JP5631470B1 - Charging device and charging system - Google Patents

Abstract

A charging device and a charging system are provided that can perform charging according to usage. A charging charge display unit 13 of a charging device 10 displays a plurality of use start time candidates for a battery together with a charge charge corresponding to each use start time candidate. Specifically, the charging schedule corresponding to each use start time candidate based on the required charging time required to charge the vehicle-mounted battery 21 from the current charged amount to a predetermined charged amount and the power charge for each time zone The charge charge is calculated and displayed on the charge charge display unit 13. Any of the plurality of use start time candidates is input to the departure time input unit 14 as the use start time. The charging control unit 11 charges the in-vehicle battery 21 with the electric power supplied from the external power source 30 according to the input use start time. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a charging device and a charging system for charging a battery such as an electric vehicle.

  As a vehicle that travels using electric power stored in a battery as a power source, an electric vehicle is widely used. Examples of the electric vehicle include an electric vehicle that travels using a motor as a drive source, and a plug-in hybrid vehicle that travels using both a motor and an engine as drive sources.

  The battery of the electric vehicle is charged with electric power supplied from an external power source. Examples of the external power source include a system power source connected to the power system, and a power generation device such as a solar power generation device and a wind power generation device.

  For example, Patent Documents 1 to 4 disclose a charging system and a charging device that charge a battery of an electric vehicle. In the charging system and the charging device disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 4, the time required for charging the battery to a predetermined amount of power storage (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “required charging time”) and the power for each time zone Charging is performed by checking the charge data and selecting a time period when the power charge is relatively low. As a result, the charging fee borne by the user of the electric vehicle is reduced.

  For example, in the electric vehicle charging control system disclosed in Patent Document 1, first, the user inputs a charging completion desired time as a time at which charging should be completed (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “charging completion time”). The electric vehicle charge control system completes the charge by the desired charge completion time input by the user, and sets the charge schedule so that the power charge required for the charge (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “charge charge”) is the lowest. Create and charge according to the created charging schedule.

  Also in the charging devices disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3, first, the user inputs charging reservation input information including a charging end time corresponding to a charging completion time. The charging devices disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3 are charging schedules that are a plurality of charging reservation modes for completing charging by the charging end time included in the input charging reservation input information, and charging in each charging schedule. The charge is presented to the user, and charging is performed according to the charging schedule selected by the user.

  Moreover, the charging system of the electric vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 4 sets the charging completion designation time, for example, after 24 hours, when the charging completion designation time corresponding to the charging completion time is not input by the user. A schedule is created so that the charging is completed and the charging fee is lowest, and charging is performed according to the created charging schedule.

JP 2011-015521 A JP 2009-152136 A JP 2011-166870 A Japanese Patent No. 4757250

  In the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3, first, the user needs to input the charging completion time. Since the user can know the charging fee after inputting the charging completion time, the user cannot determine the charging completion time based on the charging fee, which is inconvenient for the user.

  When the user wants to determine the charging completion time based on the charging fee, it is necessary to repeat the input of the charging completion time and confirm the charging fee, which is troublesome. Further, if the charging completion time is changed, there is a possibility that the user cannot know even if charging can be performed at a lower charge.

  Further, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 4, when the charging completion time is not input by the user and the charging completion time is set after 24 hours, the user can complete the charging until 24 hours later. I can't know what to do. Therefore, when the user tries to use the electric vehicle, the charging may not be completed, and there is a problem that the user is not easy to use.

  There are various usage forms of the electric vehicle by the user. The user may want to determine the charging completion time based on the charging fee. For example, if the charging completion time can be delayed to charge at a lower charge, the user may delay the charging completion time. Conversely, if the charge completion time is delayed and the charge does not become so low, the user may want to start charging immediately in preparation for the unexpected start of use of the electric vehicle.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a charging device and a charging system that can perform charging according to a usage pattern.

The charging device of the present invention is a charging device that charges a battery with electric power supplied from an external power source, and includes a plurality of use start time candidates that are candidates for use start time that is a time to start using the battery. A charging fee output unit that outputs a charging fee that is a fee for the electric power required when charging the battery according to each use start time candidate, and the plurality of uses that are output by the charging fee output unit According to the use start time input unit in which any use start time candidate among the start time candidates is input as the use start time, and the use start time input to the use start time input unit, the battery and a charging control unit for charging of the charge control unit based on the current storage amount is a power amount that is currently accumulated in the battery, the Calculates the required charging time, which is the time required to charge the battery from the current storage amount to the predetermined storage amount, and calculates the required charging time and the hourly power that is a charge for each hour of the electric power Based on the charge, for each of the use start time candidates, the charging schedule of the battery and the charge charge so that charging of the battery is completed by the use start time candidate and the charge charge is the lowest. is calculated, the calculated the charging fee, and wherein the Rukoto is output to the charging fee output unit with each of said use start time candidates.

  The charging system of the present invention includes the above-described charging device of the present invention and an external power source.

