JP2021184261A - Battery charger of vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a battery charger of a vehicle and method for determining a vehicle model of a charge vehicle.SOLUTION: A battery charger 1 for charging a vehicle includes current measurement means for measuring a charging current. A vehicle model is determined by using a frequency or a continuous time of one of three times. The three times include: the first time being the time from the time when it is detected that a charging current exceeds a set first threshold to the time when it is detected that the charging current becomes lower than the first threshold; the second time being the time from the time when it is detected the charging current becomes lower than a second threshold, which is set to be larger than the set first threshold and to be smaller than a peak current, to the time when it is detected that the charging current becomes lower than the first threshold; and the third time being the time from the time when the charging current becomes lower than the set first threshold to the time when the charging current exceeds the first threshold.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle charger.

As described in Patent Document 1, the charging charge when charging a vehicle using a vehicle charger is calculated by a method of calculating by a charging time or a method of calculating by an electric energy used. ..

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-321772

By the way, the peak value of the charging current differs depending on the vehicle. Therefore, in the case of calculation based on the charging time, even if the charging time is the same, the amount of electric power used differs for each vehicle, which gives a feeling of unfairness. Therefore, it is preferable to calculate the charging charge by measuring the amount of electric power used, but the cost is high because it is necessary to mount the electric energy meter on the charger for the vehicle.

The inventor of this case tried to solve this problem by diligently examining this point. An object of the present invention is to propose a method for determining a vehicle type of a charging vehicle.

In order to solve the above problem, it is a vehicle charger for charging the vehicle, which is provided with a current measuring means for measuring the charging current, and after detecting that the charging current exceeds the set first threshold value. In the first time, which is the time until it is detected that the value has fallen below the first threshold value, the charging current falls below the set second threshold value, which is larger than the set first threshold value and smaller than the peak current. In the second time, which is the time from the detection of the fact to the detection that the value has fallen below the first threshold value, the charging current falls below the set first threshold value and then exceeds the first threshold value. It is a vehicle charger that determines the vehicle type by using the number of times or the continuous time of any of the third time, which is the time until.

Further, the vehicle type is determined by using the data of the storage means that stores the data of the charging current value for each vehicle type of the vehicle, the number of times of the first time, the second time, or the third time, or the continuous time. It is preferable that the configuration is such that the vehicle type is determined.

Further, by the current measuring means, the first time, which is the time from the detection that the charging current measured by the current measuring means exceeds the first threshold value to the detection that the charging current falls below the first threshold value, is used. The charging current measured by the current measuring means is the second time, which is the time from the detection that the measured charging current has fallen below the second threshold value to the detection that the measured charging current has fallen below the first threshold value. A vehicle type determination method characterized in that the determination is performed using the number of times or the continuous time of any of the third time, which is the time from when the value falls below the first threshold value to when the value exceeds the first threshold value. It is preferable to do so.

In the present invention, it is possible to determine the vehicle type of the charging vehicle.

It is a figure which showed the time-dependent change of the charging current in a vehicle type A. It is a figure which showed the time-dependent change of the charging current in a vehicle type B. It is a figure which showed the time-dependent change of the charging current in a vehicle type C. It is a flow diagram which showed the flow which recognizes a hibernation state. It is a figure which showed the relationship between the time-dependent change of the charging current in the vehicle type A, the set first threshold value, and the charge target time. FIG. 5 is an image diagram showing a value obtained by multiplying the billing target time and the maximum value of the charging current in FIG. 5. However, the value is expressed as the area of the shaded square. FIG. 5 is an image diagram showing a value obtained by multiplying the billing target time and the maximum value of the charging current in FIG. 5. However, the value is expressed as the area of the shaded area. As for the second time in the vicinity of the fully charged state, half of the time is set as the billing target time. FIG. 5 is an image diagram showing a value obtained by multiplying the billing target time and the maximum value of the charging current in FIG. 5. However, the value is expressed as the area of the shaded area. In the second time near the fully charged state, the second time and the average value of the charging current are multiplied. It is a figure which showed the relationship between the time-dependent change of the charging current in the vehicle type A, and the time separated by the 1st threshold value. It is a figure which showed the relationship between the time-dependent change of the charging current in the vehicle type B, and the time separated by the 1st threshold value. It is a figure which showed the relationship between the time-dependent change of the charging current in the vehicle type C, and the time separated by the 1st threshold value. It is a figure which shows the state which the vehicle is connected to the charger for the vehicle provided with the unit provided with the timekeeping means, etc. on the primary side of the outlet. It is a figure showing the time-dependent change of the charging current in the vehicle type A when the unit is charged by using the vehicle charger provided on the primary side of the outlet. It is a block diagram of the charger for a vehicle used for charging a vehicle controlled by a CPLT signal.

