JP2022098771A - Charging score presentation system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a charging score presentation system that is capable of preventing a charging frequency from becoming excessively high.SOLUTION: The charging score presentation system includes a presentation device that presents information and a control device that controls the presentation device. The control device calculates a charging score corresponding to the charging frequency on the charging of a power storage device. In doing so, the control device calculates the charging score using an SOC at the time the charging of the power storage device is started. The control device then controls the presentation device so that the presentation device presents the calculated charging score. The charging score presentation system further includes a score evaluation device that performs processing to encourage a user to reduce the charging frequency when the charging frequency indicated by the charging score exceeds a predetermined level.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

The present disclosure relates to a charging score presentation system.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2020-08897 (Patent Document 1) discloses a technique for displaying the value (for example, price) of a secondary battery according to the full charge capacity of the secondary battery.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2020-08897

In recent years, a subscription service that allows a user to receive a service for a predetermined period at a fixed rate has attracted attention. A user who has a subscription contract with a business operator can receive the service without worrying about the charge during the period by paying the charge in advance.

The above subscription agreement may apply to charging charges for power storage devices. However, if the power storage device is charged as much as possible for a fixed fee in a predetermined period, the charging frequency becomes excessively high, and the power storage device may deteriorate at an early stage and become unusable. Increasing the disposal of power storage devices is not preferable from the viewpoint of environmental protection. In addition, if the number of users who charge the power storage device at a charging stand other than at home increases, the number of empty stands (usable charging stands) decreases, which may lead to a shortage of charging stands. Increasing the number of users who perform unnecessary charging is not preferable from the viewpoint of effectively utilizing the charging infrastructure (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “charging infrastructure”). In order to establish a subscription charging service as a business, it may be necessary to have a mechanism to prevent the charging frequency from becoming excessively high.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide a charging score presentation system capable of suppressing an excessively high charging frequency.

The charge score presenting system according to the present disclosure is a charge score presenting system that presents a charge score corresponding to the charge frequency, and is calculated by calculating a charge score for charging of a presenting device that presents information and a power storage device. It includes a control device that controls the presentation device so that the presentation device presents the charge score. The control device is configured to calculate a charge score using SOC (State Of Charge) at the start of charging of the power storage device. The charging score presenting system further includes a score evaluation device that executes a process for promoting a reduction in the charging frequency when the charging frequency indicated by the charging score exceeds a predetermined level.

The charging of the power storage device performed even though the SOC of the power storage device is still high is likely to be unnecessary charging. The more unnecessary charging is performed, the higher the charging frequency (that is, the number of charging times with respect to the total discharge power of the power storage device) tends to be high. Therefore, the charge score presentation system calculates a charge score (score corresponding to the charge frequency) using the SOC at the start of charging. Then, the charge score presenting system executes a process for promoting a reduction in the charge frequency when the charge frequency indicated by the calculated charge score exceeds a predetermined level. As a result, it is possible to suppress the execution of unnecessary charging. Further, by suppressing the execution of unnecessary charging, it is possible to prevent the charging frequency from becoming excessively high.

The SOC indicates the remaining amount of electricity stored, and for example, the ratio of the current amount of electricity stored to the amount of electricity stored in a fully charged state is expressed by 0 to 100%.

The power storage device may be mounted on an electric vehicle (hereinafter, also referred to as "xEV"). The xEV is a vehicle that uses electric power as all or part of a power source. xEVs include BEVs (electric vehicles), PHEVs (plug-in hybrid electric vehicles), and FCEVs (fuel cell electric vehicles).

The charging of the power storage device in the electric vehicle may be external charging. External charging is to charge the power storage device with electric power supplied from the outside of the vehicle.

The process for urging the reduction of the charging frequency may be the presentation of a message for urging the reduction of the charging frequency. These messages may be displayed on the display or presented to the user by voice. The process for promoting the reduction of the charging frequency may be a process for relatively lowering the assessed amount of the vehicle when the vehicle is sold, as compared with the case where the charging frequency does not exceed a predetermined level. The process for promoting the reduction of the charging frequency may be a process for relatively increasing the vehicle rental fee when the vehicle is returned, as compared with the case where the charging frequency does not exceed a predetermined level. You may make a substantial difference in the amount of money by cash back, coupons, point redemption, etc.

