Charging system

Abstract

A charging system (1) comprises: a plurality of charging connectors (5) that are disposed on a charging stand (100) for charging a vehicle; a switching unit (10) that is disposed between one charging cable (120) of the charging stand and the plurality of charging connectors; a creation unit for creating a charging schedule of the charging cable on the basis of a charging request from a user by wireless communication; and a control unit (20) for controlling the switching unit on the basis of the created charging schedule, and connecting the charging cable to one charging connector that is connected to a vehicle to be charged.

Description

Charging system

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging system.

[0002] Patent Literature 1 discloses an electric vehicle quick charging facility in which a single electric vehicle quick charging device and a branching device having a branch power supply cable branching to supply power to each parking space are connected by a power supply cable, the branch power supply cable is connected to a charging operation device disposed in each parking space and having a power supply connector to connect to the electric vehicle, the branching device has a switch for selecting the branch power supply cable that supplies power to a terminal operation device of the parking space where the electric vehicle to be quick charged is parked, and a control device that controls opening and closing of the selected switch by an operation signal from the charging operation device.

[0003] Utility Model Registration No. 3151047

[0004] It is desirable to improve the convenience of users when performing charging procedures. For example, when making a charging request using a charging operation device in a parking space, the entire procedure must be completed in the parking space, which tends to restrict the user's movements.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a charging system that can improve user convenience.

[0006] The charging system of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a plurality of charging connectors arranged at a charging station that charges a vehicle; a switching unit arranged between one charging cable at the charging station and the plurality of charging connectors; a creation unit that creates a charging schedule for the charging cables based on a charging request from a user via wireless communication; and a control unit that controls the switching unit based on the created charging schedule and connects the charging cable to one charging connector that is connected to the vehicle to be charged.

[0007] A charging system according to the present invention includes a switching unit disposed between one charging cable and multiple charging connectors of a charging station, a generating unit that generates a charging schedule based on a charging request from a user via wireless communication, and a control unit that controls the switching unit based on the generated charging schedule. The charging system according to the present invention has the advantage of being able to improve user convenience in charging procedures.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a charging system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a charging system applied to a parking lot. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a switching unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating communication according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the charging system according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a message displayed on a mobile terminal. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a message displayed on a mobile terminal. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram related to charging according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram related to fee payment according to an embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating processing for parallel charging. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another configuration of a switching unit according to an embodiment.

[0009] Hereinafter, a charging system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art or that are substantially the same.

[0010] [Embodiment] An embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 11 . This embodiment relates to a charging system. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a charging system according to an embodiment, Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a charging system applied to a parking lot, Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a switching unit according to an embodiment, Fig. 4 is a diagram explaining communication according to an embodiment, Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the charging system according to an embodiment, Figs. 6 and 7 are diagrams showing examples of messages displayed on a mobile terminal, Fig. 8 is a sequence diagram related to charging according to an embodiment, Fig. 9 is a sequence diagram related to fee payment according to an embodiment, Fig. 10 is a diagram explaining processing for parallel charging, and Fig. 11 is a diagram showing another configuration of the switching unit according to an embodiment.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, a charging system 1 of this embodiment has multiple charging connectors 5 branching off from a single charging cable 120 at a charging station 100. A user connects an available charging connector 5 to a vehicle and registers a charging request. The charging system 1 creates a charging schedule for multiple vehicles connected to the multiple charging connectors 5. The charging system 1 sequentially charges each vehicle based on the charging schedule.

[0012] According to the charging system 1 of the present embodiment, a user can leave his or her vehicle from the time the charging connector 5 is connected to the vehicle until charging is completed. For example, the user does not need to wait in line until the charging of the preceding vehicle is completed. Therefore, the charging system 1 of the present embodiment can improve the convenience of users who use the charging station 100.

