Figure 5, the charging station 100 has a communication device 125. The communication device 125 is a communication module that communicates directly or indirectly with at least the server 70, among the server 70, the electric vehicle 1, and the terminal device 60. For example, it can perform wireless communication using communication standards such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), BLE, LPWA, LPWAN, etc., of the IEEE802.11 series. The communication device 125 can also perform wireless communication using, for example, a mobile phone network or a data communication network.

[0055] The charging station 100 has a positioning device 126 that detects its own position. The positioning device 126 is a device that detects its own position (latitude, longitude) based on data from positioning satellites such as GPS and Michibiki (positioning satellite system). The positioning device 126 may also have inertial devices such as an acceleration sensor that detects acceleration and a gyro sensor that detects angular velocity, and may correct its position using the acceleration and angular velocity detected by the inertial devices, or it may correct its position using other correction signals, etc., and is not limited to these.

[0056] The solid lines in Figure 5 represent power connection lines (power lines). The AC charging port 101, OBC 104, PDU 105, battery 110, DC-DC converter 106, and high-voltage output unit 103 are electrically connected. The dashed lines in Figure 5 represent electrical signal lines (signal lines). The charging control device 120, AC charging port 101, OBC 104, PDU 105, battery 110 (especially BMU 111), DC-DC converter 106, high-voltage output unit 103, communication device 125, and positioning device 126 are electrically connected.

[0057] As shown in Figure 4, the shared system SY of the charging station 100 includes a target vehicle information acquisition unit 73, a charging plan calculation unit 74, and a shared charging determination unit 75. Specifically, the server 70 includes the target vehicle information acquisition unit 73, the charging plan calculation unit 74, and the shared charging determination unit 75. The control device 72 functions as the target vehicle information acquisition unit 73, the charging plan calculation unit 74, and the shared charging determination unit 75 by having the processor execute a control program.

[0058] The target vehicle information acquisition unit 73 acquires vehicle information for the electric vehicle 1 included in the work plan WP of field H1, i.e., the vehicle to be charged 1A (target vehicle 11). For example, as shown in Figure 8A later, the vehicle information includes the specification information and status information of the target vehicle 11. For example, the specification information includes the machine ID (identification information) of the target vehicle 11, the maximum power to be charged, the total energy, the voltage / current range, and the connector type. The status information includes the machine ID (identification information) of the target vehicle 11, the status of the target vehicle 11, the location, the SOC (or remaining energy), and the update time.

[0059] The charging plan calculation unit 74 calculates a charging plan CP to ensure that the charging station 100 charges the target vehicle 11, based on the amount of power held by the charging station 100, the work plan WP which includes work performed by the target vehicle 11, which is the electric vehicle 1, and the remaining battery charge of the target vehicle 11.

[0060] The shared charging determination unit 75 determines whether or not to perform shared charging, which is charging an external vehicle 12 other than the target vehicle 11 using the charging station 100, based on the amount of power held by the charging station 100 and the charging plan CP.

[0061] The charging plan CP calculated by the charging plan calculation unit 74 takes precedence over the determination by the shared charging determination unit 75 regarding whether shared charging is permissible.

[0062] The shared charging determination unit 75 determines that shared charging is possible if the value obtained by subtracting the amount of electricity consumed to charge the target vehicle 11 from the amount of electricity held by the charging station 100 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (for example, the amount of electricity at SOC (20%)).

[0063] The shared system SY of the charging station 100 includes a permission determination unit 76 and a shared charging plan calculation unit 77. Specifically, the server 70 includes the permission determination unit 76 and the shared charging plan calculation unit 77. The control device 72 functions as the permission determination unit 76 and the shared charging plan calculation unit 77 by having the processor execute a control program.

[0064] The permission determination unit 76 determines that the administrator of the charging station 100 has permitted shared charging. For example, if the setting value stored in the storage device 78 of the server 70 (i.e., the setting value indicating whether shared charging by the charging station 100 is permitted or not) is permitted, the permission determination unit 76 determines that the administrator of the charging station 100 has permitted shared charging. The shared charging plan calculation unit 77 generates a shared charging plan SP for charging the external vehicle 12 if the shared charging determination unit 75 has determined that shared charging is possible and the permission determination unit 76 has determined that shared charging is permitted.

[0065] The shared charging plan calculation unit 77 calculates the time period during which shared charging is permitted and the upper limit of the amount of electricity to be supplied by shared charging, based on the amount of power consumed during charging of the target vehicle (i.e., charging of the target vehicle 1A) and the charging time period information included in the charging plan CP.

[0066] The charging station 100 is a portable charging station 100A. The shared charging plan calculation unit 77 calculates (i.e., identifies) the shared charging location, which is the location where shared charging will be performed. The shared charging plan calculation unit 77 then calculates the time period during which shared charging is permitted, based on the travel time from the priority charging location, which is the location where the target vehicle 11 included in the charging plan CP will be charged, to the shared charging location, and the charging time period information for the target vehicle charging (charging of the target vehicle 1A).

