JP2012165545A - Electric vehicle charger, electric vehicle charging system, and electric vehicle charging method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric vehicle charger which increases store side benefits and improves security with a relatively easy structure.SOLUTION: A reader/writer 101 reads information from an IC card 300 and writes information into the IC card 300. A charging part 104 conducts charging for an electric vehicle 400. A lock mechanism locking the connection between a charge nozzle 105 and the electric vehicle 400 is provided in a connection part 110. A lock control part 106 controls a lock of the lock mechanism based on usage history information of the IC card 300 at a store which is read by the reader/writer 101.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric vehicle charger, an electric vehicle charging system, and an electric vehicle charging method, and more particularly, to an electric vehicle charger, an electric vehicle charging system, and an electric vehicle charging method installed in a store-type charging station.

  In recent years, an EV (Electric Vehicle: hereinafter referred to as an electric vehicle) using an electric motor as a power source has been developed, as represented by an electric vehicle or an electric motorcycle. The charging to the electric vehicle can be performed at home or at a charging station other than the home.

  The charging station is, for example, one or more chargers installed at an existing gas station. Further, the charging station is one in which one or more chargers are installed in a parking lot of a store such as a convenience store or a restaurant. In order to minimize the waiting time of the user as much as possible, the charging station often employs a quick charging type charger.

  By the way, in order to popularize electric vehicles, it is indispensable to increase the number of charging stations. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that promotes the spread of charging stations by increasing the merits of convenience stores, supermarkets, restaurants, and other stores that intend to install charging stations. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which a POS (Point Of Sale) system and a charger are linked to discount a charging fee in accordance with purchase information of goods at a store.

JP 2009-183135 A JP 2007-236172 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-262303

  The technique described in Patent Document 1 is certainly considered to have a merit to urge the user of the charger to purchase an article at the store.

  However, the charger user does not always shop at the store. In other words, there are people who only charge and do not shop. As the percentage of such people increases, the store side loses the willingness to install a charging station. In particular, since stores are often installed in places where there are many people, that is, places where land costs are relatively high, parking a vehicle only by charging may be a disadvantage for the store. Even in the case of an electric vehicle charger, even in the case of a quick charger, a charging time (waiting time) of 30 minutes or more is usually required to charge the battery from an empty state to 80% of the charge amount. It is. Parking the vehicle of a person who does not shop for such a long time can be disadvantageous for the store.

  In addition, the technique described in Patent Document 1 requires a central processing unit for managing information between the charger and the POS terminal, which increases the configuration and increases the cost of introducing the system. . For this reason, the store side may be reluctant to introduce the system.

  Thus, even if the technique of Patent Document 1 is used, it is still insufficient in terms of promoting the spread of electric vehicle chargers in stores.

  Furthermore, as described above, charging takes much longer than charging gasoline, so that the user takes longer to leave the vehicle. For this reason, it is considered that there are some users who are worried about theft of the vehicle and theft. In particular, since many people come and go in stores, it is considered that such anxiety increases. Therefore, a technique for improving security is desired.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and can be used for an electric vehicle with a relatively simple configuration, which can increase the merit on the store side, and can improve security. An object is to provide a charger, an electric vehicle charging system, and an electric vehicle charging method.

  One aspect of the electric vehicle charger of the present invention is a reader / writer for reading information from the electronic money carrier and writing information to the electronic money carrier, a charging unit for charging the electric vehicle, The lock unit that locks the connection of the charging nozzle that connects the charging unit and the power storage unit of the electric vehicle, and the lock based on the electronic money usage history information read by the reader / writer. A lock control unit for controlling the lock of the unit.

  One aspect of the electric vehicle charging system of the present invention is an electric vehicle charging system having an electric vehicle charger and a POS terminal provided in a store, wherein the electric vehicle charger is an electronic device. Connecting a reader / writer that reads information from a money carrier and writes information to the electronic money carrier, a charging unit that charges an electric vehicle, the charging unit, and a power storage unit of the electric vehicle A lock unit that locks the connection of the charging nozzle, and a lock control unit that controls the lock of the lock unit based on the electronic money usage history information read by the reader / writer, The POS terminal has a reader / writer that writes electronic money usage history information in the store to an electronic money carrier.