[0013] 1 , a charging system 1 of this embodiment includes a plurality of charging connectors 5, a switching unit 10, and a server 300. The switching unit 10 of this embodiment is an add-on unit that is attached to an existing charging stand 100. The switching unit 10 includes a housing 2, an input unit 3, a relay 4, a cable 6, a signal line 7, and a control unit 20.

[0014] The housing 2 is installed, for example, near the charging stand 100. The housing 2 may be installed on a pedestal. The housing 2 is preferably watertight. The relay 4 and the control unit 20 are housed inside the housing 2.

[0015] The input unit 3 is a part that is connected to the charging cable 120. The charging stand 100 has a main body 110, a charging cable 120, and a connector 130. The main body 110 has a control circuit 150 that controls charging of the vehicle and communication with the vehicle. The charging cable 120 is a charging cable that is connected to the main body 110. The connector 130 is an existing connector that the charging stand 100 has and is a charging connector that can be connected to a vehicle. The connector 130 is connected to the main body 110 via the charging cable 120.

[0016] The input unit 3 in this embodiment is an inlet connected to the connector 130. The input unit 3 complies with the charging standard of the charging station 100. The input unit 3 may have a configuration similar to that of an inlet mounted on a vehicle, for example.

[0017] The switching unit 10 has a plurality of relays 4, a plurality of cables 6, and a plurality of signal lines 7. The illustrated switching unit 10 can connect up to five charging connectors 5. For example, the charging parking lot PK shown in FIG. 2 has five parking spaces, from a first space P1 to a fifth space P5. In this case, five charging connectors 5 are connected to the switching unit 10. That is, five vehicles can be waiting with their charging connectors 5 connected to one charging cable 120.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3 , the switching unit 10 of this embodiment has multiple output terminals CN. More specifically, the switching unit has five output terminals CN, from a first output terminal CN1 to a fifth output terminal CN5. One charging connector 5 is connected to one output terminal CN. The charging system 1 shown in FIG. 3 has a first connector 51, a second connector 52, a third connector 53, a fourth connector 54, and a fifth connector 55 as the charging connectors 5. The first connector 51 is connected to the first output terminal CN1. Similarly, the connectors 52, 53, 54, and 55 are connected to the output terminals CN2, CN3, CN4, and CN5, respectively. It is preferable that the number of charging connectors 5 connected to the switching unit 10 corresponds to the number of parking spaces.

[0019] A relay 4 is arranged between the input unit 3 and the plurality of output units CN1, CN2, CN3, CN4, and CN5. The switching unit 10 of this embodiment has a first relay 41, a second relay 42, a third relay 43, a fourth relay 44, and a fifth relay 45 as the relays 4. The first relay 41 is arranged between the input unit 3 and the first output unit CN1. Similarly, the relays 42, 43, 44, and 45 are arranged between the input unit 3 and the output units CN2, CN3, CN4, and CN5. The relay 4 connects and disconnects the output unit CN and the charging cable 120.

[0020] The cable 6 is a charging cable that connects the relay 4 and the charging connector 5. The charging system 1 of this embodiment has a first cable 61, a second cable 62, a third cable 63, a fourth cable 64, and a fifth cable 65 as the cables 6. The first cable 61 is connected to the first output unit CN1 and connects the first connector 51 to the first relay 41. Similarly, the cables 62, 63, 64, and 65 are connected to the output units CN2, CN3, CN4, and CN5 and connect the connectors 52, 53, 54, and 55 to the relays 42, 43, 44, and 45.

[0021] The signal line 7 connects the communication terminal of the charging connector 5 to the signal branching board 40 of the control unit 20. More specifically, the signal line 7 is connected to the signal branching board 40 via a connector 9 arranged in the output unit CN. The communication terminal of the charging connector 5 is connected to a signal line of the vehicle. The signal line 7 is composed of, for example, eight electric wires.

