JP2010161899A - Charging system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a charging system which specifies a target traveling distance (or charging time) to allow grasping a charging time (or possible traveling distance) to the target traveling distance (or charging time). <P>SOLUTION: The charging system 10 includes a charging device 30 which carries out charging control depending on an input condition (target traveling distance or charging time). The charging device 30 carries out charging control in charging a rechargeable battery 50 incorporated in a vehicle 20, based on input data (target traveling distance or charging time) by a driver, while a connection plug 42 of a charge cable 40 is connected to a connection 22 of the vehicle 20. The charging device 30 has a card reader 60 and a display portion 70 disposed on an enclosure 32, and charges the rechargeable battery 50 of the perked vehicle 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a charging system, and more particularly to a charging system that charges a rechargeable battery mounted on a vehicle.

  In recent years, as a rechargeable battery mounted on a vehicle (an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle) driven by an electric motor has been developed, various charging methods for the rechargeable battery have been developed (for example, see Patent Document 1). .

JP 11-161846 A

  By the way, the charging time for the rechargeable battery requires more time than the refueling time (for example, about 3 minutes) required when refueling gasoline. For this reason, when a fully charged rechargeable battery is charged, there is a case where it is necessary to wait until the charging is completed. For example, when there is no time, charging may be stopped halfway without performing full charging. Conceivable.

  However, in this case, the travelable distance of the vehicle with the current charge amount of the rechargeable battery is not known, and it becomes uneasy how long the vehicle can travel. It is also conceivable that the electric energy of the rechargeable battery is lost during traveling and the vehicle becomes unable to travel.

  Therefore, in the conventional charging system, as a result, the rechargeable battery has to be fully charged, and even when there is no time, a method of waiting until the full charging is completed is performed, and the user feels inconvenience There was a problem.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a charging system that solves the above problems.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following means.

  The present invention of claim 1 is a charging system for charging a rechargeable battery energized to an electric motor that drives a wheel of a vehicle, the target travel distance input means for inputting a target travel distance, and the target travel distance And charging control means for charging the rechargeable battery so that the vehicle can travel at the target travel distance input to the input means.

  The present invention of claim 2 is the charging system according to claim 1, wherein the charge control means is provided for the rechargeable battery that can travel the target travel distance input to the target travel distance input means. A charging time calculating means for calculating a scheduled charging time; a timing means for measuring an actual actual charging time charged to the rechargeable battery; and an actual charging time measured by the timing means reaches the scheduled charging time. And charging completion determination means for outputting a charging completion signal when the actual charging time reaches the scheduled charging time.

  A third aspect of the present invention is the charging system according to the second aspect, characterized in that the charging system includes a notifying unit for notifying a scheduled charging time calculated by the charging time calculating unit.

  The present invention of claim 4 is a charging system for charging a rechargeable battery mounted on a vehicle, wherein charging time input means for inputting a charging time for the rechargeable battery, and for the charging time input means A travelable distance calculating means for calculating a travelable distance at which the vehicle can travel by charging the input charging time; and an informing means for notifying the travelable distance calculated by the travelable distance calculating means And charging control means for charging the rechargeable battery until the charging time input to the charging time input means is reached.

  According to the present invention of claim 1, the rechargeable battery is charged so that the vehicle can travel the target travel distance input by the target travel distance input means. If the distance to the destination having the charging facility is input as the travel distance, the charging can be stopped when the charging amount corresponding to the distance is charged, and the charging time can be shortened accordingly. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the electric energy of the rechargeable battery from running out before reaching the destination, and it is possible to travel to the destination.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the actual charging time reaches the scheduled charging time, a charge completion signal is output, so that a charge amount corresponding to the travel distance that can be traveled is charged to the rechargeable battery. Charging can be terminated at that time.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the estimated charging time calculated by the charging time calculation means is notified, it is possible to grasp the time required for charging.