The embodiment for carrying out the invention is shown below. The vehicle charger 1 of the present embodiment charges the vehicle 2, and can detect that the charging current exceeds and falls below the set first threshold value and the current measuring means for measuring the charging current. Detection means, timekeeping means for measuring the first time, which is the time from the detection that the charging current exceeds the first threshold value to the detection that the charging current falls below the first threshold value, and current measurement. It includes a control device that uses the maximum value of the charging current measured by the means and the first time measured by the time measuring means to calculate the charging charge. Therefore, it is possible to calculate the charging charge for reducing the feeling of unfairness for each vehicle 2 without mounting the watt-hour meter.

In many cases, the vehicle charger 1 is composed of a charger main body 11 and a charging cable 13, and charges the vehicle 2 by connecting the charging cable 13 to the vehicle 2. The charger main body 11 of the embodiment includes a current measuring means for measuring the charging current charged from the charger main body 11 to the vehicle 2.

For example, as shown in FIG. 14, charging is performed using a CPLT signal. In this case, the vehicle charger 1 communicates with the control circuit on the vehicle 2 side by changing the potential of the CPLT signal. conduct. When the CPLT signal is used, the potential of the CPLT signal of the vehicle charger 1 becomes 12V when the charging cable 13 is not connected to the vehicle 2. When the charging cable 13 is connected to the vehicle 2, the first resistor of the control circuit on the vehicle 2 side is connected in series with the resistor of the control device, and the potential of the CPLT signal becomes 9V. When the vehicle charger 1 detects that the potential of the CPLT signal has reached 9 V, it detects that the vehicle 2 is connected to the charging cable 13. After that, the vehicle charger 1 oscillates the pulse output circuit, and the potential of the CPLT signal becomes 9V oscillation. As a result, a pulsed 9V CPLT signal enters the vehicle 2 side. If the vehicle 2 side is ready, the control circuit on the vehicle 2 side turns on the power receiving permission switch.

When a lithium-ion battery is mounted as the in-vehicle battery, the potential of the CPLT signal changes to 6V oscillation due to the second resistance on the vehicle 2 side, and the vehicle charger 1 indicates that the vehicle 2 is ready to receive power. Recognizes. In this state, the vehicle charger 1 outputs an on signal to the relay, controls the closing of the charging electric circuit, and applies a charging voltage of 200V to the charging electric circuit.

By the way, the behavior of the current value at the time of charging is not uniform and depends on the vehicle type and the like. For example, in the case of the vehicle model A, as shown in FIG. 1, charging is performed while repeating charging ⇒ pause ⇒ charging ⇒ pause between the start of charging and the end of charging. Further, in the case of the vehicle type B, as shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle is paused only once after a certain period of time has elapsed from the start of charging. Further, in the case of the vehicle model C, as shown in FIG. 3, charging is continuously performed from the start to the end of charging. Such a difference in charging characteristics can lead to unfair results when calculating the charging charge using the current value and the charging time, so the time zone when it is considered that the battery is not charged is set. It is conceivable not to include it as the charging time.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the time zone in the hibernation state is defined as in the flow shown in FIG. First, the charging operation is started (S001). Next, it is determined whether or not the charging current value exceeds the first threshold value (S002). When it is detected that the charging current value exceeds the first threshold value, it is determined that charging has started (S003). Even in the hibernation state, a current of about several tens of mA is measured by the current measuring means. For the first threshold value, it is preferable to set a current value larger than the current flowing in the hibernation state, and specifically, it is preferable to set a current value of about several A.

