Charging plan generation device, electrical switching module, and charging system

Abstract

This charging plan generation device generates a charging plan to charge a storage battery mounted on an electric mobile body, using electricity for which prices are set depending on time slots. The charging plan generation device, when a required charging time required for charging the storage battery to a predetermined state of charge does not exceed the length of a lowest price time slot having the lowest price between a desired charging start time at which a user wishes to start charging the storage battery and a desired charging completion time at which the user wishes to complete the charging, generates a charging plan in which a scheduled charging time scheduled for charging in the charging plan is included in the lowest price time slot, and, when the required charging time exceeds the length of the lowest price time slot, generates a charging plan in which the scheduled charging time includes the lowest price time slot and ends by the desired charging completion time.

Description

Charging plan generation device, power switching module, and charging system

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging plan generation device, a power switching module, and a charging system.

[0002] At EV (electric vehicle) charging facilities installed in hotels, apartment complexes, detached houses, etc., a user issues a charging start command from a smartphone or the like, and the device that receives the command or the system center that manages the device starts charging, and charging ends when the storage battery installed in the EV is fully charged. If the electricity rate used for charging varies depending on the time of day, the amount of money related to usage (e.g., electricity rate) may differ depending on the time of charging using the EV charging facility.

[0003] In this case, depending on the user, there may be cases where the user does not need to start charging immediately, and therefore, it may not be necessary to start charging immediately when receiving a charging start instruction from the user. In such cases, if charging is performed during a time period when electricity rates are relatively high, the cost of using the EV charging equipment will increase. In other words, depending on the relationship between the electricity rates by time period and the actual charging time of the EV's onboard storage battery, the cost of using the EV charging equipment may end up being an amount that the user did not intend.

[0004] Conventionally, a technique has been proposed for setting the charging start time so as to reduce the electricity charge for charging (for example, Patent Document 1), but efficiency has not been taken into consideration.

[0005] Patent No. 2785316

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a technique that reduces the cost of charging and enables efficient charging.

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a charging plan generation device that generates a charging plan for charging a storage battery mounted on an electric vehicle using electricity for which rates are set according to time periods, and is characterized in that, if the charging time required to charge the storage battery to a predetermined charge state does not exceed the length of the cheapest time period in which the rate is lowest between the desired charging start time at which a user wishes to start charging the storage battery and the desired charging end time at which the user wishes to end the charging, the device generates a charging plan in which the planned charging time for charging in the charging plan is included in the cheapest time period, and if the required charging time exceeds the length of the cheapest time period, the device generates a charging plan in which the planned charging time includes the cheapest time period and is completed by the desired charging end time.

[0008] According to this, when rates are set for electricity to charge a storage battery according to time periods, including the cheapest time periods, if the required charging time is short, a charging plan is generated so that the scheduled charging time includes the cheapest time periods, and if the required charging time exceeds the length of the cheapest time periods, a charging plan is generated that extends the scheduled charging time by prioritizing the time period between the cheapest time periods and the desired charging completion time, thereby enabling efficient charging that reduces charging costs and suppresses deterioration of the storage battery.

[0009] In the present invention, when the required charging time exceeds the length of the cheapest time slot and the scheduled charging time is shorter than the required charging time even if it is extended to include the cheapest time slot and up to the desired charging end time, the charging plan may be generated in which the scheduled charging time is extended to a time just before the cheapest time slot.

[0010] According to this, if the charging time required is even longer, the system generates a charging plan that sets the cheapest time period and the time period up to the charging end time as the scheduled charging time, and then prioritizes the time period before the cheapest time period and extends the scheduled charging time, thereby enabling efficient charging that reduces charging costs and suppresses deterioration of the storage battery.

[0011] In the present invention, the charging plan may be generated based on charging characteristics of the storage battery.

[0012] According to this, if the charging characteristics of the storage battery include a CC (constant current) charging method that increases the charging current, a charging plan can be created based on such charging characteristics so that the charging time using the CC charging method includes at least the cheapest time slot, thereby reducing charging costs and enabling efficient charging that can suppress deterioration of the storage battery.

[0013] The present invention also provides an electric power switching module including: an electric power switching unit that opens and closes an electric circuit connecting an electric vehicle and an AC power source that supplies electric power with time-of-day rates set; an electric power measuring unit that measures the amount of electric power supplied to the electric vehicle through the electric circuit; a communication unit; and a control unit including a charging plan generation unit that generates a charging plan to charge a storage battery mounted on the electric vehicle using the electric power, wherein the charging plan generation unit generates a charging plan in which a planned charging time for charging is included in the cheapest time period when the price is lowest between a desired charging start time at which a user wishes to start charging the storage battery and a desired charging end time at which the user wishes to end the charging, when the required charging time exceeds the length of the cheapest time period, and generates the charging plan in which the planned charging time includes the cheapest time period and is completed by the desired charging end time.

[0014] According to this, when rates are set for electricity to charge a storage battery according to time periods, including the cheapest time periods, if the required charging time is short, a charging plan is generated so that the scheduled charging time includes the cheapest time periods, and if the required charging time exceeds the length of the cheapest time periods, a charging plan is generated that extends the scheduled charging time by prioritizing the time period between the cheapest time periods and the desired charging completion time, thereby enabling efficient charging that reduces charging costs and suppresses deterioration of the storage battery.

[0015] Furthermore, in the present invention, when the required charging time exceeds the length of the cheapest time slot and the scheduled charging time includes the cheapest time slot and is extended to the desired charging end time, the charging plan generation unit may generate the charging plan in which the scheduled charging time is extended to a time just before the cheapest time slot.

[0016] According to this, if the charging time required is even longer, the system generates a charging plan that sets the cheapest time period and the time period up to the charging end time as the scheduled charging time, and then prioritizes the time period before the cheapest time period and extends the scheduled charging time, thereby enabling efficient charging that reduces charging costs and suppresses deterioration of the storage battery.

