JP2016111720A - Charge management device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a charge management device capable of reducing the electricity rate required for charge in simple configuration and reducing a possibility for a breaker to cut off the power.SOLUTION: A charge management device 10 for supplying a commercial power source for charge to a charger of an electric vehicle 15 via a charging cable 14 comprises: a timer device capable of setting ON/OFF in any time zone of a predetermined time width in a cycle of 24 hours; and charging current upper limit value notification means for transmitting upper limit values of charging currents of different commercial power sources in accordance with the ON/OFF of the timer device to the charger while using a function of a standard specification during charge. The charging current in the time zone of a low electricity rate is made into maximum value in simple configuration, the charging current in the time zone of a high electricity rate can be made into a smaller value than the maximum value and charging can be performed much more within the time zone of the low electricity rate, such that the electricity rate is reduced further than the case where the current value is fixed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a charge management device, and more particularly to a charge management device suitable for charging an electric vehicle or the like at home.

  2. Description of the Related Art Various types of charging devices for electric vehicles have been proposed in the past that make electricity charges as cheap as possible. For example, Patent Literature 1 below discloses a charge control device that starts charging from an optimal charging start time so that low-cost charging using midnight power can be performed in an electric vehicle (EV or PHV) as much as possible. For the charging system, the user uses the input unit to input a midnight time zone and the next departure time at which the power rate of the power company in the area is low. The battery ECU uses the current time, next departure time, and midnight time zone information to calculate the optimal charging start time in terms of toll, and automatically starts charging the vehicle battery when that time comes To do.

JP2011-259652A

  In the conventional charging control device as described above, since the charging control device is mounted on the vehicle, the charging is managed by a system in the vehicle or provided with a communication means with an external device of the vehicle. Therefore, it is necessary to transmit the remaining amount information of the battery to the external device, calculate the charging start time in the external device, and turn on / off the supply of commercial power to the electric vehicle.

  Therefore, it is troublesome because it is necessary to input the scheduled departure time, and there is a problem that a communication means is required when using an external device. In addition, when charging at home, a charging current full of the allowable amount of the distribution line connected to the electric vehicle flows, so the start of charging exceeds the contracted power consumption, and the breaker falls. There was also a fear.

  The purpose of the invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, with a simple configuration that does not require a lot of trouble, can reduce the electricity bill for charging, and can reduce the possibility of the breaker falling It is to provide a management device.

  The charge management device of the present invention can be set to ON / OFF in a predetermined time period with a period of 24 hours in a charge management device that supplies a commercial power source for charging to a charging device capable of controlling the charging current of the power source. And a charging current upper limit value notifying unit for transmitting an upper limit value of a charging current of a different commercial power source to the charging device according to on / off of the timer unit during charging.

  In the charge management device described above, one of the upper limit values notified by the charge current upper limit value notifying unit is a maximum value of current allowed for the charge management device, and the other is a predetermined value smaller than the maximum value. It is also characteristic in that it is a value. In the above-described charge management device, the timer means is a commercially available 24-hour cycle timer device. In the above-described charge management device, the timer means is also realized in that the control device is realized by executing a program that realizes a timer function.

  According to the present invention, since the charging current is managed (controlled) using the standard function, the charging current in the time zone with a low electricity bill is set to the maximum value, and the charging current in the time zone with a high electricity bill is set. Since it can be set to a value smaller than the maximum value and more charging can be performed in a time zone with a low electricity charge, there is an effect that the electricity charge is reduced as compared with the case where the current value is constant.

In addition, since the charging current can be set to a value smaller than the maximum value in a time zone where the amount of power used at home is large, there is an effect that the possibility of the breaker falling can be reduced.
Furthermore, the configuration is simple, and there is an effect that it is not necessary to obtain battery remaining amount information and it is not necessary to input a departure time.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of use of the charge management device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the charge management device and the electric vehicle (main part) in the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of each apparatus and the CPLT signal waveform in the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the control device in the charge management device according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the charge management apparatus according to the present invention.

  Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of use of a charge management device according to the present invention. A commercial power distribution line 13 drawn into each home is connected to a domestic distribution board 12 via a watt-hour meter 11, and is connected to an outlet or the like by an indoor distribution line via a breaker in the distribution board 12.

  The watt-hour meter 11 is a watt-hour meter that measures and stores the amount of power for each time zone so that billing can be made in accordance with the charge plan of the power company, and can be transmitted to a data logger or the like by a communication function. By using such a watt-hour meter 11, even if the same indoor distribution line is used, it is possible to make a contract with a plan with different power charges depending on the time zone used.

  The charge management device 10 according to the present invention includes a charging cable 14 that is connected to indoor wiring and supplies commercial power to the electric vehicle 15. Although details will be described later, the charge management device 10 is for charging in accordance with the standard SAEJ1772 established by the SAE (American Automotive Engineers Association) as an interface for charging electric vehicles (EV) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV). Has an interface.

  Most of the electric vehicles 15 currently sold in Japan are equipped with a charging interface (mode 3) compliant with the standard SAEJ1772, and at the time of charging, the charging management device is connected by the user with the charging cable 14 compliant with the standard SAEJ1772. 10 is connected.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the charge management device and the electric vehicle (main part) in the present invention. The charge management device 10 includes an earth leakage breaker 20, a timer device 21, a power supply circuit 22 for a circuit in the charge management device, a microcomputer 23 that is a control device of the charge management device 10, and a commercial power supply for supplying power to the electric vehicle 15. Relay, its driving circuit 24, CPLT driving circuit 26 for communicating with the electric vehicle 15, two switches 27A and 27B for digitally inputting two current values, power on, charging, error, etc. LED 29 is displayed.

  The current sensor 28 and the current detection circuit 25 are circuits for monitoring the current during charging in the standard SAEJ1772 mode 1, and are not directly related to the present invention, but the current is monitored even during the charging in mode 3. When an excessive current is detected, charging may be stopped. The switch 30 is also a switch for instructing charging in mode 1, and is not directly related to the present invention.

  The timer device 21 is a timer device that can turn on and off the contact at any desired time zone within 24 hours, and can return to the current time within a predetermined time even if a power failure occurs. Such timer devices are commercially available, and some have a switch that can be manually turned on or off regardless of the timer setting.

  The microcomputer 23 is a one-chip microcomputer provided with a CPU, RAM, ROM, digital input port, digital output port, clock generation circuit, timer circuit, and the like. The ROM stores a program (described later) for executing the functions of the present invention. Such a one-chip microcomputer is well known, and any one having a necessary function can be adopted.

  The digital input port of the microcomputer 23 is connected to the contacts of the timer device 21, switches 27 and 30, the output of the current detection circuit 25, and the voltage information output of the CPLT signal line output from the CPLT drive circuit 26. The digital output port of the computer 23 is connected to a relay 24 drive circuit, a CPLT drive circuit 26, and an LED 29.

  The CPLT drive circuit 26 includes a drive circuit capable of driving a 1 kHz rectangular wave with an arbitrary duty ratio of the signal line of the charging cable 14 with an amplitude of ± 12 volts and a predetermined impedance. In order to receive a received signal, a voltage detection circuit (AD conversion circuit) for detecting in which voltage range the voltage of the signal line is provided.

  The charging management device 10 is connected to a charging cable 14 that conforms to the standard SAEJ1772, and an electric vehicle 15 is connected by a cable 14 including two AC power lines, one CPLT signal line, and one ground (ground) line. Connected to the charge management device 10.

  The electric vehicle 15 includes a charging device 42, a battery 43, a charging control device 45, and a CPLT communication circuit 44. The charging device 42 converts the commercial power source into a DC power source and charges the battery 43. At this time, charging is controlled so that the current value of the commercial power supply does not exceed the value specified by the charging control device 45.

  The CPLT communication circuit 44 includes a voltage detection circuit (AD conversion circuit) for detecting the duty ratio of the rectangular wave and a contact for changing the load impedance. The contact is changed based on the control from the charging control device 45. By turning on and off, information such as connector connection, charging preparation completion, and charging completion is transmitted to the CPLT drive circuit 26 of the charge management device 10.