[0067] The server 70 obtains the permission status for shared charging at the charging station 100 and transmits the location information and shared charging plan SP of the charging station 100 that is permitted to share charging to the external vehicle 12.

[0068] As shown in Figure 4, the charging station 100 includes a low-voltage output unit 102 and a high-voltage output unit 103, and determines whether to allow shared charging from either the low-voltage output unit 102 or the high-voltage output unit 103 based on the time period during which shared charging is permitted.

[0069] As shown in Figure 4, the server 70 transmits location information of the charging station 100 where shared charging is permitted and the shared charging plan SP to the terminal device 60.

[0070] The terminal device 60 is, for example, a first terminal device 60A owned by the manager of the charging station 100. Alternatively, the first terminal device 60A may be owned by the driver of the target vehicle 11 (charging target vehicle 1A) or by a worker at field H1. Furthermore, there may be multiple first terminal devices 60A, and multiple first terminal devices 60A may be owned by multiple people such as the manager, workers, and drivers.

[0071] The terminal device 60 may include a second terminal device 60B, which is installed on the external vehicle 12 and is separate from the first terminal device 60A.

[0072] When the second terminal device 60B receives input for a shared charging reservation, it transmits reservation information (shared charging reservation information) indicating a shared charging reservation to the shared charging determination unit 75. Device 5 transmits the result of the determination regarding whether or not the shared charging reservation can be performed to the second terminal device 60B. The second terminal device 60B displays the result of the determination regarding whether or not the shared charging can be performed.

[0073] Incidentally, the charging station 100 may also be a self-propelled charging station 100B. Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the configurations of the server 70 and the self-propelled charging station 100B. As shown in Figure 6, the charging station 100 is a self-propelled charging station 100B that can move on its own using its stored power as a power source. The self-propelled charging station 100B shown in Figure 6 differs from the portable charging station 100A shown in Figure 5 in that it is equipped with a self-propelled mechanism 130.

[0074] As shown in Figure 6, the self-propelled mechanism 130 of the self-propelled charging station 100B includes left and right drive wheels 131 (left drive wheel 131L and right drive wheel 131R), left and right electric motors 132 (left electric motor 132L and right electric motor 132R) that drive the left and right drive wheels 131 respectively, an inverter 133 that drives the left and right electric motors 132, a VCU 134 that controls the inverter 133, and left and right driven wheels 135 (left driven wheel 135L and right driven wheel 135R). The VCU 134 is a Vehicle Control Unit.

[0075] The solid lines in Figure 6 represent power connection lines (power lines). In Figure 6, the AC charging port 101, OBC 104, PDU 105, battery 110, inverter 133, DC-DC converter 106, and high-voltage output unit 103 are electrically connected. The dashed lines in Figure 6 represent electrical signal lines (signal lines). The charging control device 120, AC charging port 101, OBC 104, PDU 105, battery 110 (especially BMU 111), DC-DC converter 106, VCU 134, inverter 133, high-voltage output unit 103, communication device 125, and positioning device 126 are electrically connected.

[0076] The self-propelled charging station 100B is equipped with, for example, an automatic driving control device, and the self-propelled charging station 100B is configured to automatically drive along a predetermined driving route or to automatically drive while monitoring the surroundings and generating an optimal driving route. The driving route includes a route that connects storage locations such as barns and warehouses (locations indicated as "Point00" in Figure 9, described later), priority charging locations where the self-propelled charging station 100B charges the target vehicle 11 (locations indicated as "Point04" or "Point05" in Figure 9), and shared charging locations where the self-propelled charging station 100B charges external vehicles 12 (location indicated as "Point03" in Figure 9). The self-propelled charging station 100B may be manually driven by a driver on board, or it may be remotely driven by remote control.

[0077] The shared charging plan calculation unit 77 shown in Figure 6 calculates an upper limit on the amount of electricity to be supplied by shared charging based on the amount of electricity consumed during the movement from the priority charging location for the target vehicle 11 included in the charging plan CP (location "Point 04" shown in Figure 9) to the shared charging location for the external vehicle 12 (location "Point 03" shown in Figure 9).

[0078] Furthermore, the shared charging plan calculation unit 77 shown in Figure 6 may calculate an upper limit on the amount of electricity to be supplied by shared charging based on the amount of electricity consumed during travel from the shared charging location (location "Point03" shown in Figure 9) to the storage location of the self-propelled charging station 100B (location "Point00" shown in Figure 9), which has been pre-set by the administrator. That is, the shared charging plan calculation unit 77 calculates an upper limit on the amount of electricity to be supplied by shared charging based on the amount of electricity consumed during travel from the priority charging location to the shared charging location and the amount of electricity consumed during travel from the shared charging location to the storage location.