The above control device may calculate the charge score by using the SOC at the start of charging, the SOC at the end of charging, and the cumulative number of charges. The control device may lower the charging score as the SOC at the start of charging is higher. The control device may lower the charging score as the SOC at the end of charging is lower. The control device may lower the charge score as the cumulative number of charges increases.

Each time the power storage device is charged, the control device may use the SOC at the start of charging to determine whether or not the charging is unnecessary. Then, the control device may lower the charging score in the predetermined period as the number of unnecessary charges in the predetermined period increases. The above control device may determine that charging in which the SOC at the start of charging is higher than a predetermined SOC value (for example, 90%) is unnecessary charging. The above control device may determine that charging whose charging time (time from the start of charging to the end of charging) is shorter than a predetermined time is unnecessary charging.

According to the present disclosure, it becomes possible to provide a charge score presenting system capable of suppressing an excessively high charge frequency.

It is a figure which shows the charge score presenting system which concerns on embodiment of this disclosure. It is a figure which shows the structure of the vehicle which concerns on embodiment of this disclosure. It is a figure which shows an example of the charge evaluation information which concerns on embodiment of this disclosure. It is a figure for demonstrating the calculation method of the charge score which concerns on embodiment of this disclosure. It is a flowchart which shows the process which concerns on charge control executed by the control device of the vehicle which concerns on embodiment of this disclosure. It is a flowchart which shows the process which concerns on the charge score presentation performed by the control device of the vehicle which concerns on embodiment of this disclosure. It is a flowchart which shows the process which concerns on the score evaluation performed by the control device of the server which concerns on embodiment of this disclosure. It is a flowchart which shows the modification of the process shown in FIG. 7. It is a figure which shows the modification of the charge evaluation information. It is a flowchart which shows the modification of the calculation method of the charge score.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the figure, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will not be repeated.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a charge score presentation system according to this embodiment. With reference to FIG. 1, the charging score presentation system 1 includes a server 30, vehicles 50A to 50D, and a mobile terminal 80. The server 30 is configured to manage information received from each of the vehicles 50A to 50D and the mobile terminal 80.

Although only one mobile terminal 80 is shown in FIG. 1, the mobile terminal 80 is carried by each vehicle user. In this embodiment, a smartphone equipped with a touch panel display is adopted as the mobile terminal 80. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any mobile terminal can be adopted as the mobile terminal 80, and a tablet terminal, a wearable device (for example, a smart watch), an electronic key, a service tool, or the like can also be adopted.

Predetermined application software (hereinafter, simply referred to as "application") is installed in the mobile terminal 80. The mobile terminal 80 can exchange information with the server 30 through the above application. The vehicle user can operate the above application through, for example, the touch panel display of the mobile terminal 80.

The server 30 includes a control device 31, a storage device 32, a communication device 33, and an input device 34. The control device 31 may be a computer. The control device 31 includes a processor and a storage device, and is configured to perform predetermined information processing and control the communication device 33. The storage device 32 is configured to be able to store various types of information. The communication device 33 includes various communication I / Fs. The control device 31 is configured to communicate with the outside through the communication device 33. The input device 34 is a device that receives input from the user. The input device 34 outputs the input from the user to the control device 31.

The storage device 32 stores the information of each registered user (hereinafter, also referred to as "user information") and the information of each registered vehicle (hereinafter, also referred to as "vehicle information"). Identification information for identifying a user (hereinafter, also referred to as "user ID") is given to each user, and the user information is distinguished by the user ID. The user ID also functions as information (terminal ID) for identifying the mobile terminal carried by the user. Identification information (vehicle ID) for identifying the vehicle is given to each vehicle, and the vehicle information is distinguished by the vehicle ID.

The server 30 belongs to a business operator that provides a subscription charging service (hereinafter referred to as "charging service business operator"). A user who has a subscription contract with a charging service provider can receive a charging service for a fixed amount of time regardless of the amount of charging and the number of times of charging for a predetermined period (hereinafter referred to as "fixed amount period"). The user can use a plurality of EVSEs managed by the charging service provider (for example, EVSEs installed in various places) without paying an additional fee for a fixed period. The user can substantially extend the flat-rate period by renewing the contract. If the contract is renewed, it will shift to the second flat-rate period when the first flat-rate period expires.

