JP2009038872A - Charging apparatus for electric car - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that it is required to unlock a door so as to authorize disconnection between an external power source and a charging port by the owner of a vehicle, and that an alarm is given when the state change of a charging apparatus is detected without discriminating whether the operation is made by the owner of the vehicle or a third party. <P>SOLUTION: This charging apparatus for electric car comprises: a charging port 16 for receiving charging power; a battery 14, which is charged with the power; a connection state detecting means 48, which detects the connection state between the charging port 16 and an external power source 28, in an electric car 10, using a motor 12 driven by the power of the battery 14; and an abnormal operation detecting means 49, which detects abnormal operation when the connection state detecting means 48 detects change of connection state, when the radio communication between a vehicle key 26 and a communication means is disabled. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a charging device for an electric vehicle that is charged from external power.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an electric vehicle with a low environmental load that uses a combination of a battery and an electric motor as a power source has attracted attention. In addition, when the load is low on a flat road or when the battery charge is large, only the motor travels (hereinafter referred to as EV travel). When the load is high such as on a slope or when the battery charge is low, the engine and motor are used together. Hybrid cars that are driven by are attracting attention.

  In recent years, in order to further protect the global environment, there has been a demand for a hybrid vehicle in which a battery is charged with electric power from a power source outside the vehicle such as a commercial power source. In such a hybrid vehicle, in order to effectively use relatively inexpensive nighttime power, a state in which the vehicle and the external power source are connected by a cable for a long time may continue for a long time. Moreover, since the capacity of the battery is set large in order to ensure a long EV travel, the charging time may be long depending on the power supply capability of the power source. As a result, the owner of the vehicle is likely to leave the vehicle during the period in which the vehicle and the external power source are connected.

  It is also assumed that the connection between the external power supply and the vehicle charging port is disconnected due to a third party mischief. In this case, there is a problem that the amount of charge of the battery is insufficient and the distance in which EV travel is possible is shortened. Therefore, a technique related to a charging device for an electric vehicle has been proposed in order to prevent the above-mentioned fraudulent acts by a third party during charging of the electric vehicle.

  As a technique related to a conventional charging device for an electric vehicle, Patent Document 1 discloses a charging connector that connects an external power source and a charging port of a vehicle when security for preventing theft of the vehicle by operating a door lock is activated. A configuration is shown that issues an alarm when it is triggered. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-228561 discloses a configuration that issues an alarm signal when a charging connector detects contact during charging of a vehicle whose door is locked. Patent Document 3 shows a configuration in which a charging state of a vehicle is monitored indoors, and an abnormality during charging is reported by an alarm means of an indoor controller. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151561 discloses a configuration for notifying a person in a remote place of an abnormality when a vehicle battery is removed or a battery power line is disconnected.

JP-A-10-178701 JP 09-107605 A JP 09-233720 A JP 2003-31395 A

  In the prior art, the operation of unlocking the door is necessary in order to regard the release of the connection between the external power supply and the charging port by the vehicle owner as a normal operation, or the operation by the vehicle owner and a third party There is a problem such as issuing an alarm when a change in the state of the charging device is detected without distinguishing between the two.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a charging device for an electric vehicle capable of detecting a connection state between an external power source and a charging port of a vehicle by distinguishing operations by a vehicle owner and a third party by simple means.

  The present invention relates to a charging port for receiving charging power, a battery charged by the charging power, and an electric vehicle driven by a motor driven by the power of the battery. When the wireless communication between the connection state detection means for detecting the vehicle and the vehicle key and the communication means is impossible, the abnormal operation for detecting the abnormal operation by detecting the change in the connection state by the connection state detection means. An electric vehicle charging device comprising: a detecting means.

  In addition, it is preferable that the transmitter has a transmitter and a receiver that are controlled by the communication means, and the transmitter is arranged so as to be capable of wireless communication within a predetermined distance from the charging port.

  The fuel tank further includes an internal combustion engine, a fuel tank for storing fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine, and a fuel filler port for supplying the fuel tank fuel, and the charging port is provided on one surface of the vehicle. Preferably, the fuel filler port is provided on the other surface of the vehicle and does not include the fuel filler port within the predetermined distance.