  The charging control device 45 controls the charging device 42 to perform the charging operation with the current value corresponding to the duty ratio information of the rectangular wave detected in the CPLT communication circuit 44 as an upper limit. The function of the electric vehicle 15 is based on the standard SAEJ1772, and has a well-known configuration.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of each apparatus and the CPLT signal waveform in the present invention. In the charging interface conforming to the mode 3 of the standard SAEJ1772, a ground line and a CPLT signal line are provided in addition to the two AC power supply lines.

  The CPLT drive circuit 26 in the charge management device 10 includes a drive circuit capable of driving a 1 kHz rectangular wave having an arbitrary duty ratio with a signal line having an amplitude of ± 12 volts and a predetermined impedance. In order to receive a received signal, a voltage detection circuit (AD conversion circuit) for detecting in which voltage range the voltage of the signal line is provided. The CPLT communication circuit 44 on the electric vehicle side includes a voltage detection circuit for detecting the duty ratio of the rectangular wave and a contact for changing the load impedance of the signal line.

  First, when the power supply of the charge management device 10 is turned on, the signal line is driven at +12 volts, and when the connector of the cable 14 is connected to the electric vehicle 15, the signal line voltage decreases to 9 volts. When the control device of the charge management device 10 detects this connection, it generates a rectangular wave having a duty ratio corresponding to the upper limit value of the charging current for the electric vehicle 15 and drives the signal line.

  In the example of FIG. 3, it is assumed that the contact of the timer device 21 is on at the start of charging. It is assumed that the switch 27B is set to a current value of 6 amperes. In this case, the duty ratio is 10% in the standard SAEJ1772.

  When this duty ratio is received in the electric vehicle 15, a signal indicating that the preparation for charging is completed by closing the contact for changing the load impedance is transmitted. When the control device (23) of the charge management device 10 detects this signal (+ voltage drop to 6 volts), it turns on the relay 24 and starts supplying commercial power to the electric vehicle 15. The electric vehicle 15 starts charging at a maximum current value of 6 amperes.

  Thereafter, when the contact of the timer device 21 is turned off, the control device of the charge management device 10 changes the duty ratio of the rectangular wave corresponding to the current value of the switch 27A. For example, when the current value of the switch 27A is set to 15 amperes, the duty ratio is 25% in the standard SAEJ1772.

  When charging of the battery of the electric vehicle 15 is completed, a signal indicating that charging is completed is transmitted by opening a contact for changing the load impedance in the electric vehicle 15. When the control device of the charge management device 10 detects this signal (+ voltage rise to 9 volts), it turns off the relay 24 and stops the supply of commercial power to the electric vehicle 15. Further, when the connector of the cable 14 is disconnected from the electric vehicle 15, the signal line voltage rises to 12 volts.

  The above operation is based on the mode 3 of the standard SAEJ1772. In the present invention, the charging current of the charging device 42 in the electric vehicle 15 is controlled from the charging management device 10 using this function.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the control device 23 in the charge management device according to the present invention. When the power supply of the charge management device 10 is turned on, the charging relay 24 is turned off in S10, and the LED 29 indicating that charging is in progress is turned off. In S11, the voltage of the CPLT signal line is monitored and waits until it is connected to the electric vehicle 15.

  In S12, the contact state of the timer device 21 is read. It is assumed that the timer device is preset by the user so that the contact is turned on in a time zone when the electricity rate is high and the contact is turned off in a time zone where the electricity rate is low. In S13, it is determined whether or not the contact is off. If the determination result is negative, the process proceeds to S15, but if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to S14.

  In S14, the state (value: for example, 15 amperes) of the current switching switch 27A in which a current value for a time zone with a low electricity bill is set is read. In S15, the state (value: for example, 6 amperes) of the current switching switch 27B in which a current value for a time zone with a high electricity charge is set in advance is read. In S16, the current value read in S14 or S15 is converted into a rectangular wave duty ratio of the CPLT signal and notified to the electric vehicle 15.

