JP2013106363A - Lock control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To release a lock between a connector of a charger and a power supply port of an electric motor car during an emergency and ensure the safety during the emergency.SOLUTION: A charger 110 charges an electric motor car 120. When a charging gun 113 connects with a charging lid 121 of the electric motor car 120, a lock for preventing the separation between the charging gun 113 and the charging lid 121 functions. During charging, when emergency information for a region that the charger 110 is installed is received, the electric motor car 120 quickly outputs a control signal to the charger 110 for stopping charging and releasing the lock. The charger 110 stops the charging and releases the lock to quickly separate the charging gun 113 from the charging lid 121.

Description

  The present invention provides a connector and a power supply when charging a drive battery mounted on an electric vehicle via a connector and a charging cable that can be connected to a power supply port of the electric vehicle from a charger installed outside the electric vehicle. The present invention relates to a lock control device for unlocking lock means for locking a connection with a mouth.

  Conventionally, in a charger that charges a battery of an electric vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid car, a charge controller that monitors whether the battery is properly charged is used (for example, see Patent Document 1 below). Patent Document 1 below discloses a charge controller that stops charging from a charger or notifies a user of an abnormality when an abnormality such as a connector disconnection is detected during charging.

JP 9-233720 A

  Since a high-voltage current is used for charging the electric vehicle, it is extremely dangerous that the connector of the charging cable and the power supply port on the vehicle side are disconnected during charging (connector disconnection). For this reason, an electromagnetic lock is generally applied between the connector and the power supply port during charging. On the other hand, if emergency information such as an earthquake early warning or warning is issued at the time of charging, it is required to stop charging promptly, and if it is necessary to evacuate using a vehicle, lock it. It is required to release the connector from the electric vehicle. Moreover, if the connector of the charging cable is left connected to the electric vehicle, the user may trip on the charging cable during evacuation, or the charging cable may be damaged by falling objects.

  However, the lock can be forcibly released by the release mechanism provided in the charger body, etc., but in the event of an emergency, there is a possibility that the presence of the release mechanism will not be noticed or the operation method may be wrong. There is a problem that there is. Further, although the above-described prior art discloses that charging is stopped in the event of an abnormality, there is no mention of locking the connector and the power supply port.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and in an emergency, unlocks the connector of the charger and the power supply port of the electric vehicle to ensure safety in an emergency. Objective.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a lock control device according to the present invention is provided via a connector and a charging cable that can be connected to a power supply port of the electric vehicle from a charger installed outside the electric vehicle. A lock control device for controlling a locking means for locking the connection between the connector and the power supply port when charging a driving battery mounted on the electric vehicle, wherein the charger is installed. Receiving means for receiving emergency information, and, when the emergency information is received by the receiving means, a release means for stopping the charging and releasing the lock of the locking means.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the electric vehicle is locked between the connector and the power supply port during charging, and charging is stopped when emergency information for the area around the charger is received during charging. Then, release the lock placed between the charging connector and the power supply port. Thus, the connector can be immediately detached from the vehicle and the connector can be stored. By storing the connector, the user can confirm that charging has been completed reliably, and can reduce the risk of tripping over the charging cable during evacuation or damage to the charging cable due to falling objects. . In addition, the user can evacuate using an electric vehicle if necessary.

  According to the invention of claim 2, since the charger or the electric vehicle is connected to the domestic electrical equipment management system, the operating state or power consumption of the charger or the electric vehicle is monitored, or remote control or automatic control is performed. Thus, the operating state and power consumption of the charger or the electric vehicle can be appropriately managed. Further, according to the invention of claim 2, since the emergency information receiving means is provided in the controller of the home appliance management system, control corresponding to the emergency information is also applied to the home appliance other than the electric vehicle ( For example, an emergency stop can be performed.

