JP5489078B2 - Vehicle charging system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle charging system for charging an in-vehicle battery that can be used for driving power.

In recent years, electric vehicles (EV: Electric Vehicle) and hybrid vehicles (HV: Hybrid Vehicle) that can use an in-vehicle battery as driving power have been attracting attention from the standpoint of protecting the global environment by reducing CO ₂ emissions. Has been made. Recently, in addition to charging the battery due to engine rotation while traveling, a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV: Plug-in Hybrid) that can be charged to a vehicle battery via a charging cable from a household power source when not traveling at night or other times Vehicle) is being developed, and the charging function for in-vehicle batteries is becoming increasingly important in the future.

  By the way, a wireless signal transmitted from a wireless portable key (portable wireless device) possessed by the user is received by a receiving means (vehicle wireless device such as a wireless tuner or smart tuner) mounted on the vehicle, and A technique has been proposed that allows a user to check the state of charge from outside the vehicle by displaying the state of charge (charge amount) of the in-vehicle battery on display means (display, lighting device, etc.) when approaching is detected. (See Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-177938 A

  According to Patent Document 1, the state of charge of the in-vehicle battery is suppressed while suppressing the power consumption of the in-vehicle battery by displaying the state of charge (charge amount) of the in-vehicle battery on the display means only when the user needs it. It can be confirmed from outside the vehicle. At this time, when the charging state is displayed using display means such as a vehicle lighting device (for example, a headlamp), charging is performed simultaneously with the charging state of the in-vehicle battery for the user (that is, the holder of the wireless portable key). It is also possible to visually recognize the location of the cable. However, it is impossible for a non-user (that is, a person who does not have a wireless portable key) to visually recognize the position where the charging cable exists as well as the state of charge of the in-vehicle battery.

  In particular, in the case of PHV, it is assumed that the vehicle-mounted battery is charged at night by drawing a charging cable from a household power source in a parking place where there is not enough lighting equipment such as a garden or a simple garage. Therefore, a contact accident between a non-user and a charging cable that happened to pass during charging (specifically, when the non-user gets a foot on the charging cable or falls), the charging cable or There is a risk of damage to the connector.

  The problem of the present invention is that even if a vehicle power source that can be used for driving power is charged at night from a household power source, an injured person may be injured due to a contact accident between a person approaching from the outside and a charging cable. An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle charging system that can prevent damage to charging cables, connectors, and the like, and can add such a security function without requiring complicated operations and complicated configurations.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

In order to solve the above problems, a vehicle charging system according to the present invention includes:
A vehicle charging system for charging the in-vehicle battery by connecting an in-vehicle battery that can be used for driving power of the vehicle and an AC power source as an external power supply facility via a charging cable,
Connection detecting means for detecting that the charging cable is connected to the in-vehicle battery and an AC power source and charging the in-vehicle battery;
A monitoring means that is arranged in the vehicle or an external power supply facility and detects a visitor who has entered from outside into a predetermined monitoring area including at least the charging cable,
Located in the vehicle or an external power supply facility, the connection detecting means directly or indirectly detects the connection state of the charging cable, and the monitoring means is present or staying in the monitoring area. In order to alert the attendees about the contact with the charging cable or to inform them of the danger, the device operates in a predetermined warning mode using a light emitting device, a sounding device, a speech device, etc. Notification means for
A wireless device having a vehicle-side wireless device mounted on the vehicle and a portable wireless device possessed by a user of the vehicle, and capable of transmitting and receiving an identification signal unique to the vehicle between both wireless devices; Prepared,
In the wireless device, when the signal transmitted / received between the two wireless devices is recognized as a regular identification signal, the notification means is in a teaching mode for teaching the user the location of the charging cable. It operates .

  According to such a vehicle charging system, when the connection detecting means detects the connection state of the charging cable and the monitoring means detects an entrant entering the monitoring area, the notifying means warns the resident. To alert you to contact with the charging cable or to alert you to danger. As a result, even when charging from a household power source to an in-vehicle battery that can be used for driving power at night, a visitor who has entered the monitoring area (that is, a person approaching from the outside) and the charging cable Contact accidents can be prevented and injuries to visitors, charging cables, connectors, etc. can be prevented.

  In addition, even if an outside visitor maliciously enters the monitoring area to steal the charging cable or mischief such as mixing foreign objects into the outlet for connecting the charging cable, By issuing warnings to visitors, these thefts and mischiefs can be prevented. In addition, each of the security functions described above can be added without requiring a complicated operation or a complicated configuration.