  One aspect of the charging method for an electric vehicle according to the present invention includes a step of reading information from an electronic money carrier and writing information to the electronic money carrier, a step of charging the electric vehicle, and a charging unit And locking the connection of the charging nozzle for connecting the power storage unit of the electric vehicle, and locking the lock unit based on the electronic money usage history information read from the electronic money carrier. Controlling.

  According to the present invention, the charger for an electric vehicle, the electric vehicle charging system, and the electric vehicle charging, which can increase the merit on the store side and improve the security with a relatively simple configuration. The method can be realized.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the electric vehicle charging system which concerns on embodiment Flow chart for explaining the operation of the electric vehicle charger Flow chart for explaining the operation of the electric vehicle charger Diagram for explaining information transmission by IC card between charger and POS terminal

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[1] Configuration FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration of an electric vehicle charging system according to an embodiment.

  The electric vehicle charging system includes an electric vehicle charger (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as a charger) 100 and a POS (Point of sale) terminal 200. The POS terminal 200 is provided at the cash register of the store. The charger 100 is provided in a parking lot of a store where the POS terminal 200 is provided. In FIG. 1, only one charger 100 is shown to simplify the drawing, but a plurality of chargers 100 may be provided. The store may provide goods to customers such as convenience stores, supermarkets, restaurants, etc., or may provide services to customers such as banks and barber shops.

  The charger 100 includes a reader / writer (R / W) 101, a display unit 102, a charging control unit 103, a charging unit 104, a charging nozzle 105, a lock control unit 106, a vehicle sensor 107, and a communication unit 108. And a control unit 109.

  The reader / writer 101 reads information from the IC card 300 and writes information to the IC card 300. The IC card 300 has a so-called electronic money function. In this embodiment, the case where the IC card 300 having the electronic money function is used will be described, but a mobile terminal or the like having the electronic money function may be used instead of the IC card 300. The reader / writer 101 may be anything as long as it can read information and write information to an electronic money carrier such as an IC card or a portable terminal. The reader / writer 101 is desirably a non-contact type, but may be a contact type. The same applies to the reader / writer 201 of the POS terminal 200.

  The charging unit 104 is a part that charges the electric vehicle 400. The charging unit 104 includes, for example, a part that inputs alternating current, which is a commercial power supply, a part that converts alternating current into direct current, an insulating transformer, and an output rectifier. Charging unit 104 is connected (connected) to electric vehicle 400 via charging nozzle 105.

  A connecting portion 110 is provided at the tip of the charging nozzle 105. The connection part 110 has a connector and electrically connects the charging nozzle 105 and the storage battery 401 of the electric vehicle. Moreover, the connection part 110 has a connection mechanism and mechanically connects the charging nozzle 105 to a charging nozzle mounting part (not shown) on the vehicle side.

  Furthermore, the connection part 110 has a lock mechanism and can lock the connection of the charging nozzle 105 to the electric vehicle 400. The lock mechanism is configured by, for example, an electromagnetic lock. Specifically, the lock mechanism locks the connection between the charging nozzle 105 and the charging socket in a state where the connecting portion 110 of the charging nozzle 105 is connected to the charging socket of the electric vehicle 400.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the charging nozzle 105 extends from the charger 100 side has been described. However, the charging nozzle may extend from the vehicle side. When the charging nozzle extends from the vehicle side, a lock mechanism is provided at the charging socket portion of the charger. The lock mechanism locks the connection between the charging nozzle and the charging socket in a state where the tip of the charging nozzle is connected to the charging socket of the charger.

  The lock control unit 106 controls the lock state of the lock mechanism. Specifically, the lock control unit 106 controls the electromagnetic lock to a lock-on state or a lock-off state by adjusting a control current that flows through a control line wired to the charging nozzle 105. For example, when the control current is energized, the electromagnetic lock is in a lock-off state, and when the control current is not energized, the electromagnetic lock is in a lock-on state. Here, the electromagnetic lock is in a lock-on state (locked state), in addition to a state where the charging nozzle 105 is prevented from inadvertently dropping from the connecting portion of the vehicle 400, and in addition, the charging nozzle is not operated by a user operation. This means that 105 is in a state where it cannot be removed from the vehicle 400. The mechanism for locking the connection of the charging nozzle to the vehicle is a known technique as described in, for example, Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3, and in the present invention, the lock mechanism itself is particularly limited. It is not a thing.

