Charging system and module

Abstract

The present invention more reliably prevents power theft. Provided is a charging system comprising: a branch electric path opening / closing unit that opens and closes a branch electric path which is branched from a main electric path connected to a power supply and which supplies power for charging a storage battery mounted on an electric mobile body; a branch electric path opening / closing control unit that controls the branch electric path opening / closing unit; a plurality of pieces of charging equipment that each include a first communication unit; a main current measurement unit that measures a main current which flows through the main electric path; a determination unit that determines whether there is an abnormality on the basis of a main current value measured by the main current measurement unit and usage status information pertaining to the usage statuses of the pieces of charging equipment; and a notification unit that issues an alarm in accordance with the result of the determination by the determination unit.

Description

Charging systems and modules

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging system and a module used therein.

[0002] In electric vehicle (EV) facilities for selling electricity, the wiring from the upstream distribution panel to the power meter is generally underground, but the charging connector is wired above ground. Therefore, there is a possibility that someone could modify the wiring to bypass the power meter and illegally charge their own EV without measuring the amount of electricity.

[0003] One approach to prevent electricity theft is to monitor the number of EVs using a surveillance camera, but this makes it impossible to determine whether electricity is being stolen or not. Patent Document 1 also proposes a method for preventing electricity theft, but this is ineffective in cases where the wiring is modified to bypass the path of the current measurement unit.

[0004] JP 2013-138534 A

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a technique for more reliably preventing electricity theft.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a charging system comprising: a branch electric circuit opening / closing unit that opens and closes a branch electric circuit that branches off from a main electric circuit connected to a power source and supplies power to charge a storage battery mounted on an electric vehicle; a branch electric circuit opening / closing control unit that controls the branch electric circuit opening / closing unit; a plurality of charging equipment each having a first communication unit; a main current measuring unit that measures a main current that flows in the main electric circuit; a determination unit that determines whether or not there is an abnormality based on the main current value measured by the main current measuring unit and usage status information regarding the usage status of the charging equipment; and a notification unit that issues an alarm depending on the determination result by the determination unit.

[0007] This makes it possible to determine whether the charging equipment is being used properly for charging, i.e., whether current is not flowing through the branch circuit illegally or abnormally, based on the main current value flowing through the main circuit upstream of the branch circuit that supplies power to the charging equipment used to charge an electric vehicle, and on usage information about the charging equipment, thereby more reliably preventing power theft.

[0008] In the present invention, the determination unit may compare the main current value with a threshold value based on the sum of maximum values ​​of current to be supplied for charging through each of the branch current paths based on the usage status information, to determine whether or not the abnormality exists.

[0009] According to this, the presence or absence of an abnormality is determined using a generous judgment condition, namely a threshold value based on the sum of the maximum values ​​of current to be supplied for charging through each of the branch circuits, so that charging by users who are using the charging equipment appropriately is not hindered.

[0010] Furthermore, in the present invention, a charging management device including a branch electric path control instruction unit that instructs control of the branch electric path opening / closing unit provided in the charging equipment, a first usage status memory unit that stores the usage status information of each of the charging equipment, and a second communication unit; and a monitoring device that includes the main current measuring unit, the determination unit, and a third communication unit, wherein the determination unit may determine the presence or absence of the abnormality based on the main current value and the usage status information received from the charging management device.

[0011] This allows for a more robust configuration that combines a monitoring device located upstream of the charging equipment with a charging management device that is communicatively connected to determine whether or not an abnormality exists, thereby more reliably preventing power theft.

[0012] The present invention also provides a module used as the monitoring device of the charging system, comprising: a current measuring device that functions as the main current measuring unit; an arithmetic unit that functions as the determination unit; and a communication device that functions as the third communication unit.

[0013] This increases the degree of freedom in arranging the monitoring device as a module, and it can be arranged in a place that is difficult for people to easily access, so that electricity theft can be prevented more reliably.

[0014] Furthermore, in the present invention, the charging management device includes a branch electric path control command unit that instructs control of the branch electric path opening / closing unit provided in the charging facility, a second usage status memory unit that stores the usage status information of each of the charging facilities, the determination unit, and a fourth communication unit, and a monitoring device that includes the main current measuring unit, a main current value providing unit that provides the main current value measured by the main current measuring unit to the charging management device, and a fifth communication unit, and the determination unit may be configured to determine the presence or absence of the abnormality based on the main current value received from the monitoring device and the usage status information stored in the second usage status memory unit.