  For example, in a parking place where there is not enough lighting equipment, such as in a garden or a simple garage, an outside visitor stays within the monitoring area while charging a PHV in-vehicle battery at night by pulling a charging cable from a household power supply. If you enter the site, you can warn visitors. As a result, the accident of contact between the visitors and the charging cable (specifically, the visitors getting stuck on the charging cable or falling down) is prevented, and the visitors themselves are injured or charged. It is possible to prevent damage to cables and connectors. In addition, the charging cable can be prevented from being stolen and the power outlet tampered.

  The “connection detection means” includes a case where the lock state of the connector of the charging cable, the connector cover, etc. is directly detected, a charging start switch provided in the driver's seat of the vehicle or the external power supply facility, and a voltage provided in the charging circuit ( The case where the connection state of the charging cable is indirectly detected by a current meter or the like is included, and if both are used together, the start of the safety function is ensured. In addition, the "charging cable" that connects the in-vehicle battery and the AC power supply is a double-sided connector type that has a connector that connects (inserts) to the outlet at both ends, and one side that has a connector that connects to the outlet at one end (vehicle side) Includes connector type.

In such a vehicle charging system, preferably,
The monitoring means uses one or more non-contact sensors installed in the vehicle in order to be able to detect the presence of visitors around the vehicle even at night,
For the notification means, an electric device such as a headlamp and a horn that is installed in the vehicle is used so that attention and danger can be transmitted to the visitors even at night.

  As described above, a non-contact sensor or an electric device previously installed in the vehicle is used as a monitoring means for detecting a visitor who has entered the monitoring area from the outside and a notification means for issuing a warning to the visitor. In this case, the system configuration can be simplified and the cost increase can be suppressed.

  For the “non-contact sensor” as the monitoring means, an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared sensor, a laser, a radar, a digital camera, or the like that measures the distance between the vehicle and a human body or an object is used to prevent collision or theft. . “Electrical equipment” as a notification means includes light emitting devices such as a headlamp (headlight), a hazard lamp (emergency blinking indicator), a turn signal lamp (direction indicator), a horn, a buzzer (alarm). Sounding devices such as speakers) and sounding devices such as speakers (loudspeakers), and warnings to visitors can be transmitted more reliably by operating a plurality of these devices.

And the monitoring means can detect that the visitor stayed in the monitoring area for a predetermined time or more,
The notification means can be activated when the monitoring means detects a visitor's stay for a predetermined time or longer.

  Since the boundary (outer edge) of the monitoring area is generally not visible to humans, for example, only a part of the body of a person working just outside the monitoring area may be momentarily or for a short time (for example several times) The monitoring means may recognize that there is a visitor to be warned even if it just enters the monitoring area. Even in such a case, the notification means operates when the monitoring means detects a visitor staying for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) or more, so that a contact accident between the visitor and the charging cable cannot occur. It is possible to avoid inconveniences (malfunctions) such that the notification means operates (issues a warning) despite the situation.

Furthermore, the monitoring area by the monitoring means is set by dividing into an internal area surrounding the charging cable and an external area located outside the internal area in plan view,
The notification means can operate in different warning modes depending on whether the monitoring means detects a visitor in the internal area or in the external area.

  In this way, by adopting a warning mode in which a difference is provided stepwise between the internal region and the external region, the positional relationship (contact risk) with the charging cable can be more accurately transmitted to the visitors. Note that the outer region only needs to be located further outside the inner region set around the charging cable, and the inner region does not necessarily have to be surrounded in an annular shape.

And as a specific warning mode by the notification means,
When the monitoring means detects a visitor in the internal area, the notification means immediately operates,
When the monitoring means detects the visitor in the external area, the notification means may be activated by detecting the stay for a predetermined time or longer.

  Thus, by changing the operation (warning) timing of the notification means in accordance with the contact risk based on the positional relationship between the visitor and the charging cable, it is difficult to cause confusion to the attendee who has received the warning. it can. Specifically, when a visitor enters the internal area, there is a high possibility that a contact accident with the charging cable will occur, so the notification means is immediately activated (warned). On the other hand, when a visitor enters the external area, the contact means with the charging cable is unlikely to occur, so the notification means is activated if the visitor stays in the external area for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) or more. (Warning.