  According to the invention of claim 3, since the emergency information receiving means is provided in the electric vehicle, the emergency information can be received even at the destination. According to the third aspect of the present invention, even when the connected charger is not provided with emergency information receiving means (stand-alone), the emergency information can be handled.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, after the lock is released, the connector is detached from the power supply port, so that the charging cable can be immediately stored or evacuated using an electric vehicle.

1 is a configuration diagram of a charging system 100 according to an embodiment. It is a block diagram of the domestic electrical equipment management system 200 to which the charging system 100 belongs. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a charger 110. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electric vehicle 120. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of charging control processing of the charger 110. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure for charging the electric vehicle 120;

  Exemplary embodiments of a lock control device according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, an example in which the lock control device according to the present invention is applied to the electric vehicle 120 charged by the charger 110 will be described.

(Embodiment)
(About charging system 100)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a charging system 100 according to the embodiment. The charging system 100 according to the embodiment includes a charger 110 and an electric vehicle 120. The electric vehicle 120 is an electric vehicle that is driven by rotating a motor with electric power in a battery. The charger 110 supplies electric power to the electric vehicle 120 to charge the battery of the electric vehicle 120. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that charger 110 is provided in a home (general house).

  The charger 110 includes a main body 111, a charging cable 112, and a charging gun 113. The main body 111 is provided with a control unit (charge controller) that controls the operation of the charger 110, a user interface that displays a charging state, a charging setting, an operation screen, and the like of the charger 110. A charging cable 112 extends from the main body 111, and a charging gun 113 (connector) is provided at the tip of the charging cable 112. A connecting portion 114 connected to the connecting portion 123 on the vehicle side is provided at the tip of the charging gun 113. In addition to the power supply interface that supplies power to the electric vehicle 120, the coupling unit 114 is provided with a data interface that exchanges data with the electric vehicle 120.

  The electric vehicle 120 is provided with a charging lid 121 (power supply port). The charging lid 121 is covered with a lid 122, and a coupling portion 123 is provided therein. When the electric vehicle 120 is charged, the charging gun 113 is inserted into the charging lid 121, and the coupling portion 114 and the coupling portion 123 come into contact with each other to exchange power. The coupling unit 123 is provided with a data interface that exchanges data with the charger 110 in addition to an interface for receiving power from the charger 110.

  Here, when the electric vehicle 120 is charged, the charging lid 121 is locked with the charging gun 113. This is because a high-voltage current is used to charge the electric vehicle 120, and it is extremely dangerous for the charging gun 113 to be detached from the charging lid 121 (coupling portion 123) (connector disconnection). For this reason, an electromagnetic lock is applied between the charging lid 121 and the charging gun 113 during charging. For example, when the charging start operation is performed on the charger 110 after the connection of the charging lid 121 and the charging gun 113, the locking mechanism (FIG. 3 and FIG. 3) is provided. Lock by controlling (see FIG. 4).

(Home appliance management system 200)
Next, the domestic electrical equipment management system 200 to which the charging system 100 belongs will be described.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the home appliance management system 200 to which the charging system 100 belongs. The household electrical equipment management system 200 connects electrical equipment installed in the home via a network, monitors the operating status and power consumption of each electrical equipment, and controls or automatically controls each electrical equipment. It is a system that made it possible to For example, HEMS (Home Energy Management System) is known as the home electrical equipment management system 200. In the charging system 100, the electric vehicle 120 and / or the charger 110 is incorporated into the home electrical device management system 200 as one of the electrical devices.

  In the home electrical device management system 200, home electrical devices 211 are connected to each other via a network, centering on a home controller 210. In addition to the electric vehicle 120 and / or the charger 110, the electric equipment 211 includes, for example, a washing machine, an air conditioner, a PCS (Power Condition System) used for photovoltaic power generation (PV), and electric power generated by photovoltaic power generation. It also includes battery storage. The connection between the home controller 210 and each electrical device 211 may be performed either wirelessly or wired.

