JP2011166870A - Charging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a charging apparatus wherein a battery can be easily charged according to a user's intention. <P>SOLUTION: The charging apparatus 1 includes a power distribution part 11 that appropriately distributes power supplied from multiple power sources P1, P2 to a battery B to charge the battery B, a power distribution control part 12 that controls the power distribution to the battery B by the power distribution part 11 according to a charging plan, a charging plan preparation part 13 that prepares the charging plan, a database 14 from which the charging plan preparation part 13 obtains various information in preparing a charging plan, and a notification part 16 that notifies a user of a charging plan prepared at the charging plan preparation part 13. The charging plan preparation part 13 prepares multiple charging plans based on multiple different points of view and the notification part 16 notifies a user of these charging plans. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a charging device for charging a battery.

  In recent years, the capacity of a battery has been increased, and the battery has been used for various purposes such as driving an electric vehicle or an electric motorcycle. Such a battery is often charged by a user at each home. The user selects a desired one of various power sources available at home and charges the battery.

  In recent years, the number of types of power sources that can be used at home has been increasing due to the spread of solar power generation and fuel cells and the liberalization of power retailing. Therefore, depending on the power source selected by the user, there is a difference in the quality of charging (for example, charging time or fee). In particular, the larger the capacity of the battery to be charged, the greater the difference between good and bad charging. Therefore, the user needs to select an optimal power source according to the situation.

  However, it is not easy to select an optimal power source from a plurality of power sources according to the situation. Therefore, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes a charging device that reduces the charge for charging by securing the usage time in order from the power source with the lowest power unit price among the power sources that can be used within the charging time. .

JP 2009-148121 A

  By using the charging device of Patent Document 1, it is possible to reduce the charge for charging. However, the charging device of Patent Document 1 is problematic because it may be charged against the user's intention depending on the situation. Specifically, for example, even when the user wants to charge the battery with a large amount of power in a short time, the usage time is secured in order from the power source with the lowest power unit price within the charging time, so the battery is charged. There may be a case where the amount of power to be used becomes insufficient.

  Then, an object of this invention is to provide the charging device which can perform the charge of the battery according to a user's intention easily.

  In order to achieve the above object, a charging device according to the present invention is a charging device that can use power supplied from a plurality of power sources when charging a battery, from the plurality of power sources to the battery. A charging plan creation unit that creates a plurality of charging plans for setting a power supply method based on different viewpoints, and a notification unit that informs a user of a plurality of charging plans created by the charging plan creation unit, It is characterized by providing.

  Further, in the charging device having the above configuration, the charge plan creation unit may be configured such that the amount of power per unit time supplied to the battery from a certain power source is another charge plan that can be created from the certain power source. A charging plan different from the amount of power per unit time supplied to the battery may be created.

  If comprised in this way, it will become possible to create the charge plan according to a user's intention more flexibly. In particular, when there is a time constraint on the use of a certain power source, adjusting the amount of power per unit time supplied to the battery from the certain power source can reduce the time constraint of the certain power source. The impact can be mitigated.

  The charging device having the above-described configuration further includes an input unit for inputting a charging end time from a user, and the charging unit is input from the certain power source. When creating a charging plan in which the time during which power is supplied to the battery is shorter than when the certain end time is not input, the power per unit time supplied from the certain power source of the charging plan to the battery The amount of power may be larger than the amount of power per unit time supplied from the certain power source to the battery in the charging plan created when the certain end time is not set.

  When configured in this way, the charging end time specified by the user is close to the current time, so if the charging time is short, a charging plan that can sufficiently charge the battery is created and proposed to the user It becomes possible to do. In addition, when the charging time using a certain power source is short because the charging end time specified by the user is close to the starting time of charging using a certain power source, another power source should be used. Therefore, it is possible to create a charging plan that can sufficiently charge the battery and propose it to the user. Therefore, it is possible to create and propose a charging plan according to the user's intention flexibly according to the situation.