Alternatively, as a specific warning mode by the notification means,
When the monitoring means detects the visitor in the external area, the notification means informs the visitor that the charging cable exists nearby,
When the monitoring means detects the visitor in the internal area, the notification means may prompt the visitor to leave the internal area in order to avoid contact with the charging cable.

  Thus, by changing the warning content of the notification means according to the contact risk based on the positional relationship between the visitors and the charging cable, it is possible to make it difficult for the visitors who have received the warnings to be confused. Specifically, when the visitor enters the external area, since the possibility of a contact accident with the charging cable is low, the notification means informs the attendee that the charging cable exists nearby. On the other hand, when a visitor enters the internal area, there is a high possibility that a contact accident with the charging cable will occur, so the informing means will leave the internal area in order to avoid contact with the charging cable. Prompt.

  For example, when a visitor is continuously detected in the external area, the above-described light emitting device (light) allows the attendee to visually recognize the location of the charging cable “after the continuous detection time and just in case”. . On the other hand, when a visitor is detected in the internal area, the above-mentioned sounding device (sound) or vocalization device (speech) is used to promptly “promptly and proactively” the danger of touching the charging cable to the visitor. be able to.

Furthermore, in the vehicle charging system of the present invention ,
A vehicle-side radio mounted on the vehicle and a portable radio owned by a user of the vehicle, and a radio device capable of transmitting and receiving an identification signal unique to the vehicle between the two radios;
In the wireless device, when the signal transmitted / received between the two wireless devices is recognized as a regular identification signal, the notification means notifies the non-user (that is, the non-owner of the portable wireless device) of the charging cable. Apart from warning aspect for or inform danger or alert about the contact,) the user to, characterized in that operating at teaching mode for teaching the location of the charging cable.

  In this way, a legitimate user approaching the monitoring area from the outside is informed of the location of the charging cable from the notification means after recognizing the transmission / reception signal between the two radios. Therefore, a legitimate user can smoothly perform the disconnection and removal work of the charging cable that has been charged, for example. In this case, in order to finish the removal of the charging cable promptly, it is desirable that the informing means issues a teaching mode for the user prior to a warning mode for the non-user (entrance).

  Note that the “user” of the vehicle is the owner of the portable wireless device (specifically, the owner, the driver, passengers of the vehicle including the passenger, etc.), and the “non-user” is The other person (that is, the non-owner of the portable radio device). Therefore, the above-mentioned “entry” is a concept including these “user” and “non-user”.

  As a specific teaching mode by the notifying unit, the notifying unit may irradiate the charging cable with light so that the user can visually recognize the position of the charging cable.

  With the above-described light emitting device (light), a legitimate user can clearly visually recognize the existence position of the charging cable even at night, and therefore can quickly and easily disconnect and remove the charging cable after charging.

  Although the vehicle charging system of the present invention is optimal for PHV, it can of course be applied to HV and EV. The “portable wireless device” may be an electronic key commonly referred to as an intelligent key or a smart key, and may be a bidirectional portable device (including a mobile phone).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Schematic explanatory drawing which shows the 1st example of PHV provided with the charging system which concerns on this invention. The block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the charging system of FIG. The flowchart which shows the charge process in FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a warning processing subroutine executed during and after charging in FIG. 3. FIG. Schematic explanatory drawing which shows the 2nd example of PHV provided with the charging system which concerns on this invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a warning processing subroutine in FIG. 5. Schematic explanatory drawing which shows the 3rd example of PHV provided with the charging system which concerns on this invention. The block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the charging system of FIG. The flowchart which shows the charge process in FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a teaching processing subroutine executed during and after charging in FIG. 9.

Example 1
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to examples shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view showing a first example of a PHV provided with a charging system according to the present invention. The PHV 1 (plug-in hybrid vehicle; vehicle) shown in FIG. 1 can use the in-vehicle battery 5 as driving power for the drive wheels 6 and 6. That is, the PHV 1 rotates the drive wheels 6 and 6 by mainly burning the fuel (gasoline) in the tank 3 in the engine 2 at the time of start-up and high-speed traveling. At this time, the motor / generator 4 functions as a generator by the rotational energy of the engine 2 and charges the in-vehicle battery 5. On the other hand, when traveling at low speed in an urban area or the like, the motor / generator 4 functions as a motor using the in-vehicle battery 5 as an energy source, so the PHV 1 travels mainly as an electric vehicle.