  The lock control unit 106 controls the lock state based on the charging state by the charging unit 104 and the usage history information in the store read by the reader / writer 101.

  In the present embodiment, the lock control unit 106 is configured to release the lock when the fee settlement using the usage history information is completed. However, unlocking is based on the assumption that charging is complete.

  The method of unlocking is not limited to this. For example, the lock may be released only when there is a usage history indicating that the store has been used. That is, the charger user who does not use the store is prevented from releasing the lock. In this way, the charger user can be urged to the store more forcibly.

  In addition, a time limit may be set in the usage history. For example, the expiration date of the usage history is set from the time information written to the IC card 300 in step S9 (see FIG. 2A) until the settlement time. In this way, only those who use the store while charging can provide a preferential service. Moreover, even if the time settled at the store is before the time information written in the IC card in step S9, by setting a certain margin (for example, about 30 minutes) such as enabling the use history, The usage history time limit may be relaxed.

  The charging control unit 103 controls the charging operation of the charging unit 104.

  The vehicle sensor 107 detects whether or not the vehicle 400 is parked at the charging position of the charger 100. The vehicle sensor 107 is configured using, for example, an infrared sensor or an embedded coil embedded in a parking place.

  The communication unit 108 can wirelessly transmit a charging state or the like to a portable terminal of a charger user, for example.

  The control unit 109 controls the charger 100 as a whole. The control unit 109 also performs IC card authentication, fee settlement, and the like, for example.

  The POS terminal 200 includes a reader / writer 201 and a control unit 202. The reader / writer 201 reads information from the IC card 300 and writes information to the IC card 300. The reader / writer 201 writes the use history of the store on the IC card 300 when the charger user uses the IC card 300 to shop at the store. The store use history may be coupon information as will be described later, payment amount, payment date and time, and the like. In short, it is only necessary to include information about whether or not the store has been used, how much the store has been used, and when. In addition to controlling writing / reading of the reader / writer 201, the control unit 202 also performs processing such as IC card authentication and fee settlement.

[2] Operation Next, the operation of the charger 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B.

  When the charger 100 starts processing in step S0, the vehicle sensor 107 detects whether or not the vehicle 400 is received in step S1, and moves to step S2 if the storage is detected.

  In step S2, the elapsed time since the receipt is detected is measured and determined. If the IC card 300 is not read by the reader / writer 101 within 0.5 hours, the process proceeds to step S3, where a warning lamp ( Turn on (not shown). This prompts the driver who does not intend to use the charger 100 to move the vehicle from the parking position.

  On the other hand, if the IC card 300 is read by the reader / writer 101 within 0.5 hours in step S4, it is determined whether the member is a member based on the read information (step S5) and whether the balance is insufficient. It is determined whether or not (step S6). If the user is not a member or if the balance is insufficient, the process moves to step S7, and an NG display is displayed on the display unit 102 to indicate that the charger 100 cannot be used. On the other hand, if the member is a member and the balance is sufficient, the process proceeds to step S8, and the normal balance is displayed on the display unit 102. The user refers to the balance display and inputs the amount of charge (charging time) and the like.

  In step S <b> 9, the reader / writer 101 writes the charging start to the IC card 300. In step S10, the display unit 102 displays that charging is to be started. In step S <b> 11, a sensor (not shown) provided in the connecting portion 110 detects that the charging nozzle 105 is inserted into the connecting position on the vehicle 400 side (connected).

  In step S <b> 12, the lock control unit 106 sets the lock mechanism of the connecting unit 110 to the lock-on state, and the charging nozzle 105 is locked to the vehicle 400. In step S13, the charging control unit 103 turns on the charging switch of the charging unit 104, and charging is started.

  In addition, after charge is started by step S13, the user can leave | separate from the charger 100, can shop at a store, and can receive a service. The user presents the IC card 300 when paying a fee at the store. On the store side, the information on the IC card 300 is read by the reader / writer 201 and the member confirmation is performed by the control unit 202. In addition, the control unit 202 performs fee settlement and the like, and the reader / writer 201 records the balance on the IC card 300. Further, the POS terminal 200 issues a coupon corresponding to a fee and the like, and records it on the IC card 300 by the reader / writer 201.