[0017] In the present invention, the charging plan generating unit may generate the charging plan based on charging characteristics of the storage battery.

[0018] According to this, if the charging characteristics of the storage battery include a CC (constant current) charging method that increases the charging current, a charging plan can be created based on such charging characteristics so that the charging time using the CC charging method includes at least the cheapest time slot, thereby reducing charging costs and enabling efficient charging that can suppress deterioration of the storage battery.

[0019] Furthermore, in the present invention, there is provided a charging system including: a power switching module including: a power switching unit that opens and closes an electric circuit connecting an electric vehicle and an AC power source that supplies electric power with time-of-day rates set; a power measurement unit that measures the amount of electric power supplied to the electric vehicle through the electric circuit; a communication unit; and a control unit; a charging plan generation unit that is communicatively connected to the power switching module via a network and that generates a charging plan for charging a storage battery mounted on the electric vehicle using the electric power; and a command generation unit that generates an opening and closing command to instruct the power switching unit to open and close the electric circuit based on the charging plan; wherein the charging plan generation unit generates a charging plan in which a scheduled charging time for charging is included in the cheapest time slot, in which the price is lowest between a desired charging start time at which a user wishes to start charging the storage battery and a desired charging end time at which the user wishes to end the charging, when a required charging time for charging the storage battery to a predetermined charged state does not exceed the length of the cheapest time slot, in which the price is lowest between a desired charging start time at which a user wishes to start charging the storage battery and a desired charging end time at which the user wishes to end the charging, If the required charging time exceeds the length of the cheapest time slot, a charging plan is generated in which the planned charging time includes the cheapest time slot and is completed by the desired charging end time, and the control unit of the power switching module controls the power switching unit based on the switching command.

[0020] According to this, when rates are set for electricity to charge a storage battery according to time periods, including the cheapest time periods, if the required charging time is short, a charging plan is generated so that the scheduled charging time includes the cheapest time periods, and if the required charging time exceeds the length of the cheapest time periods, a charging plan is generated that extends the scheduled charging time by prioritizing the time period between the cheapest time periods and the desired charging completion time, thereby enabling efficient charging that reduces charging costs and suppresses deterioration of the storage battery.

[0021] Furthermore, in the present invention, when the required charging time exceeds the length of the cheapest time slot and the scheduled charging time includes the cheapest time slot and is extended to the desired charging end time, the charging plan generation unit may generate the charging plan in which the scheduled charging time is extended to a time just before the cheapest time slot.

[0022] According to this, if the charging time required is even longer, the system generates a charging plan that sets the cheapest time period and the time period up to the charging end time as the scheduled charging time, and then prioritizes the time period before the cheapest time period and extends the scheduled charging time, thereby enabling efficient charging that reduces charging costs and suppresses deterioration of the storage battery.

[0023] In the present invention, the charging plan generating unit may generate the charging plan based on charging characteristics of the storage battery.

[0024] According to this, if the charging characteristics of the storage battery include a CC (constant current) charging method that increases the charging current, a charging plan can be created based on such charging characteristics so that the charging time using the CC charging method includes at least the cheapest time slot, thereby reducing charging costs and enabling efficient charging that can suppress deterioration of the storage battery.

[0025] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the cost of charging and to charge efficiently.

[0026] 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 flowchart showing a charge management method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a charge plan generation method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a time chart illustrating a charge plan generation method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an outline of the overall configuration of a charging system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a charge management method according to a modified example of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] 1 , a charging system 100 according to the application example includes a power switching module 200 that switches an electric circuit PL that charges a storage battery 231 of an EV 230 connected via an EV charging outlet 220 with electric power supplied from an AC power source 210, and a charging management system 300.

[0028] The charge 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 so that charging is performed in accordance with the charging plan.

[0029] The power switching module 200 mainly includes a relay 21, a power measurement unit 22, a communication unit 23, a control unit 24, and a storage unit 25. The relay 21 opens and closes an electric circuit PL connected to the EV 230 via an AC power supply 210 and an EV charging outlet 220. The power measurement unit 22 measures the power or amount of power supplied to the EV 230 through the electric circuit PL. The communication unit 23 is an interface that transmits and receives information between the charging management system 300 and the power switching module 200. The control unit 24 performs overall control of the relay 21, the power measurement unit 22, and the communication unit 23. The storage unit 25 is a storage device such as an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM).

[0030] The terminal 270 is a computer device that can be connected to the charge management system 300 via the network NT1.

[0031] The charge management system 300 mainly includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a communication unit 33. The control unit 31 controls the storage unit 32 and the communication unit 33. The control unit 31 includes a plan generation unit 310a, a command generation unit 310b, and a notification generation unit 310c. The communication unit 33 is an interface that exchanges information between the charge management system 300 and the power switching module 200.

[0032] The plan generating unit 310a of the charge management system 300 generates a charging plan by the method shown in FIG.

[0033] First, the plan generator 310a acquires the user plan 320a from the storage unit 32 (step S1).

[0034] Next, the plan generator 310a acquires the user's storage battery information 320b from the storage unit 32 (step S2). The storage battery information 320b includes characteristic information such as the rated power of the storage battery 231 mounted on the EV 230 to be charged.

[0035] Next, the plan generation unit 310a calculates the required charging time, which is the time required to charge the storage battery 231 installed in the EV 230, from the storage battery information 320b of the storage battery 231 and the rated output of the AC power source 210 stored in the memory unit 32 (step S3).

[0036] Next, the plan generating unit 310a acquires the electricity rate data 320c from the storage unit 32 (step S4). The electricity rate data 320c (see FIG. 4A) is data that associates a time period with the electricity rate for that time period when different electricity rates are set depending on the time period (time-of-day electricity rates).

[0037] In step S5, the plan generation unit 310a determines whether the charging for the required charging time will be completed within the discount rate time period based on the required charging time calculated in step S3 and the electricity rate data 320c acquired in step S4 (step S5).