  According to the present invention of claim 4, in order to calculate and notify the travelable distance that the vehicle can travel based on the charging time input by the charging time input means, for example, how much charging and how much It is possible to easily check whether the vehicle can travel a distance, and thus it is possible to grasp how much charging time is required to travel to the destination.

It is a block diagram which shows one Example of the charging system by this invention. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a charging device 30. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows typically the apparatus by the side of a vehicle. 6 is a diagram showing a display example 1 of the display unit 70. 11 is a diagram showing a display example 2 of the display unit 70. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a display transmitted to charging information to the portable telephone designated as the transfer destination. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a charging control process executed by a main control unit 100 of the charging device 30. 4 is a flowchart showing control processing of the mobile phone 120. 5 is a flowchart showing setting control processing 1; It is a flowchart which shows the setting control process 2. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing setting control processing 3; 10 is a flowchart showing setting control processing 4;

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a charging system according to the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the charging system 10 includes a charging device 30 that performs charging control according to an input condition (target travel distance or charging time). The charging device 30 is a rechargeable battery mounted on the vehicle 20 based on input data (travel distance or charging time) by the driver with the connection plug 42 of the charging cable 40 connected to the connection portion 22 of the vehicle 20. Charge control to 50 is performed. Note that the charging cable 40 in this embodiment is also used as a communication line between the vehicle 20 and the charging device 30.

  Moreover, the charging device 30 is installed in a charging station, a home, a work place, or a parking lot, for example. The charging device 30 is provided with the card reader 60 and the display unit 70 in the housing 32, and when the authentication result based on the identification data (authentication data) read by the card reader 60 is normally obtained. The rechargeable battery 50 of the vehicle 20 is charged.

  The card reader 60 is configured to read information from the IC card or the IC tag in a non-contact manner, and reads identification data for identifying the driver from an IC card possessed by the driver performing the charging operation.

  The display unit 70 (notifier) includes a touch panel type liquid crystal panel that displays an input numerical value and displays a required time from the start of charging to the completion of charging (estimated charging time). An input unit 72 (target travel distance input unit / charge time input unit) such as a numeric keypad for inputting a travel distance or a charge time is displayed.

  In addition, as an input unit for inputting data such as a target travelable distance or a charging time, a card reader that reads input data from a storage medium other than a numeric keypad, for example, an IC card, or a portable telephone is mounted. Of course, a method of receiving input data from a wireless communication device using infrared rays or a method of transmitting and receiving data without contact like an IC tag may be used.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the charging device 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the charging device 30 includes the card reader 60, the display unit 70, the charging control unit 80, the communication unit 90, the main control unit 100, and the storage unit 110. The charging control unit 80 controls the charging voltage and the charging current so that the electric energy converted into the charging voltage is output to the charging cable 40. The communication unit 90 transmits and receives charging information to and from the in-vehicle computer mounted on the vehicle 20 via the charging cable 40, and transmits charging information to the mobile phone 120 possessed by the driver.

  The main control unit (charging control means) 100 controls each device of the charging device 30 and controls charging to the rechargeable battery 50 mounted on the vehicle 20 based on input data (target travel distance or charging time). Do. The storage unit 110 stores a control program and parameters for calculation by the main control 100.

  The charging control unit 80 has a connection plug 82 connected to a home AC power supply, and is supplied from the home AC power supply (AC 100 V) via the connection plug 82 in response to a control signal from the main control 100. The converted electric energy is converted into a charging voltage and a charging current according to the rechargeable battery 50 and output.

  Here, whether or not the connection plug 42 is connected to the connection portion 22 of the vehicle 20 depends on whether the connection plug 42 is connected to the connection portion 22 and communication between the vehicle 20 and the charging device 30 is possible. Determination is performed by receiving a signal (connection completion signal) received from the vehicle 20 side in the charging device 30.