In this embodiment, the charging service provider also serves as the dealer. That is, the charging service provider buys and sells vehicles in addition to providing the charging service. In this embodiment, the charging service provider sells the vehicles 50A to 50D. Hereinafter, an example of a vehicle sold by a charging service provider (dealer) will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle according to this embodiment. With reference to FIG. 2, the vehicle 50 corresponds to an example of a vehicle sold by the charging service provider (dealer). The vehicle 50 includes a battery 130 for storing electric power for traveling. The vehicle 50 is configured to be able to travel using the electric power stored in the battery 130. The vehicle 50 according to this embodiment is an electric vehicle (BEV) without an engine (internal combustion engine).

The battery 130 comprises a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery or a nickel metal hydride battery. In this embodiment, as the secondary battery, an assembled battery including a plurality of lithium ion batteries is adopted. An assembled battery is composed of a plurality of secondary batteries (generally also referred to as "cells") that are electrically connected to each other. In addition, instead of the secondary battery, another power storage device such as an electric double layer capacitor may be adopted. The battery 130 according to this embodiment corresponds to an example of the "power storage device" according to the present disclosure.

The vehicle 50 includes an electronic control device (hereinafter, referred to as “ECU (Electronic Control Unit)”) 150. The ECU 150 is configured to perform charge control and discharge control of the battery 130. Further, the ECU 150 is configured to control communication with the outside of the vehicle 50.

The vehicle 50 further includes a monitoring module 131 for monitoring the status of the battery 130. The monitoring module 131 includes various sensors for detecting the state of the battery 130 (for example, voltage, current, and temperature), and outputs the detection result to the ECU 150. The monitoring module 131 has a BMS (Battery Management) having an SOC (State Of Charge) estimation function, a SOH (State of Health) estimation function, a cell voltage equalization function, a diagnostic function, and a communication function in addition to the above sensor function. System) may be used. The ECU 150 can acquire the state of the battery 130 (eg, temperature, current, voltage, SOC, and internal resistance) based on the output of the monitoring module 131.

The EVSE 40 corresponds to an example of an EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment). The EVSE corresponds to a power supply facility outside the vehicle. The EVSE 40 includes a power supply circuit 41. A charging cable 42 is connected to the EVSE 40. The charging cable 42 may be always connected to the EVSE 40, or may be detachable from the EVSE 40. The charging cable 42 has a connector 43 at the tip thereof and includes a power line inside.

The vehicle 50 includes an inlet 110 for contact charging and a charger 120. The inlet 110 is configured to receive electric power supplied from the outside of the vehicle 50. The inlet 110 is configured so that the connector 43 of the charging cable 42 can be connected. When the connector 43 of the charging cable 42 connected to the EVSE 40 is connected (plugged in) to the inlet 110 of the vehicle 50, the vehicle 50 is in a chargeable state (that is, a state in which power can be received from the EVSE 40). Note that FIG. 2 shows only the inlet 110 and the charger 120 corresponding to the power supply method of the EVSE 40, but the vehicle 50 can support a plurality of types of power supply methods (for example, AC method and DC method). It may have a plurality of inlets.

The charger 120 is located between the inlet 110 and the battery 130. The charger 120 includes a charging relay that switches connection / disconnection of the power path from the inlet 110 to the battery 130, and a power conversion circuit (none of which is shown). The power conversion circuit may include a PFC (Power Factor Correction) circuit, an inverter, an isolation circuit (for example, an isolation transformer), and a rectifier circuit. Each of the charging relay and the power conversion circuit included in the charger 120 is controlled by the ECU 150. The vehicle 50 further includes a monitoring module 121 that monitors the status of the charger 120. The monitoring module 121 includes various sensors for detecting the state of the charger 120, and outputs the detection result to the ECU 150. In this embodiment, the monitoring module 121 is configured to detect the voltage and current input to the power conversion circuit and the voltage and current output from the power conversion circuit. The monitoring module 121 is configured to be able to detect the charging power of the battery 130.

In the rechargeable vehicle 50, external charging (that is, charging the battery 130 with the electric power supplied from the EVSE 40) becomes possible. Power for external charging is supplied to the inlet 110 from, for example, the EVSE 40 through the charging cable 42. The charger 120 converts the electric power received by the inlet 110 into electric power suitable for charging the battery 130, and outputs the converted electric power to the battery 130. When the external charging is executed, the charging relay of the charger 120 is closed (connected state), and when the external charging is not executed, the charging relay of the charger 120 is opened (disconnected state).