  The home controller 210 is connected to the WAN 212. As a result, it becomes possible to remotely control the electrical device 211 in the home, or to monitor the power consumption status of each home by an electric power company or the like. The home controller 210 is also connected to a distribution board 213 that distributes power supplied from the power plant to the home via a transmission line or the like.

  Here, the home controller 210 includes a receiving unit that receives emergency information. The emergency information is information notifying the occurrence of disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis, and issuing emergency earthquake warnings and warnings. The emergency information received by the home controller 210 is distributed, for example, to a broadcast wave for emergency broadcasting in terrestrial television broadcasting or radio broadcasting, or to a mobile phone terminal located in the target area of emergency information by a mobile phone network operator. Emergency information can be used. Further, the emergency information received by the home controller 210 may be distributed directly (for control of the home controller 210) to the home controller 210 of each household. In the present embodiment, the emergency information is distributed only to the area where the emergency event is notified. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the home controller 210 It may be determined whether or not is located in the generation area.

  When the home controller 210 receives the emergency information, the home controller 210 transmits a control signal (emergency control information) indicating that the emergency information has been received to each electrical device 211 in the home electrical device management system 200. Each electrical device 211 that has received the emergency control information performs an operation for an emergency event (in many cases, a safe stop).

  Charging system 100 stops charging when emergency control information is received during charging. At this time, the power supply from the charger 110 to the electric vehicle 120 is stopped, and the lock between the charging gun 113 and the charging lid 121 is released. As a result, the charging gun 113 and the charging lid 121 are brought into a state in which they can be quickly detached. The emergency lock release mechanism is also provided in the lock mechanism. However, in the event of an emergency, there is a possibility that the user may be shaken and cannot operate the emergency lock release mechanism, so the lock is automatically released on the charging system 100 side. Like that.

  This is because if the charging gun 113 and the charging lid 121 remain connected, there is a possibility that the evacuation may be disturbed or the charging cable 112 may be damaged by a fallen object or the like. In addition, since the current supplied from the charger 110 is a high voltage, when leaving the place due to evacuation or the like, the person who stores the charging cable 112 is also used to confirm that the charging has been completed. Is preferred. Furthermore, when evacuating using the electric vehicle 120, it is possible to evacuate quickly by automatically releasing the lock. As described above, by stopping charging in an emergency and releasing the lock between the charging gun 113 and the charging lid 121, safety during charging can be further improved.

(Configuration of charger 110 and electric vehicle 120)
Next, the configuration of the charger 110 and the electric vehicle 120 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the charger 110. The charger 110 includes a charge controller 301, a communication unit 302, a user interface 303, a connection detection unit 304, a power supply unit 305, and a lock mechanism 306. The charge controller 301 includes a CPU, a ROM that stores and stores a control program, a RAM as an operation area of the control program, an EEPROM that holds various data in a rewritable manner, an interface unit that interfaces with peripheral circuits, and the like. Composed. The charge controller 301 is connected to other components of the charger 110 through an interface unit, exchanges information with each unit, and controls each unit.

  The communication unit 302 transmits / receives data to / from the electric vehicle 120 and the home controller 210. Communication with the electric vehicle 120 is performed using, for example, a communication line provided in the charging cable 112. The user interface 303 is a touch panel or the like provided in the main body unit 111, and displays a charging state, a charging setting, an operation screen, and the like of the charger 110. The connection detection unit 304 is configured by a sensor or the like provided at the coupling unit 114 at the tip of the charging gun 113, detects that the coupling unit 114 is connected to the coupling unit 123, and outputs a detection signal to the charge controller 301. The power supply unit 305 includes a charging cable 112, a charging gun 113, and the like, rectifies the current divided from the distribution board 213 into a form that can be supplied to the electric vehicle 120, and supplies the electric vehicle 120 to the electric vehicle 120 To do.