  Moreover, when connecting the connection part 5a of the vehicle-mounted battery 5 and the AC power source V (100V or 200V power source for home use) as the external power supply facility 10 via the charging cable 20, the cable connector 20a of the charging cable 20 is connected. The vehicle-mounted battery 5 is charged by being inserted into the vehicle-side outlet 5b of the unit 5a. 5c is a cable sensor (connection detecting means) for detecting whether or not the cable connector 20a (charging cable 20) is inserted (attached) to the vehicle-side outlet 5b, and 5d is a remaining capacity (charge amount) of the battery 5. A battery sensor 20b for detecting the charge level), and an AC / DC converter attached to the charging cable 20. The battery sensor 5d is independent of the cable sensor 5c that detects the connection of the charging cable 20 by directly measuring the electromotive force (or current) of the in-vehicle battery 5 or indirectly measuring the specific gravity, pH, or the like. The remaining capacity of the in-vehicle battery 5 is periodically detected and used for determining the necessity of charging, the charging status (charging completion = full charging, charging), and the like.

  Furthermore, PHV1 uses an ultrasonic sensor, digital to distinguish the surrounding human body and objects regardless of daytime or nighttime, and measure the distance between them in a non-contact manner to prevent collision and theft. A distance sensor 7 (non-contact sensor) using a camera or the like is installed. A plurality of distance sensors 7 may be provided to monitor the entire periphery of the PHV 1. In this embodiment, the distance sensor 7 extends in a fan shape (or conical shape) in front of the center of the PHV 1 and includes a charging cable 20 that is being charged. As shown, only one monitor area A is set. In the present invention, the distance sensor 7 has a function as a monitoring means for detecting a visitor M (an approaching person) approaching the PHV 1 that is charging the vehicle-mounted battery 5 and entering the monitoring area A from the outside. .

  On the instrument panel 8 of the PHV1, a key switch 8a for starting the engine 2 with the key 30, a charge start switch 8b (connection detecting means) for starting charging by human operation, and a detection result of the battery sensor 5d The charging display section 8c for displaying the necessity of charging (charging alarm) and the charging status (charging completion = full charging, charging) is arranged. Note that the charging start switch 8b has a function of indirectly detecting the connection state of the charging cable 20 by detecting that the vehicle-mounted battery 5 is being charged, and a voltage (current) provided in the charging circuit. ) You may substitute a total.

  Left and right headlamps 9A and 9A (light emitting devices), a horn 9B (sounding device), and a speaker 9C (speaking device) are externally mounted on the front surface of PHV1. In the present invention, these electrical devices 9A, 9B, and 9C warn the visitors M detected by the distance sensor 7 in order to alert them about contact with the charging cable 20 and to inform them of danger, especially at night. It has a function as an informing means (acting in a predetermined warning mode).

  The PHV 1 is equipped with a PHV ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 100 for controlling the travel of the PHV 1 and a body ECU 200 for controlling the chassis / body electric device. (Also referred to as C). In this embodiment, the PHV ECU 100 has a function of executing (controlling) the charging process based on the detection result of the battery sensor 5d, while the body ECU 200 detects the cable sensor 5c, the charging start switch 8b, and the distance sensor 7. Based on the result, it has a function of executing (controlling) warning processing by the electric devices 9A, 9B, 9C.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing an electrical configuration of the charging system of FIG. The PHV ECU 100 includes a PHV CPU 101 (charging control means) that is an arithmetic device, a PHV ROM 102 that is a read-only storage device for storing a charging processing program 102a described later, a readable / writable memory to which a work area, various counters, and the like are assigned. A device includes a PHV RAM 103 and a PHV input / output interface 104, which are connected to each other via a bus.

  The PHV ECU 100 receives signals from a key switch 8a disposed on the instrument panel 8, a charge start switch 8b, a cable sensor 5c disposed on the vehicle-side outlet 5b, and a battery sensor 5d disposed on the battery 5. Each is entered. Further, from the PHV ECU 100 to the charge display unit 8c arranged on the instrument panel 8, whether or not charging is necessary (charging alarm) and the charging status (charging completed = full charging, charging) based on the detection result of the battery sensor 5d ) Is displayed.