The ECU 150 includes a processor 151, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 152, a storage device 153, and a timer 154. The ECU 150 may be a computer. The processor 151 may be a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The RAM 152 functions as a working memory for temporarily storing the data processed by the processor 151. The storage device 153 is configured to be able to store the stored information. The storage device 153 includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a rewritable non-volatile memory. In addition to the program, the storage device 153 stores information used in the program (for example, maps, mathematical formulas, and various parameters). In this embodiment, the processor 151 executes the program stored in the storage device 153 to execute various controls in the ECU 150. However, various controls in the ECU 150 are not limited to execution by software, but can also be executed by dedicated hardware (electronic circuit). The number of processors included in the ECU 150 is arbitrary, and processors may be prepared for each predetermined control.

The timer 154 is configured to notify the processor 151 of the arrival of the set time. At the time set in the timer 154, the timer 154 transmits a signal to that effect to the processor 151. In this embodiment, a timer circuit is adopted as the timer 154. However, the timer 154 may be realized by software instead of hardware (timer circuit). Further, the ECU 150 can acquire the current time by using a real-time clock (RTC) circuit (not shown) built in the ECU 150.

The vehicle 50 further includes a traveling drive unit 140, an input device 161, a meter panel 162, a navigation system (hereinafter referred to as “NAVI”) 170, a communication device 180, and a drive wheel W. The drive system of the vehicle 50 is not limited to the front wheel drive shown in FIG. 2, and may be rear wheel drive or four-wheel drive.

The traveling drive unit 140 includes a PCU (Power Control Unit) and an MG (Motor Generator) (not shown), and is configured to drive the vehicle 50 using the electric power stored in the battery 130. The PCI is configured to include, for example, an inverter, a converter, a relay (hereinafter referred to as "SMR (System Main Relay)"), and (none of them are shown). The PCU is controlled by the ECU 150. MG is, for example, a three-phase AC motor generator. The MG is driven by the PCU and is configured to rotate the drive wheels W. The PCU drives the MG using the electric power supplied from the battery 130. Further, the MG is configured to perform regenerative power generation and supply the generated power to the battery 130. The SMR is configured to switch connection / disconnection of the power path from the battery 130 to the MG. The SMR is closed (connected) when the vehicle 50 is running.

The input device 161 is a device that receives input from the user. The input device 161 is operated by the user and outputs a signal corresponding to the user's operation to the ECU 150. Examples of the input device 161 include various switches, various pointing devices, a keyboard, and a touch panel. The input device 161 may include a smart speaker that accepts voice input.

The meter panel 162 is configured to display information about the vehicle 50. The meter panel 162 displays various information about the vehicle 50 measured by various sensors mounted on the vehicle 50, for example. The information displayed on the meter panel 162 may include at least one of the outside air temperature, the running speed of the vehicle 50, the SOC of the battery 130, the average electricity cost, and the mileage of the vehicle 50. The meter panel 162 is controlled by the ECU 150. The ECU 150 may display a message or a warning light for the user on the meter panel 162 when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

The NAVI 170 includes a processor, a storage device, a touch panel display, a GPS (Global Positioning System) module (none of which is shown). The storage device stores map information. The touch panel display accepts input from the user and displays a map and other information. The GPS module is configured to receive signals from GPS satellites (hereinafter referred to as "GPS signals"). The NAVI 170 can identify the position of the vehicle 50 using GPS signals. Based on the input from the user, the NAVI 170 performs a route search for finding a travel route (for example, the shortest route) from the current position of the vehicle 50 to the destination, and displays the travel route found by the route search on the map. It is configured as follows.

The communication device 180 includes various communication I / Fs (interfaces). The communication device 180 may include a DCM (Data Communication Module). The communication device 180 may include a communication I / F compatible with 5G (fifth generation mobile communication system). The ECU 150 is configured to perform wireless communication with a communication device outside the vehicle 50 through the communication device 180.