  According to the charging device of the present invention, the battery is charged by the power supplied from the external power source. At this time, the charge charge output unit outputs a plurality of use start time candidates for the battery together with the charge charge corresponding to each use start time candidate. Accordingly, the user determines which of the use start time candidates is to be used as the use start time based on the charge charge corresponding to each use start time candidate output from the charge charge output unit. The use start time can be input to the use start time input unit.

In this way, any use start time candidate among the plurality of use start time candidates output is input to the use start time input unit as the use start time. The battery is charged by the charge control unit in accordance with the input use start time. Therefore, it is possible to perform charging according to the usage pattern of the battery and the device on which the battery is mounted.
In addition, the charge control unit calculates a required charging time that is a time required to charge the battery from the current charged amount to a predetermined charged amount based on the current charged amount that is the amount of power currently stored in the battery. To do. The charge controller calculates the battery charge schedule and charge based on the calculated required charge time and the power charge for each time period, which is a charge for each time period of the power, and uses the calculated charge charge for each use. It is made to output to a charge charge output part with a start time candidate. As a result, the charging fee can be calculated with high accuracy.
In addition, the charging control unit calculates a charging schedule and a charging fee for each use start time candidate so that charging of the battery is completed by the use start time candidate and the charging fee is the lowest. Thereby, the charge which a user bears can be suppressed. Therefore, it is convenient for the user, and the charging fee borne by the user can be suppressed.

  According to the charging system of the present invention, the charging system includes the charging device of the present invention and an external power source. Therefore, based on the charging fee output by the charging fee output unit of the charging device, the user can determine the use start time of the battery, and perform charging according to the usage mode of the battery and the device on which the battery is mounted. Can be realized.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the charging device 10 which is the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and the charging system 1 provided with the same. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence regarding the charge process of the charging device 10 in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the electric power charge data classified by time zone. It is a figure which shows an example of the display method of the charge charge according to departure time. It is a figure which shows the other example of the display method of the charge charge according to departure time. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the charging device 40 which is the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and the charging system 2 provided with the same. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence regarding the charge process of the charging device 40 in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the charging device 50 which is the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, and the charging system 3 provided with the same. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the charging system 4 which is the 4th Embodiment of this invention.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a charging device 10 and a charging system 1 including the same according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The charging device 10 and the charging system 1 of the present embodiment are an electric vehicle charging device and an electric vehicle charging system that charge an in-vehicle battery 21 mounted on the electric vehicle 20.

  The charging system 1 includes an electric vehicle 20 and an external power source 30. The electric vehicle 20 includes an in-vehicle battery 21, a storage amount detection unit 22, and the charging device 10. The charging device 10 includes a charge control unit 11, a power charge data storage unit 12, a charge charge display unit 13, and a departure time input unit 14. The external power supply 30 is installed outside the electric vehicle 20. The external power supply 30 is a system power supply, for example. In FIG. 1, thin line arrows represent information exchange, and thick line arrows represent power exchange.

The electric vehicle 20 is, for example, an electric vehicle (abbreviation: EV) or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (abbreviation: PHEV). In the case of EV, the electric vehicle 20 travels using a motor (not shown) as a drive source. When the electric vehicle 20 is a PHEV, the electric vehicle 20 travels using both a motor (not shown) and an engine as drive sources.

  The in-vehicle battery 21 is a power source for running the electric vehicle 20, and is used as, for example, a power source that supplies power to a motor (not shown). The in-vehicle battery 21 is configured to be rechargeable by an external power source 30 provided outside the electric vehicle 20. The in-vehicle battery 21 is realized by a lithium ion secondary battery, for example.

  The storage amount detection unit 22 is connected to the in-vehicle battery 21. The storage amount detection unit 22 detects the amount of power currently stored in the in-vehicle battery 21 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “current storage amount”). The storage amount detection unit 22 provides storage amount information indicating the value of the detected current storage amount to the charge control unit 11 of the charging apparatus 10.

  The charging device 10 charges the in-vehicle battery 21 with electric power supplied from the external power supply 30. Specifically, the power supplied from the external power supply 30 is given to the charging control unit 11 of the charging device 10. The charging control unit 11 supplies the power supplied from the external power source 30 to the in-vehicle battery 21 to charge the in-vehicle battery 21.

  The charge control unit 11 includes, for example, a central processing unit (abbreviation: CPU) and a memory such as a writable RAM (Random Access Memory). The memory stores a control program for the charging control unit 11. When the CPU executes the control program stored in the memory, the functions of the power charge data storage unit 12, the charge charge display unit 13, and the departure time input unit 14 that constitute the charging device 10 are realized. The charging control unit 11 performs control related to charging of the electric vehicle 20, specifically, control related to charging of the in-vehicle battery 21 used for traveling of the electric vehicle 20.

  The power charge data storage unit 12 is realized by, for example, a hard disk drive (abbreviation: HDD) device or a rewritable and nonvolatile semiconductor memory. The power rate data storage unit 12 stores time zone power rate data representing a power rate by time zone, which is a rate of power by time zone when the in-vehicle battery 21 is charged by the external power source 30.