[0022] The control unit 20 has a communication control board 30 and a signal branching board 40. The communication control board 30 has a communication circuit for wide-area mobile communication using communication standards such as 4G and 5G, and a communication circuit for short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and Wi-Fi. The communication control board 30 has a control circuit for controlling the relay 4 and other components. The control circuit of the communication control board 30 controls the relay 4 according to a charging schedule. The communication control board 30 is also capable of communicating with the signal branching board 40. The communication control board 30 is configured to be able to communicate with a control circuit 150 of the charging stand 100. The communication control board 30 has a detection unit that detects the battery voltage of the vehicle connected to the charging connector 5. The detection unit acquires the battery voltage from the signal branching board 40, for example.

[0023] The signal branching board 40 connects the signal line 140 of the charging stand 100 to any one of the multiple signal lines 7. As shown in FIG. 3 , the charging system 1 of this embodiment has a first signal line 71, a second signal line 72, a third signal line 73, a fourth signal line 74, and a fifth signal line 75 as the signal lines 7. The first signal line 71 is connected to the communication terminal of the first connector 51. Similarly, the signal lines 72, 73, 74, and 75 are connected to the communication terminals of the connectors 52, 53, 54, and 55.

[0024] The signal branching board 40 has a plurality of switches 8. Each switch 8 is interposed between the signal line 140 of the charging stand 100 and a plurality of signal lines 7. The switch 8 connects and disconnects the signal line 140 from the signal line 7. The signal branching board 40 has a first switch 81, a second switch 82, a third switch 83, a fourth switch 84, and a fifth switch 85. The first switch 81 is disposed between the signal line 140 and the first signal line 71. Similarly, the switches 82, 83, 84, and 85 are disposed between the signal line 140 and the signal lines 72, 73, 74, and 75.

[0025] The charging connector 5 is detachable from the switching unit 10. The charging connector 5 and the cable 6 are fixed to the housing 2 by, for example, bolts BT. To facilitate the connection work, it is preferable that a connector is provided on each of the output unit CN and the cable 6. The connector of the cable 6 is connected to the connector of the output unit CN. In this embodiment, the connector of the cable 6 is attached to the housing 2 by bolts BT. The signal line 7 is connected to the switch 8 via a connector 9. In this way, the charging connector 5 of this embodiment is detachable from the switching unit 10.

[0026] The communication control board 30 controls the relay 4 according to the created charging schedule. The communication control board 30 also controls the signal branching board 40 according to the charging schedule. For example, when charging a vehicle connected to the first connector 51 from the charging stand 100, the communication control board 30 turns the first relay 41 ON and turns the other relays 42, 43, 44, and 45 OFF. The communication control board 30 also commands the signal branching board 40 to turn the first switch 81 ON and the other switches 82, 83, 84, and 85 OFF. As a result, the vehicle connected to the first connector 51 is connected to the charging cable 120 and signal line 140 of the charging stand 100.

[0027] When charging is completed and the first connector 51 is to be disconnected from the charging stand 100, the communication control board 30 turns off the first relay 41. Furthermore, the communication control board 30 commands the signal branching board 40 to turn off the first switch 81.

[0028] 4 , the server 300 communicates with the control unit 20, the user's mobile terminal 200, and the management server 500 via the Internet 400. The server 300 is, for example, a cloud server, but is not limited to this. The management server 500 is a server that executes payment processing for the charging station 100.

[0029] The server 300 has a creation unit 310 and a payment agent unit 320. The creation unit 310 creates a charging schedule for the charging cable 120. The payment agent unit 320 settles the charging fee with the management server 500 on behalf of the user. The payment agent unit 320 collects the charging fee that has been settled on behalf of the user from the user. Note that the payment agent unit 320 may execute payment with the management server 500 after collecting the charging fee from the user.

[0030] The operation of the charging system 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 5. In step S10, the user connects the charging connector 5 to the vehicle. For example, in the case of the parking lot PK shown in Figure 2, the user parks the vehicle in one of the parking spaces from the first space P1 to the fifth space P5. The user connects the charging connector 5 corresponding to the parking space to be used to the inlet of the vehicle. After step S10 is executed, the process proceeds to step S20.