[0015] This allows for a more robust configuration that combines a monitoring device located upstream of the charging equipment with a charging management device that is communicatively connected to determine whether or not an abnormality exists, thereby more reliably preventing power theft.

[0016] Furthermore, the present invention may comprise: a branch circuit switch including the branch circuit switch unit, the branch circuit switch control unit, and the first communication unit, and provided in each of the charging facilities, the branch circuit switch including a sixth usage status memory unit that stores the usage status information of the charging facilities in which the branch circuit switch is provided; and a monitoring device including the main current measuring unit, the determination unit, and a sixth communication unit, wherein the determination unit may determine the presence or absence of the abnormality based on the main current value and the usage status information received and acquired from the branch circuit switch.

[0017] This provides a more robust configuration that combines a branch current switch that can be installed in the charging equipment with a monitoring device that is communicatively connected, thereby determining whether or not there is an abnormality, thereby more reliably preventing electricity theft.

[0018] The present invention also provides a module used as the monitoring device of the charging system, comprising: a current measuring device that functions as the main current measuring unit; an arithmetic unit that functions as the determination unit; and a communication device that functions as the sixth communication unit.

[0019] This increases the degree of freedom in arranging the monitoring device as a module, and it can be arranged in a place that is difficult for people to easily access, so that electricity theft can be prevented more reliably.

[0020] According to the present invention, electricity theft can be prevented more reliably.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the overall configuration of a charging system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing details of the overall configuration of a charging system according to a modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an outline of the overall configuration of a charging system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing details of the overall configuration of a charging system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] 1 , a charging system 100 according to the application example includes a monitoring module 400 disposed on a main electric circuit PLm that charges storage batteries 231 a-c mounted on EVs 230 a-c, respectively, with power supplied from an AC power source 210 via the main electric circuit PLm and branch electric circuits PLa-c that branch off from the main electric circuit PLm and are connected to EVs 230 a-c, power switching modules 200 a-c that open and close the branch electric circuits PLa-c, respectively, and a charging management system 300.

[0023] The EV charging equipment 260a-c that houses the power switching modules 200a-c is, for example, a pole or a box, and the monitoring module 400 is installed in a location where a distribution board is installed, such as indoors, where people cannot easily access it.

[0024] 2 will be described using as an example a power switching module 200 housed in one EV charging facility 260 of the charging system 100 shown in FIG. Although not shown, the other power switching modules 200 have the same configuration and function. When describing one of the power switching modules 200a to 200c as a representative, a to c will be omitted.

[0025] A person who wishes to charge EV 230 using EV charging facility 260 operates terminal 270 such as a smartphone, connects to charging management system 300 via network NT2, and makes a reservation for charging under desired conditions. Charge management system 300 is, for example, a computer device such as a plurality of servers arranged on a cloud.

[0026] The EV charging facility 260 houses the power switching module 200 and is provided with an EV charging outlet 220 to which the EV 230 is connected.

[0027] The power switching module 200 mainly includes a relay 21, a power measurement unit 22, a communication unit 23, and a control unit 24. The relay 21 opens and closes the branch electric circuits PL. The power measurement unit 22 measures the power or amount of power supplied to the EV 230 through each branch electric circuit PL. The communication unit 23 is an interface for transmitting and receiving information to and from the power switching module 200. The control unit 24 includes a processor such as an MPU and a memory, and controls the relay 21, the power measurement unit 22, and the communication unit 23. The memory unit 25 is a storage device such as an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM).

[0028] The terminal 270 is a computer device such as a smartphone that can be connected to the charge management system 300 via the network NT1.

[0029] The charge management system 300 mainly includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a communication unit 33. The control unit 31 includes a processor such as a CPU and a memory, and controls the storage unit 32 and the communication unit 33. The control unit 31 includes a switching control command unit 310a and a system notification unit 310b. The storage unit 32 stores status information 320a, which is information related to the usage status of the EV charging equipment 260 including the power switching module 200 managed by the charge management system 300, and registration information 320b, which includes attribute information of users of the charging service that uses the charge management system 300.