Next, it is determined whether or not the charging current value is below the first threshold value. For example, the detection means detects that the charging current value decreases and falls below the first threshold value after a certain period of time has elapsed after it is determined that charging has started (S004). Based on this result, it is determined that the device is currently in hibernation (S005). Further, it may be determined that the state is in a dormant state by detecting by the detection means that the current value is smaller than the first threshold value and larger than the current flowing in the hibernation state and is set to be lower than the threshold value.

After the charging is hibernated, it is detected whether or not the charging current value exceeds the first threshold value (S006). When the charging current value exceeds the first threshold value, it is determined that charging is restarted (S007). If the charging current value exceeds the first threshold value, steps 004 to 006 are repeated. Whether or not a situation in which the first threshold value may be exceeded in step 006 differs depending on the type of vehicle 2, and some vehicles do not go into hibernation and end charging, while others repeat charging ⇔ hibernation. There are as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

If the charging current value does not exceed the first threshold value in step 006, it is detected whether or not the charging connector is disconnected (S008). In the case of a charging stand, whether or not the charging connector has been disconnected may be detected when the potential of the CPLT reaches 12V, or another threshold value may be set to detect a decrease in the current value. .. In the case of an in-vehicle cable or the like, another threshold value can be set and a decrease in the current value can be detected to determine that the charging connector has been disconnected.

When it is detected that the charging connector has been disconnected in step 008, the charging charge is calculated (S009). If it is not detected that the charging connector is disconnected in step 008, the process returns to step 006. Even if the first threshold value is not exceeded in step 006 and the charging connector is not pulled out in S0008 for a certain period of time, the charging charge may be calculated.

In the embodiment, the time from when the charging current value exceeds the threshold value to when the charging current value falls below the threshold value is measured and used for calculating the charging charge, so that the time of the hibernation state that can occur in the case of the vehicle 2 that repeats the charging state and the hibernation state can occur. It is possible to suppress overpayment of the charging fee by the minute.

By the way, in the conventional method of calculating the charging charge by time, although the charging current value differs depending on the vehicle type, a constant current value is set instead of the actual charging current value according to the vehicle type, and the charging charge is calculated. Was going. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the peak current of the charging current is measured, and the peak current is used for calculating the charging charge. Therefore, even if the charging current value differs depending on the vehicle model, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of overpayment of the charging fee.

In the present embodiment, the charging charge is overpaid by measuring the time from when the charging current value exceeds the threshold value to when the charging current value falls below the threshold value and using the total time and the peak current of the charging current for calculating the charging charge. It suppresses that.

By the way, as can be understood from FIG. 5, when the charging state changes to the hibernation state, the charging current value changes from the peak state to the state below the threshold value, but the change is usually sudden (several seconds). Degree). On the other hand, when the battery of the vehicle 2 approaches a fully charged state, the change becomes gentle (several tens of seconds to several minutes [different for each vehicle 2]). Therefore, if the changing time is also used for calculating the charging charge, it will not be fair depending on the vehicle 2 (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

Therefore, in the present embodiment, a second threshold value larger than the first threshold value and smaller than the peak current is set. In addition, the second time from below the second threshold value to below the first threshold value is measured. The detection means detects that the charging current has fallen below the set second threshold value, and the timekeeping means detects that the charging current has fallen below the second threshold value and then falls below the first threshold value. The difference in charging characteristics is achieved by measuring the second time, which is the time until detection, and if the second time exceeds the set value, the second time is also used to calculate the charging charge. The feeling of unfairness in charging charges is alleviated.

More specifically, by comparing the measured value of the second time with the set value, it is determined whether the change is gentle, and if it is determined that the change is gentle, the first Half of the time of 2 can be used to calculate the charging charge (see FIG. 7). By doing so, the charging charge can be calculated more appropriately. In addition, the set value may be set to a specific value, and in the case of a vehicle type such as vehicle type A or vehicle type B in which the current value may decrease before full charge, a sudden occurrence occurs before full charge. The set value may be determined by using the result of measuring the second time in the case of a change.

Further, as a method of using the second time for calculating the charging charge, the current value during the second time is measured, and (total value of the first time) × (maximum current value) + (second time). Time) × (average value of current values in the second time) may be used (see FIG. 8).