  The charge charge display unit 13 is realized by a liquid crystal display, for example. The charging fee display unit 13 displays departure time candidates that are candidates for a plurality of departure times together with the charging fee at each departure time candidate. Here, the “charge charge at each departure time candidate” is a charge for electric power required when charging the in-vehicle battery 21 according to each departure time candidate. The charge charge display unit 13 corresponds to a charge charge output unit. The departure time corresponds to the use start time, and the departure time candidate corresponds to the use start time candidate. In the present embodiment, the departure time is synonymous with the desired charging completion time, which is the desired time as the completion of charging. The departure time candidate is displayed as “departure time” in the charge charge display unit 13 for easy understanding of the user.

  The departure time input unit 14 is realized by, for example, a touch panel operated by a user of the electric vehicle 20, a remote controller, an operation button, or a voice input device having a voice recognition function. The departure time input unit 14 is used when the user inputs information such as numeric information, character information, or instruction information to the charging control unit 11. When the departure time input unit 14 is operated by the user, the departure time input unit 14 generates an operation signal representing information corresponding to the user's operation and supplies the operation signal to the charge control unit 11. The user inputs a desired departure time by operating the departure time input unit 14. The departure time input unit 14 corresponds to a use start time input unit.

  When departure time input unit 14 is realized by a touch panel, departure time input unit 14 is provided on the display screen of a display device that constitutes charge charge display unit 13, for example, a liquid crystal display device. In this case, for example, the user selects and inputs a desired departure time by touching a part of the charge fee at the departure time displayed on the display screen of the charge fee display unit 13 with a finger.

  The departure time input unit 14 may be configured such that the user selects a desired departure time from among the departure time candidates displayed as “departure time” on the charging fee display unit 13 as described above. The departure time to be performed may be directly input by the user.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure related to the charging process of the charging apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Each process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 is executed by the charge control unit 11. The process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 is started when the execution of the charging process is instructed by the user, and the process proceeds to step a1. As a method for the user to instruct the execution of the charging process, for example, there are a method of connecting the external power supply 30 to the electric vehicle 20 and a method of turning on a switch (not shown) provided in the electric vehicle 20.

  In step a <b> 1, the charging control unit 11 detects the current storage amount that is the current storage amount of the in-vehicle battery 21 via the storage amount detection unit 22. The unit of the current storage amount is, for example, [kWh]. When the current charged amount of the in-vehicle battery 21 is detected, the process proceeds to step a2.

  In step a2, the charge control unit 11 requires a charge amount necessary for charging the in-vehicle battery 21 from the current charge amount detected by the charge amount detection unit 22 in step a1 to a predetermined charge amount. Is calculated. In the present embodiment, the predetermined power storage amount is a preset full power storage amount of the in-vehicle battery 21, and the charge control unit 11 requires a charge amount required to make the in-vehicle battery 21 full power storage, that is, the full power storage. Calculate the required amount of charge up to the amount.

  Specifically, in step a2, the charging control unit 11 subtracts the current power storage amount [kWh] detected by the power storage amount detection unit 22 in step a1 from the preset full power storage amount [kWh] of the in-vehicle battery 21. As a result, the required charge amount [kWh] up to the fully charged amount [kWh] is calculated. When the required charge amount is calculated, the process proceeds to step a3.

  In step a3, the charging control unit 11 calculates a necessary charging time based on the current power storage amount detected in step a1. Here, the “necessary charging time” is a time required for charging the in-vehicle battery 21 from the current charged amount to a predetermined charged amount. In the present embodiment, the predetermined charged amount is the full charge amount, and the charge control unit 11 calculates the required charge time [h] from the required charge amount [kWh] up to the full charge amount calculated in step a2. calculate.

  Specifically, as shown in the following formula (1), the charge control unit 11 sets the required charge amount [kWh] to the amount of power that can be charged per unit time (hereinafter, “chargeable amount per unit time”). The required charging time [h] is calculated by dividing by K [kWh / h].

Required charge time [h] = Required charge amount [kWh] / K [kWh / h] (1)
In the present embodiment, the chargeable amount K [kWh / h] per unit time in Equation (1) is the chargeable amount per hour, and the characteristics of the in-vehicle battery 21, the charge control unit 11, and the external power supply 30 Is obtained in advance. When the required charging time is calculated, the process proceeds to step a4.

  In step a4, the charging control unit 11 determines the charging schedule and the charging fee (hereinafter referred to as the in-vehicle battery 21) corresponding to each departure time candidate based on the required charging time calculated in step a3 and the power charge for each time zone. “Sometimes referred to as a charging schedule and charging fee by departure time”). Specifically, the charge control unit 11 includes the power charge for each time zone indicated by the power charge data for each time zone stored in the power rate data storage unit 12, and the required charge time [h] calculated in step a3. And the charging schedule and charging charge [yen] for each departure time are calculated.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of hourly power charge data. In FIG. 3, the horizontal axis indicates time [hour] expressed in 24 hours, and the vertical axis indicates power rate [yen / kWh]. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the hourly power charge data indicates an hourly power charge [yen / kWh]. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the electricity charge for each hour from 0 o'clock to 1 o'clock, from 1 o'clock to 2 o'clock and from 6 o'clock to 7 o'clock is 30 yen, and from 3 o'clock to 4 o'clock and from 5 o'clock to 6 o'clock The hourly power charge is 20 yen, and the hourly power charge at 2 o'clock to 3 o'clock and 4 o'clock to 5 o'clock is 10 yen.