[0030] The monitoring module 400 mainly includes a control unit 41, a current measurement unit 42, and a communication unit 43. The control unit 41 includes a processor such as an MPU and a memory, and functions as a determination unit 410a and a module notification unit 410b, and also controls the current measurement unit 42 and the communication unit 43. The current measurement unit 42 measures the current flowing through the main electric circuit PLm. The communication unit 43 is an interface that transmits and receives information between the charge management system 300 and the monitoring module 400.

[0031] The charge management system 300 stores information on the usage status of each EV charging facility 260 as status information 320a based on reservation information received from a user via the terminal 270. Then, the opening / closing control command unit 310a of the charge management system 300 transmits an opening / closing control command for the relay 21 to the power opening / closing module 200 of the corresponding EV charging facility 260 in accordance with a charging schedule based on the reservation information.

[0032] The charging management system 300 transmits status information 320a of each EV charging facility 260a-c to the monitoring module 400. In the monitoring module 400, a current measurement unit 42 measures the value of the current flowing through the main electric circuit PLm. The monitoring module 400 compares a threshold value set based on the status information 320a received from the charging management system 300 with the current value measured by the current measurement unit 42, and determines that an abnormality has occurred if the current value is equal to or greater than the threshold value. Possible abnormal states include illegal charging due to power theft through the branch electric circuit PLc of EV charging facility 260c that is not actually being used for charging, or a fault such as a ground fault. When the determination unit 410a determines that an abnormality has occurred, the determination unit 410a instructs the module notification unit 410b to perform processing to notify that an abnormality has occurred in EV charging facility 260c.

[0033] According to the charging system 100, it is possible to more reliably prevent unauthorized charging such as power theft and to detect abnormalities such as electric leakage.

[0034] [First Embodiment] A charging system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the configurations of the devices and systems described in this embodiment may be modified as appropriate depending on various conditions. In other words, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

[0035] <Configuration of Charging System> Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the overall configuration of a charging system 100. As shown in Fig. 1, the charging system 100 according to this embodiment includes power switching modules 200a-c that switch branch electric circuits PLa-c that branch from a main electric circuit PLm of an AC power source 210 via a monitoring module 400 and are connected to storage batteries 231a-c of EVs 230a-c, respectively, a charging management system 300, and the monitoring module 400. The monitoring module 400 is disposed between the AC power source 210 and EV charging equipment 260a-c that houses the power switching modules 200a-c, respectively. The main electric circuit PLm connecting the AC power source 210 and the monitoring module 400 branches into branch electric circuits PLa-c downstream of the monitoring module 400 and is connected to the power switching modules 200a-c, respectively. The EV charging equipment 260a-c is, for example, a pole or a box, and the monitoring module 400 is installed in a location where a distribution panel is installed, such as indoors, where people cannot easily access. Here, the charging system 100 corresponds to the charging system of the present invention. Furthermore, the AC power source 210 corresponds to the power source of the present invention. Furthermore, the EVs 230a-c and the storage batteries 231a-c correspond to the electric vehicles and storage batteries of the present invention, respectively. The main electric circuit PLm and the branch electric circuits PLa-c correspond to the main electric circuit and the branch electric circuits of the present invention, respectively. Furthermore, the power switching modules 200a-c correspond to the branch electric circuit switches of the present invention. Furthermore, the EV charging equipment 260a-c corresponds to the charging equipment of the present invention.

[0036] 1 illustrates three EV charging facilities 260a-c and three EVs 230a-c connected to each facility, but the number of EV charging facilities is not limited to this, and charging system 100 can be configured to include any number of EV charging facilities capable of charging any number of EVs. When describing any one of three EV charging facilities 260a-c, power switching modules 200a-c housed therein, EVs 230a-c connected thereto, and branch electric circuits PLa-c connecting each facility, "a"-"c" will be omitted. Here, an EV is shown as an example of an electric vehicle to be charged by charging system 100, but the example is not limited to this and can include any device that can move by electricity, including electric motorcycles and the like.

[0037] 2 is a diagram showing details of the overall configuration of the charging system 100, taking as an example a power switching module 200 housed in one EV charging facility 260 of the charging system 100 shown in FIG. 1 . Although not shown, the other power switching modules 200 have the same configuration and function. For example, a person who wishes to charge an EV 230 using the EV charging facility 260 operates a terminal 270 such as a smartphone, connects to the charging management system 300 via the network NT2, and makes a reservation for charging under desired conditions. The charging management system 300 is, for example, a computer device such as a plurality of servers arranged on a cloud. Here, the charging management system 300 corresponds to the charging management device of the present invention.