  The lock mechanism 306 is provided on the charging gun 113 and is disposed between the charging gun 113 and the charging lid 121 in order to prevent the charging gun 113 from being detached from the charging lid 121 of the electric vehicle 120 to which the charging gun 113 is connected. Lock the lock. As the lock mechanism 306, for example, an electromagnetic lock can be used. Locking and releasing the lock in the lock mechanism 306 is controlled by the charge controller 301. In addition, although the structure (lock mechanism 406) corresponding to the lock mechanism 306 is also provided on the electric vehicle 120 side, in this embodiment, control of locking and releasing of the lock is performed on the charger 110 side. .

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electric vehicle 120. The electric vehicle 120 includes a vehicle controller 401, a communication unit 402, a user interface 403, a connection detection unit 404, a battery 405, and a lock mechanism 406. The configuration shown in FIG. 4 is only the components related to the present embodiment in the configuration of electric vehicle 120, and illustration and description of configurations related to other functions such as a drive mechanism are omitted.

  The vehicle controller 401 (determination means, release means) has an interface with a CPU, a ROM that stores and stores a control program, a RAM as an operation area of the control program, an EEPROM that holds various data in a rewritable manner, and peripheral circuits. The interface part etc. which take are comprised. The vehicle controller 401 is connected to other components of the electric vehicle 120 via an interface unit, exchanges information with each unit, and controls each unit.

  The communication unit 402 transmits / receives data to / from the charger 110 and the home controller 210. The user interface 403 is a touch panel using a navigation screen or the like, and displays a charging state, a charging setting, an operation screen, and the like of the electric vehicle 120. The battery 405 stores electric power necessary for driving the electric vehicle 120 and various devices provided in the vehicle. It is assumed that the amount of power stored in the battery 405 can be detected by the vehicle controller 401. The lock mechanism 406 is a mechanism corresponding to the lock mechanism 306 provided in the charger 110. For example, when the lock mechanism is an electromagnetic lock, the lock mechanism 306 and the lock mechanism 406 are coupled by electromagnetic force. The lock between the charging gun 113 and the charging lid 121 is realized.

(Charging process of charging system 100)
Next, the charging process in the charging system 100 will be described. The flowcharts of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show a flow when the electric vehicle 120 receives emergency control information transmitted from the home controller 210. That is, when the home controller 210 receives emergency information, the home controller 210 transmits emergency control information to each electric device 211 including the electric vehicle 120.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the charging control process of the charger 110. In the flowchart of FIG. 5, the charger 110 waits until the charging gun 113 is connected to the charging lid 121 of the electric vehicle 120 (step S501: No loop). When the connection detection unit 304 detects that the charging gun 113 is connected to the electric vehicle 120 (step S501: Yes), the charger 110 can communicate with the electric vehicle 120 through the communication unit 302 and start charging. Whether or not is initially confirmed (step S502). Until it is determined by the initial confirmation that charging can be started (step S503: No), the process returns to step S502 and the initial confirmation process is repeated.

  When it is determined that charging can be started (step S503: Yes), the lock mechanism 306 of the charger 110 locks the lock between the charging gun 113 and the charging lid 121 (step S504), and the power supply unit Electric power is supplied to the electric vehicle 120 by 305 (step S505). The locking (step S504) may be performed immediately after the charging gun 113 is connected or before the initial confirmation (step S502).

  The charging controller 301 of the charger 110 always receives a request (control signal) from the electric vehicle 120 during charging and confirms the content (step S506). Until there is a charge stop request from the electric vehicle 120 (step S507: No), the process returns to step S505, and the power supply unit 305 continues to supply power to the electric vehicle 120. When there is a charge stop request from the electric vehicle 120 (step S507: Yes), the power supply unit 305 stops the power supply to the electric vehicle 120 (step S508). Then, the locking mechanism 306 of the charger 110 releases the lock between the charging gun 113 and the charging lid 121 (step S509), and ends the processing according to this flowchart.