  Here, an example of a charging schedule for each departure time and a method for calculating the charging charge when the power charge data for each time zone is shown in FIG. 3, the current time is 0:00, and the required charging time is 2 hours. This will be described below.

  First, since the current time is 0 o'clock and the required charging time is 2 hours, the earliest time that can be set as a departure time candidate is 2 o'clock. In this case, charging is performed using two hours from 0:00 to 2:00. The charge [yen] at this time is calculated according to the following equations (2) to (4).

  Specifically, the charging control unit 11 performs power charge [yen / kWh] for each time slot shown in FIG. 3, chargeable amount K [kWh / h] per unit time, and unit time for every hour. Here, the charging fee [yen] is calculated by multiplying by 1 hour (1 [h]). Finally, the charging control unit 11 sums up the calculated charging charges [yen] for each time. In the present embodiment, the chargeable amount K [kWh / h] per unit time is the chargeable amount per hour as described above, and is based on the characteristics of the in-vehicle battery 21, the charge control unit 11, and the external power supply 30. It is obtained in advance.

  Here, assuming that the chargeable amount K per unit time is 1 [kWh / h], the charge charge from 0:00 to 2:00 is calculated according to the following formulas (2) to (4), 60 yen.

Charge from 0 to 1 o'clock [yen]
= 0 to 1 o'clock power charge 30 [yen / kWh] × K [kWh / h] × 1 [h] (2)
Charge from 1 to 2 o'clock [yen]
= 1 to 2 o'clock power charge 30 [yen / kWh] × K [kWh / h] × 1 [h] (3)
Charge from 0 to 2 o'clock [yen]
= 0 to 1 o'clock charge charge [yen] + 1 o'clock to 2 o'clock charge charge [yen] (4)
Next, the departure time candidate is extended by 1 hour from 2 o'clock, and the charge schedule and charge charge [yen] are calculated when it is 3 o'clock. Since the required charging time is 2 hours, charging is performed using 2 hours out of 3 hours from 0 to 3 o'clock.

  First, from FIG. 3, charging is performed for 1 hour from 2 o'clock to 3 o'clock, which is the time zone in which the electricity rate [yen / kWh] is the lowest from 0 o'clock to 3 o'clock. For the remaining 1 hour, the power charge [yen / kWh] from 0:00 to 1:00 is the same as the power charge [yen / kWh] from 1:00 to 2 o'clock. Here, it is assumed that charging is performed from 1 o'clock to 2 o'clock, which is near 3 o'clock as a departure time candidate. As a result, the charging schedule when the departure time candidate is 3 o'clock is charging in 2 hours from 1 o'clock to 3 o'clock.

  Further, as shown in the following formulas (5) to (7), the charge rate [yen] is equal to the power rate [yen] for each time slot shown in FIG. The chargeable amount K [kWh / h] is multiplied by 1 [h] which is a unit time. Finally, the charging charge [yen] for each hour is totaled. Assuming that the chargeable amount K [kWh / h] per unit time is 1 [kWh / h] as in the case where the departure time candidate is 2 o'clock, the charge charge from 1 o'clock to 3 o'clock is given by the formula ( It is calculated according to 5)-Formula (7), and becomes 40 yen.

Charge from 1 to 2 o'clock [yen]
= 1 to 2 o'clock power charge 30 [yen / kWh] × K [kWh / h] × 1 [h] (5)
Charge charge from 2:00 to 3:00 [yen]
= 2 to 3 o'clock electricity charge 10 [yen / kWh] × K [kWh / h] × 1 [h] (6)
1 to 3 o'clock charge [yen]
= Charge from 1 o'clock to 2 o'clock [yen] + Charge from 2 o'clock to 3 o'clock [yen] (7)
Furthermore, the departure time candidate is extended by 1 hour from 3 o'clock, and the charge schedule and charge charge [yen] are calculated when it is 4 o'clock. Since the required charging time is 2 hours, charging is performed using 2 hours out of 4 hours from 0 to 4 o'clock.

  First, from FIG. 3, charging is performed for 1 hour from 2 o'clock to 3 o'clock, which is the time zone in which the electric power rate [yen / kWh] is the lowest from 0 o'clock to 4 o'clock. For the remaining hour, charging is performed from 3 o'clock to 4 o'clock, which is the time zone when the electricity rate [yen / kWh] is the next lowest.

  As a result, the charging schedule when the departure time candidate is 4 o'clock is charging in 2 hours from 2 o'clock to 4 o'clock. In addition, the charging fee [yen] can be calculated by summing up the charging fee [yen] for each charging time, as in the case where the departure time candidate is 3 o'clock, and is 30 yen.