  The connection state detecting means is preferably means for detecting that the connection between the charging port and the external power source is released.

  In addition, when the vehicle is at a designated position, it is preferable that a range in which the vehicle key and the communication unit can perform wireless communication is wider than when the vehicle is outside the designated position.

  Further, it is preferable that the communication means is capable of wireless communication limited to the vehicle key and outside the passenger compartment.

  In addition, it is preferable to have reporting means for reporting a change in connection state when an abnormal operation is detected.

  According to the present invention, by distinguishing the state of wireless communication between the vehicle key and the communication control means, it is possible to easily distinguish between the vehicle owner and a third party. Thereby, the operation by a third party can be prevented.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, when the load is low on a flat road or when the amount of charge of the battery is large, only the motor travels (hereinafter referred to as EV travel), and when the load is high such as on a slope or the amount of charge of the battery is small. A description will be given by applying a charging device for a hybrid vehicle that sometimes uses a combination of an engine and a motor. Further, as a communication means for wirelessly communicating with the vehicle key, a smart entry system that controls door lock / unlock based on the result of collating the electronic ID code by wireless communication between the vehicle key and the vehicle is used.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle 10 according to the present embodiment. The vehicle 10 of the present embodiment includes a motor 12 driven by electric power, a battery 14 for supplying electric power to the motor, and a charging port 16 that charges the battery with electric power. In addition, it has an engine 18 that is an internal combustion engine that uses fuel such as gasoline, a fuel tank 20 that stores the fuel of the engine, and a fuel filler port 22 that supplies fuel to the fuel tank. Here, the vehicle 10 has a charging port 16 on one side surface and a fuel filler port 22 on the other side surface. Further, a tire 24 driven by the motor 12 or the engine 18 and a vehicle key 26 for wireless communication with the vehicle 10 are shown.

  The charging port 16 is connected to a commercial power supply 28 of AC 100 volts or AC 200 volts as an external power source via a charging connector 30. The connection state detection means 48 that detects the connection state between the charging port 16 and the external power supply 28 will be described later. A gasoline supply device 32 at a gas station is connected to the fuel filler port 22 via a fuel hose 34.

  The system of this embodiment using a smart entry system that controls the locking / unlocking of the door, etc. based on the collation result of the electronic ID code by wireless communication between the vehicle key 26 and the vehicle 10 with reference to FIG. The configuration will be described. This system includes a vehicle key 26, a communication control unit 40 mounted on the vehicle 10, a transmission unit 42 and a reception unit 44 controlled by the communication control unit. The communication control unit 40, the transmission unit 42, and the reception unit 44 constitute a communication unit. The communication control unit 40 communicates with the vehicle control means 46 based on the collation result of the electronic ID code by wireless communication between the vehicle key 26 and the vehicle 10 to control the vehicle system. As the control of the vehicle control means 46, for example, the start-up of the power source of the vehicle, the operation of the immobilizer, the locking / unlocking of the vehicle door, the position determination of the vehicle by GPS, and the like are performed.

  The receiving unit 44 in the present embodiment is provided separately from the wireless communication signal receiving unit of the smart entry system that controls locking / unlocking of the door and the like. Thereby, detection of abnormal operation of the charging port 16 and the external power supply 28 and control of locking / unlocking the door can be performed independently while keeping the ID code of the smart entry system in common.