By the way, the number of pauses during charging, the time of continuous charging, etc. are affected by the vehicle type, but the timekeeping means measures the time from the detection of the detection means to the next detection, and the charging current value for each vehicle type of the vehicle 2. The determination unit may determine the vehicle type of the charging vehicle 2 by comparing the data of the storage means for storing the data of the above and the measurement result of the timekeeping means. At this time, the vehicle charger 1 may be provided with a storage unit that stores the characteristics of each vehicle 2 as a waveform. Further, the storage unit may store parameters such as the number of pauses and the continuous charging time.

The timekeeping means provided in the vehicle charger 1 of the embodiment is a first time of "from when the charging current exceeds the first threshold value to when it falls below the first threshold value" and after "the charging current falls below the first threshold value". Measure the third time of "until it exceeds". The first time is roughly the time during which the charging state is continuous, and the third time is the time during which the approximate and hibernation state is continuous.

The vehicle charger 1 of the embodiment grasps the characteristics of the change in the charging current to the vehicle 2 by the number of times of the first time and the third time and the continuous time of each, and has characteristics similar to the characteristics. The vehicle type is determined by reading the vehicle type data from the storage unit.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, first time: T1 (minutes) ⇒ third time: t1 (seconds) ⇒ first time: T2 (minutes) ⇒ third time: t2 (seconds) ⇒ second 1 time: In the case of T3 (minutes), it is determined to be vehicle type A.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, when the first time: T1 (minutes) ⇒ the third time: t1 (minutes) ⇒ the first time: T2 (minutes), it is determined to be vehicle type B.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, in the case of the first time: T1 (minutes), it is determined to be vehicle type C.

The second time, which differs depending on the vehicle type, may be used for vehicle type determination. Further, it is assumed that the input unit is provided, and if there is no corresponding vehicle model data stored in the storage unit, new vehicle model data may be added.

By the way, in the vehicle charger 1, one plug of a charging cable 13 (eg, an in-vehicle cable) having a CCID is connected to an outlet provided with a unit 12 on the primary side, and the vehicle 2 is connected to the other charging connector. It may be the one that charges the vehicle 2 by connecting. At this time, the unit 12 includes a breaking means for cutting off the electric circuit, a current measuring means, a detecting means, a timing means, a storage means, and the like (see FIG. 12). By doing so, even with the charging cable 13 equipped with the CCID, it is possible to calculate the charging charge and determine the vehicle type. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, when the plug of the charging cable 13 is connected to the outlet, a small current of about several tens of mA, which is called a standby current, is measured by the current measuring means. By setting a new small threshold value, it becomes possible to detect that the charging cable 13 has been plugged into or unplugged from the outlet.

Although the present invention has been described above by taking an embodiment as an example, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be various modes.

1 Vehicle charger 2 Vehicle 11 Charger body 12 Unit 13 Charging cable

Claims (3)

It is a vehicle charger that charges the vehicle, and is equipped with a current measuring means that measures the charging current.
The first time, which is the time from the detection that the charging current exceeds the set first threshold value to the detection that the charging current falls below the first threshold value,
The time from the detection that the charging current is greater than the set first threshold value and smaller than the set first threshold value and below the set second threshold value to the detection that the charging current is below the first threshold value. The second time,
A third time, which is the time from when the charging current falls below the set first threshold value to when it exceeds the first threshold value.
A vehicle charger that determines the vehicle type using the number of times or continuous time of any of the above. The vehicle type is determined by using the data of the storage means for storing the data of the charging current value for each vehicle type of the vehicle and the number of times or continuous time of any one of the first time, the second time or the third time. The vehicle charger according to claim 1, wherein the determination is made. The first time, which is the time from the detection that the charging current measured by the current measuring means exceeds the first threshold value to the detection that the charging current falls below the first threshold value,
The second time, which is the time from the detection that the charging current measured by the current measuring means has fallen below the second threshold value to the detection that the charge current has fallen below the first threshold value,
A third time, which is the time from when the charging current measured by the current measuring means falls below the first threshold value to when it exceeds the first threshold value.
A method for determining a vehicle type, which comprises making a determination using the number of times of any of the above times or the continuous time.

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