  Furthermore, the departure time candidate is extended by 1 hour from 4 o'clock, and the charge schedule and charge charge [yen] are calculated for 5 o'clock. Since the required charging time is 2 hours, charging is performed using 2 hours out of 5 hours from 0:00 to 5:00. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, charging is performed in 2 hours from 2 o'clock to 3 o'clock and from 4 o'clock to 5 o'clock, which is the time zone in which the power rate [yen / kWh] is the lowest from 0 o'clock to 5 o'clock.

  As a result, the charging schedule when the departure time candidate is 5 o'clock is charging in 2 hours from 2 o'clock to 3 o'clock and from 4 o'clock to 5 o'clock. The charge charge [yen / kWh] can be calculated by summing up the charge charge [yen] for each time when charging is performed, as in the case where the departure time candidates are 3 o'clock and 4 o'clock. Yen.

  In this way, the departure time candidates are extended by one hour, and as shown in Table 1 below, the charging schedule and the charging fee [yen] for each departure time are calculated until a predetermined time. Table 1 shows an example of a charging schedule and a charging fee for each departure time when the required charging time is 2 hours. In Table 1, the departure time candidate is described as “departure time”. When the charge schedule for each departure time and the charge [yen] are calculated in step a4, the process proceeds to step a5.

  In step a5, the charging control unit 11 displays the charging fee for each departure time calculated in step a4 on the charging fee display unit 13. The user determines the departure time based on the display contents of the charging fee display unit 13 and operates the departure time input unit 14 to input the determined departure time.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for displaying a charge charge for each departure time. The horizontal axis in FIG. 4 indicates the departure time [hour], and the vertical axis indicates the charge charge [yen]. FIG. 4 is a graph showing the charge rate for each departure time shown in Table 1. The charging fee for each departure time is displayed on the charging fee display unit 13 as a graph as shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the departure time candidate is described as “departure time”. When the charge charge for each departure time is displayed on the charge charge display unit 13, the process proceeds to step a6.

  In step a6, the charging control unit 11 determines whether or not the departure time is input from the departure time input unit 14 by the user. If it is determined in step a6 that the departure time has been input, the process proceeds to step a7. If it is determined that the departure time has not been input, the process proceeds to step a8.

  In step a7, the charging control unit 11 charges the in-vehicle battery 21 according to the charging schedule corresponding to the departure time determined to be input in step a6 among the charging schedule calculated in step a4. After the processing of step a7 is completed, all processing procedures are completed.

  In step a8, the charging control unit 11 determines whether or not a charging start instruction is input by the user. The charge start instruction is input, for example, by the user operating input means such as a touch panel. For example, when the user wants to start charging immediately without specifying the departure time, he / she operates the input means to input a charging start instruction. As an input means for inputting a charge start instruction, for example, departure time input unit 14 can be used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an input means for inputting a charging start instruction may be provided separately from the departure time input unit 14. If it is determined that the charging start instruction is input, the process proceeds to step a9. If it is determined that the charging start instruction is not input, the process returns to step a6.

  In step a9, the charging control unit 11 starts charging the in-vehicle battery 21. After the process of step a9 is complete | finished, all the process procedures are complete | finished.

  As described above, according to the charging device 10 of the present embodiment, the departure time candidate and the charging fee for each departure time indicating the charging fee corresponding thereto are displayed on the charging fee display unit 13. As a result, the charging fee for each departure time is presented to the user, so the user determines which of the departure time candidates is to be the departure time based on the presented charging fee for each departure time. The determined departure time can be input to the departure time input unit 14.

  In this way, one of the plurality of departure time candidates displayed on the charge charge display unit 13 is input to the departure time input unit 14 as the departure time. In accordance with the input departure time, specifically, the in-vehicle battery 21 is charged according to a charging schedule corresponding to the input departure time. Therefore, the charge according to the usage form of the vehicle-mounted battery 21 and the electric vehicle 20 on which the vehicle-mounted battery 21 is mounted can be performed.

  The charging system 1 includes the charging device 10 and the external power source 30. Therefore, the user can determine the use start time of the in-vehicle battery 21 based on the charging fee displayed on the charging fee display unit 13 of the charging device 10, and the use of the in-vehicle battery 21 and the electric vehicle 20 on which the in-vehicle battery 21 is mounted. It is possible to realize the charging system 1 that can perform charging according to the form.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, according to each use start time candidate based on the required charge time required in order to charge the vehicle-mounted battery 21 from the present electrical storage amount to the predetermined electrical storage amount, and the electric charge according to time zone. The charging schedule and the charging fee are calculated and displayed on the charging fee display unit 13. As a result, the charging fee can be calculated with high accuracy.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the charge schedule that completes the charge by each departure time candidate and the charge charge is the lowest and the charge charge are calculated, and the charge charge display unit displays the charge charge for each departure time. 13 is displayed. Thereby, the charge which a user bears can be suppressed. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is convenient for the user, and the charge charged by the user can be suppressed.

  In the present embodiment described above, when the charging control unit 11 calculates the charging schedule for each departure time, the charging schedule is set so that the charging is completed by each departure time candidate and the charging fee is the lowest. Although the charging fee is calculated, the present invention is not limited to this.