[0031] In step S20, the user inputs information to identify the circuit to be used for charging. The processing of step S20 is executed, for example, by an application program installed on the user's mobile terminal 200. As shown in Fig. 6 , the application program displays a message on mobile terminal 200 prompting the user to input the number of a parking space and to read the two-dimensional code of charging connector 5.

[0032] Assume that the user's vehicle is vehicle C1 shown in FIG. 2 . In this case, the number of the first space P1 in which vehicle C1 is parked is 1. The user inputs 1 as the parking space number. As shown in FIG. 1 , a two-dimensional code 50 such as a QR code (registered trademark) is disposed on each charging connector 5. The two-dimensional code 50 includes information identifying each charging connector 5. For example, the two-dimensional code 50 of the first connector 51 includes information indicating that the charging connector 5 having this two-dimensional code 50 is the first connector 51. The two-dimensional code 50 may further include information identifying the charging station 100. The user reads the two-dimensional code 50 with the camera of the mobile terminal 200.

[0033] The input parking space number and the information of the read two-dimensional code 50 are transmitted from the mobile terminal 200 to the server 300. When the server 300 receives the parking space number and the information of the two-dimensional code 50, the process proceeds to step S30.

[0034] In step S30, it is determined whether another user is using the corresponding number. When the server 300 receives a charging request from a user for each parking space number, it sets the status of the number to in use. When the charging connector 5 corresponding to the number is removed from the vehicle, the server 300 releases the number. In other words, the status of the parking space corresponding to the number is set to available for use. If the parking space number acquired in step S20 is released, the server 300 makes a positive determination in step S30 and instructs the application program to proceed to the next input. If a positive determination is made in step S30, the process proceeds to step S50, and if a negative determination is made that the parking space is in use, the process proceeds to step S40.

[0035] In step S40, an end announcement is made. The server 300 instructs the application program via communication to make an end announcement. The application program displays or outputs the end announcement as audio. The end announcement is an announcement that informs the user that the desired parking space number is already in use and urges the user to use another parking space number. After step S40 is executed, the process proceeds to step S10.

[0036] In step S50, the user's desired charging time is input. As shown in Fig. 7 , the application program displays a message on mobile terminal 200 prompting the user to input the desired charging start time and desired charging time. The desired start time and desired charging time input by the user are transmitted from mobile terminal 200 to server 300. When server 300 receives the desired start time and charging time, the process proceeds to step S60.

[0037] In step S60, a charging schedule is created. The charging schedule is created by creation unit 310 of server 300. Creation unit 310 creates a charging schedule for charging cable 120 based on the user's wishes acquired in step S50 and the wishes of other users acquired from other users. The charging schedule is an allocation of charging times to each parking space. In other words, creation unit 310 executes the allocation of charging times to each charging connector 5 in the charging schedule.

[0038] In the charging system 1 of this embodiment, one charging cable 120 can charge only one vehicle. Therefore, if multiple users have overlapping requests, the charging time is adjusted. When multiple users have overlapping requests, the server 300 creates a charging schedule that, for example, gives priority to the user who inputs their desired charging time first. Once the charging schedule is created, the process proceeds to step S70.

[0039] In step S70, the charging time is notified. Server 300 transmits the scheduled charging time to portable terminal 200. User's portable terminal 200 displays the scheduled charging start time and charging time. Note that the charging end time may be notified instead of the charging time. After step S70 is executed, the process proceeds to step S80.

[0040] In step S80, the process waits until charging starts. The charging connector 5 for the parking space input in step S20 remains in a standby state until the scheduled time. After step S80 is executed, the process proceeds to step S90.

[0041] In step S90, it is determined whether the charging start time has arrived. If the determination in step S90 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S100, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S80.

