JP5411067B2 - Portable machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable device that indicates a charging status of an in-vehicle battery.

  In recent years, electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles that run on the basis of the electric power of the on-board battery are becoming popular. In an electric vehicle or the like, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, a charging status display system capable of monitoring the remaining capacity of a vehicle-mounted battery from outside the vehicle has been proposed. Specifically, the charging status display system includes a portable device that is carried by the user and displays the charging status of the in-vehicle battery. The portable device acquires information regarding the charging status of the in-vehicle battery by performing communication with the vehicle through a wireless signal. The portable device displays the charging status of the in-vehicle battery based on the acquired information. Thereby, the user can know the charge condition of the vehicle-mounted battery outside the vehicle.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-111702

  In the charging status display system described in Patent Document 1, the portable device acquires information on the charging status of the in-vehicle battery through a wireless signal. Therefore, the portable device cannot notify the user of the charging status of the in-vehicle battery in a situation where it is difficult to receive a radio signal from the vehicle, for example, a situation far away from the vehicle.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a portable device capable of notifying the charging status of an in-vehicle battery even when it is difficult to receive a radio signal from a vehicle. There is to do.

Hereinafter, means for achieving the above-described object and its operation and effects will be described.
The invention according to claim 1 is a portable device for notifying the charging status of the in-vehicle battery, a timer for starting measurement of a charging time required for charging at a timing corresponding to the start of charging of the in-vehicle battery, and the charging A control device that determines a current charging status based on time and notifies the user of the current charging status, and a first wireless signal is transmitted from the vehicle at a timing corresponding to the start of charging of the in-vehicle battery. When the control device receives the first wireless signal, the control device starts measuring the charging time via the timer as charging is started, and the first wireless signal includes the on-vehicle battery. Information on a charging state is included, and the control device is configured to charge the charging state at the start of charging based on information on a charging state of the in-vehicle battery included in the first wireless signal. After the first wireless signal is transmitted, a second wireless signal including update information related to the charging status of the in-vehicle battery is transmitted from the vehicle every predetermined cycle. When the second wireless signal is received , the gist is to correct the current charging state based on the update information included in the second wireless signal .

  According to this configuration, the charging status is determined based on the charging time measured through a timer provided in the portable device, and this is notified to the user. Therefore, the user who carries the portable device can know the charging status even if the user is located far from the vehicle and the wireless communication between the portable device and the vehicle is difficult.

In addition , measurement of the charging time is started by the first wireless signal transmitted from the vehicle at a timing corresponding to the start of charging of the in-vehicle battery. Therefore, it is possible to improve the timing of starting the measurement of the charging time, and thus the accuracy of the charging status notified to the user.

Further , the charging status at the start of charging is determined based on the information regarding the charging status of the in-vehicle battery included in the first wireless signal. The charging status after the start of charging is determined based on the charging time measured through a timer. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the charging status at the start of charging, and hence the charging status after the start of charging.

Further , the charging state is corrected by the second wireless signal including the update information regarding the charging state of the in-vehicle battery. Thereby, the charge condition notified to a user can be notified more correctly.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, even if it is a situation where reception of the radio signal from a vehicle is difficult in a portable machine, the charge condition of a vehicle-mounted battery can be notified.

The block diagram of the charge condition display system in 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of the charge condition display program which the vehicle in 1st Embodiment performs. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of the charge condition display program which the electronic key in 1st Embodiment performs.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which a portable device according to the present invention is embodied in a charging status display system will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 is an electric vehicle that is charged through the charging device 4. In addition, the vehicle 10 can remotely lock and unlock the vehicle door through wireless communication with the electronic key 20 carried by the user.

  AC power can be supplied to the vehicle 10 from a charging device 4 installed in a parking lot or the like via a charging cable 5. One end of the charging cable 5 is connected to the charging device 4, and a power supply plug 9 is provided at the other end. The power supply plug 9 is inserted into a charging port 10 a formed on the side of the vehicle 10. Thereby, the vehicle 10 and the charging device 4 are in a conductive state.