  The communication control unit 40 outputs a request signal to the transmission unit 42 for collating the electronic ID code with the vehicle key 26 and confirming the position of the vehicle key 26 (or the vehicle owner). The transmitting unit 42 transmits a request signal at a predetermined cycle, for example, every 0.3 seconds to the vehicle interior or exterior, and forms a detection area for detecting the vehicle key 26 as shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, the forward direction of the vehicle 10 is indicated by an arrow, and the charging port 16 and the fuel filler port 22 are shown at the rear of the vehicle. When the vehicle interior detection area 60 for detecting the vehicle key 26 in the vehicle interior is formed by the transmitter 42a, the door detection areas 62b, 62c, for detecting the vehicle key 26 at a predetermined distance from the left and right doors and the back door of the vehicle. 62d is formed by the transmitters 42b, 42c and 42d, respectively, and the charging port detection area 64 for detecting the vehicle key 26 within a predetermined distance from the charging port 16 is formed by the transmitter 42e. The transmitters 42b, 42c, and 42d in the door detection area 62 and the transmitter 42e in the charging port detection area 64 are formed at a limited distance of about 0.7 to 1.0 meters from each transmitter 42, for example. By making the detection area of the vehicle key 26 a combination of the vehicle interior detection area 60, the door detection area 62, and the charging port detection area 64, the driver holding the vehicle key 26 is in the vehicle interior, A passenger can start or end charging.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the detection area for detecting the vehicle key 26 is also preferably formed in a range limited to the outside of the passenger compartment of the door detection area 62 and the charging port detection area 64. Thereby, when the owner of the vehicle is working in the passenger compartment, a third party can be prevented from changing the connection state between the charging port 16 and the external power source 28.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, it is also preferable that the detection area for detecting the vehicle key 26 is formed only by the charging port detection area 64 that can wirelessly communicate within a predetermined distance limited from the charging port 16. As a result, only the owner of the vehicle key in the vicinity of the charging port 16 can change the connection state between the charging port 16 and the external power source 28.

  The charging port detection area capable of wireless communication with the vehicle key within a predetermined distance from the charging port 16 does not include the fuel filler port 22 within the predetermined distance. In this way, when the charging operation and the refueling operation are performed simultaneously by setting a predetermined distance at which wireless communication is possible, after the driver connects the external power supply 28 and the vehicle 10 on one surface of the vehicle, It is conceivable to move and refuel. If the charging port detection area 64 formed in the charging port includes the fuel filler port 22, there is a high possibility that the charging port side will be tampered with during the fueling operation. That is, in the present embodiment in which the charging port 16 is configured on one side surface of the vehicle 10 and the fuel filler port 22 is configured on the other side surface, it is difficult to grasp the situation of the other side surface from one side surface. Therefore, it becomes a problem. This problem can be solved by configuring the charging port detection area 64 not to include the fuel filler port 22.

  It is also preferable that the detection area range in FIGS. 3 to 5 can be arbitrarily set by the vehicle owner according to the charging location.

  If the door detection area 62 and the charging port detection area 64 are parked at a designated position such as a house parking lot, the detection area may be expanded to include the entire house. Is preferred. Whether the vehicle is parked at the designated position is determined by the vehicle position determination by the vehicle control means 46 using GPS. For example, when a home address is specified and charging is performed at the parking lot of the house, the detection area is expanded to a range including the house, so if there is a vehicle key 26 in the house, carry the vehicle key 26 when charging the vehicle. There is no need.

  The vehicle key 26 that has received the request signal transmits an electronic ID code, and the receiving unit 44 receives the ID code. The communication control unit 40 determines and collates the ID code received by the receiving unit 44 and transmits an operation instruction signal to the vehicle control unit 46, the abnormal operation detection unit 49, and the notification unit 50.

  In which detection area the vehicle key 26 is detected is determined by giving a different code signal to the request signal from each transmitter 42. Further, it may be determined by providing a phase difference in the cycle of the request signal from each transmitter 42, or the directivity of the radio wave transmitted from the vehicle key 26 may be determined by the receiver 44.

  As described above, when the vehicle key 26 receives the request signal from the transmitter 42 and the receiver 44 receives the transmission of the electronic ID code from the vehicle key, the vehicle key 26 communicates with the communication control unit 40 wirelessly. Communicate. The action performed on the vehicle in a state in which the vehicle key 26 and the communication control means 40 are communicating wirelessly is regarded as a normal action by the owner of the vehicle and allowed. On the other hand, an act performed in a state where wireless communication is not possible is regarded as an abnormal act by a third party and is not allowed.

  The connection state detection unit 48 will be described. A signal line that emits a different signal depending on the connection state between the external power supply 28 and the charging port 16 is provided between the charging connector 30 and the charging port 16. Based on the signal of this signal line (an arrow from the charging port 16 toward the connection state detection unit 48), the connection state detection unit 48 detects the connection state. Note that the connection state may be detected by providing a contactless switch on the charging connector 30 and the charging port 16. The connection state detection means 48 detects both a change in state of the charging port 16 and the external power supply 28 from non-connection to connection and a change in state from connection to non-connection.