[0079] If the self-propelled charging station 100B determines that shared charging is possible, At the end of charging, the self-propelled charging station 100B maintains at least the amount of power needed to reach the storage location (location "Point00" shown in Figure 9) from the shared charging location (location "Point03" shown in Figure 9), and then self-propels from the priority charging location (location "Point04" shown in Figure 9) included in the charging plan CP, through the shared charging location (location "Point03" shown in Figure 9), to the storage location (location "Point00" shown in Figure 9).

[0080] Here, the processing of the charging station 100 in the sharing system SY will be explained using Figures 7 to 9. Figure 7 is a flowchart of the sharing process of the charging station 100 on the server 70. Figure 8A is a diagram showing the flow of creating the work plan WP, charging plan CP, and shared charging plan SP. Figure 8B is a diagram showing an example of the work plan WP, charging plan CP, and shared charging plan SP. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of sharing of the charging station 100.

[0081] As shown in Figure 7, the server 70 creates a work plan WP for field H1 (S11). Specifically, information regarding the work plan WP for field H1 is pre-entered in at least one of the work plan input unit 11C of the vehicle to be charged 1A and the work plan input unit 62 of the first terminal device 60A. The vehicle to be charged 1A (target vehicle 11) also transmits its own vehicle information (machine information shown in Figure 8A) to the server 70. As shown in Figure 8A, the server 70 (control device 72) creates a work plan WP for field H1 based on the information regarding the work plan WP for field H1 from the vehicle to be charged 1A and / or the terminal device 60, and the vehicle information (machine information shown in Figure 8A) of the vehicle to be charged 1A (target vehicle 11) that will perform work in field H1 (S11).

[0082] As shown in Figure 8A, the machine information is the vehicle information of the vehicle to be charged 1A (target vehicle 11), and includes the specification information and status information of target vehicle 11. In Figure 8A, the specification information of the machine information includes the machine ID of target vehicle 11 (e.g., xx05), maximum power to be charged (i.e., maximum input power, e.g., 800 kW), total energy (e.g., 100 kWh), voltage / current range, and connector type. The status information of the machine information includes the machine ID of target vehicle 11 (e.g., xx05), the status of target vehicle 11 (e.g., standby), location, SOC (e.g., 50%), and update time.

[0083] As shown in Figure 7, the server 70 (control device 72) creates a charging plan CP (S12). Specifically, as shown in Figure 8A, the server 70 (control device 72) creates a charging plan CP (S12) based on charger information (information of charging station 100), the work plan WP for field H1, and machine information (vehicle information of vehicle to be charged 1A).

[0084] As shown in Figure 8A, the charger information includes the specifications, settings, and status information of the charging station 100. For example, the specifications of the charger information include the charger ID (identification information: "xx01" in Figure 8A), maximum charging power (i.e., maximum input power, e.g., 800 kW), maximum power being charged (i.e., maximum input power, e.g., 100 kW), total energy (e.g., 300 kWh), voltage / current range, and connector type of the charging station 100. The settings include the minimum SOC (e.g., 10%). The status information of the charger information includes the status, location, SOC (or remaining energy: "50%" in Figure 8A), SOH (State of Health), cycle count, and update time of the charging station 100. SOH (State of Health) refers to the overall state of the battery 110 compared to an ideal state and is expressed as a percentage. A State of Health (SOH) of 100% indicates that the battery 110 is in perfect condition, while a lower percentage indicates deterioration.

[0085] Specifically, the charging plan calculation unit 74 calculates based on the amount of power held by the charging station 100 (total power of charger information in Figure 8A), the work plan WP including work performed by the vehicle to be charged 1A (target vehicle 11), and the remaining battery charge of the target vehicle 11 (SOC of machine information in Figure 8A). Then, a charging plan CP is calculated to ensure that the target vehicle 11 is charged by the charging station 100 (S12). In Figure 8A, the charging plan CP including the first plan contents CP1 to the third plan contents CP3 is calculated.

[0086] For example, the work plan WP includes work on field H1 by the target vehicle 11 with machine ID (e.g., xx05). Therefore, the charging plan calculation unit 74 creates a charging plan CP that includes a first plan content CP1 for charging the target vehicle 11 with machine ID (e.g., xx05), as shown in Figure 8A.

[0087] The first plan item CP1 includes the charger ID of charging station 100 being "xx01", the charging / energy storage item of charging station 100 being "charging", the machine ID of the vehicle to be charged 1A being "xx05", the start time being "10:00", the end time being "10:30", the amount of power supplied being 50kWh, and the location including "Point05" as shown in Figure 9 (i.e., latitude and longitude (lat5,Lon5)). In short, the first plan item CP1 is a plan to charge vehicle 11 with machine ID (e.g., xx05) from charging station 100 with a power supply amount (100kW × 0.5h = 50kWh) at the location "Point05" during the time period from 10:00 to 10:30.