  The vehicle 10 includes a charging circuit 12, a vehicle side control unit 11, a battery unit 13, a motor 14, a detection sensor 19, and a door lock device 16. The charging circuit 12 converts AC power supplied to the vehicle 10 through the charging cable 5 into DC power, and supplies the DC power to the battery unit 13. Thereby, the battery unit 13 is charged. The vehicle-side control unit 11 performs control related to the charging power to the battery unit 13 through the charging circuit 12. Further, the vehicle-side control unit 11 controls power supply to the motor 14 through the battery unit 13. By supplying electric power to the motor 14, the drive wheels are driven via the output shaft of the motor 14. As a result, the vehicle 10 can travel.

  Further, the vehicle-side control unit 11 can recognize the voltage of the power supply plug 9 inserted into the charging port 10 a through the charging circuit 12. Charging power can be recognized based on the voltage of the power supply plug 9. Moreover, the vehicle side control part 11 is provided with the non-volatile memory 11a and the timer 11b. An ID code is stored in the memory 11a.

  The battery unit 13 includes a voltage sensor 13a that detects a battery voltage. The detection result of the voltage sensor 13a is output to the vehicle side control unit 11. Here, the remaining capacity of the battery unit 13 is proportional to the battery voltage. Therefore, the vehicle side control part 11 can recognize the remaining capacity of the battery unit 13 based on the detection result of the voltage sensor 13a.

  The detection sensor 19 detects that the power supply plug 9 is inserted into the charging port 10 a and outputs the detection result to the vehicle-side control unit 11. The vehicle-side control unit 11 recognizes that the power supply plug 9 has been inserted based on the detection result of the detection sensor 19.

  When the vehicle-side control unit 11 recognizes that the power supply plug 9 is inserted, the vehicle-side control unit 11 calculates the charging time T <b> 1 required until the battery unit 13 is fully charged based on the remaining capacity of the battery unit 13 and the voltage of the power supply plug 9. The smaller the remaining capacity is, the more power needs to be charged, so the charging time T1 becomes longer. The higher the voltage of the power supply plug 9, the more charging power for the battery unit 13, and the shorter the charging time. Further, the vehicle-side control unit 11 calculates the charging time T1 every time a certain time T2 measured through the timer 11b during charging.

  The vehicle-side control unit 11 includes a transmission circuit 17 and a transmission antenna 17a, and a reception circuit 18 and a reception antenna 18a. The vehicle-side controller 11 outputs an information signal S1 including the calculated charging time T1 to the transmission circuit 17 when the power supply plug 9 is inserted into the charging port 10a. The transmission circuit 17 modulates the information signal S1 input from the vehicle side control unit 11 into a radio wave of a predetermined frequency band. In the present embodiment, the predetermined frequency band is an RF (Radio Frequency) band. The information signal S1 modulated by the transmission circuit 17 is transmitted to the electronic key 20 side via the transmission antenna 17a. Further, the vehicle-side control unit 11 transmits an RF band correction signal S2 including a charging time T1 calculated during charging after the transmission of the information signal S1 via the transmission circuit 17 or the like at every elapse of a certain time T2.

  Here, radio waves in the RF band have a longer reach than radio waves in the LF (Low Frequency) band. Therefore, for example, when the vehicle 10 is parked in a parking lot adjacent to the home, the electronic key 20 carried by the user can receive the correction signal S2 from the vehicle 10 even if the user is in the home. it can.

  The electronic key 20 includes a key control unit 21, a transmission circuit 27, a transmission antenna 27a, a reception circuit 28, a reception antenna 28a, an unlock switch 23, a lock switch 22, and a display unit 29. .

  The key control unit 21 includes a nonvolatile memory 21a and a timer 21b. In the memory 21a, the same ID code as the ID code stored in the memory 11a of the vehicle 10 is stored.