  Since the connection state detection unit 48 detects both the state change from non-connection to connection and the state change from connection to non-connection, the start and end of charging of the power to the battery 14 can be surely limited. Thereby, when charging of the battery 14 is not desired, it is possible to prevent a situation in which charging is started by a third party without permission, or a situation in which charging ends when the charging of the battery 14 is insufficient. In addition, since the vehicle key 26 and the communication control means 40 perform wireless communication at the start and end of charging, the charging start or end time, the amount of charged power, and the power charge are stored in the vehicle key 26 or the vehicle control means 46. It can be memorized. In FIG. 2, the electric power to be charged is indicated by a thick line connecting the external power source 28, the charging port 16, the connection state detection unit 48, and the battery 14.

  The abnormal operation detection means 49, the notification means 50, and the vehicle control means 46 will be described. The abnormal operation detection unit 49 receives information on the presence / absence of wireless communication with the vehicle key 26 from the communication control unit 40 and information on a change in connection state in the connection state detection unit 48. The change in the connection state input to the abnormal operation detection means 49 is determined to be normal when the vehicle key 26 and the communication control means 40 can communicate wirelessly with the change in the connection state between the charging port 16 and the external power supply 28. When communication is impossible, it is determined as abnormal. By this determination, an abnormal operation can be detected. When it is determined that the change in the connection state is abnormal, the abnormal operation information is input to the reporting unit 50, and the reporting unit 50 reports the abnormal operation information to the vehicle control unit 46. Based on the reported information, the vehicle control means 46 issues a warning. As a warning method, a vehicle lamp is blinked or a warning sound is generated. A warning may be given on the external power supply 28 side. It is also preferable to notify the security center and mobile phone registered in advance in the vehicle control means 46.

  Next, the control method of this embodiment is demonstrated using FIG. First, the connection state detection means 48 detects whether there is a change in the connection state (step S100). If no change in the connection state is detected (step S100: NO), it is detected again whether there is a change in the connection state. If a change in the connection state is detected (step S100: YES), it is determined whether the vehicle is at the designated position (step S102).

  In step S102, the position by the GPS in the vehicle control means 46 is determined. Here, when the vehicle is not in the designated position (step S102: NO), a predetermined communication range from the transmission unit 42 becomes a detection area of the vehicle key 26, and the vehicle key 26 and the control unit can perform wireless communication within this range ( Step S104). On the other hand, when the vehicle is at the specified position (step S102: YES), the detection area is expanded compared to when the vehicle is not at the specified position, and the range in which the vehicle key 26 and the control unit can perform wireless communication is expanded (step S106). ).

  It is determined whether wireless communication is possible within the communication range of step S104 or step S106 (step S108). When it is determined that the vehicle key 26 and the communication control means 40 cannot communicate wirelessly (step S108: NO), the change of the connection state in step S100 is determined by the third party action, that is, the abnormal operation detection means 49 determines the abnormal operation. Then, information on the abnormal operation is transmitted to the reporting unit 50 (step S110), and the reporting unit 50 reports the abnormality so as to issue a warning by a preset warning method (step S112). Thereby, the change of the connection state of the charging port 16 and the external power supply 28 by a third party is not permitted. On the other hand, when it is determined that the vehicle key 26 and the communication control means 40 are capable of wireless communication (step S108: YES), an abnormal operation is performed when the state change in step S100 is an action by the vehicle owner, that is, a normal operation. This is determined by the detecting means 49. Thus, the control according to the present embodiment ends.

  In the control method of the present embodiment, after the connection state between the charging port 16 and the external power supply 28 is first determined (step S100), the vehicle key 26 and the communication control means 40 are determined to be communicable (step S108). The order of this determination may be reversed. First, when determining whether or not communication between the vehicle key 26 and the communication control means 40 is possible, if communication is impossible, the change in the connection state between the charging port 16 and the charging connector 30 is physically limited, When communication is possible, it is preferable to release the physical restriction and allow the connection state to change.