  It should be noted that processing such as member confirmation and fee settlement by the control unit 202 may be realized by stand-alone processing by the control unit 202 alone, but via an external member management server, payment server, etc. (not shown) via a network This may be realized by sending a processing request in order to perform member confirmation, fee settlement, etc. on the server. In addition, when the electronic money function of the IC card is a precharge type / prepaid type, the balance after charge settlement is written to the IC card, but in the case of a credit type / debit type, the balance write is It is not performed, and the settlement processing at the server is performed.

  Eventually, in step S14 in FIG. 2B, when it is detected by the charging control unit 103 that charging is complete, in step S15, the communication unit 108 notifies the user's wireless portable terminal that charging has been completed. Send.

  In step S16, the charger 100 determines the elapsed time since the start of charging in step S13. If the IC card 300 is not read by the reader / writer 101 within one hour, the charger 100 proceeds to step S17. A warning lamp (not shown) is turned on, and an extension mail for warning that the user is charged for the parking fee is transmitted.

  On the other hand, when the IC card 300 is read by the reader / writer 101 within one hour in step S18, the process proceeds to step S19. In step S19, based on the read information, it is determined whether or not the IC card 300 belongs to the same person (that is, whether or not the card identification information read this time matches the card identification information read in step S4). If it is determined that they are not identical, an error display is performed in step S20. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S19 that they are the same person, the process proceeds to step S21.

  The charger 100 confirms the coupon information recorded on the IC card 300 in step S21. The charger 100 uses the coupon information to perform a fee settlement process and a charging nozzle release process.

  This will be specifically described. When there is coupon information (when there is a store use history), the coupon is applied in step S22, and the charge is displayed on the display unit 102 in step S23. The charge displayed here is, for example, a charge obtained by subtracting the charge of the coupon from the charge obtained by adding the parking charge to the charge charge.

  On the other hand, when there is no coupon information (when there is no store use history), the process proceeds to step S23, and for example, a charge obtained by adding a parking charge to the charge charge is displayed.

  Furthermore, when there is coupon information and the coupon is a free coupon (a free coupon is issued when payment is made for a threshold value that is a store, for example), no charge display is performed, That is, without charging a fee, the process proceeds to step S27 to unlock the charging nozzle 105.

  As described above, when the coupon is other than the free coupon, the charger 100 displays the fee in step S23, and settles the fee in step S24. If the paid fee is insufficient, the process proceeds to step S25 to display an error indicating that the payment fee is insufficient, and returns to step S23 to display the insufficient fee.

  When the charger 100 determines that the payment in step S24 has been completed normally, the charger 100 proceeds to step S27 and unlocks the charging nozzle 105.

  When the charger 100 detects that the charging nozzle 105 has been returned to the predetermined position in step S28, the charger 100 determines the elapsed time in step S29. The elapsed time determined here is the elapsed time after the receipt is detected in step S1. If the delivery is not detected even if the elapsed time from the entry exceeds 1 hour, the process moves to step S30, and an extension mail for warning that the user's wireless portable terminal is charged for the parking fee is transmitted. On the other hand, when the exit is detected within one hour in step S31, the process proceeds to step S32 and the process is terminated.

  Next, transmission of information by the IC card 300 between the charger 100 and the POS terminal 200 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the IC card 300 is held over the charger 100 at time t1, the charger 100 writes user information to the IC card 300 at time t2. Specifically, the charger 100 writes in the IC card 300 a flag indicating that use has started, time information, a charger ID, and a charging time designated by the user.

  When the IC card 300 is held over the POS terminal 200 at time t3, the POS terminal 200 determines the state. Specifically, the POS terminal 200 determines whether or not the user is a charger user by confirming a flag, and the charger used by confirming the charger ID is the charger of the own store. It is determined whether or not there is, the late charge is confirmed by confirming the time information, and the discount rate is determined by confirming the past use history.

  At time t4, user information is written to the IC card 300 by the POS terminal 200. Specifically, a payment completion flag at the store, updated time information, and coupon information are written into the IC card 300.

  When the IC card is held over the charger 100 at time t5, the charger 100 determines the state. Specifically, it is confirmed whether payment at the store is completed by checking the status flag, and the late charge is determined by checking the time from the completion of charging to the completion of payment based on the time information.

  At time t <b> 6, user information is written to the IC card 300 by the charger 100. Specifically, a flag indicating that charging has been completed, updated time information, updated usage history, and updated balance are written to the IC card.