[0038] If it is determined in step S5 that the charging based on the required charging time will be completed within the discount rate time period, the plan generation unit 310a generates a charging plan (see FIG. 4C) according to the required charging time (step S6).

[0039] Next, if it is determined in step S5 that the required charging time exceeds the length of the discount rate time slot and that charging will not be completed within the discount rate time slot, the plan generator 310a extends the scheduled charging end time to a time slot after the discount rate time slot, i.e., to a normal rate time slot after time T4 (step S7). Then, based on this extension of the scheduled charging time, the plan generator 310a determines whether charging is scheduled to be completed by the desired charging end time T2 (step S8). If it is determined in step S8 that charging is scheduled to be completed by the desired charging end time T2, the plan generator 310a generates a charging plan (see FIG. 4(D)) in which the scheduled charging time is extended beyond the end time T4 of the discount rate time slot (step S6).

[0040] If it is determined in step S8 that charging is not scheduled to end until the desired charging end time T2, the plan generation unit 310a generates a charging plan (see FIG. 4(E)) in which the scheduled charging time is further extended to before the start time T3 of the discount rate time period (step S6).

[0041] In this way, when generating a charging plan, as the required charging time becomes longer, first, the discount rate time zone is utilized, and if the required charging time exceeds the length of the discount rate time zone, the scheduled charging end time T8 is set later, i.e., closer to or coinciding with the desired charging end time T2. This shortens the time that the storage battery 231 is left undischarged after charging is completed, thereby reducing the cost of charging, reducing the burden on the storage battery 231, and enabling efficient charging that suppresses deterioration of the storage battery 231.

[0042] [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.

[0043] <Configuration of Charging System> As shown in FIG. 1 , the charging system 100 according to this embodiment includes a power switching module 200 that switches an electric circuit PL that charges a storage battery 231 of an EV 230 connected via an EV charging outlet 220 with power supplied from an AC power source 210, and a charging management system 300. For example, a person who wishes to charge the EV 230 via the EV charging outlet 220 operates a terminal 270 such as a smartphone to connect to the charging management system 300 via a network NT2 and make 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. The charging management system 300 corresponds to the charging plan generation device and the charging management device of the present invention. The AC power source 210 corresponds to the AC power source of the present invention. The EV 230 corresponds to the electric vehicle of the present invention. The power switching module 200 corresponds to the power switching module of the present invention. The charging system 100 corresponds to the charging system of the present invention.

[0044] 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.

[0045] The power switching module 200 is housed as a module in the housing of a pole or box that is the charging equipment 260 on which the EV charging outlet 220 is provided, for example.

[0046] The power switching module 200 mainly includes a relay 21, a power measurement unit 22, a communication unit 23, a control unit 24, and a memory unit 25. The relay 21 opens and closes an electric circuit PL connected to the EV 230 via the AC power source 210 and the EV charging outlet 220. The relay 21 corresponds to the power switching unit of the present invention. The power measurement unit 22 measures the power or amount of power supplied to the EV 230 through the electric circuit PL. The power measurement unit 22 measures the current value and voltage value of the power supplied through the electric circuit PL to calculate the power or amount of power. Therefore, the power measurement unit 22 also has the function of a current measurement unit and / or a voltage measurement unit. The power measurement unit 22 corresponds to the power measurement unit of the present invention.

[0047] 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 the 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 corresponds to the control unit of the present invention. The memory unit 25 is a storage device such as an EPROM (erasable programmable ROM) and stores programs, data for executing the programs, tables, and the like.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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 plan generation unit 310a, a command generation unit 310b, and a notification generation unit 310c. The plan generation unit 310a, the command generation unit 310b, and the notification generation unit 310c are functional units realized by the processor executing predetermined programs. The plan generation unit 310a corresponds to the charging plan generation unit of the present invention. The command generation unit 310b corresponds to the command generation unit of the present invention.

[0050] The storage unit 32 is a storage device such as an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or removable media.

[0051] 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.

[0052] <Charging Management Method> An outline of the charging management method in the charging system 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 shows, in the charging management method, the processes in the power switching module 200, the terminal 270, and the charging management system 300, and the exchange of information between them.

[0053] First, a user intending to charge the storage battery 231 mounted on the EV 230 using the charging facility 260 operates the terminal 270 to log in to the charging service and input a charging schedule and a charging mode (step S11). The charging schedule input by the user includes a desired charging start time and a desired charging completion time. The charging mode includes, for example, a time-priority mode and a price-priority mode. The time-priority mode is a mode in which charging is performed in a manner that completes charging as quickly as possible, and charging is performed according to a charging plan that starts charging at the scheduled charging start time or immediately after the EV 230 is connected to the charging facility 260. The price-priority mode is a mode in which, for example, when time-period rates are set for power supplied from the AC power source 210, charging is performed by selecting a time period in which the fee for using the charging service is lower, at least in terms of the electricity rate. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 , it is assumed that the user's registration for the charging service and the authentication procedure for determining whether the user is eligible to use the charging service, which are performed between the terminal 270 and the charging management system 300 prior to the provision of the charging service, are completed, and therefore further description is omitted.

[0054] The charging schedule and the charging mode input by the user are transmitted to the charging management system 300 via the network NT2. In the charging management system 300, the control unit 31 stores the charging schedule and the charging mode received via the communication unit 33 in the storage unit 32 as a user plan 320a.

[0055] In the charging management system 300, the plan generating unit 310a generates a charging plan based on the user plan 320a (step S21). The generation of the charging plan will be described later. The charging plan generated by the plan generating unit 310a is stored in the storage unit 32 as a charging plan 320d. This charging plan 320d includes a scheduled charging start time and a scheduled charging end time. The contents of the generated charging plan 320d may be transmitted to the terminal 270 via the network NT2 so that the user can check it on a display or the like.