  In the charging device having the above configuration, a power source monitoring unit that monitors the magnitude of power supplied by at least one power source, and a charge control unit that controls the power supplied to the battery by the power source. In addition, when the power source monitoring unit confirms that the power supplied by the power source is greater than or equal to a predetermined magnitude when the power source is supplying power to the battery, the charging control unit However, the magnitude of power supplied from the power source to the battery may be reduced, or supply of power from the power source to the battery may be stopped.

  If comprised in this way, since the electric power which an electric power source supplies becomes excess, it becomes possible to suppress that the supply of the said electric power itself is stopped, or an accident generate | occur | produces. Therefore, it is possible to charge the battery safely without hindering the operation of a power consuming unit (for example, a general household appliance) that supplies power to a power source other than the battery. In the following embodiments, a power distribution unit and a power distribution control unit are described as examples of the charge control unit.

  In the charging device having the above-described configuration, the plurality of power sources may include at least one of a commercial power source or a solar battery at night.

  If comprised in this way, it will become possible to create the charge plan using an electric power source with a cheap electric power unit price, or an electric power source with a small environmental load. Therefore, the created charging plan can be made useful.

  Further, in the charging device having the above-described configuration, the viewpoint when the charging plan creation unit creates the charging plan may include at least one of shortening the charging time, reducing the charging fee, and reducing the environmental load. .

  If comprised in this way, it will become possible to alert | report a charge plan based on a specific viewpoint. Therefore, the battery can be charged more easily according to the specific user intention.

  With the configuration of the present invention, a charging plan based on a plurality of viewpoints can be created and notified to the user. Therefore, the user can charge the battery according to the intention by using a charging plan that is considered optimal from the notified charging plans, or by using a charging plan that is created or modified with reference to the notified charging plan. Can be performed. Therefore, the battery can be easily charged according to the user's intention.

  The significance or effect of the present invention will be further clarified by the following description of embodiments. However, the following embodiment is merely one of the embodiments of the present invention, and the meaning of the terminology of the present invention or each constituent element is limited to those described in the following embodiments. is not.

These are block diagrams which show the basic structural example of the charging device which is one Embodiment of this invention. These are block diagrams which show the structure of the charging device of 1st Example. These are figures which show the example of a display of a display part at the time of displaying a charging plan to a user. These are figures which show the example of a display of a display part at the time of displaying the detailed information of a charging plan to a user. These are graphs which show the structure of the charging device of 2nd Example.

  A charging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, a basic configuration example of the charging device will be described, and then a specific embodiment of the charging device will be described.

<Example of basic configuration>
First, a basic configuration example of a charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration example of a charging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the solid line arrow which connects each block in a figure shows exchange of electric power, and the broken line arrow has shown exchange of information.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the charging device 1 charges the battery B by appropriately using power supplied from a plurality of power sources (in FIG. 1, the first power source P1 and the second power source P2 are illustrated). To do. The charging device 1 appropriately distributes the power supplied from the plurality of power sources P1 and P2 to the battery B to charge the battery B, and controls power distribution to the battery B of the power distribution unit 11 according to the charging plan. Power distribution control unit 12, charging plan creation unit 13 for creating a charging plan, database 14 for acquiring various information when charging plan creation unit 13 creates a charging plan, and input unit for inputting user instructions 15 and a notification unit 16 that notifies the user of the charging plan created by the charging plan creation unit 13.

  The charging plan creation unit 13 creates a charging plan based on information input from the user via the input unit 15 and information obtained from the battery B in addition to the information obtained from the database 14.

  The information acquired by the charging plan creation unit 13 from the database 14 includes, for example, information on conditions (usage time, etc.) of the power sources P1, P2 that can be used, information on the unit prices of the power sources P1, P2, and power Information on the magnitude of power that can be supplied from each of the sources P1, P2 can be included. The information input to the charging plan creation unit 13 via the input unit 15 includes, for example, information on the charging end time (which may be interpreted as the scheduled use time of the battery B) specified by the user, and by the user. Information on the selected charging plan may be included. Further, the information obtained from the battery B by the charging plan creation unit 13 may include, for example, information on the charge amount of the battery B.