  Both switches 22 and 23 are provided on the surface of the electronic key 20. When operated, the lock switch 22 outputs an operation signal indicating that to the key control unit 21. When the key control unit 21 receives an operation signal from the lock switch 22, the key control unit 21 generates a lock request signal including a command code for requesting locking of the vehicle door and an ID code stored in the memory 21a, and the lock request signal Is output to the transmission circuit 27. The transmission circuit 27 modulates the lock request signal input from the key control unit 21 into radio waves in a predetermined frequency band (RF band in this example). The lock request signal modulated by the transmission circuit 27 is transmitted to the vehicle 10 side via the transmission antenna 27a. Similarly, when the unlock switch 23 is operated, an unlock request signal including an instruction code for requesting unlocking of the vehicle door and an ID code is transmitted.

  The receiving circuit 18 provided in the vehicle 10 receives the lock request signal from the electronic key 20 via the receiving antenna 18a. The receiving circuit 18 demodulates the lock request signal from the electronic key 20 and outputs the demodulated signal to the vehicle-side control unit 11. The vehicle-side control unit 11 recognizes the ID code included in the locking request signal, and collates the ID code with the ID code stored in the memory 11a. The vehicle-side controller 11 locks the vehicle door via the door lock device 16 based on the command code included in the locking request signal when the ID code verification is established. Similarly, when receiving the unlock request signal via the receiving circuit 18 or the like, the vehicle-side control unit 11 unlocks the vehicle door via the door lock device 16 based on the command code after the ID verification is established. .

  On the other hand, the receiving circuit 28 provided in the electronic key 20 receives the information signal S1 from the vehicle 10 via the receiving antenna 28a. The receiving circuit 28 demodulates the information signal S1 and outputs the demodulated signal to the key control unit 21. The key control unit 21 recognizes the charging time T1 included in the information signal S1. Then, the key control unit 21 starts counting down the charging time T1 through the timer 21b. This counted down charging time T1 is the remaining charging time. The key control unit 21 displays this remaining charging time through the display unit 29. Here, the display unit 29 includes a display, and the remaining charging time is displayed on the display. Then, the remaining charging time displayed on the display unit 29 approaches zero every moment. When the key control unit 21 recognizes that the remaining charging time is zero through the timer 21b, the key control unit 21 displays on the display unit 29 that the charging is completed. Thus, the user can know the remaining charging time and the completion of charging through the display on the display unit 29.

  As described above, during the charging after the transmission of the information signal S1, the correction signal S2 is transmitted from the vehicle 10 every elapse of the predetermined time T2. The key control unit 21 receives the correction signal S2 via the reception antenna 28a and the reception circuit 28, similarly to the information signal S1. The key control unit 21 recognizes the charging time T1 included in the correction signal S2, and corrects the charging time T1 as the remaining charging time. Specifically, after the timer 21b is reset, the charging time T1 included in the correction signal S2 is set as the remaining charging time, and the remaining charging time is started to be counted down. The remaining charging time is corrected every time the correction signal S2 is received. Thereby, the remaining charging time when the electronic key 20 is present in an area where the correction signal S2 from the vehicle 10 can be received can be made more accurate. Even if the electronic key 20 is not present in the area, the remaining charging time counted down through the timer 21b is displayed. For this reason, the user can know the remaining charging time. Further, since the correction signal S2 is in the RF band, the area, that is, an area where the remaining charging time can be corrected can be formed in a wide range. Here, the area changes depending on the presence or absence of obstacles or jamming waves.

  Next, a charging status display program executed by the vehicle side control unit 11 will be described. The program is stored in the memory 11a and executed according to the flowchart of FIG.