[0056] The control unit 31 of the charge management system 300 reads the charging plan 320d, compares the scheduled charging start time with the current time, and determines whether the scheduled charging start time has arrived (step S22). When the scheduled charging start time has arrived (YES in step S22), the command generation unit 310b generates a charging start command (step S23). The charging start command generated by the command generation unit 310b is transmitted from the charge management system 300 to the power switching module 200 via the communication unit 33 and the network NT1.

[0057] In power switching module 200, which has received the charging start command via communication unit 23, control unit 24 turns on relay 21 based on the charging start command (step S31). When relay 21 is turned on, it closes electrical path PL to which EV 230, which the user wishes to charge, is connected via EV charging outlet 220, and charging of storage battery 231 mounted on EV 230 with power supplied from AC power supply 210 begins.

[0058] The power measurement unit 22 of the power switching module 200 measures the charging current value, i.e., the value of the current charged to the storage battery 231 of the EV 230 through the electrical path PL (step S32). The charging current value may be obtained from the EV 230. The measured charging current value is transmitted from the communication unit 23 to the charge management system 300 via the network NT1.

[0059] The control unit 31 of the charge management system 300 monitors the charging current (step S24) and determines whether the charging current value is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold (step S25). The charging current value, which is almost constant after the start of charging, decreases as the remaining battery capacity increases as charging progresses. Therefore, the control unit 31 determines the charging state based on whether the charging current value is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold.

[0060] If the charging current is not equal to or less than the threshold in step S25, the process returns to step S24 to continue monitoring the charging current. If the charging current is equal to or less than the threshold in step S25, the control unit 31 determines that charging has ended, and the command generation unit 310b generates a charging end command (step S26).

[0061] The charge termination command generated by command generation unit 310b is transmitted from communication unit 33 via network NT1 to power switching module 200. Control unit 24 of power switching module 200 turns off relay 21 based on the received charge termination command. By turning off relay 21, electrical path PL is interrupted, power supply from AC power supply 210 to EV 230 is stopped, and charging of storage battery 231 mounted on EV 230 is terminated.

[0062] When the charge management system 300 transmits the charge end command to the power switching module 200, the notification generating unit 310c generates a charge end notification indicating that charging has ended (step S27). The generated charge end notification is transmitted from the communication unit 33 to the terminal 270 via the network NT2.

[0063] Upon receiving the charging completion notification from the charge management system 300, the terminal 270 notifies the user that the reserved charging of the EV 230 has been completed by, for example, displaying a message or an icon indicating that charging has been completed on the display (step S12). The method of notifying the user that charging has been completed is not limited to this.

[0064] The charging management system 300 may perform billing processing according to the amount of power used for charging for the provision of the charging service, based on the information on the power or amount of power transmitted from the power measurement unit 22 .

[0065] <Charging plan generating method> Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing details of the charging plan generating method (step S21) in the flowchart of Fig. 2. The charging plan generating method described with reference to Fig. 3 is processing executed by the plan generating unit 310a of the control unit 31 of the charging management system 300 when the user inputs the price priority mode in step S11.

[0066] First, the plan generator 310a acquires the user plan 320a from the storage unit 32 (step S1).

[0067] Next, the plan generator 310a acquires the user's storage battery information 320b from the storage unit 32 (step S2). The storage battery information 320b includes characteristic information such as rated power of the storage battery 231 installed in the EV 230 to be charged. The storage battery information 320b may also include charge state information such as SOC (State of Charge). Here, vehicle model information of the EV 230 is registered in association with the user's identification information in a user registration DB (database) in which user attribute information and the like are registered. In addition, a vehicle-specific characteristic information table in which characteristic information of the installed storage battery 231 is registered in association with the vehicle model is stored in the storage unit 32. Then, using vehicle model information associated with the user who reserved charging as a key, the characteristic information of the EV 230 is acquired from the vehicle-specific characteristic information table, and the characteristic information is stored in the storage unit 32 as storage battery information 320b. Since a particular user may charge multiple types of EVs 230, the user may be allowed to input vehicle model information of the EVs 230 to be charged when inputting a charging schedule, or may be allowed to select the vehicle model of the EVs 230 to be charged from multiple vehicle model names registered in association with the user. The control unit 31 acquires the charging state information from the EVs 230 connected to the charging facility 260 via the power switching module 200 and stores it as storage battery information 320b in the storage unit 32. Similarly, the control unit 31 may acquire vehicle model information or characteristic information from the EVs 230 connected to the charging facility 260 via the power switching module 200. The generation of a charging plan using such pre-registered user attribute information may be offered as a benefit to registered users.

[0068] Next, the plan generator 310a calculates a required charging time, which is the time required to charge the storage battery 231 mounted on the EV 230, from the storage battery information 320b of the storage battery 231 mounted on the EV 230 and the rated output of the AC power supply 210 stored in the memory unit 32 (step S3). The method for calculating the required charging time is not particularly limited and any appropriate method can be adopted, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0069] Next, the plan generation unit 310a acquires the electricity rate data 320c from the storage unit 32 (step S4). The electricity rate data 320c is data that associates a time period with the electricity rate for that time period when different electricity rates (time-of-day electricity rates) are set depending on the time period. This electricity rate data 320c is acquired in advance by the control unit 31 from the website of an electric utility company or the like via a network, or is input by a person in charge and stored in the storage unit 32. When such time-of-day electricity rates are set or changed as needed, it is desirable for the control unit 31 to update the electricity rate data 320c as needed.

[0070] The processing from step S5 onward in Fig. 3 will be described below with reference to the time charts shown in Fig. 4(A) to (E). The time shown on the horizontal axis in Fig. 4(A) to (E) is common to each of the time charts in Fig. 4(A) to (E).