  It should be noted that whether or not the connection plug 42 is connected to the connection portion 22 exists in many ways other than the above-described configuration, and it is natural to determine whether or not the connection plug 42 is connected to the connection portion 22 by another configuration. Also good. For example, a connection indicating that the connection plug 42 is connected to the connection portion 22 from a connection detector (not shown) provided in the connection plug 42 in order to detect that the connection plug 42 is connected to the connection portion 22. When a completion signal (detection signal) is output, or in order to detect that the connection plug 42 is connected to the connection portion 22, a connection plug 42 is connected from a connection detector (not shown) provided in the connection portion 22. When a connection completion signal (detection signal) indicating that is connected to the connection unit 22 is output, it may be detected that the connection plug 42 is connected to the connection unit 22.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing equipment on the vehicle side. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the vehicle 20 includes the connection unit 22, the rechargeable battery 50, the drive unit 210, the charge control unit 220, the communication unit 230, the measurement unit 240, and the in-vehicle computer 250. And a storage unit 260.

  The drive unit 210 is composed of an electric motor that drives the wheels by electric energy from the rechargeable battery 50. The charging control unit 220 controls the electric energy from the charging device 30 so as to obtain an optimal charging voltage and charging current when charging the rechargeable battery 50. Communication unit 230 communicates with charging device 30 via charging cable 40 to transmit and receive charging information.

  The measurement unit 240 measures the amount of electricity supplied from the rechargeable battery 50 to the drive unit 210 and outputs the charge amount measurement data to the in-vehicle computer 250. The in-vehicle computer 250 controls the charge control unit 220 based on the charge amount measurement data obtained from the measurement unit 240. The storage unit 260 stores a control program and parameters for performing calculation processing by the in-vehicle computer 250.

  FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a display example 1 of the display unit 70. As shown in FIG. 4A, an input unit 72 is displayed in the right area of the display unit 70. The input unit 72 is provided with a numeric key, a yen key, a tax key, a purpose key, a distance (km) key, a time (minute) key, a 00 key, a 000 key, a cancel (C) key, and the like. The driver presses each key to input data necessary for charge control before charging.

  In the left area of the display unit 70, a travelable distance (for example, 10 km) based on the current remaining amount of the rechargeable battery 50 is displayed. The display unit 70 displays a distance (a travelable distance after charging, for example, 30 km) input by an input operation of each key of the input unit 72. Further, the display unit 70 displays a charging time (a time required for charging, for example, 2 minutes) calculated based on the input distance in the main control 100.

  FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a display example 2 of the display unit 70. As shown in FIG. 4B, the display unit 70 displays the input unit 72 in the right region, and displays the travelable distance (for example, 10 km) according to the current remaining amount of the rechargeable battery 50 in the left region. To do. In the left area of the display unit 70, the charging time (required time for charging, for example, 2 minutes) input by the input operation of each key of the input unit 72 is displayed. Further, the display unit 70 displays a distance (scheduled travel distance after charging, for example, 30 km) calculated based on the input charging time in the main control 100.

  FIG. 4C is a diagram showing a display example in which charging information is transmitted to a mobile phone designated as a transfer destination. As shown in FIG. 4C, for example, the driver registers the number of the mobile phone 120 owned by the driver in the storage unit 110 of the charging device 30 so that charging information during charging (remaining charging time, charging fee, etc.) ) Can be received by e-mail. The charging device 30 displays the current travelable distance (for example, 25 km), the remaining charging time (for example, 5 minutes), and the amount of money (for example, 200 yen) required for charging up to the present time on the display unit 70, The charging information is transmitted from the communication unit 90 to the mobile phone 120 possessed by the driver. Thus, the driver can check the charging data received by the mobile phone 120. For example, if the driver returns to the vehicle 20 after 5 minutes, the driver recognizes that the charging is completed and the vehicle can run. Can do.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 5A, the process procedure of the charge control process which the main control part 100 of the charging device 30 performs is demonstrated.