Charge evaluation information is stored in the storage device 153 of the ECU 150. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of charge evaluation information. With reference to FIG. 3, the charge evaluation information includes charge parameter values (more specifically, charge time, start SOC, end SOC, and cumulative number of times) and charge score for each flat-rate period. The charging time corresponds to the time from the start of charging to the end of charging. The cumulative number of times corresponds to the number of times of charging performed in the flat-rate period. The start SOC and the end SOC correspond to the SOCs at the start and end of charging, respectively. When the number of charges (cumulative number) in the flat-rate period is two or more, each of the charge time, the start SOC, and the end SOC in the flat-rate period becomes an average value in a plurality of charges. The charging score corresponds to the evaluation result of the charging parameter value. The method of calculating the charge score will be described later (see FIG. 4).

When the subscription contract is renewed, the above charging parameter values and charging scores are distinguished by flat-rate period, such as the first flat-rate period, the second flat-rate period, ..., the latest flat-rate period. It is stored in the storage device 153. Hereinafter, the charge parameter value in the latest flat-rate period is also referred to as "latest charge data". In addition, the charge score in the latest flat-rate period is also referred to as "latest charge score".

The charge evaluation information further includes the total charge parameter value and the total charge score for all flat-rate periods. The total charge parameter value is the average value of the charging time in all flat-rate periods, the average value of the start SOC in all flat-rate periods, the average value of the end SOC in all flat-rate periods, and the cumulative number of times in all flat-rate periods ( Cumulative number of charges) and included. The total charge score corresponds to the evaluation result of the total charge parameter value.

The charge score of the battery 130 is calculated by the ECU 150. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method of calculating a charge score. In the radar chart shown in FIG. 4, X11, X12, and X13 are indexes indicating the start SOC, the end SOC, and the cumulative number of times, respectively. The center X0 indicates the origin of the radar chart.

With reference to FIG. 4, the line data of X11 is plotted at a position (outside) away from the center X0 as the starting SOC is lower. The line data of X12 is plotted at a position (outside) away from the center X0 as the end SOC is higher. The line data of X13 is plotted at a position (outside) away from the center X0 as the cumulative number of times decreases.

FIG. 4 shows data of two users as a reference example. The polygonal lines D1 and D2 indicate the data of the user A and the user B, respectively. The ECU 150 calculates the charge scores of the users A and B, respectively, based on the internal areas of the polygonal lines D1 and D2. The larger the area, the higher the charging score. The radar chart shown in FIG. 4 shows that the charge score (D1) of the user A is higher than the charge score (D2) of the user B.

The weighting of each index (for example, the interval of each scale of X11 to X13 in the radar chart shown in FIG. 4) can be arbitrarily set by the user. The method of calculating the charge score is not limited to the method using the radar chart. The ECU 150 may obtain the charging score of each user from the charging history information (including the start SOC) of each user based on the relational expression obtained by statistically learning using big data. Further, instead of the relational expression, a trained model obtained by machine learning using AI (artificial intelligence) may be used.

The charge score calculated as described above corresponds to the charge frequency (that is, the number of charges with respect to the power consumption of the battery 130). The higher the charging frequency, the lower the charging score. In this embodiment, the charging time is not used for calculating the charging score, but the charging score may be calculated using the charging time. For example, the charging time may be added to the radar chart shown in FIG. 4, and the shorter the charging time, the lower the charging score.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process related to charge control executed by the ECU 150 of the vehicle 50. The process shown in this flowchart is executed by the ECU 150 when the charging start condition of the battery 130 is satisfied. The charging start condition may be satisfied, for example, when the vehicle 50 is in a chargeable state. Further, when the timer charging is set in the ECU 150, the charging start condition may be satisfied when the timer charging start time arrives after the vehicle 50 is in a chargeable state. In this embodiment, in the ECU 150, the processor 151 executes a program (for example, a program stored in the storage device 153) to execute the process shown in FIG. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the process shown in FIG. 5 may be executed by the hardware (electronic circuit) included in the ECU 150.

In step 11 (hereinafter simply referred to as “S”) 11 with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the ECU 150 acquires the SOC of the battery 130 based on the output of the monitoring module 131. The SOC acquired here corresponds to the starting SOC. The ECU 150 uses the acquired start SOC to update the latest charge data of the charge evaluation information in the storage device 153.

In S12, the ECU 150 updates the cumulative number of times (charge number) of the charge evaluation information in the storage device 153. More specifically, the ECU 150 increments the amount of the current charge (charge executed in S14 of the current processing routine) and reflects it in the latest charge data. After that, the ECU 150 starts measuring the charging time in S13.