  The program is started when it is recognized through the detection sensor 19 that the power supply plug 9 has been inserted into the charging port 10a. First, the charging time T1 is calculated based on the remaining capacity of the battery unit 13 and the voltage of the power supply plug 9 (S101). Then, an information signal S1 including information on the charging time T1 is transmitted (S102). Next, measurement of a fixed time T2 is started through the timer 11b (S103). Waiting for the elapse of the predetermined time T2 (NO in S104), when the predetermined time T2 elapses (YES in S104), the timer 11b is reset (S105). Then, the charging time T1 is calculated again (S106), and a correction signal S2 including information related to the charging time T1 is transmitted (S107). Next, it is determined whether or not charging is complete (S108). This is determined by whether or not the battery unit 13 is fully charged through the voltage sensor 13a. When it is determined that charging has not been completed (NO in S108), the process of step S103 is performed again. That is, until the charging is completed, the correction signal S2 is transmitted every certain time T2. When it is determined that charging is complete (YES in S108), the program ends.

  Next, a charging status display program executed by the key control unit 21 will be described. The program is stored in the memory 21a and executed according to the flowchart of FIG.

  The program is started when the information signal S1 from the vehicle 10 is received. First, the charging time T1 included in the information signal S1 is recognized (S201). The charging time T1 is counted down through the timer 21b as the remaining charging time (S202). At this time, the remaining charging time is displayed on the display unit 29. Then, it is determined whether the remaining charging time has become zero (S203). When it is determined that the remaining charge time is not zero (NO in S203), that is, when there is still a remaining charge time, the presence / absence of reception of the correction signal S2 is recognized (S204). When it is determined that the correction signal S2 has not been received (NO in S204), the remaining charging time is continuously counted down (S202). Here, in the case of NO in step S204, it is assumed that the electronic key 20 is separated to a position where the correction signal S2 from the vehicle 10 cannot be received. Even in such a case, since the remaining charging time is counted down through the timer 21b, the remaining charging time can be notified to the user.

  When it is determined that the correction signal S2 is received (YES in S204), correction is performed with the charging time T1 included in the correction signal S2 as the remaining charging time (S205). Then, the corrected remaining charging time is counted down (S202). In this way, by correcting the remaining charging time, it is possible to inform the user of the more accurate remaining charging time. When it is determined that the remaining charging time is zero (YES in S203), the program is terminated.

As described above, according to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The remaining charging time is counted down through a timer 21b provided in the electronic key 20. The remaining charging time is displayed to notify the charging status. Therefore, even when the electronic key 20 carried by the user cannot receive a wireless signal (correction signal S2 in this example) regarding the charging status from the vehicle 10, the charging status can be notified through the display unit 29. Here, as a situation where the electronic key 20 cannot receive a wireless signal related to the charging status from the vehicle 10, when the electronic key 20 exists at a position far from the vehicle 10 or when the electronic key 20 exists at a position close to the vehicle 10. However, there may be a case where appropriate wireless communication cannot be performed due to radio wave interference or the like.

  (2) The electronic key 20 recognizes the remaining charging time through the information signal S1 transmitted from the vehicle 10 at the timing when charging starts, and starts counting down the remaining charging time triggered by reception of the information signal S1. . Therefore, the remaining charging time can be accurately displayed. Further, the timing of the countdown start of the remaining charge time can be matched with the charge start timing. Thereby, the precision of the charge condition (remaining charge time) notified to a user can be improved.

  (3) The information signal S1 includes information related to the charging time T1. Therefore, the electronic key 20 can recognize the charging status at the start of charging based on the charging time T1, that is, the remaining charging time, and display it.

  (4) During the charging after the transmission of the information signal S1, a correction signal S2 including information on the charging time T1 is transmitted, and the remaining charging time is corrected in the electronic key 20 through the correction signal S2. Thereby, the charge condition (remaining charge time) of the battery unit 13 can be notified more accurately.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment in which the portable device according to the present invention is embodied in a charging status display system will be described. The electronic key 20 of this embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the timing of starting the countdown of the remaining charging time. Hereinafter, a description will be given focusing on differences from the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the transmission circuit 17 and transmission antenna 17a of the electronic key 20 and the reception circuit 28 and reception antenna 28a of the vehicle 10 are omitted. Therefore, the information signal S1 and the correction signal S2 are not transmitted from the vehicle 10 to the electronic key 20. Accordingly, the detection sensor 19 can be omitted. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  The memory 21a of the electronic key 20 stores in advance a full charge time T10 required until the remaining capacity of the battery unit 13 is changed from a zero state to a fully charged state. When recognizing that the lock switch 22 has been operated, the key control unit 21 starts counting down through the timer 21b with the full charge time T10 as the remaining charge time. The key control unit 21 displays this remaining charging time through the display unit 29.