[0038] The charging management system 300 generates a charging plan, which will be described later, based on the received reservation information, and monitors and controls the power switching module 200 connected via the network NT1 so that charging is performed in accordance with the generated charging plan.

[0039] The EV charging facility 260 houses the power switching module 200 and is provided with an EV charging outlet 220 to which the EV 230 is connected.

[0040] The power switching module 200 mainly includes a relay 21, a power measurement unit 22, a communication unit 23, and a control unit 24. The relay 21 opens and closes a branch electric circuit PL connected to an AC power source 210 and an EV 230 via an EV charging outlet 220. The relay 21 corresponds to a branch electric circuit opening and closing unit of the present invention. The power measurement unit 22 measures the power or amount of power supplied to the EV 230 through the branch electric circuit PL. The power measurement unit 22 measures the current value and voltage value of the power supplied through the branch electric circuit PL to calculate the power or amount of power. Therefore, the power measurement unit 22 also has the functions of a current measurement unit and / or a voltage measurement unit.

[0041] The communication unit 23 is connected to the charge management system 300 via the network NT1 and is an interface for transmitting and receiving information between the charge management system 300 and the power switching module 200. The communication method between the power switching module 200 and the charge management system 300 can be, for example, a wireless communication method, but is not limited to this. The power or amount of power (including current and / or voltage values) measured by the power measurement unit 22 is transmitted from the communication unit 23 to the charge management system 300 via the network NT1. The communication unit 23 corresponds to a first communication unit of the present invention. The control unit 24 includes a processor such as an MPU and a memory, and executes a predetermined program to perform overall control of the relay 21, the power measurement unit 22, and the communication unit 23. The control unit 24 controls the opening and closing of the relay 211 based on an opening and closing control command transmitted from the charge management system 300. The control unit 24 corresponds to a branch electric circuit opening and closing control unit of the present invention. The storage unit 25 is a storage device such as an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), and stores programs, data and tables for executing the programs, and the like.

[0042] The terminal 270 is a computer device that has a processor such as a CPU, a main storage device such as a RAM or a ROM, an auxiliary storage device such as an EPROM, and a communication interface, and can be connected to the charge management system 300 via the network NT1. Examples of the terminal 270 include a smartphone and a tablet, but are not limited to these as long as the terminal 270 is a computer device that can be used by a user.

[0043] The charge management system 300 mainly includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a communication unit 33. The control unit 31 includes a processor such as a CPU and memories such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory), and controls the storage unit 32 and the communication unit 33. The control unit 31 includes a switching control command unit 310a and a system notification unit 310b. The switching control command unit 310a and the system notification unit 310b are functional units realized by the processor executing a predetermined program. The switching control command unit 310a corresponds to the branch electric circuit control command unit of the present invention. The system notification unit 310b corresponds to the notification unit of the present invention.

[0044] The storage unit 32 is a storage device such as an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or removable media. The storage unit 32 stores status information 320a, which is information about the usage status of the EV charging equipment 260 including the power switching module 200 managed by the charge management system 300, and registration information 320b, which includes attribute information of users of the charging service that uses the charge management system 300. The status information 320a corresponds to the usage status information of the present invention. The storage unit 32 corresponds to a first usage status storage unit of the present invention.

[0045] The communication unit 33 is connected to the power switching module 200 via the network NT1 and is an interface for transmitting and receiving information between the charge management system 300 and the power switching module 200. The communication unit 33 is also connected to the terminal 270 via the network NT2 and is an interface for transmitting and receiving information between the terminal 270 and the charge management system 300. The communication method between the terminal 270 and the charge management system 300 is not particularly limited. The network NT2 and the network NT1 may be a common network. Here, the communication unit 33 corresponds to the second communication unit of the present invention.