  In addition, in said embodiment, it is only a mere illustration of application of this invention, and does not limit this invention.

  In the present embodiment, the smart entry system is used for the vehicle key 26 and the communication control means 40, but other wireless communication means may be used. In addition, when the vehicle is at a designated position, it is also preferable to adopt a configuration that does not issue a warning even when wireless communication is not possible. If the vehicle is in the designated location (such as in the premises of the house), it is considered that the action by the owner of the vehicle is small and it can be assumed that the vehicle can be wirelessly communicated. it can. It is also preferable to provide an abnormal operation detection release switch. For example, when abnormal operation detection is canceled for a certain period of time by a release switch, it can be assumed that wireless communication is possible.

  Moreover, although the structure which provided the charging port in one surface of the hybrid vehicle and provided the fueling port in the other surface was used as a structure of a hybrid vehicle, other structures may be used. For example, a vehicle configuration in which a charging port is provided in front of the vehicle and a fuel filler port is provided on a side surface of the vehicle, a vehicle configuration in which a charging port is provided in the rear of the vehicle, and a fuel filler port is provided in front of the vehicle. is there.

  Although the hybrid vehicle is used in the present embodiment, any vehicle may be used as long as the vehicle has a charging port for charging electric power and the charging port is connected to an external power source. It may be an electric vehicle that does not have an engine as a drive source.

  In the present embodiment, the external power source and the vehicle charging port are connected via the charging connector, but other configurations may be used. For example, a cable extending from an external charger is connected to the vehicle for charging, and the external charger and the vehicle are configured to be communicable. Here, it may be considered that the vehicle is in a designated position that the vehicle has established communication with a specific external charger. For this communication, it is preferable to use communication (PLC: Power Line Communication) via a power line in the cable.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a vehicle, an external power supply, and a fueling device according to an embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a vehicle according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the 1st aspect of the detection area which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the 2nd aspect of the detection area which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the 3rd aspect of the detection area which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart of the charging device which concerns on embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Vehicle, 12 Motor, 14 Battery, 16 Charging port, 18 Engine, 20 Fuel tank, 22 Refueling port, 24 Tire, 26 Vehicle key, 28 External power supply, 30 Charging connector, 32 Refueling device, 34 Refueling hose, 40 Communication control Means, 42 Transmitter, 44 Receiver, 46 Vehicle control means, 48 Connection state detection means, 49 Abnormal operation detection means, 50 Notification means, 60 Car interior detection area, 62 Door detection area, 64 Charging port detection area.

Claims (7)

A charging port to accept charging power,
A battery charged with the charging power;
In an electric vehicle that runs by a motor driven by the power of the battery,
Connection state detection means for detecting a connection state between the charging port and an external power source;
When wireless communication between the vehicle key and the communication unit is impossible, an abnormal operation detection unit that detects an abnormal operation by detecting a change in the connection state by the connection state detection unit;
An electric vehicle charging device comprising: In the electric vehicle charging apparatus according to claim 1,
A transmitter and a receiver controlled by the communication means;
The electric vehicle charging device is arranged such that the transmitter is capable of wireless communication within a predetermined distance from the charging port. The electric vehicle charging device according to claim 2,
Furthermore, it has an internal combustion engine, a fuel tank for storing fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine, and a fuel filler port for supplying the fuel tank fuel,
The charging port is provided on one surface of the vehicle,
The fuel filler port is provided on the other surface of the vehicle,
An electric vehicle charging apparatus that does not include the fuel filler opening within the predetermined distance. In the charging device of the electric vehicle as described in any one of Claims 1-3,
The connection state detection means is a charging device for an electric vehicle, which is means for detecting that the connection between the charging port and the external power source is released. In the electric vehicle charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A charging device for an electric vehicle, wherein when the vehicle is at a designated position, a range in which the vehicle key and the communication means can be wirelessly communicated is wider than when the vehicle is outside the designated position. In the electric vehicle charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The communication means is a charging device for an electric vehicle capable of wireless communication limited to the vehicle key and outside the passenger compartment. In the charging device of the electric vehicle as described in any one of Claims 1-6,
A charging device for an electric vehicle having reporting means for reporting a change in connection state when an abnormal operation is detected.

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