  In the process of S11 of FIG. 5A, it is checked whether or not the connection plug 42 of the charging cable 40 is connected to the connection portion 22 of the vehicle 20. In the present embodiment, as described above, whether or not the connection plug 42 is connected to the connection portion 22 depends on whether the connection plug 42 is connected to the connection portion 22 and communication between the vehicle 20 and the charging device 30 is possible. Therefore, the determination is made by receiving a signal (connection completion signal) received from the vehicle 20 side in the charging device 30.

  When the connection completion signal is received in the process of S11, it is determined that the connection plug 42 of the charging cable 40 is connected to the connection part 22 of the vehicle 20 (in the case of YES), and the process proceeds to S12.

  In the process of S12, it is checked whether or not the card identification data read by the card reader 60 is pre-registered data. In the process of S12, when the card identification data read by the card reader 60 matches the pre-registered data (in the case of YES), the identity verification (authentication) is confirmed, so that charging is possible, and the card reader 60 If the card identification data read in step 1 and the pre-registered data do not match (in the case of NO), the process proceeds to S13, and an error display (card data mismatch) is performed on the display unit 70. Thereby, it can prevent that the person who is not registered beforehand charges without permission. After displaying an error in the process of S13, the process returns to the process of S11.

  In the process of S12, when the card identification data matches the pre-registered data (in the case of YES), the process proceeds to S14, and the driver operates each key of the input unit 72 to charge conditions (for example, When the target travel distance by charging or the charging time required for charging is input, the charging condition is stored in the storage unit 110 and the charging condition is set. Details of the setting control process in S14 will be described later.

  In the process of S15, charging of the rechargeable battery 50 mounted on the vehicle 20 is started based on the set charging condition. Subsequently, in the process of S16, the timer C (time measuring means) starts counting. In the process of S17, information on the state of charge during charging (remaining charging time, whether or not charging is stopped) is transmitted to the mobile phone 120 possessed by the driver (if necessary, information on the state of charging during charging (remaining charging) The time and whether or not charging is stopped may be displayed on the display unit 70). In addition, when the telephone number of the mobile phone 120 is included in the card information read by the card reader 60, the charging information can be transmitted to the mobile phone 120.

  In the next processing of S18, it is checked whether or not the actual charging time measured by the timer C has reached the scheduled charging time set in the processing of S14 (charging completion determination means). In the process of S18, when the actual charging time measured by the timer C has not reached the scheduled charging time (in the case of NO), the process returns to the process of S16 and the processes of S16 to S18 are repeated. When the actual charging time measured by the timer C reaches the scheduled charging time in the process of S18 (in the case of YES), the process proceeds to the process of S19 and the charging completion is displayed on the display unit 70.

  Subsequently, the process proceeds to the process of S <b> 20, a charge corresponding to the charge amount for the rechargeable battery 50 is calculated, and the charge charge is displayed on the display unit 70. In the next process of S21, a charging completion signal indicating that charging has been completed is transmitted to the mobile phone 120 possessed by the driver.

  In the process of S22, it is checked whether or not the payment of the charging fee has been completed. In the present embodiment, the settlement is performed by bringing the IC card or the portable telephone 120 storing the electronic money information possessed by the driver close to the card reader 60. When the settlement of the charging fee is completed in the process of S22, the process proceeds to S23, and it is checked whether or not the connection plug 42 of the charging cable 40 has been separated from the connection part 22 of the vehicle 20. In the present embodiment, as described above, whether or not the connection plug 42 is separated from the connection portion 22 depends on whether the connection plug 42 is separated from the connection portion 22 and communication between the vehicle 20 and the charging device 30 cannot be performed. Judgment is made by

  In the process of S23, when communication with the vehicle 20 is interrupted (when the connection between the charging device 30 and the vehicle 20 cannot be performed because the connection plug 42 is disconnected from the connection portion 22), the charging cable It is determined that the 40 connection plugs 42 are separated from the connection portion 22 of the vehicle 20. If the connection plug 42 of the charging cable 40 is separated from the connection portion 22 of the vehicle 20 in S23 (in the case of YES), the process proceeds to S24, and the cable removal is transmitted to the driver's mobile phone 120. . In the next process of S25, the timer C is reset. Thus, the charging control process by the charging device 30 ends.