[0088] The charging plan calculation unit 74 calculates (estimates) that when the first plan content CP1 is executed, the total power of the charging station 100 will decrease from 300kWh to the amount of power supplied in the first plan content CP1 (100kW × 0.5h = 50kWh), and the State of Charge (SOC) of the charging station 100 will decrease from 50.0% to 33%, falling below the recommended charging value (e.g., 35%). For this reason, the charging plan calculation unit 74 creates a charging plan CP that includes a second plan content CP2 for charging the charging station 100 itself using commercial power.

[0089] The second plan item CP2 specifies that the charger ID for charging station 100 is "xx01", the charging / energy storage item for charging station 100 is "energy storage", the machine ID is "-" (i.e., there is no vehicle 1A to be charged), the start time is "11:00", the end time is "12:00", the power supply amount is 100kWh, and the location includes "Point00" as shown in Figure 9 (i.e., latitude and longitude (lat0,Lon0)). For example, when using "J1772", charging is about 10kW per hour, but charging station 100 can charge 100kWh per hour by connecting power cable 101A to a 480V commercial power supply and charging battery 110, as shown in Figure 4. The location of "Point00" shown in Figure 9 is the storage location for charging station 100. At this storage location, battery 110 can be charged using AC power from the commercial power supply. In short, the second plan content CP2 is a plan for charging station 100 with charger ID "xx01" to receive a charge from commercial power supply (100kW × 1h = 100kWh) at location "Point00" during the time period from 11:00 to 12:00. As shown in Figure 8A, the charging plan calculation unit 74 creates a charging plan CP that includes the first plan content CP1 and the second plan content CP2.

[0090] For example, the work plan WP includes, after the second plan content CP2, work on field H1 by the vehicle to be charged, 1A, whose machine ID is "xx03". Therefore, as shown in Figure 8A, the charging plan calculation unit 74 creates a charging plan CP that includes a third plan content CP3 for charging the target vehicle 11 with machine ID (e.g., xx03).

[0091] The third plan content CP3 includes the charger ID of charging station 100 being "xx01", the charging / energy storage item of charging station 100 being "charging", the machine ID of the vehicle to be charged 1A being "xx03", the start time being "13:00", the end time being "13:30", the amount of power supplied being 30kWh, and the location including "Point04" (i.e., latitude and longitude (lat4,Lon4)) as shown in Figure 9. In short, the third plan content CP3 is a plan to receive a charge of the target vehicle 11 with machine ID (e.g., xx03) from charging station 100 with a power supply amount (60kW × 0.5h = 30kWh) at the location "Point04" during the time period from 13:00 to 13:30. As shown in Figure 8A, the charging plan calculation unit 74 creates a charging plan CP that includes the first plan content CP1 to the third plan content CP3.

[0092] As shown in Figure 7, the server 70 (control device 72) performs parallel processing (S13). This parallel processing simultaneously executes two processes: the process of executing and modifying the charging plan CP (S22) and the process related to the shared charging plan SP (S14-S21).

[0093] The server 70 (control device 72) determines whether or not it is a judgment timing (S14). Judgment timings include predetermined periodic timings, manual timings, or timings when the charging plan CP is modified. Manual timings include, for example, the timing when an operation instruction (for example, input of shared charging reservation information) is received from the vehicle 1B to be charged or the second terminal device 60B.

[0094] If it is not the timing for a determination (No in S14), the server 70 (control device 72) returns to S14. On the other hand, if it is the timing for a determination (Yes in S14), the server 70 (control device 72) determines whether the disabled setting is ON or OFF (S15).

[0095] If the setting value of the storage device 78 (i.e., the setting value indicating whether shared charging by the charging station 100 is permitted or not) is not permitted, the permission determination unit 76 determines that the setting is not permitted (Yes in S15), determines that sharing is not permitted (S21), and returns to S14.

[0096] On the other hand, the permission determination unit 76 determines that if the setting value of the storage device 78 (i.e., the setting value indicating whether shared charging by the charging station 100 is permitted or not) is permitted, then the setting for disallowance is not on (i.e., shared charging is permitted) (No in S15). If the permission determination unit 76 determines that shared charging is permitted (No in S15), the shared charging plan calculation unit 77 creates a candidate shared charging plan SP for charging the external vehicle 12 (S16). Here, the charging plan CP by the charging plan calculation unit 74 is maintained as is and takes precedence over the determination by the shared charging determination unit 75 that shared charging can be performed.

[0097] As shown in Figure 8A, the shared charging determination unit 75 determines that shared charging is possible if the value obtained by subtracting the amount of electricity consumed in charging the target vehicle 11 (the sum of the power consumption at the first plan content CP1 (50kWh (=100kW × 0.5h)) and the power consumption at the third plan content CP3 (30kWh (=60kW × 0.5h))) from the current amount of electricity held by the charging station 100 (i.e., total amount of electricity 300kWh × SOC 50%) is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (for example, the amount of electricity at SOC (20%)).