  Next, the operation of the charging apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Before charging the battery B, the charging device 1 creates a charging plan in the charging plan creation unit 13. At this time, the charging plan creation unit 13 acquires information from the database 14, the battery B, and the input unit 15 as necessary. The charge plan creation unit 13 creates at least one charge plan using these pieces of information. At this time, it is preferable that a plurality of charging plans are created based on different viewpoints. The details of the charging plan will be described later.

  The charging plan creation unit 13 inputs the created charging plan to the notification unit 16. The alerting | reporting part 16 alert | reports a charging plan with respect to a user using an image, an audio | voice, etc. The user recognizes the notified charging plan and determines one of the charging plans through the input unit 15. At this time, the user can edit the charging plan notified via the input unit 15 or create a new charging plan.

  The charging plan creation unit 13 notifies the power distribution control unit 12 of the charging plan determined by the user. The power distribution control unit 12 charges the battery B by controlling the power distribution unit 11 according to the notified charging plan (that is, controlling the power supplied from the power sources P1 and P2 to the battery B).

  With the configuration described above, it is possible to create a charging plan based on a plurality of viewpoints and notify (suggest) the user. Therefore, the user simply selects and determines a charging plan that is considered to be optimal from the notified charging plans (or determines a charging plan that has been created or modified with reference to the notified charging plan). The battery B can be charged accordingly. Therefore, the battery B can be easily charged according to the user's intention.

<First embodiment>
Hereinafter, specific examples of the charging device will be described. First, a first embodiment of the charging device will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the charging device according to the first embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 1 illustrating a basic configuration example of the charging device. 2 that are the same as those in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. The description relating to FIG. 1 can also be applied to FIG. 2 as long as there is no contradiction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the charging device 1 a notifies the user by displaying a power distribution unit 11, a power distribution control unit 12, a charge plan creation unit 13, a database 14, an input unit 15, and an image. Display unit 16a (corresponding to the notification unit 16 in FIG. 1). In this embodiment, an example is shown in which power supplied from the power sources of the commercial power source (daytime) P11, the commercial power source (nighttime) P12, the solar cell P13, and the solar cell P14 can be supplied to the battery B. Note that the power source illustrated in FIG. 2 is merely an example, and another power source may be added, or at least one power source may not be provided.

  The commercial power source (daytime) P11 is a power source that supplies power generated by an electric power company, and is used during a daytime period (for example, 7:00 to 21:00). The commercial power supply (nighttime) P12 is a power source that supplies the power generated by the power company, and is used during the nighttime period (for example, 21 to 7 o'clock). Although these commercial power sources P11 and P12 can be interpreted as substantially the same, they are interpreted as different power sources in this application because of different usage time zones and unit prices of power.

  The input unit 15 may be configured with, for example, a touch panel integrated with the display unit 16a, an operation button, or the like. The user operates the input unit 15 to select, modify, or create a desired charging plan displayed on the display unit 16a. Further, the user operates the input unit 15 to input data necessary for the charging plan creation unit 13 to create a charging plan (for example, charging end time).

  In the present embodiment, the charging plan (also referred to as charging mode) created by the charging plan creation unit 13 is displayed on the display unit 16a. A specific example of the charging plan and a display example of the charging plan on the display unit 16a will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the display unit when the charging plan is displayed to the user.

  FIG. 3 illustrates a case where the charging plan creation unit 13 creates each charging plan in the high speed charging mode, the speed charging mode, the low cost charging mode, and the eco charging mode. Also, the time when the display example of FIG. 3 is displayed (that is, the current time) is “15:00 on January 20”, and “7:00 on January 21” is designated by the user as the charging end time. It shall be.