Subsequently, the ECU 150 starts charging in S14, and determines in S15 whether or not the charging end condition of the battery 130 is satisfied. In this embodiment, the charging end condition is satisfied when the user performs a predetermined end operation on the EVSE 40, the input device 161 or the mobile terminal 80. Further, when the SOC (State Of Charge) of the battery 130 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined SOC value (for example, an SOC value indicating full charge), the charge end condition is satisfied. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the charging end condition can be changed as appropriate.

If the charging end condition is not satisfied (NO in S15), the process returns to S14 and charging is executed in S14. Charging of the battery 130 is continuously executed until the charging end condition is satisfied. Then, when the charging end condition is satisfied (YES in S15), the process proceeds to S16. As a result, charging is not executed in S14, and charging is stopped. After that, the ECU 150 ends the measurement of the charging time in S16, and updates the latest charging data of the charging evaluation information in the storage device 153 by using the measured charging time.

Subsequently, the ECU 150 acquires the SOC of the battery 130 in S17 based on the output of the monitoring module 131. The SOC acquired here corresponds to the end SOC. The ECU 150 updates the latest charge data of the charge evaluation information in the storage device 153 by using the acquired end SOC.

Subsequently, the ECU 150 calculates the latest charge score in S18 using the latest charge data (more specifically, the start SOC, the end SOC, and the cumulative number of times) updated in S11, S12, and S17 (FIG. 4). Then, the ECU 150 updates the charge evaluation information in the storage device 153 by using the calculated latest charge score.

Subsequently, the ECU 150 reflects the latest charge score in the total charge score in S19. Then, the ECU 150 updates the charge evaluation information in the storage device 153 by using the calculated total charge score. By executing the process of S19, a series of processes shown in FIG. 5 is completed.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process related to charging score presentation executed by the ECU 150 of the vehicle 50. The process shown in this flowchart is, for example, repeatedly executed at a predetermined cycle.

With reference to FIG. 6, in S21, the ECU 150 determines whether or not the user of the vehicle 50 has requested the presentation of the charging score. The user of the vehicle 50 can request the ECU 150 to present the charging score through the input device 161.

During the period (NO in S21) in which the user of the vehicle 50 does not request the presentation of the charge score, the determination of S21 is repeated. Then, when the ECU 150 receives a request for presenting the charge score from the user of the vehicle 50 (YES in S21), the process proceeds to S22. The ECU 150 controls the meter panel 162 in S22 so that the meter panel 162 displays the latest charge score and the total charge score (that is, the charge score calculated by the process shown in FIG. 5) in the storage device 153. .. The meter panel 162 may display the table (charge evaluation information) shown in FIG. The charge score may be displayed in terms of points, or may be displayed in a classification such as high / normal / low (or A rank / B rank / C rank). In this embodiment, the ECU 150 and the meter panel 162 correspond to an example of the "control device" and the "presentation device" according to the present disclosure, respectively.

The presentation of the charge score in S22 may be terminated by an instruction from the user, or may be automatically terminated when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the presentation.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process related to score evaluation executed by the control device 31 of the server 30. The process shown in this flowchart is started, for example, when the server 30 receives a request for assessment of the target vehicle. The user of the server 30 can request the server 30 to assess the target vehicle through the input device 34. In the following, the vehicle 50 is the target vehicle.

With reference to FIG. 7 together with FIGS. 1 and 2, in S31, the control device 31 of the server 30 acquires the charge evaluation information (FIG. 3) of the vehicle 50 (target vehicle). The control device 31 may receive charge evaluation information from the vehicle 50 by communicating with the communication device 180. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the control device 31 may read the charge evaluation information of the vehicle 50 previously stored in the storage device 32 in S31. For example, the charging service provider (dealer) may read the data (including the charging evaluation information) stored in the storage device 153 of the vehicle 50 from the vehicle 50 using a dealer tool (not shown). Then, the data read by the dealer tool may be sent from the dealer tool to the server 30 and stored in the storage device 32 of the server 30.

In S32, the control device 31 determines whether or not the total charge score included in the charge evaluation information acquired in S31 is less than the threshold value Th. When the total charge score is less than the threshold Th, it means that the charge frequency indicated by the total charge score exceeds a predetermined level. On the other hand, when the total charge score is equal to or higher than the threshold value Th, it means that the charge frequency indicated by the total charge score does not exceed a predetermined level. The threshold value Th is a predetermined value and can be set arbitrarily.

