Charging device

Abstract

Provided is a charging device in which a plurality of charging ports are connected to one apparatus that outputs DC power used for charging, and cars connected to the charging ports are charged one by one. A display device is disposed in the upper part of each charging port provided to the charging device, the display device indicating the state of the charging port by being continuously lit or by flashing.

Description

charging device

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

[0002] Multi-port chargers that have multiple charging ports for connecting to chargeable vehicles such as electric vehicles are known. Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle charging station that is electrically connected to one or more electric vehicles via connectors and supplies charging power to the one or more electric vehicles via the connectors.

[0003] JP 2010-183824 A

[0004] It is thought that it is not easy for a user who is searching for a charging port to recognize the status of the charging port (for example, availability and waiting time information) while in the vehicle.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need to provide technology that enables efficient charger operation by enabling users to easily check the status of charging ports even when they are far away from the charging ports, for example, by guiding users to available ports.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a charging device as described below. This charging device has multiple charging ports connected to a single device that outputs DC power used for charging, and charges vehicles connected to these charging ports one by one. A display device is located above each charging port of the charging device, and indicates the status of the charging port by lighting up or flashing.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a charging device as described below. The charging device includes a plurality of charging ports, and charges a vehicle connected to the charging ports. The charging device also includes a projection device provided corresponding to each charging port, which projects an image showing the status of the corresponding charging port onto a floor or wall.

[0008] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a charging device as described below. This charging device has multiple charging ports connected to a single device that outputs DC power used for charging, and charges vehicles connected to these charging ports one by one. The charging device generates data used to present the status of each charging port provided in the charging device, and outputs the data to an integrated display device that presents the status of each charging port in an integrated manner.

[0009] According to the present invention, a technology is provided that enables a user to easily check the status of a charging port even when the user is far from the charging port, and that enables efficient charger operation by, for example, guiding the user to an available charging port. Note that problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0010] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a charging device; 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of charge control; 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display mode of a display device; 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a charging device; 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of charge control; 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a charging device; 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a charging device; 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a charging device; 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a charging device;

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments are merely examples for explaining the present invention, and appropriate omissions and simplifications have been made for clarity of explanation. The present invention can be implemented in various other forms. Unless otherwise specified, each component may be singular or plural. The position, size, shape, and range of each component shown in the drawings may not represent the actual position, size, shape, and range in order to facilitate understanding of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the position, size, shape, and range disclosed in the drawings. When there are multiple components having the same or similar functions, they may be described using the same reference numeral with different subscripts. Furthermore, when it is not necessary to distinguish between these multiple components, the subscripts may be omitted. In some embodiments, processing performed by executing a program will be described. Here, a computer executes a program using a processor (e.g., a CPU or a GPU) and performs processing defined by the program using storage resources (e.g., memory) and interface devices (e.g., communication ports). Therefore, the processor may be the entity that executes the program and performs the processing. Similarly, the entity that executes a program and performs processing may be a controller, device, system, computer, or node having a processor. The entity that executes a program and performs processing may be any computing unit, and may include a dedicated circuit that performs specific processing. Here, the dedicated circuit may be, for example, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or a CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device). The program may be installed on a computer from a program source. The program source may be, for example, a program distribution server or a computer-readable storage medium. When the program source is a program distribution server, the program distribution server may include a processor and storage resources that store the program to be distributed, and the processor of the program distribution server may distribute the program to be distributed to other computers.In addition, in the embodiment, two or more programs may be realized as one program, or one program may be realized as two or more programs.

[0012] In the embodiment, a technology is described that enables a user to easily check the status of a charging port (e.g., availability and waiting time information) even when the user is located far from the charging port, and enables efficient charger operation by, for example, guiding the user to an available port and / or to a port with a short waiting time.

[0013] First Embodiment A first embodiment will be described. First, an example of the configuration of a charging device will be described with reference to FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the charging device 1a includes a charger 11a and multiple charging ports (16a to 16h). The charger 11a is connected to each of the charging ports (16a to 16h). As an example, the charger 11a includes an AC / DC converter 12 and DC / DC converters (13a, 13b). The charger 11a converts AC power supplied from an AC power source into DC power used for charging and outputs the DC power to the charging ports (16a to 16h). In this embodiment, multiple charging ports are connected to one DC / DC converter. That is, the DC / DC converter 13a is connected to the charging ports (16a to 16d), and the charger 11a can output power to the charging ports (16a to 16d) via the DC / DC converter 13a. The DC / DC converter 13b is connected to the charging ports (16e to 16h), and the charger 11a can output power to the charging ports (16e to 16h) via the DC / DC converter 13b.