  On the other hand, the body ECU 200 is assigned with a body CPU 201 (warning control means; notification control means) which is an arithmetic device, a body ROM 202 which is a read-only storage device for storing a warning processing program 202a described later, a work area, various counters, and the like. A body RAM 203 and a body input / output interface 204, which are readable / writable storage devices, are connected to each other via a bus.

  The body ECU 200 receives a signal from the distance sensor 7 installed in the PHV 1. In addition, a warning is issued from the body ECU 200 to a visitor M who has entered the monitoring area A from the outside to the headlamps 9A, 9A, the horn 9B, and the speaker 9C, which are electrical devices mounted on the front surface of the PHV1. Each signal is output.

  The PHV ECU 100 and the body ECU 200 are connected to each other via input / output interfaces 104 and 204 so that signals can be input and output. The electric power for starting up the PHV ECU 100 and the body ECU 200 is supplied from the in-vehicle battery 5. Therefore, even during charging of the in-vehicle battery 5 from the AC power V via the charging cable 20, the PHV ECU 100 and the body ECU 200 can be activated by the electromotive force of the charged in-vehicle battery 5.

  Next, the control contents of each ECU 100, 200 will be described according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  The charging process flowchart of FIG. 3 is operated by the charging process program 102a stored in the PHV ROM 102 (see FIG. 2). First, it is determined whether or not the PHV 1 has stopped and the engine 2 has been stopped based on whether or not the key 30 has been removed from the key switch 8a (S1). If the key switch 8a is OFF (S1: YES), whether or not the charging cable 20 is connected and the cable connector 20a is inserted into the vehicle-side outlet 5b is determined based on whether or not a signal is input from the cable sensor 5c ( S2). If the cable sensor 5c is ON (S2: YES), it is determined whether or not the charging start switch 8b is pressed (S3).

  When the charging start switch 8b is turned on (S3: YES), charging of the in-vehicle battery 5 is started, and the charging state is confirmed based on the detection result of the battery sensor 5d (S4). When charging to the in-vehicle battery 5 is completed (full charge) (S4: YES), “charging complete” is displayed on the charging display portion 8c of the instrument panel 8 (S5), and when charging to the in-vehicle battery 5 is in progress ( (S4: NO), “Charging” is displayed on the charging display portion 8c (S6), a warning process is executed (S8), and the charging process is terminated. When the key switch 8a is ON (S1: NO), when the cable sensor 5c is OFF (S2: NO), and when the charge start switch 8b is OFF (S3: NO), the charging process is immediately performed. Exit.

  The warning processing subroutine of FIG. 4 is operated by a warning processing program 202a stored in the body ROM 202 (see FIG. 2). First, it is determined whether or not the distance sensor 7 has detected a visitor M who has entered the monitoring area A from the outside (S81). When the distance sensor 7 detects the visitor M (S81: YES), it is determined whether or not the distance sensor 7 has continuously detected the visitor M for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) (S82). When the distance sensor 7 continues to detect the visitor M for one minute or longer (S82: YES), the attendee M who stays in the monitoring area A for a long time is alerted about the contact with the charging cable 20. . Specifically, the headlamp 9A is turned on (S83), the horn 9B is blown (S84), and a warning sound (for example, “please pay attention to the charging cable at your feet”) is emitted from the speaker 9C (S85). End the process.

  If the distance sensor 7 does not detect the visitor M (S81: NO) and if the visitor M is not detected for one minute (S82: NO), the warning process is immediately performed. finish. However, a built-in timer (not shown) of the body ECU 200 may be used for the time measurement in S82.

  In this way, in a parking place where there is not enough lighting equipment such as a garden or a simple garage, the charging cable 20 is routed from the household power supply (AC power supply V) to charge the in-vehicle battery 5 of the PHV1 at night. When an outside visitor M enters the monitoring area A, a warning for alerting the attendee M is issued. Therefore, the occurrence of a contact accident between the attendant M and the charging cable 20 (specifically, the attendant M getting caught in the charging cable 20 or falling down) is prevented, and the attendant M himself is injured. Or charging cable 20 or cable connector 20a can be prevented from being damaged. At that time, since the warning is issued only when the visitor M stays in the monitoring area A for a long time, the visitor M who has entered the monitoring area A momentarily or for a short time is surprised, or the warning is erroneously issued. Can be avoided.