  The high-speed charging mode is a charging plan that is created based on the viewpoint of sufficiently charging the battery B (for example, as close as possible to the charging amount of 100%) and shortening the charging time. For this reason, a power source (for example, commercial power supplies P11 and P12) whose supplyable power is large and stable is preferentially used. In addition, the amount of power per unit time supplied from the power source to the battery B in the high-speed charging mode (for example, the value obtained by dividing the total amount of power supplied by the supply time, the same applies hereinafter) is the other charging plan (for example In a speed charging mode described later), the amount of power per unit time supplied from the power source to the battery B is set to be larger. That is, the high-speed charging mode is a charging plan that can perform so-called rapid charging.

  The speed charging mode is the same as the high speed charging mode, and is a charging plan created based on the viewpoint of sufficiently charging the battery B and shortening the charging time. Therefore, a power source that can supply a large amount of power is preferentially used. However, the speed charging mode is also based on the viewpoint of preventing deterioration of the battery B, for example. Therefore, the power amount per unit time supplied from the power source to the battery B in the speed charge mode is smaller than the power amount per unit time supplied from the power source to the battery B in the high speed charge mode. Therefore, the scheduled end time of charging in the speed charge mode (21:00) is later than the scheduled end time of charging in the high speed charge mode (18:00).

  The low-cost charging mode is a charging plan created based on the viewpoint of sufficiently charging the battery B and reducing the charging fee. For this reason, a power source (for example, a commercial power source (nighttime) P12 or a solar battery P13) having a low power unit price is preferentially used.

The eco-charging mode is a charging plan created based on a viewpoint of reducing environmental load (for example, CO ₂ emission during use). Therefore, a power source (for example, solar cell P13 or fuel cell P14) with a small environmental load is used preferentially. Similar to the above charging plan, even in the eco-charging mode, a sub-optimal power source (for example, commercial power source (nighttime) P12) can be used based on the viewpoint of sufficiently charging the battery B. I do not care.

  When displaying each charging plan, the display unit 16a also displays each piece of simple information (for example, the scheduled end time of charging, the degree of charge of the battery B at the end of charging, the charging fee, the environmental load, etc.). To do. The user also refers to these pieces of information displayed on the display unit 16a to determine the charging plan. Specifically, for example, when the user turns on one of the “decision” buttons corresponding to each charging plan via the input unit 15, the charging plan is determined.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the display unit 16 a displays each “detail” button corresponding to each charging plan in addition to the above “decision” button. When the user wants to know more detailed information on the desired charging plan, the user turns on a “details” button corresponding to the charging plan via the input unit 15. FIG. 4 shows a display example of the display unit 16a when the “detail” button shown in FIG. 3 is turned on. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of the display unit when displaying detailed information of the charging plan to the user, and the display unit when the “detail” button corresponding to the low-cost charging mode shown in FIG. 3 is turned on. A display example of 16a is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the display unit 16a displays a time schedule indicating power sources used for charging for each time zone as detailed information of the low-cost charging mode. The user can easily select a charging plan to be determined by referring to such detailed information regarding the charging plan.

  In addition, the display unit 16a determines “the charging plan that is determined by a“ search for another charging plan ”button that refers to other charging plans that display detailed information and a charging plan that displays detailed information. And a “charge with” button. When the user wants to check a charging plan other than the charging plan displaying the detailed information, the user turns on a “search for another charging plan” button via the input unit 15. Further, when the charging plan displaying detailed information is determined, the “charge with this charging plan” button is turned on via the input unit 15. Note that the display unit 16a may display the display example shown in FIG. 3 by turning on the “search for another charging plan” button.

  By configuring as described above, it is possible to create a charging plan based on various viewpoints such as a reduction in charging speed, a reduction in charging fee, and a reduction in environmental load, and display and propose it as an image to the user. Become. Therefore, the user can easily refer to the charging plan based on a specific viewpoint. Therefore, charging of the battery B according to the specific user's intention can be more easily executed.