[0042] In step S100, an announcement that charging will begin is made. Server 300 instructs the application program via communication to make an announcement that charging will begin. The application program displays or outputs audio to indicate that it is time to start charging. After step S100 is executed, the process proceeds to step S110.

[0043] In step S110, it is determined whether charging is permitted. In the announcement to start charging, the application program asks the user whether it is OK to start charging. If the user's response to the question is to permit charging, a positive determination is made in step S110. The application program transmits the user's response to server 300. If a positive determination is made in step S110, the process proceeds to step S130, and if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step S120.

[0044] In step S120, the charging reservation is canceled and the charging time is reviewed. The server 300 creates a charging schedule excluding the canceled charging reservation. After step S120 is executed, the process proceeds to step S150.

[0045] In step S130, charging of the vehicle is started. The processing sequence for charging the vehicle will be described with reference to Fig. 8. In process Pr1, a charging request is made from the application program to the charging system 1. This charging request is, for example, the charging permission in step S110.

[0046] In process Pr2, the charging system 1 performs a pre-start check. The communication control board 30 turns on the relay 4 and switch 8 corresponding to the vehicle to be charged and turns off the other relays 4 and switches 8. The communication control board 30 acquires the battery voltage of the target vehicle via the signal line 7. If the battery voltage is detected, the pre-start check is completed.

[0047] In process Pr3, a charging instruction is sent from the charging system 1 to the charging stand 100. The charging system 1 transmits, for example, a desired charging time to the charging stand 100.

[0048] In process Pr4, the charging station 100 transmits to the charging system 1 a message indicating that charging of the vehicle has started.

[0049] In process Pr5, a message indicating that charging has started is transmitted from the charging system 1 to the user's mobile terminal 200. The application program displays a message indicating that charging has started.

[0050] In process Pr6, the charging station 100 notifies the charging system 1 that charging has ended when charging of the vehicle is completed.

[0051] In process Pr7, the charging system 1 notifies the user that charging has ended. The charging system 1 transmits a message indicating that charging has ended to the user's mobile terminal 200. The application program displays a message indicating that charging has ended.

[0052] In process Pr8, an instruction to disconnect the connector is transmitted from charging system 1 to user's mobile terminal 200. The application program displays a message prompting the user to disconnect charging connector 5 from the vehicle.

[0053] Process Pr9 is a pre-termination check in which the charging system 1 performs a final check, including checking whether the charging connector 5 has been removed from the vehicle.

[0054] In step S130 in Fig. 5, for example, processes Pr2 to Pr5 in Fig. 8 are executed. After step S130 is executed, the process proceeds to step S140.

[0055] In step S140, it is determined whether charging is complete. When a charging completion message is received in process Pr6 shown in Fig. 8, a positive determination is made in step S140. If a positive determination is made in step S140, the process proceeds to step S150, and if a negative determination is made, the determination in step S140 is repeated.

[0056] In step S150, a process is performed to remove the charging connector 5. The charging system 1 executes process Pr7 and process Pr8 shown in Fig. 8 to prompt the user to remove the charging connector 5 from the vehicle. After step S150 is executed, the process proceeds to step S160.

[0057] In step S160, it is determined whether the voltage of the voltage monitor is 0 [V]. The detection unit of communication control board 30 acquires the battery voltage of the target vehicle via signal line 7. If this battery voltage is 0 [V], it is determined that charging connector 5 has been removed, and a positive determination is made in step S160. If a positive determination is made in step S160, the process proceeds to step S180, and if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step S170.

[0058] In step S170, a command to disconnect the connector is issued again, and the charging system 1 again executes process Pr8 in Fig. 8. After step S170 is executed, the process proceeds to step S160.

[0059] In step S180, a termination process is performed. The termination process in this embodiment includes a charging fee settlement process. The charging fee settlement process is performed, for example, in accordance with the processing sequence shown in FIG.