  Also, an outside visitor M entered the monitoring area A with malicious intent in order to steal the charging cable 20 or to make a mischief such as contamination of the vehicle outlet 5a for connecting the charging cable. Even in this case, it is possible to prevent such theft and mischief by issuing a warning to the visitors M. In addition, each of the security functions described above can be added without requiring a complicated operation or a complicated configuration.

(Example 2)
Next, FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory view showing a second example of a PHV provided with a charging system according to the present invention. In the vehicle charging system (hereinafter also simply referred to as a charging system) C shown in this embodiment, the monitoring area of the distance sensor 7 (non-contact sensor; monitoring means) is an internal area surrounding the charging cable 20 in plan view. It is set by dividing into AI and an external area AO located outside the internal area AI. Specifically, the inner area AI extends in a rectangular shape (or a columnar shape) in front of the center of PHV1 (plug-in hybrid vehicle; vehicle), and the outer area AO has a triangular shape (or an umbrella shape) outside the inner area AI. It has spread.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the warning processing subroutine of the charging system C executes different processes depending on whether the distance sensor 7 detects the visitor M in the external area AO or in the internal area AI. .

  In the warning processing subroutine 18 shown in FIG. 6, first, it is determined whether or not the distance sensor 7 has detected an attendee M in the external area AO (S181). When the distance sensor 7 detects the visitor M in the external area AO (S181: YES), is the distance sensor 7 continuously detecting for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) in the external area AO? It is determined whether or not (S182). When the distance sensor 7 continues to detect a visitor M in the external area AO for one minute or longer (S182: YES), it informs that the charging cable 20 exists nearby. Specifically, the headlamp 9A (light emitting device; electrical equipment; notification means) is turned on (S183), and the warning process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the distance sensor 7 does not detect the visitor M in the external area AO (S181: NO), it is determined whether or not the distance sensor 7 has detected the visitor M in the internal area AI (S184). When the distance sensor 7 detects the visitor M in the internal region AI (S184: YES), the visitor M who has entered the internal region AI leaves the internal region AI to avoid contact with the charging cable 20. Prompt. Specifically, the headlamp 9A is blinked (S185), the horn 9B (sounding device; electrical equipment; notification means) is sounded (S186), and the warning sound (from the speaker 9C (speaking device; electrical equipment; notification means)) ( For example, “Please leave the current charging cable”) is issued (S187), and the warning process is terminated.

  In addition, when the distance sensor 7 does not detect the visitors M in the external area AO for one minute continuously (S182: NO), and does not detect the visitors M in both the external area AO and the internal area AI. In any case (S184: NO), the warning process is immediately terminated.

  In this way, by changing the warning content according to the contact risk based on the positional relationship between the visitor M and the charging cable 20, it is possible to make it difficult for the attendee M who has received the warning to be confused. Specifically, when the attendee M is continuously detected in the external area AO, the headlamp 9A is turned on to indicate the presence position of the charging cable 20 to the attendee M “after the continuous detection time and In order to be visible. On the other hand, when the visitor M is detected in the internal area AI, the headlamp 9A is switched to blinking, and the warning of the horn 9B and the speaker 9C indicates that the danger of contacting the visitor M with the charging cable 20 is “immediately”. , And proactively ”.

(Example 3)
Next, FIG. 7 is a schematic explanatory view showing a third example of a PHV provided with the charging system according to the present invention. The vehicle charging system (hereinafter also simply referred to as a charging system) C shown in this embodiment is further provided with a wireless device R compared to the above-described embodiment 2 (FIG. 5).

  7 includes a vehicle-side radio 205 provided in a body ECU 200 mounted on a PHV1 (plug-in hybrid vehicle; vehicle) and an electronic key 300 (both owned by a user U (for example, owner) of the PHV1). A portable wireless device 305 provided in the mobile phone), and various signals including an identification signal specific to PHV1 can be transmitted and received between the wireless devices 205 and 305. When a signal transmitted / received between the two radios 205 and 305 of the wireless device R is recognized as a regular identification signal of the PHV1, the headlamp 9A (light emitting device; electrical equipment; notification means) of the PHV1 and a speaker 9C (speaking device; electrical equipment; notification means) teaches (provides) the location of the charging cable 20 to the user U. Note that the range (reach distance) of the communicable range in the wireless device R is larger than the size (identifiable distance) of the monitoring area (inner area and outer area) of the distance sensor 7 (non-contact sensor; monitoring means). Is set.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically showing an electrical configuration of the charging system of FIG. The electronic key 300 is assigned an electronic key CPU 301 (warning control means; notification control means) that is an arithmetic device, an electronic key ROM 302 that is a read-only storage device for storing an electronic key operation program, a work area, various counters, and the like. An electronic key RAM 303, which is a readable / writable storage device, and an electronic key input / output interface 304 are provided, and these are connected to each other via a bus.