  Moreover, by allowing the creation of a charging plan in which the amount of power per unit time supplied from a certain power source (for example, commercial power supply) to the battery B is different as in the high speed charging mode and the speed charging mode, It becomes possible to create a charging plan according to the user's intention more flexibly. In particular, when using a power source with a time restriction on use (for example, commercial power supply (nighttime) P12), by adjusting the amount of power per unit time supplied from the power source to the battery B, It becomes possible to alleviate the influence of the time restriction of the power source.

  The amount of power per unit time supplied to the battery B from a predetermined power source (for example, commercial power source) during the charging plan created by the charging plan creation unit 13 according to the charging end time specified by the user. May be different. In particular, when the charging end time specified by the user is close to the current time (or the starting time of charging using a certain power source), and the charging time must be shortened, the battery from the predetermined power source is used. A charging plan in which the amount of power per unit time supplied to B is increased may be created.

  Specifically, for example, for the speed charging mode shown in FIG. 3, when the user designates a time before 21:00 as the end time of charging (that is, when the charging time must be shortened by the designation), The amount of power per unit time supplied from the power source (for example, commercial power source (daytime) P11) to the battery B is expressed as the power per unit time supplied from the power source to the battery B in the speed charging mode shown in FIG. Create a charging plan that is larger than the quantity. On the other hand, when the user designates a time after 21:00 as the end time of charging (that is, when it is not necessary to shorten the charging time by the designation), the speed charging mode shown in FIG. 3 is created.

  With this configuration, the charging end time specified by the user is close to the current time, so that when the charging time is short, a charging plan that can sufficiently charge the battery B is created to the user. It becomes possible to propose. Therefore, it is possible to create and propose a charging plan according to the user's intention flexibly according to the situation.

  Further, specifically, for example, in the low-cost charging mode shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the user designates a time after 21:00 and before 3 o'clock as an end time of charging (that is, commercial power supply by the designation) (Nighttime) When charging time using P12 must be shortened), the amount of power per unit time supplied from commercial power source (nighttime) P12 to battery B is shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. A charging plan is created that is larger than the amount of power per unit time supplied from the commercial power supply (nighttime) P12 to the battery B in the cost charging mode. On the other hand, when the user designates a time after 3 o'clock as the end time of charging (that is, when it is not necessary to shorten the charging time of charging using the commercial power source (nighttime) P12 even by the designation), FIG. 3 and the low-cost charging mode shown in FIG.

  With this configuration, when the charging time using a certain power source becomes short because the charging end time specified by the user is close to the start time of charging using the power source, another power source is specified. For example, it is possible to create a charging plan that can sufficiently charge the battery B without using a commercial power source (daytime) P11, which is a power source with a high power unit price, and propose it to the user. Therefore, it is possible to create a charging plan according to the user's intention flexibly according to the situation.

<Second embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the charging device will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the charging device of the second embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 1 showing the basic configuration example of the charging device and FIG. 2 showing the first embodiment. In FIG. 5, parts similar to those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. 1 and 2 can be applied to FIG. 5 as long as there is no contradiction.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the charging device 1b includes a power distribution unit 11, a power distribution control unit 12, a charge plan creation unit 13, a database 14, an input unit 15, a display unit 16a, and power sources P11 to P14. A power source monitoring unit 17 that monitors the magnitude of the power supplied by the power source. In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the power supplied from each of the power sources P11 to P14 can be supplied not only to the battery B but also to the power consuming unit C.

  The power consuming unit C may be anything as long as it consumes power other than charging the battery B, such as a general household appliance. Note that power may be supplied from each of the power sources P11 to P14 to the power consuming unit C, or power may not be supplied from at least one power source P11 to P14 to the power consuming unit C. Absent.

  The power source monitoring unit 17 monitors the amount of power supplied from the power sources P11 to P14 to the power consuming unit C and the battery B. Specifically, when power is supplied from the power sources P11 to P14 to the battery B, it is monitored whether or not the power supplied from the power sources P11 to P14 is equal to or greater than a threshold value. Further, the power source monitoring unit 17 inputs the monitoring result to the power distribution control unit 12.