[0071] 4A shows the desired charging start time T1 and the desired charging end time T2 input by the user, which are included in the user plan 320a. When charging of the storage battery 231 installed in the EV 230 is performed according to the user plan 320a, the relay 21, which was off, is turned on at the desired charging start time T1, remains on until the desired charging end time T2, and is turned off at the desired charging end time T2. The on / off of the relay 21 shown here is an example, and the user may recognize that the desired charging start time is a time after which charging can be started, and that the desired charging end time is a time by which charging can be completed in order to leave the parking lot. Therefore, this does not mean that the user actually desires charging power to be supplied according to such a schedule.

[0072] FIG. 4(B) shows the time-of-day electricity rates included in the electricity rate data 320c along the time axis. In this example, the period before time T3 and after time T4 is the normal rate time period, and the period from time T3 to time T4 is the discount rate time period. The electricity rate (discount rate) during the discount rate time period is set lower than the electricity rate (normal rate) during the normal rate time period. Time T3 and time T4 are, for example, predetermined times of the day, but are not limited to this and may be times that vary depending on the amount of power consumed, the amount of power generated, etc. Furthermore, the discount rate for the discount rate relative to the normal rate may be fixed or may vary depending on appropriate conditions. In the example shown in FIG. 4(B), the discount rate time period corresponds to the cheapest time period in the present invention. The above-mentioned time-of-day electricity rates correspond to the time-of-day rates in the present invention.

[0073] Continuing the description by returning to Fig. 3, in step S5, the plan generator 310a determines whether charging for the required charging time will be completed within the discount rate time zone, based on the required charging time calculated in step S3 and the electricity rate data 320c acquired in step S4 (step S5).

[0074] If it is determined in step S5 that charging based on the required charging time will be completed within the discount rate time slot, the plan generator 310a generates a charging plan based on the required charging time (step S6). The generated charging plan is stored in the storage unit 32 as charging plan 320d. The time chart shown in FIG. 4C illustrates an example of a charging plan in which charging based on the calculated required charging time will be completed within the discount rate time slot. In the charging plan 320d generated in this manner, the relay 21, which was off, is turned on when the scheduled charging start time T5 arrives, and the relay 21, which is on, is turned off when the scheduled charging end time T6 arrives. The scheduled charging time from the scheduled charging start time T5 to the scheduled charging end time T6 is equal to the required charging time and is included in the discount rate time slot. In this case, the required charging time T6-T5 and the length of the discount rate time slot T4-T3 satisfy the relationship T6-T5≦T4-T3. For the sake of explanation, the scheduled charging end time T6 is set to be before the end T4 of the discount rate time slot. However, the scheduled charging start time T5 and the scheduled charging end time T6 may be shifted later so that the scheduled charging end time T6 coincides with the end T4 of the discount rate time slot. By setting the scheduled charging end time T6 later, i.e., closer to the desired charging end time, the time during which the storage battery 231 is not discharged after charging is completed is shortened, thereby reducing the burden on the storage battery 231 and suppressing deterioration of the storage battery 231. Here, the charging plan 320d shown in FIG. 4(C) is referred to as a first pattern.

[0075] Next, if it is determined in step S5 that the required charging time exceeds the length of the discount rate time slot and charging will not be completed within the discount rate time slot, the plan generating unit 310a extends the scheduled charging completion time to the time slot after the discount rate time slot, i.e., to the normal rate time slot after time T4 (step S7).Then, based on this extension of the scheduled charging time, the plan generating unit 310a determines whether charging is scheduled to be completed by the desired charging completion time T2 (step S8).

[0076] If it is determined in step S8 that charging is scheduled to be completed by the desired charging completion time T2, the plan generator 310a generates a charging plan in which the scheduled charging time is extended beyond the end time T4 of the discount rate time slot (step S6). The generated charging plan is stored in the storage unit 32 as the charging plan 320d. The time chart shown in FIG. 4(D) illustrates an example of a charging plan in which the scheduled charging time is extended beyond the end time T4 of the discount rate time slot when charging based on the calculated required charging time will not be completed within the discount rate time slot. In this case, the required charging time T8-T7 and the length of the discount rate time slot T4-T3 have the relationship T4-T3≦T8-T7. However, the scheduled charging completion time T8 and the desired charging completion time T2 have the relationship T8≦T2. Here, if charging due to the required charging time does not end within the discount rate time zone, the plan generation unit 310a sets the scheduled charging time so that the scheduled charging start time T7 coincides with the start time T3 of the discount rate time zone, and sets the scheduled charging end time T8 within the normal rate time zone after the end time T4 of the discount rate time zone. The charging plan 320d generated in this manner is scheduled to turn on the relay 21 that was off when the scheduled charging start time T7 arrives, and to turn off the relay 21 that was on when the scheduled charging end time T8 arrives. That is, the scheduled charging time from the scheduled charging start time T7 to the scheduled charging end time T8 is equal to the required charging time, includes the discount rate time zone, and is extended to the normal rate time zone after the discount rate time zone, and ends before the desired charging end time T2. Here, the charging plan 320d shown in FIG. 4(D) is referred to as a second pattern.

[0077] If it is determined in step S8 that charging is not scheduled to end until the desired charging end time T2, the plan generator 310a generates a charging plan in which the scheduled charging time is further extended to a time before the start time T3 of the discount rate time slot (step S6). The generated charging plan is stored in the storage unit 32 as the charging plan 320d. The time chart shown in FIG. 4(E) illustrates an example of a charging plan in which the scheduled charging time is extended to a time before the start time T3 of the discount rate time slot when charging based on the calculated required charging time does not end within the discount rate time slot and does not end by the desired charging end time T2. In this case, the required charging time T10-T9 and the length of the discount rate time slot T4-T3 satisfy the relationship T4-T3≦T10-T9. However, the scheduled charging end time T10 and the desired charging end time T2 satisfy the relationship T10=T2. Here, if charging based on the required charging time does not end within the discount rate time slot and does not end by the desired charging end time, the plan generation unit 310a sets the scheduled charging end time T8 to coincide with the desired charging end time T2 and sets the scheduled charging start time T9 to fall within the normal rate time slot that occurs before the start time T3 of the discount rate time slot. The charging plan 320d generated in this manner is scheduled to turn on the relay 21 that was off when the scheduled charging start time T9 arrives and turn off the relay 21 that was on when the scheduled charging end time T10 arrives. That is, the scheduled charging time from the scheduled charging start time T9 to the scheduled charging end time T10 is equal to the required charging time, includes the discount rate time slot, and is extended to the desired charging end time T2 that is included in the normal rate time slot after the discount rate time slot, as well as to the normal time slot that occurs before the discount rate time slot. Here, the charging plan 320d shown in FIG. 4(E) is referred to as a third pattern.