  It is known that when a battery such as the in-vehicle battery 21 is stored for a long time in a fully charged state, deterioration called storage deterioration proceeds. Therefore, when emphasizing the prevention of storage deterioration, instead of calculating the charging schedule and charging fee so that the charging fee is the lowest, charging is performed so that charging is completed before the predetermined time from the departure time candidate It is preferable to calculate a schedule and a charge charge. Here, “predetermined time before departure time candidate” includes just the departure time candidate. Therefore, the charging schedule and the charging fee may be calculated so that the charging is completed, for example, just before the departure time candidate or about one hour before that.

  Thus, by calculating the charging schedule and the charging fee so that the charging is completed before the predetermined time from the departure time candidate, the user knows the departure time at which the charging fee is low and storage deterioration does not occur. The departure time can be determined. For example, the power charge data by time zone is as shown in FIG. 3, the current time is 0:00, the required charging time is 2 hours, and the prevention of storage deterioration is emphasized, and charging is performed immediately before the departure time candidate 2 When it is performed in time, the charging schedule and the charging fee for each departure time are as shown in Table 2, for example. Table 2 shows an example of a charging schedule and a charging fee for each departure time when the required charging time is 2 hours and charging is performed in the last 2 hours before the departure time candidate.

  In the present embodiment, the time required for charging from the current charged amount to the fully charged amount is calculated as the required charge time. This makes it possible to present to the user a charge for charging up to the fully charged amount.

  In the present embodiment, when the charge control unit 11 calculates the required charge time from the required charge amount, the above equation (1) is used, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the required charge time may be acquired from the required charge amount with reference to a map obtained in advance for the relationship between the required charge amount and the required charge time. By doing so, even if there is a non-linear characteristic in the relationship between the required charge amount and the required charge time, the characteristic can be reflected.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a case has been described in which the charge control unit 11 calculates the charge charge, and the chargeable amount K [kWh / h] per unit time is set to the same value regardless of the time zone. It is not limited to such a case.

  In charge control of a battery such as the in-vehicle battery 21, when the amount of charge of the battery approaches the full charge amount, the charge current that is used for charging is gradually reduced to prevent overcharge. The chargeable amount decreases. Therefore, for example, the charge rate may be calculated by reducing the chargeable amount K [kWh / h] per unit time for one hour before the completion of charging, compared to before that time. This makes it possible to calculate the charging fee with higher accuracy.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the charging fee for each departure time is displayed as a graph representing the relationship between the departure time and the charging fee as shown in FIG. 4 is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating another example of a method for displaying a charge charge for each departure time. The charging charge for each departure time is not only displayed as a graph showing the relationship between the departure time and the charging charge shown in FIG. 4, but also overlapped with a reference charge including at least one of the average charging charge Pave and the minimum charging charge Pmin. May be displayed.

  The average charge fee Pave is obtained as follows, for example. The charging apparatus 10 stores the charge [yen] and charge [kWh] at the time of past charge in a storage unit (not shown) as the accumulated charge [yen] and accumulated charge [kWh], and performs charge control. The unit 11 calculates an average power charge [yen / kWh] at the time of past charging by dividing the accumulated charge charge [yen] by the accumulated charge amount [kWh]. The charge control unit 11 calculates the average charge charge Pave [yen] by multiplying the calculated average power charge [yen / kWh] by the current required charge amount [kWh]. The average charging fee Pave [yen] calculated in this way may be displayed on the charging fee display unit 13 so as to overlap with the charging fee for each departure time as described above.

  Further, the minimum charging fee is obtained as follows, for example. The charging device 10 stores the power rate [yen / kWh] in the time zone with the lowest power rate among the time rate power rate data used at the time of past charging as a minimum power rate [yen / kWh] (not shown) The charge control unit 11 calculates the minimum charge charge Pmin [yen] by multiplying the minimum power charge [yen / kWh] by the current required charge amount [kWh]. The minimum charging fee Pmin [yen] calculated in this way may be displayed on the charging fee display unit 13 so as to overlap with the charging fee for each departure time as described above.

  As described above, the reference charge including at least one of the average charge charge Pave and the minimum charge charge Pmin is displayed on the charge charge display unit 13 so as to overlap the charge charge for each departure time as shown in FIG. Can determine the departure time by comparing the past charging charge with the current charging charge. Therefore, it is possible to realize the charging device 10 and the charging system 1 that are more convenient for the user.

  In the present embodiment, the charging fee for each departure time is displayed as a graph in which the vertical axis is a numerical value in a circle, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, but is not limited to this. The charging fee for each departure time may be displayed as an image showing the level of the charging fee using, for example, an illustration or a color.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the charging device 40 and the charging system 2 including the same according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The charging device 40 and the charging system 2 according to the present embodiment are an electric vehicle charging device and an electric vehicle charging system that charge an in-vehicle battery 21 mounted on the electric vehicle 20A.

  The charging system 2 includes an electric vehicle 20A and an external power source 30. The electric vehicle 20 </ b> A includes an in-vehicle battery 21, a storage amount detection unit 22, and a charging device 40.