[0014] The charger 11a also includes multiple output switches (14a to 14h). The output switches (14a to 14h) are provided corresponding to the charging ports (16a to 16h) and electrically connect or disconnect the charger 11a from the charging ports (16a to 16h). That is, the output switches (14a to 14h) supply or disconnect power to the corresponding charging ports (16a to 16h). The charger 11a also includes a control unit (not shown). The control unit is configured to control the operation of the charger 11a and can be appropriately configured, for example, using a processor that executes predetermined processes and a storage device (such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or flash memory) that stores data such as programs.

[0015] The control unit can control the operation of each output switch (14a to 14h) and can control charging of the vehicles based on the control of the operation of the output switch (14a to 14h). In this embodiment, the control unit controls the output switch (14a to 14d) so that the vehicles are charged one by one at the charging ports (16a to 16d) connected to the DC / DC converter 13a. The control unit also controls the output switch (14e to 14h) so that the vehicles are charged one by one at the charging ports (16e to 16h) connected to the DC / DC converter 13b.

[0016] For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the control unit charges the vehicles one by one in the charging ports (16e to 16h) connected to DC / DC converter 13b in the following order: charging the vehicle connected to charging port 16e, then charging the vehicle connected to charging port 16f, and then charging the vehicle connected to charging port 16g. If a fourth vehicle is newly connected to charging port 16h, this vehicle will wait its turn for charging. The user connects the vehicle to the charging port and starts charging. The control unit then controls the charging of the vehicles in the order in which the user has completed these operations.

[0017] Each charging port (16a to 16h) includes a connector unit and a display device. The connector unit is configured to connect the charging port to the vehicle to be charged. Each connector unit includes a charging cable that is connected to the charger 11a and conducts charging power output from the charger 11a via a corresponding output switch, and a connector that connects the charging cable to the vehicle. A user can charge the vehicle by connecting the connector to the vehicle and performing operations related to starting charging.

[0018] The display devices (17a to 17h) are configured as LED displays, for example, and are arranged in easily visible positions so that the user can easily check them even when the user is far from the charging terminal (charging port). In this embodiment, the display devices (17a to 17h) are provided in positions that are easily visible from a distance, above the charging ports (16a to 16h).

[0019] Each of the charging ports (16a to 16h) is equipped with a control unit (not shown). The control unit is configured to control the operation of the charging port and can be appropriately configured using, for example, a processor that executes predetermined processes and a storage device (such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or flash memory) that stores data such as programs.

[0020] The charging ports (16a to 16h) may be configured to include a display that provides various information to the user, an operation unit used by the user, and a payment unit used to pay for money or points having monetary value.

[0021] Next, an example of the display mode of the display device provided in the charging port will be described with reference to Figure 3. The display devices (17a to 17h) indicate the status of the charging port (16a to 16h) based on a predetermined display. In this example, the display devices (17a to 17h) can light up or flash in three light-emitting areas (A, B, C).

[0022] In this example, the controller of the charging port turns on the indicator light when the charging port is available, indicating that the charging port is available. On the other hand, the controller of the charging port turns on the indicator light when the charging port is in use, indicating that the charging port is in use, indicating that the charging port is in use.

[0023] The control unit of the charging port indicates that charging can start immediately (instantly) by, for example, lighting up all three light-emitting areas (A, B, C). The control unit of the charging port also indicates that charging is in progress by, for example, flashing all three light-emitting areas (A, B, C).

[0024] The control unit of the charging port can then indicate an estimated time until charging becomes possible based on the number of lit or flashing light-emitting areas. In the present embodiment, for example, the display device indicates that the more lit or flashing light-emitting areas, the sooner charging can begin. That is, by the control unit of the charging port lighting two light-emitting areas, the display device indicates that charging will begin within 30 minutes, for example. By the control unit of the charging port lighting one light-emitting area, the display device indicates that charging will begin after 31 minutes, for example. Furthermore, by the control unit of the charging port flashing two light-emitting areas, the display device indicates that the device will become usable within 30 minutes, for example. By the control unit of the charging port flashing one light-emitting area, the display device indicates that the device will become usable after 31 minutes, for example. In this way, the display device can also indicate the order in which the device will become usable by displaying the estimated time.