  As described above, the charging device 30 performs the charging control based on the target travel distance input in advance or the charging condition based on the charging time. Therefore, the charging is terminated when the necessary charge amount is charged in the rechargeable battery 50. Can be made. Therefore, for example, when the amount of charge corresponding to the distance to the destination is performed, the driver automatically ends charging and can start the vehicle 20. Even in such a case, the electric energy of the rechargeable battery 50 is lost during the traveling, so that the traveling is not disabled, and it is possible to continue traveling for the travelable distance inputted in advance.

  FIG. 5B is a flowchart showing control processing of the mobile phone 120. As shown in FIG. 5B, in S71, it is checked whether or not a call is in progress. In S71, when the call is not in progress, the process proceeds to S72, and it is checked whether or not the charging information (charged state) transmitted from the charging device 30 has been received. In S72, when the charging information (charging state) transmitted from the charging device 30 is received (in the case of YES), the process proceeds to S73, and the travelable distance at the current charging time, the remaining charging time, and the current charging fee Is displayed to inform the driver (see FIG. 4C).

  Here, the procedure of the setting control process in S14 will be described.

FIG. 6A is a flowchart showing the setting control process 1. As shown in FIG. 6A, in the processing of S31, when the driver inputs a target travel distance z ₀ by pressing the respective keys of the input unit 72 which is displayed on the display unit 70 proceeds to the processing of S32, the input The charging time y is calculated from the target travel distance z ₀ (for example, z ₀ = 30 km) (charging time calculation means). Here, when the coefficient a of the charging device 30 of the present embodiment is 0.1 (min / km), the charging time y is y = a × z ₀ = 3 minutes.

The processing of the next S33, displays a charging time of 3 minutes when the target travel distance _{z 0} is 30km to the display section 70 (notifying means). That is, when the target travel distance z ₀ is input, the charging information the charging time of 3 minutes was calculated. Therefore, by inputting the target travel distance z ₀ , it is possible to automatically know the estimated charge time required to charge the amount of electricity that reaches the target travel distance z _0. it can.

  Next, a modified example of the setting control process will be described.

  FIG. 6B is a flowchart showing the setting control process 2. As shown in FIG. 6B, when a charging time (for example, 3 minutes) is input by pressing each key of the input unit 72 in the process of S41, the charging time input in the process of S42 is 3 minutes. The travelable distance z is calculated based on the travelable distance calculation means. In this case, z = y / a = 3 (minutes) /0.1 (minutes / km) = 30 (km).

  In the next processing of S43, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the input value of the charging time y is 3 minutes, for example, the travelable distance z = 30 km is displayed (notification means). That is, when the charging time is input, the travelable distance is displayed as charging information.

  In the case of this modification, if the charging time is input as a priority condition, the travelable distance after completion of charging is automatically known, so the driver sets the charging time according to the distance to the destination to move from now on. As a result, it is possible to avoid wasting time for charging the rechargeable battery 50.

FIG. 6C is a flowchart showing the setting control process 3. As shown in FIG. 6C, the S51, when the driver inputs a target travel distance z ₀ by pressing the respective keys of the input unit 72 which is displayed on the display unit 70 proceeds to the processing of S52, a target travel distance from z ₀ by subtracting the travel distance w in the remaining battery capacity calculating a travelable distance z by the charging. For example, when the travelable distance w before charging is 10 km, the travelable distance by charging is z = 30−10 = 20 (km).

  In the process of S53, when the travelable distance z obtained by subtracting the travelable distance w before charging in the process of S52 is equal to or greater than zero (in the case of YES), the process proceeds to S54, and the calculated travelable distance z ( For example, the charging time y is calculated from z = 20 km (charging time calculating means). Here, when the coefficient a of the charging device 30 of the present embodiment is 0.1 (min / km), the charging time y is y = a × z = 2 minutes.