[0060] The payment of the charging fee by the user is made, for example, between the switching unit 10. This payment method may be a credit card, electronic money, a two-dimensional code, or any other method. The switching unit 10 acquires information on the charging fee of each user from the charging station 100. The charging fee information may be acquired via the server 300 or the management server 500.

[0061] The switching unit 10 collects fees from each user. For example, the switching unit 10 bills user A for a charging fee a and a handling fee α for user A's vehicle. The billed amount is sent to user A's mobile terminal 200. User A pays the billed amount using any payment method. The switching unit 10 similarly bills and collects fees from users B and C.

[0062] The charging fee for each user is paid from the charging system 1 to the charging stand 100. The charging fee is paid, for example, from the switching unit 10 via the server 300 and the management server 500. In this case, the charging fees for multiple users may be settled together. For example, a fee T may be paid from the switching unit 10 to the charging stand 100. The fee T is the total amount of the charging fee a for user A, the charging fee b for user B, and the charging fee c for user C.

[0063] Payment of the charging fee in the charging system 1 is executed by the payment agent unit 320 of the server 300. The procedure for payment of the charging fee from the user to the charging system 1 may be performed between the user's mobile terminal 200 and the switching unit 10, or may be performed between the mobile terminal 200 and the payment agent unit 320. When the fee is collected between the mobile terminal 200 and the payment agent unit 320, the payment agent unit 320 acquires information about the charging fee and the parking space number from, for example, the communication control board 30 of the charging station 100 or the management server 500.

[0064] According to the fee payment process of this embodiment, a user can pay a charging fee using any payment method at multiple charging stations 100. For example, a user can pay with electronic money at a charging station 100 that does not offer electronic money as a payment method option.

[0065] When the termination process including the payment process is executed in step S180, the process proceeds to step S190. In step S190, the number of the removed charging connector 5 is released. When step S190 is executed, the flow chart ends.

[0066] When multiple charging stations 100 are operated under a common power receiving contract, it is desirable to create a charging schedule so that power consumption does not exceed the contracted power. The two charging stations 100 shown in Fig. 10 include a first station 100A and a second station 100B. Power is supplied to the two stations 100A and 100B under a common power receiving contract. The contracted power of the power receiving contract is Z [kW].

[0067] A first unit 10A, which is a switching unit 10, is connected to the first station 100A. A second unit 10B, which is a switching unit 10, is connected to the second station 100B. The first station 100A has a plurality of charging connectors 5i (i = 1, 2, ...). The charging power of a vehicle connected to charging connector 5i is xi [kW]. The second station 100B has a plurality of charging connectors 5j (j = 1, 2, ...). The charging power of a vehicle connected to charging connector 5j is yj [kW].

[0068] The server 300 receives a charging request from the user's mobile terminal 200 and creates a charging schedule for the first station 100A and the second station 100B. The charging power of each vehicle may be input by the user or may be obtained from the vehicle via the switching unit 10.

[0069] The server 300 determines whether there is a possibility that charging will be performed in parallel at the two charging stations 100 based on the charging request for the first station 100A and the charging request for the second station 100B. If there is a charging request that would cause parallel charging, a determination is made as to whether parallel charging is possible.

[0070] For example, in FIG. 10, assume that the charging time slot desired by the user of car X connected to the first stand 100A overlaps with the charging time slot desired by the user of car Y connected to the second stand 100B. In this case, the server 300 determines whether parallel charging is possible without exceeding the contracted power. The charging power of car X is x1 [kW], and the charging power of car Y is y1 [kW]. Parallel charging is permitted if the following formula (1) is satisfied: Z>x1+y1 (1)

[0071] On the other hand, if the above formula (1) is not satisfied, in other words, if the sum of the charging power of the two vehicles is equal to or greater than the contracted power, parallel charging is prohibited. In this case, the creation unit 310 of the server 300 may give priority to the user who sent the charging request first. For example, if the user of vehicle X sends a charging request first, the charging schedule for the stations 100A and 100B is created so that vehicle X is charged first, followed by vehicle Y.