[0078] In this way, when generating a charging plan, as the required charging time becomes longer, first, the discount rate time zone is utilized, and if the required charging time exceeds the length of the discount rate time zone, the scheduled charging end time T8 is set later, i.e., closer to or coinciding with the desired charging end time T2. This shortens the time that the storage battery 231 is left undischarged after charging is completed, thereby reducing the cost of charging, reducing the burden on the storage battery 231, and enabling efficient charging that suppresses deterioration of the storage battery 231.

[0079] [Modification] In the first embodiment described above, when time-of-day electricity rates are set, a charging plan utilizing discount time periods is generated. When utilizing such discount time periods, a charging plan can also be created based on charging characteristic information related to charging characteristics included in the user's storage battery information 320b acquired in step S2. An example will be described in which the storage battery 231 has charging characteristics including a CC (constant current) charging method, such as a CCCV (constant current constant voltage) charging method. The plan generator 310a, having acquired the storage battery information 320b including such charging characteristic information, generates a charging plan so that the charging time using the CC charging method includes at least the discount rate time period. While it is desirable for the charging time using the CC charging method to fall within the discount rate time period, if it exceeds the discount rate time period, the charging plan is generated as described above according to the required charging time. The charging plan 320d according to this modification can be applied to any of the first, second, and third patterns described above. The modification described here can be applied not only to the above-described charging management system 300 but also to the power switching module 200 according to the second embodiment described below.

[0080] Because a large charging current flows in the CC charging method, the cost of charging can be reduced by generating a charging plan that extends the overlap between the charging time using the CC charging method and the discount rate time period. Furthermore, generating a charging plan based on the charging characteristics in this way reduces the cost of charging, reduces the burden on the storage battery 231, and enables efficient charging that suppresses deterioration of the storage battery 231.

[0081] 5 shows a schematic configuration of a charging system 400 according to Example 2. In the charging system 100 according to Example 1, the charging management system 300 includes a plan generator 310a, a command generator 310b, and a notification generator 310c, and the storage unit 32 stores a user plan 320a, storage battery information 320b, electricity rate data 320c, and a charging plan 320d. In the charging system 400 according to Example 2, the control unit 24 of the power switching module 200 includes a plan generator 240a, a command generator 240b, and a notification generator 240c, and the storage unit 25 stores a user plan 250a, storage battery information 250b, electricity rate data 250c, and a charging plan 250d.

[0082] The function of the plan generation unit 240a is similar to that of the plan generation unit 310a according to the first embodiment, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted. The plan generation unit 240a corresponds to the charging plan generation unit of the present invention. The command generation unit 240b generates an opening / closing command to open / close the relay 21. The notification generation unit 240c generates a notification for the user, similar to the notification generation unit 310c according to the first embodiment. The notification generated by the notification generation unit 240c is transmitted from the communication unit 23 to the charging management system 300 via the network NT1, and is then transmitted from the charging management system 300 to the terminal 270 via the network NT2.

[0083] The user plan 250a, the battery information 250b including characteristic information, and the electricity rate data 250c stored in the memory unit 25 are information that the charging management system 300 obtains from the terminal 270 or the electric utility's website, and the control unit 24 obtains this information from the charging management system 300 via the network NT1 and stores it in the memory unit 25.

[0084] <Charge Management Method> An outline of the charge management method in the charge system 400 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 6 shows the processes in the power switching module 200, the terminal 270, and the charge management system 300, and the exchange of information between them, in the charge management method according to the second embodiment. The processes in the terminal 270 are the same as those in the charge management method according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2, and therefore the same reference numerals will be used and a description thereof will be omitted.

[0085] In the charging system 400 according to the second embodiment, the power switching module 200 performs the functions that were performed by the charging management system 300 in the charging system 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0086] 6, the processes in steps S41, S42, S44, S45, and S47 are similar to those in steps S21, S22, S24, S25, and S27 in Fig. 2, respectively, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted. However, the charging current monitoring in step S44 can be performed by directly acquiring and monitoring the charging current value measured by the power measuring unit 22.

[0087] The charge start instruction in step S43 in Fig. 6 is issued by the control unit 24 because the control unit 24 directly controls the relay 21, and therefore the control unit 24 starts charging, i.e., turns on the relay 21. The charge end instruction in step S46 in Fig. 6 is issued by the control unit 24 because the control unit 24 directly controls the relay 21, and therefore the control unit 24 ends charging, i.e., turns off the relay 21.

[0088] In receiving and transmitting a charging schedule (step S51), the charging management system 300 transmits the charging schedule received from the terminal 270 to the power switching module 200. In receiving and transmitting a charging end notification (step S52), the charging management system 300 transmits the charging end notification received from the power switching module 200 to the terminal 270.

[0089] As described above, the charge management method shown in FIG. 6 is a method in which the functions of the charge management system 300 in the charge management method shown in FIG. 2 are shared with the power switching module 200, and the processing content is substantially the same as that of the charge management method according to Example 1 shown in FIG. 2.

[0090] The content of the charging plan generation method in the charging plan generation (step S41) in FIG. 6 is similar to the charging plan generation method described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0091] Furthermore, in the charging management method, the functional division between the charging management system 300 and the power switching module 200 is not limited to that shown in Examples 1 and 2, and functional division in different forms, such as combining these, is also possible.