[0046] The monitoring module 400 mainly includes a control unit 41, a current measurement unit 42, and a communication unit 43. The control unit 41 includes a processor such as an MPU and a memory, and executes a predetermined program to function as a determination unit 410a and a module notification unit 410b, while also controlling the current measurement unit 42 and the communication unit 43. The current measurement unit 42 measures the current flowing through the main electric circuit PLm connected to the AC power source 210, i.e., the total current obtained by adding up the currents flowing through all of the power switching modules 200a-c. The communication unit 43 is connected to the charge management system 300 via the network NT1 and serves as an interface for transmitting and receiving information between the charge management system 300 and the monitoring module 400. The monitoring module 400 can be configured as a modularized device. Here, the monitoring module 400 corresponds to the monitoring device and module of the present invention. Furthermore, the current flowing through the main electric circuit PLm corresponds to the main current of the present invention, and the current value flowing through the main electric circuit PLm corresponds to the main current value of the present invention. The current measuring unit 42 corresponds to the main current measuring unit of the present invention. Furthermore, the determination unit 410a corresponds to the determination unit of the present invention. The communication unit 43 corresponds to the third communication unit of the present invention. The module notification unit 410b corresponds to the notification unit of the present invention. The notification unit of the present invention may be configured with either the system notification unit 310b or the module notification unit 410b, or may be configured with both. Furthermore, the control unit 41 corresponds to the arithmetic unit of the present invention, the current measuring unit 42 corresponds to the current measuring device of the present invention, and the communication unit 43 corresponds to the communication device of the present invention.

[0047] <Charging Management Method> The charging management system 300 stores information on the usage status of each EV charging facility 260 as status information 320a based on reservation information received from a user via the terminal 270. The charging management system 300 assigns an EV charging facility 260 to which an EV 230 related to a specific user is to be connected based on the reservation information. Then, the switching control command unit 310a of the charging management system 300 transmits an switching control command for the relay 21 to the power switching module 200 of the assigned EV charging facility 260 in accordance with a charging schedule based on the reservation information. The power switching module 200 transmits the power or amount of power measured by the power measuring unit 22 to the charging management system 300. The power or amount of power transmitted from each power switching module 200 is used, for example, for billing the user for the provision of the charging service.

[0048] The charge management system 300 further transmits status information 320a of each EV charging equipment 260a-c to the monitoring module 400. In the monitoring module 400, a current measurement unit 42 measures the value of the current flowing through the main electric circuit PLm. When charging is being performed properly in each of the EV charging equipment 260a-c, the current value estimated from the status information 320a received from the charge management system 300 should match the current value measured by the current measurement unit 42. For example, at a certain time, according to the status information 320a, among the EV charging equipment 260a-c, charging is being performed in EV charging equipment 260a and EV charging equipment 260b, but charging is not being performed in EV charging equipment 260c. In this case, the current measurement unit 42 of the monitoring module 400 should measure a current value corresponding to the charging of two EVs. Determination unit 410a compares the current value measured by current measurement unit 42 with a threshold value set based on the current value assumed as the sum of the charging currents of two EVs based on status information 320a, and determines that an abnormality has occurred if the current value measured by current measurement unit 42 is equal to or greater than the threshold value. Here, whether or not an abnormality has occurred corresponds to the determination result of the present invention.

[0049] The threshold for determining whether an abnormality exists can be, for example, the sum of the maximum values ​​(maximum current values) of currents that should be supplied through properly used EV charging facilities 260a and 260b. Setting a threshold with a sufficient margin in this manner allows for detecting an abnormality without interfering with the supply of power to users who are properly charging. However, the threshold is not limited to this and may be set based on the current that should flow through branch electric circuits PLa and PLb according to the charging schedule through properly used EV charging facilities 260a and 260b. Alternatively, the charging management system 300 may acquire current values ​​measured by the power measuring units 22a-c of the power switching modules 200a-c of each EV charging facility 260a-c and provide them to the monitoring module 400, and the determination unit 410a may set the threshold in real time based on the current flowing through each EV charging facility 260a-c.

[0050] An abnormal state in which the current value measured by the current measurement unit 42 is equal to or greater than the threshold value may indicate illegal charging through the theft of power via the branch electric circuit PLc of EV charging equipment 260c, which is not actually being used for charging, or a malfunction such as a ground fault. When the determination unit 410a determines that an abnormality has occurred, the module notification unit 410b instructs the module notification unit 410b to perform a process of notifying that an abnormality has occurred in EV charging equipment 260c. The notification of the abnormality is transmitted via the communication unit 43 to the charging management system 300 and also to the manager of the facility where EV charging equipment 260c is installed, a security company, or the like. The facility manager or security company personnel who receive the notification of the abnormality check the current status of EV charging equipment 260c and take appropriate action depending on the situation. Based on the notification of the abnormality, an alarm device such as a buzzer or a lamp may be activated at the facility where EV charging equipment 260c is installed, a security company, or the like. The monitoring module 400 may be provided with an alarm device and activate the alarm device. Notification of an abnormality to the facility where the EV charging equipment 260c is installed, a security company, etc. may be made by the system notification unit 310b of the charging management system 300, or this task may be shared between the monitoring module 400 and the charging management system 300.