[0025] The display mode conditions (i.e., conditions that determine what display to make depending on the charger status) may be stored in advance in a storage device of the charging port. Also, the display mode conditions may be changed as appropriate as long as the status of the charging port (e.g., the estimated time until it can be used and information on whether it is currently in use) can be presented to the user.

[0026] The display devices (17a to 17h) may be configured to have more than three light-emitting areas, and the display devices (17a to 17h) may indicate the estimated time until charging can be started or until the device is ready for use based on the lighting or blinking of these light-emitting areas.

[0027] The display devices (17a to 17h) may also be configured to emit light in multiple colors. The control unit may then cause the display devices (17a to 17h) to indicate whether they are currently usable by changing the light-emitting color. For example, blue light may be emitted if they are currently usable, and red light may be emitted if they are not. The control unit may also cause the display devices (17a to 17h) to indicate an estimated time until they are usable by changing the light-emitting color. For example, blue light may be emitted if they are usable, yellow light may be emitted if they will be usable within 30 minutes, and red light may be emitted if they will be usable after 31 minutes. When using different light-emitting colors to indicate whether they are currently usable and the estimated time until they are usable, the number of light-emitting regions on the display device is not particularly limited as long as it can display this information.

[0028] The charging ports (16a to 16h) and the charger 11a may be equipped with a communication device. For example, the charger 11a and the charging ports (16a to 16h) may be configured to be able to input and output data through communication between them. The charger 11a may acquire data from the charging ports (16a to 16h) and perform charging control. The charging ports (16a to 16h) may acquire data related to charging control from the charger 11a and perform processing to indicate the status of the charging ports (16a to 16h) (in this embodiment, display processing on a display device). The charging ports (16a to 16h) and the charger 11a may acquire data from other external components and perform appropriate processing.

[0029] In conventional technology, for example, in a multi-port charger that has multiple charging ports for one power conversion device and uses an output switch to charge vehicles sequentially in a time-sharing manner, it was considered difficult for a vehicle user searching for a new connection port to recognize the status of the charging port (e.g., the waiting time until charging actually begins when connected) while in the vehicle. For example, a situation may arise in which vehicles waiting to be charged are concentrated around one power conversion device, and vehicles are waiting to be charged even though charging ports connected to other power conversion devices are available.

[0030] In contrast, according to the present embodiment, the user can easily check the status of the charging port (for example, whether charging can be started immediately, the charging waiting time), and therefore the user can be guided to a charging port (16a to 16h) with less waiting time for charging, enabling efficient charger operation.

[0031] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. Note that the description of content similar to that described above may be omitted. As shown in FIG. 4 , in the second embodiment, the charging device 1b includes projection devices (27a to 27h) instead of the display devices (17a to 17h). The projection devices (27a to 27h) are provided to correspond to the respective charging ports. The projection devices (27a to 27h) project images onto a road surface as a projection surface PS, for example, to indicate the charger status, including the charging wait time, of the corresponding charging port. For example, the projection devices (27a to 27h) can be disposed above the charging ports (26a to 26h). For example, the projection devices (27a to 27h) are disposed on the ceiling surface S of the location where the charging port is located. Examples of locations where charging ports are located include facilities such as parking lots. The charging device 1b projects information based on charging control. For example, when performing the charging control shown in FIG. 5, the charging device 1b projects the information shown in FIG. 4.

[0032] In addition, when image projection is performed, a charging device such as that shown in FIG. 6 may be provided. This charging device 1c is configured to be capable of simultaneous charging at multiple charging ports, and the charger 11b includes multiple DC / DC converters (23a-23e) corresponding to the charging ports (26aa, 26ba, 26ca, 26da, 26ea). In other words, the charging device 1c is configured so that one device that outputs DC power used for charging is connected to one charging port, and in this charging device 1c, one DC / DC converter is connected to one charging port. Furthermore, the output switch is omitted.

[0033] The charging device 1c uses projection devices (27aa, 27ba, 27ca, 27da, 27ea) to project information indicating whether a charging port is currently usable or not onto the road surface. Here, as an example, the charging device 1c may indicate whether a charging port is currently usable or not by emitting light of different colors. For example, if a charging port is currently usable, blue light may be emitted, and if not, red light may be emitted.

[0034] Furthermore, the charging device 1b described above includes a projection device that projects an image onto the road surface, but instead of this, a charging device 1d may be provided that includes projection devices (37a, 37b) that project an image onto a wall surface W, as shown in Fig. 7. Similarly, the charging device 1c described above includes a projection device that projects an image onto the road surface, but instead of this, a charging device 1e may be provided that includes projection devices (37c, 37d) that project an image onto a wall surface W, as shown in Fig. 8.