Next, a procedure for charging the electric vehicle 120 will be described.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for charging the electric vehicle 120. In the flowchart of FIG. 6, the electric vehicle 120 waits until the charging gun 113 of the charger 110 is connected to the charging lid 121 (step S <b> 601: No loop). When the connection detection unit 304 detects that the charging gun 113 of the charger 110 is connected to the charging lid 121 (step S601: Yes), the communication unit 402 of the electric vehicle 120 communicates with the charger 110, An initial check is made as to whether or not charging can be started (step S602). Until it is determined by the initial confirmation that charging can be started (step S603: No), the process returns to step S602 to repeat the initial confirmation process, and when it is determined that charging can be started (step S603: Yes), the charger Power supply from the 110 power supply unit 305 is started.

  The vehicle controller 401 of the electric vehicle 120 always receives a request (control signal) from the home controller 210 during charging and confirms the content (step S604). If the request from the home controller 210 is not emergency control information (step S605: No), the battery storage amount is monitored (step S606), and it is determined whether or not charging is completed (step S607). Whether or not to complete the charging is determined based on, for example, whether or not the amount of charge of the battery is equal to or higher than the target charge amount (or the charge rate is equal to or higher than the target charge rate).

  Until the charged amount of the battery becomes equal to or greater than the target charge amount, charging is not completed (step S607: No), the process returns to step S604, and the subsequent processing is repeated. When the charged amount of the battery becomes equal to or greater than the target charge amount and charging is completed (step S607: Yes), the communication unit 402 of the electric vehicle 120 transmits a charge stop request to the charger 110 (step S608). ), The process according to this flowchart is terminated.

  In Step S605, when the request from home controller 210 is emergency control information (Step S605: Yes), vehicle controller 401 of electric vehicle 120 immediately transmits a charge stop request to charger 110. (Step S608). That is, the vehicle controller 401 of the electric vehicle 120 determines whether or not the emergency information for the area where the charger 110 is installed is received (determination means). If it is determined that the emergency information is received, the vehicle controller 401 performs charging. It stops and outputs a control signal for unlocking the lock means (lock mechanisms 306, 406). As a result, the supply of power from the power supply unit 305 of the charger 110 is stopped, the lock between the charging gun 113 and the charging lid 121 is released, and the charging cable 112 can be quickly stored, The car 120 can be used.

  As described above, the charging system 100 locks the connector (the charging gun 113) and the power supply port (the charging lid 121) while the electric vehicle 120 is being charged, and targets the area around the charger during charging. When the emergency information is received, the charging is stopped and the lock applied between the charging gun 113 and the charging lid 121 is released. Thereby, the charging gun 113 can be immediately detached from the vehicle, and the charging gun 113 and the charging cable 112 can be accommodated. By storing the charging gun 113 and the charging cable 112, the user can confirm that charging has been completed, and the user can trip the charging cable 112 during evacuation, or the charging cable 112 can be damaged by falling objects. Risk can be reduced. In addition, the user can evacuate using the electric vehicle 120 if necessary.

  In addition, since the charger 110 or the electric vehicle 120 is connected to the home electrical device management system 200, the charging system 100 can monitor the operating state and power consumption of the charger 110 or the electric vehicle 120, and can be operated remotely. In addition, the operating state and power consumption of the charger 110 or the electric vehicle 120 can be appropriately managed by automatic control. Moreover, since the charging system 100 is provided with emergency information receiving means in the home controller 210 of the home electrical device management system 200, the home electrical device 211 other than the electric vehicle 120 also supports the emergency information. Control (for example, emergency stop) can be performed.

  In the present embodiment, emergency control information from home controller 210 is received by electric vehicle 120, but emergency control information from home controller 210 may be received by charger 110. In this case, when step S506 in FIG. 5 is read as “confirmation of request from electric vehicle and home controller” and emergency control information is received, step S508 (stop power supply) may be immediately performed.