[0098] The shared charging plan calculation unit 77 calculates the time period during which shared charging is permitted and the upper limit of the amount of electricity supplied by shared charging, based on the amount of power consumed during target vehicle charging (charging of target vehicle 1A) and the charging time period information included in the charging plan CP shown in Figure 8A. The shared charging plan calculation unit 77 also identifies the shared charging location for the external vehicle 12 and calculates the time period during which shared charging is permitted, based on the travel time from the priority charging location to the shared charging location included in the charging plan CP and the charging time period information for target vehicle charging (charging of target vehicle 1A).

[0099] As shown in Figure 8A, the total power of the charger information is 300kWh, the current SOC is 50% (150kw = 300kWh × 0.5), the power consumption at the first plan content CP1 of the charging plan CP is 50kWh (=100kWh × 0.5h), the power consumption at the second plan content CP2 is "-100kWh" (i.e., it is receiving charge instead of consumption, so it is +100kWh), and the power consumption at the third plan content CP3 is 30kWh (=60kWh × 0.5h). The shared charging plan calculation unit 77 determines that the estimated total power after the execution of the third plan content CP3 is 170kw (=150kw - 50kWh + 100kWh - 30kWh).

[0100] Furthermore, the shared charging plan calculation unit 77 determines that the charging time information for the charging plan CP shown in Figure 8A is scheduled for the time period from the start time of the first plan content CP1 to the end time of the third plan content CP3, and that there is availability after the end time of the third plan content CP3.

[0101] Furthermore, the shared charging plan calculation unit 77 calculates the travel time from the priority charging location (for example, the location of the third plan content CP3 (the location of "Point 04" shown in Figures 8A and 9)) which is the location where the vehicle to be charged 1A is charged, to the shared charging location (the location of "Point 03" shown in Figures 8A and 9). Specifically, the shared charging plan calculation unit 77 calculates the travel time (for example, 0.5 hours) by dividing the travel distance on the road RD from the location of "Point 04" to the location of "Point 03" shown in Figure 9 by the transport speed at which the portable charging station 100A is transported (or the self-driving speed if it is a self-driving charging station 100B). For example, the shared charging plan calculation unit 77 calculates (specifies) the above travel distance based on a map including terrain information shown in Figure 9, and calculates the travel time by dividing the above travel distance by a predetermined transport speed or self-driving speed.

[0102] Therefore, the shared charging plan calculation unit 77 sets the time period for which shared charging is permitted to be 4 hours, from 14:00 (the end time of the third plan content CP3, 13:30) plus the travel time (0.5 hours) to 18:00 (the final time predetermined by the administrator). The shared charging plan calculation unit 77 also calculates the available power supply as 35kWh (=140kWh÷4) by dividing 140kW (the amount of power equivalent to the minimum SOC (10%)) which is obtained by subtracting 30kW (the amount of power equivalent to the minimum SOC (10%)) from 170kW (the estimated total power) by 4 hours (14:00 to 18:00).

[0103] As shown in Figure 8A, the shared charging plan calculation unit 77 creates a first shared charge details SP1 as a candidate for the shared charging plan SP, with charger ID "xx01", start time "14:00", end time "18:00", power supply amount 35kWh, and location "Point03" (S16).

[0104] As shown in Figure 7, the server 70 (control device 72) determines whether or not a candidate for a shared charging plan SP has been created (S17). For example, if the server 70 (control device 72) has created a candidate for a shared charging plan SP in the shared charging plan calculation unit 77, it determines that a candidate has been created (Yes in S17) and determines that sharing is possible (S18).

[0105] On the other hand, if the server 70 (control device 72) is unable to create a candidate for the shared charging plan SP in the shared charging plan calculation unit 77, it determines that no candidate was created (No in S17), determines that sharing is not possible (S21), and returns to S14.

[0106] After S18, if the server 70 (control device 72) has received shared charging reservation information from the external vehicle 12 or the second terminal device 60B by the end time of the third plan content CP3, it approves the execution of the sharing (S19). For example, the server 70 (control device 72) selects a candidate shared charging plan SP created by the shared charging plan calculation unit 77.

[0107] Furthermore, in S19 of Figure 8A, the revenue from sharing may be calculated using the formula "Electricity amount × (Electricity selling price - Electricity costs) = Revenue," and approval for the sharing will be granted if the revenue from sharing exceeds a certain level.

[0108] Server 70 (control device 72) performs sharing (S20). For example, the communication device 71 of server 70 communicates with the service side (e.g., external vehicle 12 and / or second terminal device 60) The information is sent to B) and the charging plan CP is modified. The communication device 71 transmits sharing READY information to the external vehicle 12 and / or the second terminal device 60B, as shown in Figure 8A (S20).