[0035] According to this embodiment, information is displayed on the road surface and walls of the facility, enabling efficient charger operation. Note that the charging device may appropriately use colors, letters, symbols, etc. to present the status of each charging port (e.g., information on whether the port is currently available for use, information on the estimated time until the port becomes available for use, etc.).

[0036] <Third Embodiment> Next, a third embodiment will be described. Note that the description of the same content as that described above may be omitted. As shown in FIG. 9 , in the third embodiment, a charging device 1f is configured to be able to communicate with an integrated display device 61, and the charging device 1f and the integrated display device 61 are connected using, for example, a communication line. Then, a control unit (control device 15 in the figure) outputs data of information to be presented to a user on the integrated display device 61. Note that the charging device 1f may be configured without the display device and projection device described above.

[0037] The integrated display device 61 is an electronic bulletin board that allows users to check the usage status of all charging ports (46a to 46h) within the facility at a glance. The integrated display device 61 is placed in an easily visible location, such as at the entrance to the facility (e.g., a parking lot). The control device 15 of the charging device 1f generates information based on charging control, and when performing the charging control shown in FIG. 5, for example, the integrated display device 61 displays the information shown in FIG. 9.

[0038] The display mode of the integrated display device 61 can be changed as appropriate as long as it can present the status of the charging ports (46a to 46h). The charging device 1f may, for example, cause the integrated display device 61 to display information about the locations of the charging ports (46a to 46h) in the facility. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the charging device 1f may also cause the integrated display device 61 to display information about the floors on which the charging ports (46a to 46h) are installed.

[0039] According to this embodiment, efficient charger operation is enabled by using an integrated display device 61 that allows the usage status of the charging ports (46a to 46h) to be confirmed at a glance. By placing the integrated display device 61 at the entrance of a facility, for example, it becomes possible to easily grasp the status of each charging port (46a to 46h) at the entrance of the facility, enabling more efficient charger operation.

[0040] Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and includes various modifications and equivalent configurations within the spirit of the appended claims. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those including all of the described configurations. Furthermore, for example, other configurations may be added, deleted, or replaced with part of the configuration of the embodiment.

[0041] In a charging device in which one DC / DC converter and multiple charging ports are connected via an output switch, the number of charging ports connected to the one DC / DC converter can be determined as appropriate. Also, in this charging device, the number of DC / DC converters can be determined as appropriate.

[0042] In a charging device in which one device that outputs DC power used for charging is connected to multiple charging ports via an output switch and vehicles are charged one by one through these charging ports, the charging device may change the charging order in response to charges from users waiting to charge, and perform charging control based on the changed charging order. The charging device may then present information based on this charging control to the user.

[0043] For example, when charging control is performed according to the charging order shown in FIG. 2 , in response to a charge from a user of a vehicle to be charged third, the charging device may change the charging order to prioritize charging of the vehicle of the user who made the charge, and perform charging control to charge the vehicle of the user after the vehicle currently being charged. Note that the charging device may perform charging control that prioritizes the charging order based on the amount of the charge. Here, the charge may be made in monetary terms or in points having monetary value. However, the charging device does not perform processing to interrupt charging of the vehicle currently being charged in response to the change in the charging order.

[0044] In a charging device in which one device that outputs DC power used for charging is connected to multiple charging ports via an output switch and vehicles are charged one by one through these charging ports, the charging device may change the charging order according to the attributes of users waiting to charge and perform charging control based on the changed charging order. The charging device may then present information based on this charging control to the user.

[0045] For example, when performing charging control according to the charging order shown in FIG. 2 , the charging device may change the charging order to prioritize charging of the user's vehicle based on the attributes of the user of the vehicle to be charged third, and perform charging control to charge the user's vehicle after the vehicle currently being charged. The user's attributes may be, for example, information regarding the user's job title. In this case, the charging device may perform charging control in a charging order that prioritizes users with higher job titles. The user's attributes may also be, for example, information regarding whether the user is a visitor. For example, if the charging device is installed in a company parking lot, the charging device may perform charging control in a charging order that prioritizes charging of vehicles owned by users who visit the company over charging of vehicles owned by users who work for the company. An appropriate device, such as a camera or a card scanner, may be connected to the charging device, and the charging device may acquire the user's attributes using the connected device. The charging device may also acquire the user's attributes by, for example, communicating with the vehicle using a communication device and acquiring data from the vehicle. However, the charging device does not execute processing to interrupt charging of the vehicle currently being charged in response to a change in the charging order.