[3] Effect The electric vehicle charger of the present embodiment includes a reader / writer that reads information from an electronic money carrier and writes information to the electronic money carrier, and a charging unit that charges the electric vehicle. The lock unit locks the connection of the charging nozzle that connects the charging unit and the power storage unit of the electric vehicle, and locks the lock unit based on the electronic money usage history information read by the reader / writer. A lock control unit for controlling

  In the electric vehicle charger according to the present embodiment, the lock control unit releases the lock of the lock unit when the payment of the charge for charging the electric vehicle is completed using the usage history information.

  With this configuration, the lock unit is controlled in accordance with the use history of electronic money at the store, so that the charger user can be more urged to the store than in the past. In other words, since it is possible to perform an operation of not releasing the lock if there is no use history of the store, the charger user can be forcibly urged to the store. From the viewpoint of the charger user, this leads to an effect of being able to shop away in the store with peace of mind away from the vehicle during charging. In other words, according to the above configuration, it is possible to perform an operation to prevent the lock unit from being unlocked until the store usage history information written in the electronic money carrier is read by the reader / writer. Vehicle theft can be prevented and security is improved.

  In addition, a reader / writer is provided and electronic money carriers are interposed to receive usage history information from the store. Compared to the case where a central processing unit is provided to manage information between the charger and the store. Thus, the configuration can be simplified. Therefore, since the cost of introducing the device is reduced on the store side, it becomes easier to introduce the device. For example, even when an electric vehicle charger is installed in a shopping mall or the like and a single electric vehicle charger is shared by a plurality of stores, this can be realized with a simple configuration, so that the system can be easily introduced. .

  In the electric vehicle charger according to the present embodiment, the usage history information includes discount charge information, presents a charge obtained by subtracting the discount charge from the charge including the charge charge, and the lock control unit is presented. The lock of the lock unit is released when the billing fee has been settled.

  With this configuration, the charge for the charger can be reduced by the amount that the user shopped at the store, and the user of the charger can be encouraged to the store. Thereby, for a store, installation of a charger can be connected to sales improvement.

  The present invention is advantageous in that it has a relatively simple configuration, can increase the merit on the store side, and can improve security, and is suitable for a store-type charging station.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Electric vehicle charger 101, 201 Reader / writer 102 Display unit 103 Charging control unit 104 Charging unit 105 Charging nozzle 106 Lock control unit 107 Vehicle sensor 108 Communication unit 109, 202 Control unit 110 Connection unit 200 POS terminal 300 IC card 400 Electricity Vehicle 401 Storage battery

Claims (5)

A reader / writer for reading information from the electronic money carrier and writing information to the electronic money carrier;
A charging unit for charging the electric vehicle;
A lock unit that locks connection of a charging nozzle that connects the charging unit and the power storage unit of the electric vehicle;
A lock control unit for controlling the lock of the lock unit based on the electronic money use history information in the store read by the reader / writer;
An electric vehicle charger comprising: The lock control unit
Using the usage history information, when the settlement of the charge for charging the electric vehicle is completed, unlocking the lock unit,
The electric vehicle charger according to claim 1. The usage history information includes discount fee information,
The charge including the charge charge minus the discount charge is presented as the charge charge,
The lock control unit releases the lock of the lock unit when the settlement of the presented billing fee is completed.
The electric vehicle charger according to claim 2. An electric vehicle charging system having an electric vehicle charger and a POS terminal provided in a store,
The electric vehicle charger is
A reader / writer for reading information from the electronic money carrier and writing information to the electronic money carrier;
A charging unit for charging the electric vehicle;
A lock unit that locks connection of a charging nozzle that connects the charging unit and the power storage unit of the electric vehicle;
A lock control unit for controlling the lock of the lock unit based on the electronic money use history information in the store read by the reader / writer;
Comprising
The POS terminal has a reader / writer that writes electronic money usage history information in the store to an electronic money carrier.
Charging system for electric vehicles. Reading information from the electronic money carrier and writing information to the electronic money carrier;
Charging the electric vehicle;
Locking the connection of the charging nozzle that connects the charging unit and the power storage unit of the electric vehicle;
Controlling the lock of the lock unit based on the electronic money usage history information in the store read from the electronic money carrier;
An electric vehicle charging method.

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