[0092] [Modification] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a charge management method according to a modification of the second embodiment. Processes similar to those in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The charge management method shown in FIG. 7 is executed in the charge system 400 shown in FIG. 5. Here, the charge management system 300 also monitors the charge current measured in the power switching module 200 for purposes such as billing for the charging service. When the charge management system 300 monitors the charge current based on a user plan and determines whether or not there is an abnormality, if the scheduled charging start time based on the charging plan generated in the power switching module 200 is set to a time later than the desired charging start time input by the user, the charge management system 300 may erroneously determine that there is no charge current flowing between the desired charging start time and the scheduled charging start time, even though there is actually no charge current flowing because charging according to the charging plan has not started.

[0093] Therefore, when a charging plan in which the scheduled charging start time is set to a time later than the desired charging start time is generated in step S41, the notification generation unit 240c of the control unit 24 of the power switching module 200 generates a charging reservation in progress notification (step S48). Then, this charging reservation in progress notification is transmitted from the communication unit 23 to the charging management system 300 via the network NT1. Upon receiving this charging reservation in progress notification, the charging management system 300 sets a charging reservation in progress flag.

[0094] As shown in Fig. 7 , the charging current value measured by the power switching module 200 (step S44) is received, and the charging management system 300 monitors the charging current (step S54). This monitoring of the charging current is repeated at appropriate times. Then, it is determined whether or not there is an abnormality in the charging current (step S55). At this time, the control unit 31 of the charging management system 300 checks the charging reservation in progress flag, and if the charging reservation in progress flag is set, it determines that there is no abnormality even if the charging current is not measured.

[0095] If the control unit 31 determines in step S55 that there is no abnormality in the charging current, the process proceeds to step S52. If the control unit 31 determines in step S55 that there is an abnormality in the charging current, the control unit 31 generates a charging abnormality notification (step S56) and transmits it to the terminal 270 via the network NT2. The terminal 270 that receives the charging abnormality notification displays a message or the like indicating the charging abnormality on its display to notify the user of this. If the control unit 31 determines in step S55 that there is an abnormality in the charging current, the control unit 31 may transmit a command to the power switching module 200 to turn off the relay 21.

[0096] The power switching module 200 may determine whether the charging current is abnormal, and similar processing may be performed when an abnormality occurs.

[0097] Furthermore, in the power switching module 200, a minute current may be passed through the electric circuit PL between the desired charging start time and the scheduled charging start time, or a predetermined value may be added to the measured charging current value, thereby avoiding erroneous determination in the charge management system 300. The minute current or the value to be added may be such that the data acquired as the charging current value exceeds a threshold value used by the charge management system 300 to determine whether an abnormality has occurred.

[0098] In addition, the following describes the constituent features of the present invention with the reference numerals in the drawings to enable comparison between the constituent features of the present invention and the configurations of the embodiments. <Supplementary Note 1> A charging plan generation device (100, 200, 300, 400) that generates a charging plan for charging a storage battery (231) mounted on an electric vehicle (230) using electricity for which rates are set for different time periods, wherein, when a required charging time required to charge the storage battery (231) to a predetermined charged state does not exceed a length of a cheapest time period in which the rate is lowest between a desired charging start time at which a user desires to start charging the storage battery (231) and a desired charging end time at which the user desires to end the charging, the charging plan is generated such that a planned charging time for charging in the charging plan is included in the cheapest time period, and when the required charging time exceeds a length of the cheapest time period, the charging plan is generated such that the planned charging time includes the cheapest time period and is completed by the desired charging end time. <Supplementary Note 2> The charging plan creation device (100, 200, 300, 400) according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein, when the required charging time exceeds the length of the cheapest time slot and the scheduled charging time is extended to include the cheapest time slot and the desired charging end time, even if the scheduled charging time is shorter than the required charging time, the charging plan is created by extending the scheduled charging time to a time before the cheapest time slot. <Supplementary Note 3> The charging plan creation device (100, 200, 300, 400) according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, wherein the charging plan is created based on charging characteristics of the storage battery (231).<Supplementary Note 4> An electric power switching module (200) including: an electric power switching unit (21) that switches on and off an electric line (PL) connecting an AC power source (210) that supplies electric power for which a time-of-day rate is set and an electric vehicle (230); an electric power measurement unit (22) that measures an amount of electric power supplied to the electric vehicle (231) through the electric line (PL); a communication unit (23); and a control unit (24) including a charging plan generation unit (240a) that generates a charging plan for charging a storage battery (231) mounted on the electric vehicle (230) using the electric power, wherein the charging plan generation unit (240a) the power switching module (200) is characterized in that, when a required charging time required to charge the storage battery (231) to a predetermined charged state does not exceed a length of a cheapest time slot in which the price is lowest between a desired charging start time at which a user wishes to start charging the storage battery (231) and a desired charging end time at which the user wishes to end the charging, the power switching module (200) generates the charging plan in which a scheduled charging time for charging in the charging plan is included in the cheapest time slot, and when the required charging time exceeds the length of the cheapest time slot, the power switching module (200) generates the charging plan in which the scheduled charging time includes the cheapest time slot and is completed by the desired charging end time. <Supplementary Note 5> The power switching module (200) according to Supplementary Note 4 is characterized in that, when the required charging time exceeds the length of the cheapest time slot and the scheduled charging time includes the cheapest time slot and is shorter than the required charging time even if the scheduled charging time is extended to include the cheapest time slot and to the desired charging end time, the power switching module (200) generates the charging plan in which the scheduled charging time for charging in the charging plan is included in the cheapest time slot <Supplementary Note 6> The power switching module (200) according to Supplementary Note 4 or 5, wherein the charging plan generation unit (240a) generates the charging plan based on charging characteristics of the storage battery (231).<Supplementary Note 7> A charging system (100) including a power switching module (200) including: a power switching unit (21) that opens and closes an electric line (PL) connecting an AC power source (210) that supplies power for which a time-of-day rate is set and an electric vehicle (230); a power measurement unit (22) that measures an amount of power supplied to the electric vehicle (230) through the electric line (PL); a communication unit (23); and a control unit (24); a charging plan generation unit (310a) that is communicably connected to the power switching module via a network and that generates a charging plan for charging a storage battery (231) mounted on the electric vehicle (230) using the power; and a command generation unit (310b) that generates an opening and closing command that instructs the power switching unit to open and close the electric line, based on the charging plan; The charging system (100) is characterized in that, if the charging time required to charge the storage battery (231) to a predetermined charge state does not exceed the length of the cheapest time slot in which the price is lowest between the desired charging start time when the user wishes to start charging the storage battery (231) and the desired charging end time when the user wishes to end the charging, the charging system generates a charging plan in which the planned charging time for charging in the charging plan is included in the cheapest time slot, and if the required charging time exceeds the length of the cheapest time slot, the charging system generates a charging plan in which the planned charging time includes the cheapest time slot and is completed by the desired charging end time, and the control unit (24) of the power switching module (200) controls the power switching unit (21) based on the switching command. <Supplementary Note 8> The charging system (100) according to Supplementary Note 7, wherein the charging plan generation unit (310a) generates the charging plan in which the scheduled charging time is extended to a time preceding the cheapest time slot, when the required charging time exceeds a length of the cheapest time slot and the scheduled charging time is shorter than the required charging time even if it includes the cheapest time slot and is extended to the desired charging end time. <Supplementary Note 9> The charging system (100) according to Supplementary Note 7 or 8, wherein the charging plan generation unit (310a) generates the charging plan based on charging characteristics of the storage battery (231).