The control device 31 outputs an assessed amount according to the determination result of S32. More specifically, when the total charge score is less than the threshold Th (YES in S32), the first assessed amount is output in S33, and when the total charge score is equal to or more than the threshold Th (in S32). In NO), the second assessed amount is output in S34. The first valuation amount is lower than the second valuation amount. In this way, when the total charge score is low, the assessed amount is lower than when the total charge score is high, so that the user has an incentive to increase the total charge score (that is, reduce the charge frequency). .. In this embodiment, the process of S33 corresponds to an example of "process for promoting reduction of charging frequency". If the charging service provider (dealer) issues a cash voucher, discount coupon, points, coupons, etc. at the time of vehicle purchase to substantially increase the purchase price, the actual purchase price including these amounts is combined. Is the assessed amount.

The output of the valuation amount in each of S33 and S34 may be printing of the valuation amount, display of the valuation amount, or transmission of the valuation amount. The control device 31 may display the assessed amount on the display (not shown) of the server 30. The control device 31 may transmit the assessed amount to the mobile terminal 80. In this embodiment, the server 30 corresponds to an example of the "score evaluation device" according to the present disclosure.

As described above, the charge score presenting system 1 according to this embodiment includes a meter panel 162 (presentation device) for presenting information and an ECU 150 (control device) for controlling the meter panel 162. The ECU 150 calculates a charge score corresponding to the charge frequency for charging the battery 130 (power storage device) (S18 in FIG. 5). At this time, the ECU 150 calculates the charge score using the start SOC (SOC at the start of charging of the power storage device) (see FIG. 4). Then, the ECU 150 controls the meter panel 162 so that the meter panel 162 presents the calculated charge score. The charge score presentation system 1 further includes a server 30 (score evaluation device) that executes a process (S33 in FIG. 7) for promoting a reduction in the charge frequency when the charge frequency indicated by the charge score exceeds a predetermined level. In the charge score presentation system 1 having the above configuration, the execution of unnecessary charging can be suppressed by the process of promoting the reduction of the charging frequency. In addition, the charging infrastructure can be effectively used by suppressing the execution of unnecessary charging. Further, the deterioration of the battery 130 is suppressed by suppressing the excessively high charging frequency of the battery 130.

In the process shown in FIG. 6, when the latest charge score is higher than the predetermined value, the ECU 150 causes the meter panel 162 to display a message prompting the reduction of the charge frequency together with the latest charge score and the total charge score in S22. May be good. In such a form, the ECU 150 corresponds to an example of the "score evaluation device" according to the present disclosure.

In the modified example of the above embodiment, the charging service provider also serves as a vehicle lender. In this variant, the subscription contract applies to both the vehicle rental service and the charging service. The user can rent a vehicle (for example, the vehicle 50 shown in FIG. 2) from a charging service provider for a fixed period (fixed period) at a fixed rate (vehicle rental fee). The vehicle usage fee during the fixed period is a fixed amount regardless of the mileage. In addition, the charging charge during the fixed period is also fixed regardless of the amount of charging and the number of times of charging. The vehicle rental fee corresponds to the total amount of the vehicle usage fee and the charging fee during the fixed period. In this modification, when the vehicle rented by the charging service provider is returned, the server 30 belonging to the charging service provider executes the process shown in FIG. 8 described below.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a modification of the process shown in FIG. 7. The process shown in this flowchart is started, for example, when the server 30 receives a request for charge score evaluation. The user of the server 30 can request the server 30 to evaluate the charge score through the input device 34. Hereinafter, the changes from the processing shown in FIG. 7 will be mainly described.

In S41, the control device 31 acquires charge evaluation information (FIG. 3) of the vehicle 50 (target vehicle). In S42, the control device 31 determines whether or not the total charge score included in the charge evaluation information acquired in S41 is less than the threshold value Th. The processing of S41 and S42 is the same as the processing of S31 and S32 of FIG. 7, respectively.