  In the next process of S55, as shown in FIG. 4A, a charging time of 2 minutes (20 km) when the set distance is 30 km is displayed on the display unit 70 (notification means). That is, when the travelable distance is input, the charging time of 2 minutes is displayed on the display unit 70 as charging information.

  In S53, when the travelable distance z obtained by subtracting the travelable distance w before charging in the process of S52 is less than zero (in the case of NO), the current remaining amount of the rechargeable battery 50 is also used. Since the vehicle can travel to the ground, the process proceeds to S56, and the display unit 70 displays that charging is not necessary.

  In the case of this modification, the estimated travel time until completion of charging is automatically known by inputting the travelable distance as a priority condition, so that the driver can easily set the departure time for moving to the destination. Thus, it is possible to effectively use the time until the charging of the rechargeable battery 50 is completed.

FIG. 6D is a flowchart showing the setting control process 4. As shown in FIG. 6D, when a charging time (for example, 3 minutes) is input by pressing each key of the input unit 72 in the process of S61, the charging time input in the process of S62 is 3 minutes. based calculates a travelable distance z ₁ and (travelable distance calculation means). In this case, z ₁ = y / a = 3 (minutes) /0.1 (minutes / km) = 30 (km).

In the next S63, it adds the travel distance w in the remaining battery capacity in the travel distance z _1. For example, when the travelable distance w is 10 km, the total value of the travelable distance is z = 30 + 10 = 40 (km).

  In the next process of S64, when the input value of the charging time y is 3 minutes, for example, the travelable distance z = 40 km is displayed (notification means). That is, when the charging time is input, the travelable distance is displayed on the display unit 70 as charging information.

  This modification is a control processing method when the driver sets the charging time as a priority condition, and the travelable distance when the amount of charge to be charged is added to the remaining amount of the rechargeable battery 50 can be confirmed. .

  In the above embodiment, the case where the driver himself performs the charging operation has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a person other than the driver (for example, a charging station staff member) inputs according to the driver's request Of course, you may do.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Charging system 20 Vehicle 30 Charging device 40 Charging cable 42 Connection plug 50 Rechargeable battery 60 Card reader 70 Display unit 72 Input unit 80 Charging control unit 90 Communication unit 100 Main control unit 110 Storage unit 120 Portable telephone 210 Driving unit 220 Charging Control unit 230 Communication unit 240 Measurement unit 250 In-vehicle computer 260 Storage unit

Claims (4)

A charging system that charges a rechargeable battery that energizes an electric motor that drives a wheel of a vehicle,
Target mileage input means for inputting the target mileage;
Charge control means for charging the rechargeable battery so that the target mileage input to the target mileage input means becomes a charge amount that allows the vehicle to travel;
A charging system comprising: The charging system according to claim 1,
The charge control means includes
Charging time calculating means for calculating a scheduled charging time for the rechargeable battery that enables the target traveling distance input to the target traveling distance input means;
Time measuring means for measuring the actual actual charging time charged to the rechargeable battery;
It is determined whether or not the actual charging time measured by the timing means has reached the scheduled charging time, and when the actual charging time reaches the scheduled charging time, a charging completion signal is output to output a charging completion signal Means,
A charging system comprising: The charging system according to claim 2,
A charging system comprising: an informing means for informing the estimated charging time calculated by the charging time calculating means. A charging system for charging a rechargeable battery mounted on a vehicle,
Charging time input means for inputting a charging time to the rechargeable battery;
A travelable distance calculating means for calculating a travelable distance at which the vehicle can travel by charging the charge time input to the charge time input means;
An informing means for informing the travelable distance calculated by the travelable distance calculating means;
Charging control means for charging the rechargeable battery until the charging time input to the charging time input means is reached;
A charging system comprising:

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