[0099] 21: Relay 200: Power switching module 230: Electric vehicle

Claims

1. A charging plan generation device that generates a charging plan for charging a storage battery mounted on an electric moving body using power with a time-zone-based charge rate, wherein when the charging time required to charge the storage battery to a predetermined state of charge does not exceed the length of the cheapest time zone where the charge rate is the lowest between the desired charging start time when the user desires to start charging the storage battery and the desired charging end time when the user desires to end the charging, the charging plan generation device generates a charging plan in which the planned charging time for charging in the charging plan is included in the cheapest time zone; and when the charging time required exceeds the length of the cheapest time zone, the charging plan generation device generates a charging plan in which the planned charging time includes the cheapest time zone and ends by the desired charging end time.

2. The charging plan generation device according to claim 1, wherein when the charging time required exceeds the length of the cheapest time zone and even if the planned charging time is extended to include the cheapest time zone and up to the desired charging end time, the planned charging time is shorter than the charging time required, the charging plan generation device generates a charging plan in which the planned charging time is extended to before the time preceding the cheapest time zone.

3. The charging plan generation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the charging plan is generated based on the charging characteristics of the storage battery.

4. A power switch module including: a power switch unit that opens and closes a circuit connecting an AC power supply that supplies power with a time-zone-based charge rate and an electric moving body; a power measurement unit that measures the amount of power supplied to the electric moving body through the circuit; a communication unit; and a control unit including a charging plan generation unit that generates a charging plan for charging a storage battery mounted on the electric moving body using the power, wherein the charging plan generation unit generates a charging plan in which the planned charging time for charging in the charging plan is included in the cheapest time zone when the charging time required to charge the storage battery to a predetermined state of charge does not exceed the length of the cheapest time zone where the charge rate is the lowest between the desired charging start time when the user desires to start charging the storage battery and the desired charging end time when the user desires to end the charging; and when the charging time required exceeds the length of the cheapest time zone, the charging plan generation unit generates a charging plan in which the planned charging time includes the cheapest time zone and ends by the desired charging end time.

5. The charging plan generation unit generates a charging plan in which, when the required charging time exceeds the length of the cheapest time period and even if the planned charging time is extended to include the cheapest time period and up to the desired charging end time, the planned charging time is shorter than the required charging time, the planned charging time is extended to a time before the cheapest time period. The power switch module according to claim 4, characterized in that.

6. The charging plan generation unit generates the charging plan based on the charging characteristics of the storage battery. The power switch module according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that.

7. A charging system including a power switch module including a power switch unit that opens and closes a circuit connecting an AC power supply that supplies power with a set charge rate for each time period and an electric moving body, a power measurement unit that measures the amount of power supplied to the electric moving body through the circuit, a communication unit, and a control unit, and a charging plan generation unit that is communicably connected to the power switch module via a network and generates a charging plan for charging a storage battery mounted on the electric moving body using the power, and a command generation unit that generates an opening / closing command for instructing the opening and closing of the circuit by the power switch unit based on the charging plan. The charging plan generation unit generates a charging plan in which the planned charging time for charging in the charging plan is included in the cheapest time period when the required charging time for charging the storage battery to a predetermined state of charge does not exceed the length of the cheapest time period during which the charge rate is the lowest between the desired charging start time when the user desires to start charging the storage battery and the desired charging end time when the user desires to end the charging. When the required charging time exceeds the length of the cheapest time period, the charging plan generation unit generates a charging plan in which the planned charging time includes the cheapest time period and ends by the desired charging end time. The control unit of the power switch module controls the power switch unit based on the opening / closing command. The charging system is characterized in that.

8. The charging plan generation unit generates the charging plan by extending the charging scheduled time to before the time preceding the cheapest time zone when the charging required time exceeds the length of the cheapest time zone and the charging scheduled time is shorter than the charging required time even if the charging scheduled time is extended to include the cheapest time zone and up to the desired charging end time. The charging system according to claim 7, characterized in that.

9. The charging system according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the charging plan generation unit generates the charging plan based on the charging characteristics of the storage battery.

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