[0072] The server 300 can also create charging schedules for three or more charging stations 100. When two or more charging stations 100 are charging in parallel, the server 300 allows parallel charging if the total value of the charging power in the parallel charging is less than the contracted power. On the other hand, if the total value of the charging power in the parallel charging is equal to or greater than the contracted power, parallel charging is restricted. The creation unit 310 of the server 300 prohibits parallel charging or limits the number of charging stations 100 that perform parallel charging so that the total value of the charging power is less than the contracted power.

[0073] When receiving a charging request, communication control board 30 may check whether the parking space number matches the number of charging connector 5. If the parking space number entered in step S20 does not match the number of charging connector 5 indicated by two-dimensional code 50, it is determined that the user made an input error, and an announcement similar to the completion announcement in step S40 is made. This prevents the user from mistakenly making a charging request to another vehicle.

[0074] The switching unit 10 is not limited to being an add-on unit attached to the charging stand 100. The switching unit 10 may be configured as a part of the charging stand 100. For example, the switching unit 10 may be disposed in the main body 110 of the charging stand 100. In this case, the switching unit 10 may be housed inside the main body 110.

[0075] 11 shows the switching unit 10 disposed inside the main body 110. The switching unit 10 has an input unit 3 to which a charging cable 120 is connected. The input unit 3 is, for example, a terminal to which the charging cable 120 is connected. A cable branches from the input unit 3 to each of the relays 41, 42, 43, 44, and 45. A signal line 140 is connected to a signal branching board 40 of the switching unit 10 inside the main body 110. The switching unit 10 is disposed, for example, such that an output unit CN is exposed from the housing of the main body 110. Each cable 6 is connected to the output unit CN.

[0076] As described above, the charging system 1 of this embodiment includes multiple charging connectors 5, a switching unit 10, a creation unit 310, and a control unit 20. The multiple charging connectors 5 are arranged at a charging stand 100 that charges vehicles. The switching unit 10 is arranged between one charging cable 120 at the charging stand 100 and the multiple charging connectors 5. The creation unit 310 creates a charging schedule for the charging cables 120 based on a charging request from a user via wireless communication. The control unit 20 controls the switching unit 10 based on the created charging schedule, and connects the charging cable 120 to one charging connector 5 that is connected to a vehicle to be charged.

[0077] The charging system 1 of this embodiment has multiple charging connectors 5 for one charging cable 120. The control unit 20 controls the switching unit 10 based on a charging schedule and connects the charging cable 120 to the vehicle to be charged. The charging system 1 of this embodiment can improve user convenience by enabling charging requests via wireless communication.

[0078] In this embodiment, each of the multiple charging connectors 5 is provided with a two-dimensional code 50 that identifies the charging connector 5. The charging request includes information on the two-dimensional code 50 that is read by a user operation and information on the charging period. The creation unit 310 allocates charging times to each charging connector 5 in the charging schedule. By using the two-dimensional code 50 in the charging request, it is less likely that the number of the charging connector 5 will be input incorrectly.

[0079] The switching unit 10 of this embodiment has an input unit 3, a plurality of output units CN, and a plurality of relays 4. The input unit 3 is connected to a charging cable 120 of the charging stand 100. A charging connector 5 is detachably connected to the output unit CN. The relays 4 connect and disconnect the input unit 3 and each output unit CN. Because the charging connectors 5 are detachably connected to the output units CN, the number of charging connectors 5 used can be flexibly changed.

[0080] An example of the input unit 3 is an inlet connected to a charging connector 130 of the charging stand 100. In this case, the switching unit 10 can be configured as a unit that is added to the existing charging stand 100.