  Here, since charging of the battery unit 13 takes a long time, the user often leaves the vehicle 10 after starting charging. At this time, the lock switch 22 is operated to lock the vehicle door and then leave the vehicle 10. For this reason, when the lock switch 22 is operated, the countdown of the remaining charge time (full charge time T10) is started, whereby the timing at which the countdown is started and the timing at which the charge is started can be brought closer to each other. When it is determined that the remaining charging time is zero, the display unit 29 displays that charging is complete. Thereby, the user can know the remaining charging time and the completion of charging.

As described above, according to the embodiment described above, in addition to the function and effect of (1) of the first embodiment, the following function and effect can be achieved.
(4) The charging status can be recognized by the user with a simpler configuration.

In addition, the said embodiment can be implemented with the following forms which changed this suitably.
In the first embodiment, the information signal S1 is transmitted when the power supply plug 9 is inserted into the charging port 10a. However, the vehicle-side control unit 11 may transmit the information signal S1 at the timing when charging is started through the charging circuit 12.

  In the first embodiment, the correction signal S2 is transmitted every time the predetermined time T2 elapses during charging, and the remaining charging time is corrected in the electronic key 20 by the correction signal S2. However, transmission of the correction signal S2 may be omitted. Even in this case, the remaining charging time can be notified to the user by counting down the remaining charging time through the timer 21b.

  In the first and second embodiments, the electronic key 20 is provided with a charging status display function. However, a portable device dedicated to displaying the charging status may be provided separately from the key function. In this configuration, the lock switch 22 and the unlock switch 23 can be omitted. In this case, for example, in the second embodiment, the portable device starts counting down the remaining charging time triggered by reception of a radio signal indicating that the locking transmitted from the vehicle 10 has been executed. That is, in this case, as in the first embodiment, the vehicle 10 requires the transmission circuit 17 and the like, and the electronic key 20 requires the reception circuit 28 and the like.

  In the first and second embodiments, the user is notified through the display by the display unit 29 that the remaining charging time and charging have been completed. However, the notification means is not limited to this as long as the user can be notified of the remaining charging time and the like. For example, the electronic key 20 may include a speaker and notify the user by voice from the speaker. Moreover, when the remaining charging time becomes zero, the electronic key 20 may notify the user through vibration.

  Further, the display unit 29 includes a display, and the remaining charging time is displayed through the display. However, not only the display but also the remaining charging time may be notified through blinking of an LED (light emitting diode). Specifically, the LED is blinked when the remaining 75 minutes are reached, and the blinking mode (for example, blinking interval speed) of the LED is changed when the remaining 30 minutes are reached. Then, when the remaining charging time becomes zero, the LED is turned off. According to this structure, a user can be notified of a charging condition with one LED.

In the first embodiment, the information signal S1 and the correction signal S2 are radio waves in the RF band, but the frequency band is not limited to the RF band, and may be radio waves in the LF band, for example.
In the first embodiment, the information signal S1 includes information on the charging time T1. However, the information included in the information signal S1 is not limited to the charging time T1 as long as it is information related to the charging state, and may be, for example, the current storage amount of the battery unit 13. In this case, in the electronic key 20, the charging time is calculated based on the information related to the amount of power stored in the information signal S1, and this charging time is counted down as the remaining charging time.