  In S <b> 17, the voltage of the CPLT signal line is monitored, and the process waits until a charge preparation completion signal is received from the electric vehicle 15. In S18, the relay 24 for supplying the commercial power source for charging (for example, AC 100 volts) to the electric vehicle is turned on, and the LED 29 indicating that charging is in progress is turned on.

  In S19, it is determined whether or not the charging is completed by monitoring the voltage of the CPLT signal line. If the determination result is negative, the process proceeds to S20, but if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to S10. In S20, it is determined whether or not a failure has been detected, for example, when the connector is disconnected, by monitoring the voltage of the CPLT signal line. If the determination result is negative, the process proceeds to S21. Displays an error and proceeds to S10.

  In S21, the contact state of the timer device 21 is read. In S22, it is determined whether or not the contact is off. If the determination result is negative, the process proceeds to S24, but if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to S23.

  In S23, the state (value) of the switch 27A for current switching in which a current value for a time zone with a low electricity bill is set in advance is read. In S24, the state (value) of the switch 27B for current switching in which a current value for a time zone with a high electricity bill is set in advance is read. In S25, the duty ratio of the rectangular wave of the CPLT signal is set to a value corresponding to the current value read in S23 or S24 and notified to the electric vehicle 15, and the process proceeds to S19.

  With the configuration and operation as described above, in the charge management device of the present invention, the charging current value can be set to a value smaller than the maximum value during a time period when the electricity rate is high, without taking time and effort with a simple configuration. It can reduce electricity bills and prevent power outages.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the charge management apparatus according to the present invention. In the first embodiment, an example in which a commercially available 24-hour timer device is used is disclosed. However, the second embodiment is an example in which the timer function in the present invention is realized by the microcomputer 23.

  The difference from the first embodiment is that there is a clock device 34, an input device 32, a display device 33 instead of the timer device 21 used in the first embodiment, and a timer function is realized in the microcomputer 23. This is the point that the program has been added.

  The clock device 34 is a known clock device mounted on a personal computer or the like, and includes a clock oscillation circuit and a time counting circuit, and is a device that can read time information. The timepiece device 34 also includes a battery, so that the time does not shift even if a power failure occurs. The timepiece device may be a radio timepiece or a RTC (real time clock) function with a built-in microcomputer.

The input device 32 is, for example, a switch for inputting on / off time information, and may include a plurality of multi-digit thumbwheel switches capable of directly setting time information, or may be a numeric keypad switch. Further, a switch that can manually turn on or off the contact information regardless of the setting of the timer may be provided. The display device 33 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display device capable of displaying a plurality of digits and a plurality of lines of characters and numbers.

  The program for realizing the timer function is a program for generating on / off information corresponding to contact information of the timer device 21. This program reads the time information from the clock device 34 and determines whether the current contact state is on by referring to the on / off time information read from the switch and set in advance in the memory. To generate on / off information.

  In the second embodiment, the functions of the switches 27A and 27B, the LED 29, and the switch 30 can also be realized by the input device 32 and the display device 33. Therefore, the switches 27A, 27B, the LED 29, and the switch 30 can be omitted.

  The present invention is applicable to any device that manages charging of an electric vehicle or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Charge management apparatus 11 ... Electricity meter 12 ... Distribution board 13 ... Distribution line 14 ... Charging cable 15 ... Electric vehicle

Claims (4)

In a charge management device that supplies a commercial power source for charging to a charging device that can control the charging current of the power source,
Timer means capable of setting on / off of an arbitrary time zone with a predetermined time width in a 24-hour cycle;
A charging management device comprising charging current upper limit value notification means for transmitting an upper limit value of a charging current of a different commercial power source to the charging device according to on / off of the timer means during charging.   One of the upper limit values notified by the charging current upper limit notification means is a maximum value of current allowed for the charge management device, and the other is a predetermined value smaller than the maximum value. Item 2. The charge management device according to Item 1.   2. The charge management device according to claim 1, wherein the timer means is a commercially available timer device having a 24-hour cycle.   2. The charge management device according to claim 1, wherein the timer means is realized by the control device executing a program for realizing a timer function.

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