  Since the electronic key 300 replaces the key 30 in the first embodiment (FIG. 1) or the second embodiment (FIG. 5), the electronic key 300 has an electronic key switch 306 instead of the key switch 8a (see FIG. 2). . The electronic key 300 is also provided with a display unit 307 (light emitting device; notifying unit) and a speaker 308 (speaking device; notifying unit). The display unit 307 of the electronic key 300 displays the necessity / unnecessity of charging (charging alarm) based on the detection result of the battery sensor 5d and the charging status (charging completion = full charging, charging) in the same manner as the charging display unit 8c, The teaching information related to the position where the charging cable 20 is present can be uniquely displayed (see FIG. 10). On the other hand, the speaker 308 of the electronic key 300 can emit the teaching voice related to the position where the charging cable 20 exists in the same manner as the speaker 9C of the PHV1 (see FIG. 10).

  As described above, the body ECU 200 (body CPU 201) of this embodiment detects the headlamp when the signal transmitted / received between the two radios 205 and 305 of the radio device R is recognized as the regular identification signal of the PHV1. 9A, the speaker 9C, the display unit 307, and the speaker 308 are controlled to execute a teaching process related to the position where the charging cable 20 exists. In order to realize such a teaching processing function, the body ROM 202 of the body ECU 200 stores a teaching processing program 202b together with a warning processing program 202a.

  Next, the control content of each ECU 100, 200, 300 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  The charging process flowchart of FIG. 9 operates in the same manner as S1 to S6 of FIG. 3 (Example 1) by the charging process program 102a stored in the PHV ROM 102. However, after executing the teaching process (S17; see FIG. 10), the warning process (S18; see FIG. 6) is executed and the charging process is terminated.

  The teaching processing subroutine of FIG. 10 is operated by the teaching processing program 202b stored in the body ROM 202 (see FIG. 8). First, whether or not the signal transmitted / received between the two radios 205 and 305 of the radio apparatus R is recognized as the legitimate identification signal of the PHV1, that is, whether or not the authentication as the legitimate user U has been completed by the electronic key 300 It is determined whether or not (S171). When the user U authentication is completed (S171: YES), “charging completed” or “charging” is displayed on the display unit 307 of the electronic key 300 as in S5 or S6 (FIG. 3) (S172). Next, it is determined whether or not the distance sensor 7 has detected the user U in the external area AO or the internal area AI (S173). When the distance sensor 7 detects the user U in the external area AO or the internal area AI (S173: YES), the user U is instructed of the position where the charging cable 20 is present. Specifically, the headlamp 9A of the PHV1 is turned on (S174), and teaching voice (for example, “the charging cable is here”) is emitted from the speaker 9C of the PHV1 and the speaker 308 of the electronic key 300 (S175). “Charging cable connected” is displayed on the display unit 307 of 300 (S176), and the teaching process is terminated.

  If the user U authentication is not completed (S171: NO), and if the user U is not detected in both the external area AO and the internal area AI (S173: NO), the teaching process is immediately performed. finish.

  As described above, for the authorized user U who has approached the monitoring area (external area AO or internal area AI) from the outside, the headlamp 9A, the speaker 9C, and the speaker 308 are recognized after the transmission / reception signals between the wireless devices 205 and 305 are recognized. , The location of the charging cable 20 is taught from the display unit 307. Therefore, based on the teaching process (FIG. 10) executed prior to the warning process (FIG. 6), the authorized user U can quickly disconnect and remove the charging cable 20 that has been charged, for example, at night. And can be done easily. As a result, the probability (frequency) of occurrence of a contact accident between the non-user visitor M and the charging cable 20 can be reduced, and safety can be improved.

  In Example 2 (FIGS. 5 and 6) and Example 3 (FIGS. 7 to 10), parts having the same functions as those in Example 1 (FIGS. 1 to 4) are denoted by the same reference numerals. Some explanations are omitted. In the third embodiment, the wireless device R (electronic key 300) is combined with the second embodiment, but may be combined with the first embodiment. Further, in each of the above embodiments, only the case where the charging system is mounted on the PHV has been described, but it may be mounted on the HV or EV.