  In this embodiment, emergency information (emergency control information) is received via the home controller 210. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the electric vehicle 120 or the charger 110 receives emergency information directly. May be. In this case, when emergency information is received by the electric vehicle 120, step S604 in FIG. 6 may be read as “confirm emergency information” and step S605 as “receive emergency information?”. When the emergency information is received by the charger 110, step S506 in FIG. 5 is read as “confirm emergency information and a request from the electric vehicle”, and when emergency information is received, the process immediately proceeds to step S508 (power supply (Stop). With such a configuration, the present invention can be applied even when the charger 110 and the electric vehicle 120 are not connected to the domestic electrical appliance management system 200. Further, if the emergency information receiving means is provided in the electric vehicle 120, the emergency information receiving means is not provided in the destination traveled using the electric vehicle 120 or the connected charger (standalone). Even if it exists, it can respond to emergency information.

  In the present embodiment, when the vehicle controller 401 determines that the emergency information has been received, the vehicle controller 401 outputs a control signal for unlocking the lock means (lock mechanisms 306 and 406). The lock between the charging gun 113 and the charging lid 121 is assumed to be released. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when emergency information is received by the receiving means, the charging gun 113 and the charging lid 121 are not connected. A release mechanism for mechanically releasing the lock may be provided, and this release mechanism may be used as the release means. For example, when the receiving means is provided in the home controller 210 or the charger 110, it is preferable to provide this release mechanism in the charging gun 113. Further, when the receiving means is provided in the electric vehicle 120, it is preferable to provide this release mechanism in the charging lid 121. In this way, by providing a release mechanism in the charging gun 113 or the charging lid 121 so as to be closer to the receiving means, the lock between the charging gun 113 and the charging lid 121 can be released more quickly in an emergency. Is possible.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lock between the charging gun 113 and the charging lid 121 is released in an emergency, but in addition to releasing the lock, the charging gun 113 is detached from the charging lid 121. May be. In this case, a detaching mechanism (detaching means) that applies a force to detach the charging gun 113 from the charging lid 121 is provided to the charging lid 121 and / or the charging gun 113. By automatically detaching the charging gun 113 from the charging lid 121, the electric vehicle 120 can be put into a state where the electric vehicle 120 can be boarded more quickly. For example, it is effective when evacuating using the electric vehicle 120. .

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Charging system, 110 ... Charger, 111 ... Main part, 112 ... Charging cable, 113 ... Charging gun, 114 ... Connection part, 120 ... Electric vehicle, 121 ... Charging lid, 122 ... ... Lid, 123 ... Connection part, 200 ... Domestic electrical equipment management system, 210 ... Home controller, 211 ... Electrical equipment, 212 ... WAN, 213 ... Distribution board, 301 ... Charge controller, 302 ...... Communication unit, 303 ...... User interface, 304 ...... Connection detection unit, 305 ...... Power supply unit, 306 ...... Lock mechanism, 401 ...... Vehicle controller, 402 ...... Communication unit, 403 ...... User interface, 404 ... Connection detection unit, 405 ... Battery, 406 ... Lock mechanism.

Claims (4)

When charging a drive battery mounted on the electric vehicle via a connector and a charging cable connectable to a power supply port of the electric vehicle from a charger installed outside the electric vehicle, the connector and the power supply A lock control device for controlling a locking means for locking a connection with a mouth,
Receiving means for receiving emergency information for the area where the charger is installed;
When the emergency information is received by the receiving means, the charging is stopped, the releasing means for releasing the lock of the locking means,
A lock control device comprising:   The charger or the electric vehicle is connected to a home electrical equipment management system that manages power consumption in the home by connecting home power consumption equipment via a network, and the receiving means is the home electrical equipment The lock control device according to claim 1, wherein the lock control device is provided in a controller of the management system.   The lock control device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving unit is provided in the electric vehicle.   The lock control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a detaching unit that detaches the connector that has been unlocked from the power supply port.

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