[0109] The server 70 (control device 72) executes and makes sequential modifications to the charging plan CP (S22). Figure 8B shows an example of the charging plan CP, the shared charging plan SP, and the modified charging plan RCP. For example, as shown in Figure 8B, the server 70 (control device 72) adds the shared charging plan SP to the charging plan CP to generate the modified charging plan RCP. The modified charging plan RCP maintains the charging plan CP while adding the shared charging plan SP.

[0110] After S22, the server 70 (control device 72) checks for the completion of the charging plan CP (S23). If there is a revised charging plan RCP, the server 70 (control device 72) checks for the completion of the revised charging plan RCP instead of the charging plan CP (S23). For example, if it is a charging plan CP, the server 70 (control device 72) determines that nothing is completed (No in S23) if the last plan item (the third plan item CP3 in Figure 8A) is not completed, or if it is a revised charging plan RCP, if the last plan item (the first share item SP1 in Figure 8B) is not completed, and returns to S22.

[0111] On the other hand, the server 70 (control device 72) determines that all processes are complete (Yes in S23) if it is a charging plan CP, when the last plan item (the third plan item CP3 in Figure 8A) has been completed, or if it is a modified charging plan RCP, when the last plan item (the first share item SP1 in Figure 8B) has been completed, and terminates this process.

[0112] In the above embodiment, the server 70 includes a target vehicle information acquisition unit 73, a charging plan calculation unit 74, a shared charging determination unit 75, a permission determination unit 76, and a shared charging plan calculation unit 77, but the charging station 100 may also include these.

[0113] The main characteristic features and effects of the shared system SY in the embodiments described above are as follows:

[0114] (Item A1) A shared system SY for a charging station 100 for charging an electric vehicle 1, comprising: a charging plan calculation unit 74 that calculates a charging plan CP to ensure charging of the target vehicle 11 by the charging station 100 based on the amount of power held by the charging station 100, a work plan WP that includes work performed by the target vehicle 11 which is the electric vehicle 1, and the remaining battery charge of the target vehicle 11; and a shared charging determination unit 75 that determines whether or not to perform shared charging, which is charging of an external vehicle 12 other than the target vehicle 11 by the charging station 100, based on the amount of power held by the charging station 100 and the charging plan CP.

[0115] With this configuration, charging of the target vehicle 11 by the charging station 100 is ensured by the charging plan CP, and the work on the target vehicle 11 is carried out according to the work plan WP. In addition, shared charging of external vehicles 12 other than the target vehicle 11 can be performed by the charging station 100. Therefore, the charging station 100 can be shared and used by external vehicles 12 other than those in the work plan WP, and the charging station 100 can be effectively utilized for purposes other than the work plan WP.

[0116] (Item A2) The charging plan CP calculated by the charging plan calculation unit 74 takes precedence over the shared charging feasibility determination by the shared charging determination unit 75, as described in Item A1.

[0117] In this configuration, the charging plan CP takes precedence over the determination of whether shared charging is possible. Therefore, the determination of whether shared charging is possible may be overturned to no due to an update of the charging plan CP. As a result, the charging plan CP is not affected by shared charging, and the charging plan CP can be secured with priority.

[0118] (Item A3) The shared charging determination unit 75 determines that shared charging is possible if the value obtained by subtracting the amount of power consumed in charging the target vehicle 11 from the amount of power held by the charging station 100 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, as described in Item A1 or A2.

[0119] This configuration allows for an appropriate determination of whether or not shared charging can be performed by the charging station 100.

[0120] (Item A4) A shared system SY according to any one of items A1 to A3, comprising: a permission determination unit 76 that determines whether the manager of the charging station 100 has permitted the shared charging; and a shared charging plan calculation unit 77 that generates a shared charging plan SP for charging the external vehicle 12 when the shared charging determination unit 75 has determined that the shared charging is permissible and the permission determination unit 76 has determined that the shared charging is permitted.

[0121] With this configuration, if it is determined that shared charging is possible and the administrator of the charging station 100 has permitted shared charging, a shared charging plan SP for charging the external vehicle 12 is generated. Therefore, shared charging can be made possible only if the administrator of the charging station 100 has given permission.

[0122] (Item A5) The shared charging plan calculation unit 77 calculates the time period during which shared charging is permitted and the upper limit of the amount of electricity to be supplied by shared charging, based on the amount of power consumed during charging of the target vehicle and the charging time period information included in the charging plan CP, as described in Item A4.

[0123] This configuration allows for the appropriate determination of the time periods during which shared charging is permitted and the upper limit on the amount of electricity supplied through shared charging.

[0124] (Item A6) The charging station 100 is a portable charging station 100A, and the shared charging plan calculation unit 77 calculates a shared charging location which is the location where the shared charging will be performed, and calculates a time period in which the shared charging will be permitted based on the travel time from the priority charging location which is the location where the target vehicle 11 included in the charging plan CP will be charged to the shared charging location, and the charging time period information for charging the target vehicle, as described in Item A5.