  The charging device 40 of the present embodiment has a configuration in which a destination input unit 41 and a necessary storage amount calculation unit 42 are added to the charging device 10 of the first embodiment. Since charging apparatus 40 and charging system 2 of the present embodiment are similar in configuration to charging apparatus 10 and charging system 1 of the first embodiment described above, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same configurations. Therefore, a common description is omitted. In FIG. 6, thin line arrows represent information exchange, and thick line arrows represent power exchange.

  The destination input unit 41 is realized by, for example, a touch panel operated by a user of the electric vehicle 20A, a remote controller, an operation button, or a voice input device having a voice recognition function. The destination input unit 41 is used when the user inputs numeric information and character information. When the destination input unit 41 is operated by the user, the destination input unit 41 generates an operation signal representing information according to the user's operation, and gives the operation signal to the necessary power storage amount calculation unit 42.

  The user operates the destination input unit 41 to input the destination. The destination input unit 41 generates an operation signal including destination information representing the input destination, and supplies the operation signal to the necessary storage amount calculation unit 42.

  Based on the destination information given from the destination input unit 41, the necessary amount of electricity calculation unit 42 calculates the amount of electricity stored in the in-vehicle battery 21 required for the electric vehicle 20A to travel to the destination indicated by the destination information. Then, it is calculated as the required amount of stored electricity.

  In the present embodiment, the destination input unit 41 and the required power storage amount calculation unit 42 use functions provided in a car navigation system that is a navigation system for vehicles, and search for a route from the current location to the destination. Then, the power storage amount necessary for the vehicle to travel along the route is calculated as the required power storage amount.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the destination input unit 41 may be configured such that the destination is input from the destination input means of the car navigation system. In this case, the user inputs the destination by operating the destination input means of the car navigation system. The destination input means of the car navigation system is realized by, for example, a touch panel, a remote controller, operation buttons, or a voice input device having a voice recognition function.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure relating to the charging process of the charging device 40 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Since the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is similar to the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, the same steps are denoted by the same step numbers, and common description is omitted. Each process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is executed by the required storage amount calculation unit 42 and the charge control unit 11. The process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is started when the execution of the charging process is instructed by the user, and the process proceeds to step a1.

  In the present embodiment, when the current charged amount [kWh] of the in-vehicle battery 21 is detected via the charged amount detection unit 22 in step a1, the process proceeds to step b1.

  In step b1, the charging control unit 11 determines whether or not the destination is input to the destination input unit 41 by the user. If it is determined that the destination has been input, the process proceeds to step b2. If it is determined that the destination has not been input, the process proceeds to step a2, and in step a2, the necessary charge amount up to the fully charged amount is calculated in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above.

  In step b2, the required power storage amount calculation unit 42 calculates the power storage amount [kWh] of the in-vehicle battery 21 necessary for traveling to the input destination as the required power storage amount [kWh]. When the required storage amount [kWh] is calculated by the required storage amount calculation unit 42, the process proceeds to step b3.

  In step b3, the charging control unit 11 subtracts the current power storage amount [kWh] detected via the power storage amount detection unit 22 in step a1 from the required power storage amount [kWh] calculated in step b2. A charge amount [kWh] required to make the in-vehicle battery 21 the required power storage amount [kWh] (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “required charge amount [kWh]”) is calculated. After calculating the required charge amount [kWh], the process proceeds to step a3. The processing of step a3 to step a9 is performed in the same manner as the processing of step a3 to step a9 in the flowchart shown in FIG.

  As described above, according to the charging device 40 of the present embodiment, the charging control unit 11 is necessary to charge the in-vehicle battery 21 from the current power storage amount to the necessary power storage amount calculated by the required power storage amount calculation unit 42. This time is calculated as the required charging time, and the in-vehicle battery 21 is charged based on the required charging time. In other words, the charging control unit 11 charges only an insufficient amount with respect to the necessary amount of power necessary for traveling to the destination input by the user.

  As a result, charging more than necessary is not performed, so that the required charging time can be shortened. If the required charging time is shortened, more departure time candidates can be set, and the choice of departure time increases for the user. Therefore, it is possible to realize the charging device 40 and the charging system 2 that are more convenient for the user.

  In the present embodiment described above, the charging device 40 allows the user to input a destination to the destination input unit 41 and is required to travel to the destination input to the destination input unit 41. Although the required storage amount that is the storage amount of the battery 21 is configured to be calculated by the required storage amount calculation unit 42, the configuration of the charging device is not limited to this. The charging device may have, for example, the configuration of the third embodiment described below.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the charging device 50 and the charging system 3 including the same according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The charging device 50 and the charging system 3 of the present embodiment are an electric vehicle charging device and an electric vehicle charging system that charge the vehicle-mounted battery 21 mounted on the electric vehicle 20B.

  The charging system 3 includes an electric vehicle 20B and an external power source 30. The electric vehicle 20 </ b> B includes an in-vehicle battery 21, a storage amount detection unit 22, and a charging device 50.