[0051] In this way, charging system 100 can more reliably prevent unauthorized charging such as power theft and can detect abnormalities such as electric leakage.

[0052] [Modification] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an outline of the overall configuration of a charging system 500 according to a modification of the first embodiment. Components common to those in the first embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The charging system 500 includes a charging management system 301 and a monitoring module 401 instead of the charging management system 300 and the monitoring module 400. In the charging system 100 according to the first embodiment, the monitoring module 400 determines whether or not an abnormality exists, but in the charging system 500, the charging management system 301 determines whether or not an abnormality exists.

[0053] The hardware configurations of the charge management system 301 and the monitoring module 401 are the same as those of the charge management system 300 and the monitoring module 400. In the charge management system 301, the function of the control unit 31a is different from that of the control unit 31 of the charge management system 300. In the monitoring module 401, the function of the control unit 41a is different from that of the control unit 41 of the monitoring module 400.

[0054] In the monitoring module 401, a current information generating unit 410c of the control unit 41a generates current information, which is information about the value of the current flowing through the main current path PLm measured by the current measuring unit 42, and transmits the current information to the charge management system 301 via the communication unit 43. Here, the current information corresponds to the main current value of the present invention, and the current information generating unit 410c corresponds to the main current value providing unit of the present invention. Also, the communication unit 43 corresponds to the fifth communication unit of the present invention.

[0055] The control unit 31a of the charge management system 301 determines, in the determination unit 310c, whether or not an abnormality exists based on the status information 320a related to each of the EV charging facilities 260a-c stored in the storage unit 32 and the current information received from the monitoring module 401. The method of determining whether or not an abnormality exists is the same as in the first embodiment. Here, the storage unit 32 corresponds to the second usage status storage unit of the present invention. Furthermore, the communication unit 33 corresponds to the fourth communication unit of the present invention.

[0056] When the determination unit 310c determines that an abnormality has occurred, taking the example used in the first embodiment as an example, the system notification unit 310b instructs processing to notify that an abnormality has occurred in EV charging equipment 260c. The notification of the abnormality is transmitted to the monitoring module 401 via the communication unit 33, and also to the manager of the facility where EV charging equipment 260c is installed, a security company, or the like. The facility manager or security company personnel who receive the notification of the abnormality check the current state of EV charging equipment 260c and take appropriate action depending on the situation. Based on the notification of the abnormality, an alarm device such as a buzzer or a lamp may be activated in the facility where EV charging equipment 260c is installed, a security company, or the like. The monitoring module 401 may be provided with an alarm device and activate the alarm device. Notification of an abnormality to the facility where the EV charging equipment 260c is installed, a security company, etc. may be made by the module notification unit 410b of the monitoring module 401, or this task may be shared between the monitoring module 401 and the charging management system 301.

[0057] In this way, charging system 500 can more reliably prevent unauthorized charging such as power theft and can also detect abnormalities such as electric leakage.

[0058] [Example 2] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an outline of the overall configuration of a charging system 600 according to Example 2. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing details of the overall configuration of the charging system 600, taking as an example a power switching module 200 housed in one EV charging facility 260 of the charging system 600 shown in Fig. 4. Although not shown, the other power switching modules 200 also have the same configuration and function. Components common to Example 1 are assigned the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0059] The charging system 600 includes a monitoring module 402 and power switching modules 201a-c instead of the monitoring module 400 and power switching modules 200a-c. The hardware configurations of the monitoring module 402 and power switching modules 201a-c are substantially the same as those of the monitoring module 400 and power switching modules 200a-c, but the monitoring module 402 and power switching modules 201a-c are communicably connected to each other via a network NT3. As a communication method, for example, an appropriate method such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), a mobile phone communication network, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like can be adopted. Here, the monitoring module 402 corresponds to the monitoring device and module of the present invention, and the power switching modules 201a-c correspond to branch circuit switches, respectively.