[0125] With this configuration, the portable charging station 100A can be moved from the priority charging position to the shared charging position to share charging with an external vehicle 12, without affecting the charging plan CP for charging the target vehicle 11.

[0126] (Item A7) The charging station 100 is a self-propelled charging station 100B that can move on its own using its own power as a power source, and the shared charging plan calculation unit 77 calculates an upper limit of the amount of power to be supplied in the shared charging based on the amount of power consumed in moving from the priority charging position, which is the position where the target vehicle 11 included in the charging plan CP is charged, to the shared charging position, which is the position where the shared charging is performed, as described in Item A5.

[0127] This configuration allows for the appropriate determination of the upper limit of the amount of electricity supplied to the self-propelled charging station 100B through shared charging.

[0128] (Item A8) The shared charging planning calculation unit 77 calculates an upper limit of the amount of electricity to be supplied by the shared charging based on the amount of electricity consumed during travel from the shared charging location to the storage location of the charging station 100, which has been set in advance by the administrator, as described in Item A7 of the shared system SY.

[0129] With this configuration, the self-propelled charging station 100B can return to its storage location after sharing a charge with an external vehicle 12 at the shared charging location, as it has secured the amount of electricity needed to travel back to the storage location of the charging station 100.

[0130] (Item A9) A shared system SY according to any one of items A4 to A8, further comprising a server 70, wherein the server 70 obtains the permission status of the shared charging of the charging station 100, and transmits the location information of the charging station 100 for which shared charging is permitted and the shared charging plan SP to the external vehicle 12.

[0131] With this configuration, the location information of the charging station 100 and the shared charging plan SP are transmitted to the external vehicle 12, so that the external vehicle 12 can move to the location of the charging station 100 and receive the shared charging indicated by the shared charging plan SP.

[0132] (Item A10) The charging station 100 comprises a low-voltage output unit 102 and a high-voltage output unit 103, and the shared system SY according to any one of items A1 to A9 determines whether to allow the shared charging from either the low-voltage output unit 102 or the high-voltage output unit 103 based on the time period during which the shared charging is permitted.

[0133] With this configuration, charging by the low-voltage output unit 102 (normal charging) and charging by the high-voltage output unit 103 (ultra-fast charging) can be appropriately switched depending on the time period during which shared charging is permitted. For example, if the permitted time period is longer than a predetermined time (e.g., 3 hours), both the low-voltage output unit 102 and the high-voltage output unit 103 are permitted to charge. In other words, both normal charging and ultra-fast charging are permitted, and either can be selected and executed. If the permitted time period is shorter than a predetermined time (e.g., 3 hours), only the high-voltage output unit 103 is permitted to charge. In other words, only ultra-fast charging is permitted, and charging can be performed during the permitted time period.

[0134] (Item A11) The charging station 100 is a self-propelled charging station 100B capable of self-propelling using its own power as a power source, and when it is determined that the shared charging can be performed, at the end of the shared charging, the shared system SY described in any one of Items A1 to A10 is self-propelled from the priority charging position, which is the position for charging the target vehicle 11 included in the charging plan CP, through the shared charging position to the storage location, while maintaining at least the amount of power from the shared charging position, which is the position for performing the shared charging, to the storage location of the charging station 100.

[0135] With this configuration, even if the self-propelled charging station 100B has shared charging with an external vehicle 12 other than the planned work point (WP), it can self-propel back to the storage location via the shared charging location from the priority charging location. Therefore, the charging station 100 can be charged at the storage location and prepared for the next planned work point (WP).

[0136] (Item A12) The terminal device 60 is provided, and the server 70 provides the location information of the charging station 100 for which shared charging is permitted and the shared charging plan SP to the terminal The shared system SY described in item A9 to be transmitted to device 60.

[0137] With this configuration, the location information of the charging station 100 and the shared charging plan SP are transmitted to the terminal device 60, so that the terminal device 60 can confirm the location of the charging station 100 and the shared charging plan SP.

[0138] (Item A13) The terminal device 60 is the first terminal device 60A owned by the administrator of the charging station 100, as described in Item A12 of the shared system SY.

[0139] With this configuration, the location of the charging station 100 and the shared charging plan SP can be confirmed on the first terminal device 60A owned by the administrator of the charging station 100.

[0140] (Item A14) The terminal device 60 is a shared system SY as described in Item A12, including a second terminal device 60B provided on the external vehicle 12.

[0141] With this configuration, the location of the charging station 100 and the shared charging plan SP can be confirmed at the second terminal device 60B installed on the external vehicle 12.

[0142] (Item A15) When the second terminal device 60B receives input for a shared charging reservation, it transmits reservation information indicating the shared charging reservation to the shared charging determination unit 75, the shared charging determination unit 75 transmits the determination result of whether or not the shared charging can be performed for the shared charging reservation to the second terminal device 60B, and the second terminal device 60B displays the determination result of whether or not the shared charging can be performed as described in Item A14 of the shared system SY.