[0046] When a vehicle is waiting at a charging port, information indicating that the charging port is in use may be displayed or projected for the charging port, and information regarding the waiting time may be displayed or projected for the charging port.

[0047] An example of a location where the charging port is located is a parking lot, but the charging port may also be located in other types of facilities.

[0048] The vehicle to be charged by the charging device is an EV (electric vehicle), and is not particularly limited as long as it is a chargeable vehicle. The vehicle model may be an electric car, an electric motorcycle, an electric truck, or the like.

[0049] 1a-1f Charging device 11a-11c Charger 16a-16h Charging port 17a-17h Display device 26a-26h Charging port 27a-27h Projection device 46a-46h Charging port 61 Integrated display device

Claims

1. A charging device in which multiple charging ports are connected to one device that outputs DC power used for charging, and which charges vehicles connected to these charging ports one by one, characterized in that a display device is located above each charging port of the charging device, which indicates the status of the charging port by lighting up or flashing.

2. A charging device according to claim 1, characterized in that the display device blinks when the charging port in which the display device is located is in use.

3. A charging device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the display device has a plurality of light-emitting areas, and indicates an estimated time until the charging port can be used based on the number of lit light-emitting areas or the number of blinking light-emitting areas.

4. A charging device according to claim 1, characterized in that the display device has a light-emitting area and indicates an estimated time until the charging port can be used based on the light color of the light-emitting area.

5. A charging device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the charging device charges vehicles by changing the charging order according to a charge made by a user of the charging port, and the display device shows the estimated time based on the changed order.

6. A charging device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the charging device charges vehicles by changing the charging order depending on the attributes of the users of the charging ports, and the display device shows the estimated time based on the changed charging order.

7. A charging device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the charging device charges vehicles by changing the charging order according to a charge made by a user of the charging port, and the display device shows the estimated time based on the changed order.

8. A charging device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the charging device charges vehicles by changing the charging order depending on the attributes of the users of the charging ports, and the display device shows the estimated time based on the changed order.

9. A charging device having a plurality of charging ports for charging a vehicle connected to the charging ports, characterized in that the charging device further comprises a projection device provided corresponding to each of the charging ports, for projecting an image showing the status of the corresponding charging port onto a floor or wall.

10. A charging device according to claim 9, wherein each of the projection devices is disposed above the corresponding charging port or on the ceiling surface above the corresponding charging port.

11. A charging device as described in claim 9, characterized in that the charging device is configured to connect one device that outputs DC power used for charging to one charging port, and the projection device projects an image indicating that the charging port is available when it is available.

12. A charging device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the charging device is configured to connect one device that outputs DC power used for charging to one charging port, and the projection device projects an image indicating that the charging port is unavailable when the charging port is unavailable.

13. A charging device as described in claim 9, wherein the charging device is configured such that a plurality of charging ports are connected to one device that outputs DC power used for charging, and the vehicles connected to these charging ports are charged one by one, and the projection device projects an image indicating an estimated time until the charging port can be used.

14. A charging device as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the charging device charges vehicles by changing the charging order according to a fee charged by a user of the charging port, and the projection device projects an image showing the estimated time based on the changed order.

15. A charging device as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the charging device charges vehicles by changing the charging order depending on the attributes of the users of the charging ports, and the projection device projects an image showing the estimated charging time based on the changed order.

16. A charging device in which multiple charging ports are connected to a single device that outputs DC power used for charging, and which charges vehicles connected to these charging ports one by one, wherein the charging device generates data used to present the status of each charging port provided in the charging device, and outputs the data to an aggregate display device that presents the status of each charging port in an integrated manner.

17. The charging device according to claim 16, wherein the aggregated display device is disposed at an entrance to a facility in which each of the charging ports is disposed.

18. The charging device according to claim 16, wherein the integrated display device displays an estimated time until the charging port can be used.

19. A charging device as described in claim 18, characterized in that the charging device charges vehicles by changing the charging order according to a fee charged by the user of the charging port, and the aggregated display device displays the estimated time based on the changed order.

20. A charging device as described in claim 18, characterized in that the charging device charges vehicles by changing the charging order depending on the attributes of the users of the charging ports, and the aggregated display device displays the estimated time based on the changed order.

Images