[0060] In the charging system 600 according to the second embodiment, the presence or absence of an abnormality is determined by the monitoring module 402 and the power switching modules 201a to 201c.

[0061] Each power switching module 201 stores status information 250, which is information relating to the usage status of the EV charging equipment 260 including the power switching module 201, in the storage unit 25. The status information 250 may be acquired from the charging management system 300 or may be acquired by an appropriate method such as by directly receiving input from a user. Here, the storage unit 25 corresponds to a sixth usage status storage unit of the present invention. The status information 250 corresponds to the usage status information of the present invention.

[0062] The monitoring module 402 includes a control unit 41b, a current measurement unit 42, and a communication unit 43. The control unit 41b includes a determination unit 410d and a module notification unit 410b. The determination unit 410d determines whether or not an abnormality exists based on the status information 250 related to each EV charging equipment 260 acquired from each power switching module 201 and the current value flowing through the main electric circuit PLm measured by the current measurement unit 42. The method for determining an abnormality is the same as in the first embodiment. Here, the determination unit 410d and the communication unit 43 correspond to the determination unit and the sixth communication unit of the present invention, respectively.

[0063] When determination unit 410d determines that an abnormality has occurred, taking the example used in Example 1 as an explanation, module notification unit 410b instructs processing to notify that an abnormality has occurred in EV charging equipment 260c. The notification of the abnormality is transmitted via communication unit 43 to charging management system 300, as well as to a manager of the facility where EV charging equipment 260c is installed, a security company, or the like. The facility manager or security company personnel who receive the notification of the abnormality check the current state of EV charging equipment 260c and take appropriate action depending on the situation. Based on the notification of the abnormality, an alarm device such as a buzzer or a lamp may be activated in the facility where EV charging equipment 260c is installed, a security company, or the like. The monitoring module 402 may be provided with an alarm device and activate the alarm device. Notification of an abnormality to the facility where the EV charging equipment 260c is installed, a security company, etc. may be made by the module notification unit 410b of the monitoring module 402, or this task may be shared between the monitoring module 401 and the charging management system 300.

[0064] In this way, charging system 100 can more reliably prevent unauthorized charging such as power theft and can detect abnormalities such as electric leakage.

[0065] In the following, the constituent features of the present invention will be described with the reference numerals in the drawings to enable a comparison between the constituent features of the present invention and the configurations of the embodiments. <Supplementary Note 1> A branch electric circuit switching unit (21) that switches on and off branch electric circuits (PLa-c) that branch off from a main electric circuit (PLm) connected to a power source (210) and supply power to charge storage batteries (231a-c) mounted on electric vehicles (230a-c), a branch electric circuit switching control unit (24) that controls the branch electric circuit switching unit (21), and a plurality of charging facilities (260) each including a first communication unit (23), a main current measuring unit (42) that measures a main current that is a current flowing in the main electric circuit (PLm), and determination units (410a, 410d, 310c) that determine the presence or absence of an abnormality based on the main current value measured by the main current measuring unit (42) and usage status information related to the usage status of the charging facilities (260), and a notification unit (410b, 310b) that issues an alarm in accordance with a determination result of the determination unit (410a, 410d, 310c). <Supplementary Note 2> The charging system (100, 500, 600) according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the determination unit (410a, 410d, 310c) determines the presence or absence of the abnormality by comparing the main current value with a threshold value that is based on the sum of maximum values ​​of current to be supplied for charging through each of the branch electric paths based on the usage status information. <Supplementary Note 3> The charging system (100) according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, comprising: a branch electric path control command unit (310c) that commands control of the branch electric path opening / closing unit (21) provided in the charging facility (260); a charging management device (300) including a first usage status memory unit (32) that stores the usage status information of each of the charging facilities; and a second communication unit (33); and a monitoring device (400) that includes the main current measurement unit (42), the determination unit (410a), and a third communication unit (43), wherein the determination unit (410a) determines the presence or absence of the abnormality based on the main current value and the usage status information received from the charging management device (300).<Supplementary Note 4> A module (400) used as the monitoring device of the charging system according to Supplementary Note 3, comprising: a current measuring device functioning as the main current measuring unit (42); a calculation device functioning as the determination unit (410a); and a communication device functioning as the third communication unit (43). <Supplementary Note 5> The charging system (500) according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, comprising: a branch electric path control command unit (31) that instructs control of the branch electric path opening / closing unit (21) provided in the charging equipment (260); a charging management device (301) that includes a second usage status memory unit (32) that stores the usage status information of each of the charging equipment (260); the determination unit (310c) and a fourth communication unit (33); and a monitoring device (401) that includes the main current measuring unit (42), a main current value providing unit (410c) that provides the main current value measured by the main current measuring unit (42) to the charging management device (301), and a fifth communication unit (43), wherein the determination unit (310c) determines the presence or absence of the abnormality based on the main current value received from the monitoring device (401) and the usage status information stored in the second usage status memory unit (32). <Supplementary Note 6> A charging system (600) according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, characterized in that the charging system (600) includes a branch electric circuit switch (201) that includes the branch electric circuit switch unit (21), the branch electric circuit switch control unit (24), and the first communication unit (23) and is provided in each of the charging facilities (260), the branch electric circuit switch (201) including a sixth usage status memory unit (250) that stores the usage status information of the charging facilities (260) in which the branch electric circuit switch (201) is provided; and a monitoring device (402) that includes the main current measuring unit (42), the determination unit (410d), and a sixth communication unit (43), wherein the determination unit (410d) determines the presence or absence of the abnormality based on the main current value and the usage status information received and acquired from the branch electric circuit switch (201). <Supplementary Note 7> A module used as the monitoring device of the charging system according to Supplementary Note 6, comprising: a current measuring device functioning as the main current measuring unit; a calculation device functioning as the determination unit; and a communication device functioning as the sixth communication unit.