1 PHV (plug-in hybrid vehicle; vehicle)
5 In-vehicle battery 5a Connection 5b Vehicle outlet 5c Cable sensor (connection detection means)
5d battery sensor 7 distance sensor (non-contact sensor; monitoring means)
8 Instrument panel 8a Key switch 8b Charging start switch (connection detection means)
8c charge display part 9A headlamp (light emitting device; electrical equipment; notification means)
9B Horn (sound generator; electrical equipment; notification means)
9C Speaker (speaking device; electrical equipment; notification means)
10 External power supply equipment 20 Charging cable 30 Key 100 PHV ECU
101 CPU for PHV (charging control means)
102 PHV ROM
102a Charge processing program 103 PHV RAM
104 PHV input / output interface 200 Body ECU
201 Body CPU (Warning control means; Teaching control means; Notification control means)
202 Body ROM
202a Warning processing program 202b Teaching processing program 203 Body RAM
204 I / O interface for body 205 Vehicle-side radio 300 Electronic key (two-way portable device)
301 CPU for electronic key (warning control means; teaching control means; notification control means)
302 ROM for electronic key
303 Electronic Key RAM
304 Input / Output Interface for Electronic Key 305 Portable Radio 306 Electronic Key Switch 307 Display Unit (Light Emitting Device; Notification Unit)
308 Speaker (speaking device; notification means)
A Monitoring area AI Internal area AO External area C Charging system (Vehicle charging system)
R Radio device V AC power supply M Visitor (accessor)
U user

Claims (7)

A vehicle charging system for charging the in-vehicle battery by connecting an in-vehicle battery that can be used for driving power of the vehicle and an AC power source as an external power supply facility via a charging cable,
Connection detecting means for detecting that the charging cable is connected to the in-vehicle battery and an AC power source and charging the in-vehicle battery;
A monitoring means that is arranged in the vehicle or an external power supply facility and detects a visitor who has entered from outside into a predetermined monitoring area including at least the charging cable,
Located in the vehicle or an external power supply facility, the connection detecting means directly or indirectly detects the connection state of the charging cable, and the monitoring means is present or staying in the monitoring area. In order to alert the attendees about the contact with the charging cable or to inform them of the danger, the device operates in a predetermined warning mode using a light emitting device, a sounding device, a speech device, etc. Notification means for
A wireless device having a vehicle-side wireless device mounted on the vehicle and a portable wireless device possessed by a user of the vehicle, and capable of transmitting and receiving an identification signal unique to the vehicle between both wireless devices; Prepared,
In the wireless device, when the signal transmitted / received between the two wireless devices is recognized as a regular identification signal, the notification means is in a teaching mode for teaching the user the location of the charging cable. A vehicle charging system that operates . As the teaching mode by the notification means, the notification means by irradiating light to the charging cable, the vehicle charging system of claim 1 to said user to enable viewing the location of the charging cable. In the monitoring means, one or more non-contact sensors installed in the vehicle are used in order to be able to detect the presence of the visitor at night around the vehicle,
The said notification means, said attention and hazard to visitors in order also to be transmitted at night, headlamp installed on the vehicle, according to claim electrical equipment horn or the like is used 1 or 2 The vehicle charging system described in 1. The monitoring means can detect that the visitor has stayed in the monitoring area for a predetermined time or more,
The vehicle charging system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the notification unit is activated when the monitoring unit detects a stay of the visitor for a predetermined time or more. The monitoring area by the monitoring means is divided into an internal area surrounding the charging cable and an external area located outside the internal area in plan view,
The notification means includes a case where the monitoring unit detects the visitor in the interior region, according to any one of claims 1 to 4, operating at the case of a different warning mode detected in the external area Vehicle charging system. As a warning mode by the notification means,
When the monitoring means detects the visitor in the inner area, the notification means immediately operates,
The vehicle charging system according to claim 5 , wherein when the monitoring unit detects the visitor in the external area, the notification unit is activated by detecting a stay for a predetermined time or more. As a warning mode by the notification means,
When the monitoring means detects the visitor in the external area, the notification means informs the visitor that the charging cable exists nearby,
When said monitoring means detects the visitor in the inner region, the notification means to claim 5 or 6 urge the visitors to leave the inside area in order to avoid contact with the charging cable The charging system for vehicles as described.

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