[0081] The charging system 1 of this embodiment has a detection unit that detects the battery voltage of the vehicle connected to the charging connector 5. The control unit 20 confirms that the charging connector 5 has been detached from the vehicle based on the battery voltage. Thus, it is possible to confirm the attachment / detachment state of the charging connector 5 to the vehicle.

[0082] The charging system 1 of this embodiment includes a payment agent unit 320. The payment agent unit 320 executes a payment process for the charging fee to the charging station 100 and a process for receiving the charging fee through communication with the user's mobile terminal 200. The payment agent unit 320 can improve the convenience of the user in paying the charging fee.

[0083] The creation unit 310 that creates the charging schedule may be included in the control unit 20 instead of the server 300. In this case, the control unit 20 may receive charging requests, create charging schedules, and notify users of the determined charging times. When multiple charging stations 100 are operated under a common electricity receiving contract, it is preferable that a control unit 20 connected to any one of the charging stations 100 performs integrated control. The control unit 20 that performs integrated control creates charging schedules for all of the charging stations 100. In this case, it is preferable that multiple control units 20 communicate with each other and consolidate charging requests into one control unit 20.

[0084] The number of charging connectors 5 that can be connected to the switching unit 10 is not limited to five as illustrated.

[0085] The contents disclosed in the above embodiments can be implemented in appropriate combinations.

[0086] 1: Charging system 2: Housing 3: Input unit 4: Relay 41: First relay 42: Second relay 43: Third relay 44: Fourth relay 45: Fifth relay 5: Charging connector 51: First connector 52: Second connector 53: Third connector 54: Fourth connector 55: Fifth connector 6: Cable 61: First cable 62: Second cable 63: Third cable 64: Fourth cable 65: Fifth cable 7: Signal line 71: First signal line 72: Second signal line 73: Third signal line 74: Fourth signal line 75: Fifth signal line 8: Switch 81: First switch 82: Second switch 83: Third switch 84: Fourth switch 85: Fifth switch 9: Connector 10: Switching unit 20: Control unit 30: Communication control board 40: Signal branching board 50: Two-dimensional code 100: Charging stand 110: Main body, 120: Charging cable, 130: Connector, 140: Signal line 150: Control circuit 200: Mobile terminal 300: Server, 310: Creation unit, 320: Payment agency unit 400: Internet network, 500: Management server BT: Bolt C1, C2, C3, C4, C5: Vehicle CN: Output unit, CN1: First output unit, CN2: Second output unit, CN3: Third output unit CN4: Fourth output unit, CN5: Fifth output unit P1: First space, P2: Second space, P3: Third space P4: Fourth space, P5: Fifth space PK: Parking lot

Claims

1. A charging system comprising: a plurality of charging connectors arranged at a charging stand that charges vehicles; a switching unit arranged between one charging cable at the charging stand and the plurality of charging connectors; a creation unit that creates a charging schedule for the charging cables based on a charging request from a user via wireless communication; and a control unit that controls the switching unit based on the created charging schedule, and connects the charging cable to one charging connector connected to a vehicle to be charged.

2. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of charging connectors is provided with a two-dimensional code that identifies the respective charging connector, the charging request includes information of the two-dimensional code read by a user's operation and information regarding a desired charging time, and the creation unit executes allocation of charging times to each charging connector in the charging schedule.

3. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit has an input unit connected to the charging cable, a plurality of output units to which each charging connector is detachably connected, and a plurality of relays for connecting and disconnecting the input unit and each output unit.

4. The charging system according to claim 3, wherein the input unit is an inlet that is connected to a charging connector provided on the charging stand.

5. The charging system according to claim 1, further comprising a detection unit that detects a battery voltage of a vehicle connected to the charging connector, and the control unit confirms that the charging connector has been removed from the vehicle based on the battery voltage.

6. The charging system according to claim 1, further comprising a payment agent that performs payment processing for the charging fee to the charging station and processing for receiving the charging fee through communication with a user's mobile terminal.

Images