  When the power source monitoring unit 17 detects that the power supplied from the power sources P11 to P14 is equal to or greater than the threshold, the power distribution control unit 12 reduces the power supplied to the battery B from the power sources P11 to P14. The power distribution unit 11 is controlled so as to stop the power supplied from the power sources P11 to P14 to the battery B (for example, change from rapid charging to normal charging). The control of the power distribution unit 11 by the power distribution control unit 12 may be temporary or may be continuous.

  With the configuration as described above, since the power supplied from the power sources P11 to P14 becomes excessive, it is possible to suppress the supply of the power itself from being stopped or the occurrence of an accident. Become. Therefore, the battery B can be safely charged without hindering the operation of the power consuming unit C.

  In particular, when the battery B has a large capacity or when rapid charging as described above is performed, the power supplied from the power sources P11 to P14 can be large. Thus, when the electric power supplied to the battery B can be increased, the configuration of this embodiment is preferable.

<Modification>
Regarding the charging devices 1, 1 a, 1 b in the embodiment of the present invention, a part or all of the operation of the power distribution control unit 12 may be performed by a control device such as a microcomputer. Further, all or part of the functions realized by such a control device is described as a program, and the program is executed on a program execution device (for example, a computer) to realize all or part of the functions. It doesn't matter if you do.

  In addition to the above-described case, the charging devices 1, 1a, and 1b shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 can be realized by hardware or a combination of hardware and software. Further, when a part of the charging device 1, 1a, 1b is configured using software, a block for a part realized by the software represents a functional block of the part.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment in this invention was described, the range of this invention is not limited to this, It can add and implement various changes in the range which does not deviate from the main point of invention.

  The present invention is applicable to a charging device that charges a battery.

1, 1a, 1b Charging device 11 Power distribution unit 12 Power distribution control unit 13 Charging plan creation unit 14 Database 15 Input unit 16 Notification unit 16a Display unit 17 Power source monitoring unit B Battery C Power consumption unit P1 First power source P2 Second power Source P11 Commercial power supply (daytime)
P12 Commercial power supply (nighttime)
P13 Solar cell P14 Fuel cell

Claims (6)

A charging device that can use power supplied from a plurality of power sources when charging a battery,
A charging plan creating unit for creating a plurality of charging plans based on different viewpoints for setting a power supply method from the plurality of power sources to the battery;
A charging device comprising: a notification unit configured to notify a user of a plurality of charging plans created by the charging plan creation unit.   The amount of power per unit time supplied to the battery from a certain power source by the charging plan creation unit is per unit time supplied from the certain power source to the battery in another charge plan that can be created. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein a charging plan different from the magnitude of the amount of electric power is created. It further includes an input unit for inputting a charging end time from the user,
A charging plan in which an end time is input to the input unit, and the charging plan creation unit has a shorter time for supplying power from the certain power source to the battery than when the certain end time is not input. If you create
The amount of power per unit time supplied from the certain power source to the battery in the charging plan is supplied from the certain power source to the battery when the certain end time is not set. The charging device according to claim 2, wherein the charging device is larger than the amount of electric power per unit time. A power source monitoring unit that monitors the magnitude of power supplied by at least one power source;
A charge control unit for controlling the power supplied to the battery by the power source, and
When the power source monitoring unit confirms that the power supplied by the power source is greater than or equal to a predetermined magnitude when the power source is supplying power to the battery,
The said charge control part reduces the magnitude | size of the electric power supplied to the said battery from the said electric power source, or stops supply of the electric power from the said electric power source to the said battery. Item 4. The charging device according to any one of Items 3.   5. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of power sources include at least one of a commercial power source or a solar battery at night.   The aspect of the charging plan creation unit creating the charging plan includes at least one of shortening the charging time, reducing the charging fee, and reducing the environmental load. A charging device according to any one of the above.

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