In this modification, the control device 31 outputs a vehicle rental fee according to the determination result of S42. More specifically, when the total charge score is less than the threshold Th (YES in S42), the normal charge without cash back is output in S43, and the total charge score is equal to or more than the threshold Th (S42). In NO), the normal charge including cash back is output in S44. Regular charges including cash back will be substantially cheaper than regular charges without cash back because cash back will be implemented later. In this way, when the total charge score is low, the vehicle rental fee is higher than when the total charge score is high, so that the user has an incentive to increase the total charge score (that is, reduce the charging frequency). work. In this modification, the process of S43 corresponds to an example of "process for promoting reduction of charging frequency". The charging service provider (vehicle lending company) may substantially reduce the vehicle lending fee by returning points or issuing coupons instead of cash back.

The charge evaluation information is not limited to the example shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a modified example of the charge evaluation information. With reference to FIG. 9, the charge evaluation information includes the number of required charges, the number of unnecessary charges, and the charge score. The number of required charges corresponds to the number of charges determined to be required among the executed charges. The number of unnecessary charges corresponds to the number of charges determined to be unnecessary charges among the executed charges.

Each time the battery 130 is charged, the ECU 150 determines whether or not the charging is unnecessary by using the start SOC, and the larger the number of unnecessary chargings in the predetermined period, the more the charging in the predetermined period. You may lower the score. For example, the ECU 150 may calculate the charge score by executing the process shown in FIG. 10 described below in S18 of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the method of calculating the charge score. With reference to FIG. 10 together with FIGS. 2 and 5, in S51, the ECU 150 determines whether or not the start SOC acquired in S11 of FIG. 5 is equal to or less than the threshold value Th1. In S52, the ECU 150 determines whether or not the charging time acquired in S16 of FIG. 5 is equal to or greater than the threshold value Th2. The threshold Th1 may be 80% or more and 99% or less, for example, 90%. The threshold value Th2 may be 10 seconds or more and 5 minutes or less, for example, 1 minute.

When the start SOC is equal to or less than the threshold Th1 and the charging time is equal to or greater than the threshold Th2 (YES in both S51 and S52), the ECU 150 performs the current charging in S53 (FIG. 5 in the current processing routine). The charge performed in S14) is determined to be "necessary charge". If NO is determined in either S51 or S52, the ECU 150 determines in S54 that the current charge is "unnecessary charge". As described above, the ECU 150 determines that the charge whose starting SOC is higher than the predetermined SOC value (for example, 90%) is unnecessary charge. Further, the ECU 150 determines that charging whose charging time (time from the start of charging to the end of charging) is shorter than a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) is unnecessary charging.

In S55, the ECU 150 updates the charge evaluation information (FIG. 9) in the storage device 153 by using the determination result of S53 or S54. In S56, the ECU 150 calculates the latest charge score using the charge evaluation information updated in S55. The ECU 150 lowers the latest charge score as the number of unnecessary charges in the latest flat-rate period increases. The ECU 150 may calculate the latest charge score by using the required number of charges in addition to the number of unnecessary charges.

The configuration of the vehicle is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. For example, the vehicle may be configured for non-contact charging. The vehicle is not limited to a passenger car, but may be a bus or a truck. The vehicle is not limited to the BEV, but may be a PHEV. The vehicle may be configured to be self-driving or may be equipped with a flight function. The vehicle may be an unmanned vehicle (eg, an automated guided vehicle (AGV) or an agricultural machine).

The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered to be exemplary and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of claims rather than the description of the embodiments described above, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

1 Charge score presentation system, 30 server, 31 control device, 32 storage device, 33 communication device, 34 input device, 40 EVSE, 41 power supply circuit, 42 charging cable, 43 connector, 50 vehicle, 80 mobile terminal, 110 inlet, 120 Charger, 121 monitoring module, 130 battery, 131 monitoring module, 140 driving drive unit, 150 ECU, 151 processor, 152 RAM, 153 storage device, 154 timer, 161 input device, 162 meter panel, 170 NAVI, 180 communication equipment, W drive wheel.

Claims (1)

It is a charge score presentation system that presents the charge score corresponding to the charge frequency.
A presentation device that presents information and
The charging score is calculated for the charging of the power storage device, and the presenting device is provided with a control device for controlling the presented charging score so that the presented device presents the calculated charge score.
The control device is configured to calculate the charge score using the SOC at the start of charging of the power storage device.
The charge score presentation system further includes a score evaluation device that executes a process for promoting a reduction in the charge frequency when the charge frequency indicated by the charge score exceeds a predetermined level.

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