  -In 1st Embodiment, the remaining charge time was notified to the user as a charge condition. However, as long as the charging status can be notified to the user, the notification content is not limited to the remaining charging time. For example, the current remaining battery rate may be displayed as a percentage. In this case, the electronic key 20 calculates the battery remaining rate based on the remaining charging time and displays it. For example, when the remaining charging time becomes zero, the remaining battery rate becomes 100%. Further, the information signal S1 and the correction signal S2 may include information on the remaining battery rate instead of the charging time T1. In this case, the electronic key 20 increases the remaining amount rate recognized based on the information signal S1 and the correction signal S2 with the passage of time, and displays the remaining amount rate on the display unit 29.

  In the first embodiment, the information signal S1 includes information on the charging time T1. However, the information signal S1 may be a trigger signal that does not include information on the charging time T1. In this case, when the electronic key 20 receives the trigger signal, it starts counting down the remaining charging time. The remaining charging time at this time can be set to a preset full charging time T10, as in the second embodiment.

  In the first and second embodiments, a wireless key system in which a request signal is unilaterally transmitted from the electronic key 20 to the vehicle 10 is employed as the electronic key system. However, if it is an electronic key system, what is called a key operation free system which performs two-way communication between the electronic key 20 and the vehicle 10 may be used.

  Specifically, the vehicle 10 forms a communication area by transmitting a request signal around it. When the electronic key 20 carried by the user enters the communication area, the electronic key 20 receives a request signal and returns a response signal to the request signal. When the vehicle 10 confirms the validity of the response signal, the vehicle 10 makes the vehicle door unlockable. In this state, for example, when a door handle switch provided on the vehicle door is operated, the vehicle door is unlocked. In this system, both the electronic key 20 and the vehicle 10 require a transmission / reception circuit, an antenna, and the like. By sharing these transmission / reception circuits and antennas with the charging status display system, a vehicle including the system and the electronic key system can be configured more simply.

Next, the technical idea that can be grasped from the embodiment will be described together with the effects.
(A) The portable device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control device notifies a user of a current charging state through a notification unit.

  (B) The portable device according to claim 1, further comprising a lock switch for switching the vehicle door to a locked state, wherein the control device has a timing according to a start of charging of the in-vehicle battery when the lock switch is operated. A portable device that starts measuring the charging time via the timer.

  According to this configuration, the measurement of the charging time is started at the timing when the lock switch is operated. Here, since it takes a long time to charge the in-vehicle battery as compared with refueling gasoline, the user often leaves the vehicle after starting charging. At this time, the vehicle door is locked by operating the lock switch. For this reason, by starting the measurement of the charging time when the lock switch is operated, it is possible to notify the charging status even if the communication between the vehicle and the portable device becomes difficult thereafter.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 ... Power supply plug, 10 ... Vehicle, 10a ... Charging port, 11 ... Vehicle side control part, 11b ... Timer, 12 ... Charge circuit, 13 ... Battery unit, 13a ... Voltage sensor, 19 ... Detection sensor, 20 ... Electronic key ( Portable device), 20b... Timer, 21... Key control unit (control device), 21b... Timer, 22... Lock switch, 23.

Claims (1)

In portable devices that notify the charging status of in-vehicle batteries,
A timer that starts measuring the charging time required for charging at a timing according to the start of charging of the in-vehicle battery;
And determining a current charging status based on the charging time, and a control device for notifying the user of the current charging status ,
A first wireless signal is transmitted from the vehicle at a timing corresponding to the start of charging of the in-vehicle battery,
The control device starts measuring the charging time via the timer as charging is started when the first wireless signal is received ,
The first wireless signal includes information regarding the charging status of the in-vehicle battery,
The control device determines the charging status at the start of charging based on information on the charging status of the in-vehicle battery included in the first wireless signal ,
After the first wireless signal is transmitted, a second wireless signal including update information regarding the charging status of the in-vehicle battery is transmitted from the vehicle every predetermined period,
When the control device receives the second wireless signal, the control device corrects the current charging state based on update information included in the second wireless signal.

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