[0066] 21: Relay 23: Communication unit 24: Control unit 210: AC power supply 230: EV 231: Storage battery 260: EV charging equipment 42: Current measuring unit 410a, 410d, 310c: Determination unit 100, 500, 600: Charging system PLm: Main electric circuit PLa-c: Branch electric circuits

Claims

1. A charging system, comprising: a branch circuit opening / closing unit that opens and closes a branch circuit branched from a main circuit connected to a power source and supplies power for charging a storage battery mounted on an electric moving body; a branch circuit opening / closing control unit that controls the branch circuit opening / closing unit; a plurality of charging facilities each including a first communication unit; a main current measurement unit that measures a main current which is a current flowing through the main circuit; a determination unit that determines the presence or absence of an abnormality based on a main current value measured by the main current measurement unit and usage status information regarding the usage status of the charging facilities; and a notification unit that notifies an alarm according to a determination result in the determination unit.

2. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit compares the main current value with a threshold value based on a sum of maximum values of currents to be supplied for charging through each of the branch circuits based on the usage status information, and determines the presence or absence of the abnormality.

3. A charging management device including a branch circuit control command unit that instructs control of the branch circuit opening / closing unit provided in the charging facility, a first usage status storage unit that stores the usage status information of each of the charging facilities, and a second communication unit, and a monitoring device including the main current measurement unit, the determination unit, and a third communication unit, wherein the determination unit determines the presence or absence of the abnormality based on the main current value and the usage status information received from the charging management device.

4. A module used as the monitoring device of the charging system according to claim 3, comprising a current measurement device functioning as the main current measurement unit, an arithmetic device functioning as the determination unit, and a communication device functioning as the third communication unit.

5. A charging management device including a branch circuit control command unit that instructs control of the branch circuit opening / closing unit provided in the charging facility, a second usage status storage unit that stores the usage status information of each of the charging facilities, the determination unit, and a fourth communication unit, and a monitoring device including the main current measurement unit, a main current value providing unit that provides the main current value measured by the main current measurement unit to the charging management device, and a fifth communication unit, wherein the determination unit determines the presence or absence of the abnormality based on the main current value received from the monitoring device and the usage status information stored in the second usage status storage unit.

6. A branch circuit switch provided in each of the charging facilities, including the branch circuit switch unit, the branch circuit switch control unit, and the first communication unit, and including a sixth usage status storage unit that stores the usage status information of the charging facility in which the branch circuit switch is provided. A monitoring device including the main current measurement unit, the determination unit, and the sixth communication unit. The determination unit determines the presence or absence of the abnormality based on the main current value and the usage status information received and acquired from the branch circuit switch. The charging system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that.

7. A module used as the monitoring device of the charging system according to claim 6, including a current measurement device functioning as the main current measurement unit, an arithmetic device functioning as the determination unit, and a communication device functioning as the sixth communication unit.

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