[0143] With this configuration, it is possible to make a reservation for shared charging, and the second terminal device 60B can check whether the reservation for shared charging has been approved or rejected.

[0144] Although the present invention has been described above, the embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0145] 1: Electric vehicles 1A: Vehicles to be charged 1B: Vehicles eligible for shared charging 11: Target vehicles 12: External vehicles 60: Terminal device 60A: First terminal device 60B: Second terminal device 70: Server 74: Charging planning calculation unit 75: Shared charging determination unit 76: Permission determination section 77: Shared Charging Planning Unit 100: Charging Station 100A: Portable charging station 100B: Self-propelled charging station 102: Low-voltage output section 103: High-voltage output section CP: Charging Plan SY: Shared System WP: Work Plan

Claims

1. A shared charging station system for electric vehicles, A charging plan calculation unit calculates a charging plan to ensure that the charging station charges the target vehicle, based on the amount of power the charging station has, a work plan including work performed by the target vehicle which is an electric vehicle, and the remaining battery level of the target vehicle. A shared system comprising: a shared charging determination unit that determines whether or not to perform shared charging, which is charging of an external vehicle other than the target vehicle using the charging station, based on the amount of power the charging station has and the charging plan.

2. The shared system according to claim 1, wherein the charging plan calculated by the charging plan calculation unit takes precedence over the determination by the shared charging determination unit that the shared charging can be performed.

3. The shared charging determination unit determines that shared charging is possible when the value obtained by subtracting the amount of electricity consumed for charging the target vehicle from the amount of electricity held by the charging station is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

4. A permission determination unit that determines whether the manager of the charging station has permitted the shared charging, The sharing system according to claim 1, further comprising: a shared charging plan calculation unit that generates a shared charging plan for charging the external vehicle when the shared charging determination unit determines that the shared charging is permissible and the permission determination unit determines that the shared charging is permitted.

5. The shared charging system according to claim 4, wherein the shared charging plan calculation unit calculates the time period during which shared charging is permitted and the upper limit of the amount of electricity to be supplied by shared charging, based on the amount of power consumed and charging time information for the target vehicle included in the charging plan.

6. The aforementioned charging station is a portable charging station, The shared charging system according to claim 5, wherein the shared charging plan calculation unit calculates a shared charging location which is a location where the shared charging is to be performed, and calculates a time period during which the shared charging is permitted based on the travel time from the priority charging location which is a location where the target vehicle included in the charging plan is to be charged to the shared charging location and the charging time period information for the charging of the target vehicle.

7. The aforementioned charging station is a self-propelled charging station capable of self-propelling using its own power as a power source. The shared charging system according to claim 5, wherein the shared charging plan calculation unit calculates an upper limit of the amount of electricity to be supplied by the shared charging based on the amount of electricity consumed during movement from the priority charging location, which is the location where the target vehicle included in the charging plan is charged, to the shared charging location, which is the location where the shared charging is performed.

8. The shared charging planning calculation unit calculates an upper limit on the amount of electricity to be supplied by the shared charging based on the amount of electricity consumed during travel from the shared charging location to the storage location of the charging station, which has been set in advance by the administrator, according to claim 7.

9. With additional servers, The sharing system according to claim 4, wherein the server obtains the permission status of the shared charging of the charging station and transmits the location information of the charging station where shared charging is permitted and the shared charging plan to the external vehicle.

10. The sharing system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the charging station comprises a low-voltage output unit and a high-voltage output unit, and determines whether to permit the shared charging from either the low-voltage output unit or the high-voltage output unit based on the time period during which the shared charging is permitted.

11. The charging station is a self-propelled charging station capable of self-propelling using its own power as a power source, and when it is determined that the shared charging can be performed, at the end of the shared charging, the charging station maintains at least the amount of power from the shared charging position, which is the position where the shared charging is performed, to the storage location of the charging station, and then self-propels from the priority charging position, which is the position where the target vehicle included in the charging plan is charged, through the shared charging position to the storage location, according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

12. Equipped with terminal devices, The sharing system according to claim 9, wherein the server transmits location information of the charging station on which shared charging is permitted and the shared charging plan to the terminal device.

13. The shared system according to claim 12, wherein the terminal device is a first terminal device owned by the administrator of the charging station.

14. The shared system according to claim 12, wherein the terminal device includes a second terminal device provided in the external vehicle.

15. When the second terminal device receives input for a shared charging reservation, it transmits reservation information indicating the shared charging reservation to the shared charging determination unit. The shared charging determination unit transmits the determination result regarding whether or not the shared charging reservation can be performed to the second terminal device. The sharing system according to claim 14, wherein the second terminal device displays the result of determining whether or not the shared charging can be performed.

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