  The charging device 50 according to the present embodiment is configured to include a target charged amount input unit 51 in place of the destination input unit 41 and the required charged amount calculation unit 42 in the charging device 40 according to the second embodiment. . That is, the charging device 50 of the present embodiment has a configuration in which a target charged amount input unit 51 is added to the charging device 10 of the first embodiment.

  Since charging apparatus 50 and charging system 3 of the present embodiment are similar in configuration to charging apparatuses 10 and 40 and charging systems 1 and 2 of the first and second embodiments described above, the same configuration is used. Are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a common description is omitted. In FIG. 8, thin line arrows represent information exchange, and thick line arrows represent power exchange.

  The target charged amount input unit 51 is realized by, for example, a touch panel operated by a user of the electric vehicle 20B, a remote controller, an operation button, or a voice input device having a voice recognition function. The target power storage amount input unit 51 is used when the user inputs numeric information and character information. When the target power storage amount input unit 51 is operated by the user, the target power storage amount input unit 51 generates an operation signal representing information corresponding to the user's operation and gives it to the charge control unit 11.

  The user operates the target power storage amount input unit 51 to input a desired target power storage amount. The target power storage amount input unit 51 generates an operation signal including target power storage amount information indicating the input target power storage amount, and provides the operation signal to the charge control unit 11.

  Based on the target power storage amount information given from the target power storage amount input unit 51, the charge control unit 11 takes time required to charge the in-vehicle battery 21 from the current power storage amount to the target power storage amount represented by the target power storage amount information. Is calculated as the required charging time, and the in-vehicle battery 21 is charged based on the required charging time. In other words, the charge control unit 11 charges only an insufficient amount with respect to the target power storage amount input to the target power storage amount input unit 51. Accordingly, since the battery is not charged more than necessary, the required charging time can be shortened. As a result, more departure time candidates can be set, so that the user has more choices of departure times, and the charging device 40 is more convenient to use.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, since the user does not charge more than desired, the required charging time can be shortened. If the required charging time is shortened, more departure time candidates can be set, and the choice of departure time increases for the user. Therefore, it is possible to realize the charging device 50 and the charging system 3 that are more convenient for the user.

  In the first, second, and third embodiments described above, the time unit of the power rate data by time zone and the time unit such as the departure time candidate are all set to one hour unit. It is not a thing. The unit of time may be a unit smaller than an hour unit or a unit larger than an hour unit, but a unit smaller than an hour unit is more preferable. In this way, by setting the time unit to be smaller than the hour unit, the charging schedule can be set more finely than when the hour unit is used, so that charging is performed according to the usage pattern. It is possible to realize a charging device and a charging system that can be used. Examples of the unit smaller than 1 hour unit include 30 minute unit and 15 minute unit.

  Moreover, although charging system 1,2,3 of 1st, 2nd and 3rd embodiment is the structure provided with charging device 10,30,50 in electric vehicle 20,20A, 20B, charging device 10, 30 and 50 are not necessarily provided in the electric vehicles 20, 20A and 20B. For example, the charging system may have the configuration of the fourth embodiment described below.

<Fourth embodiment>
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the charging system 4 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The charging system 4 of the present embodiment includes a charging device 10 similar to that of the first embodiment. The charging device 10 and the charging system 4 in the present embodiment are an electric vehicle charging device and an electric vehicle charging system that charge an in-vehicle battery 21 mounted on the electric vehicle 20C.

  Since charging apparatus 10 and charging system 4 in the present embodiment are similar in configuration to charging apparatus 10 and charging system 1 in the first embodiment described above, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same configurations. Therefore, a common description is omitted. In FIG. 9, thin line arrows represent exchange of information, and thick line arrows represent exchange of power.

  The charging system 4 according to the present embodiment includes an electric vehicle 20C, an external power source 30, and a charging facility 60. Charging facility 60 is installed outside electric vehicle 20C. The electric vehicle 20 </ b> C includes an in-vehicle battery 21, a storage amount detection unit 22, and a vehicle side connector 23. The charging facility 60 includes the charging device 10 and the facility-side connector 61. Thus, in charging system 4 of the present embodiment, charging device 10 is provided in charging facility 60.

  The vehicle-side connector 23 is a connector for connecting the electric vehicle 20 </ b> C to the charging facility 60. The vehicle-side connector 23 is connected to the in-vehicle battery 21 and the charged amount detection unit 22, respectively. The facility-side connector 61 is a connector for connecting the electric vehicle 20 </ b> C and the charging facility 60. The facility-side connector 61 is connected to the charge control unit 11.

  By connecting the vehicle-side connector 23 and the facility-side connector 61, the electric vehicle 20C and the charging facility 60 are connected. The electric vehicle 20 </ b> C and the charging facility 60 are communicably connected via the vehicle-side connector 23 and the facility-side connector 61. The electric vehicle 20 </ b> C and the charging facility 60 are connected via the vehicle-side connector 23 and the facility-side connector 61 so as to be able to exchange power.

  As described above, according to charging system 4 of the present embodiment, charging device 10 is provided in charging facility 60 installed outside electric vehicle 20C. If the charging facility 60 is configured to be compatible with a plurality of electric vehicles 20C, the electric vehicle 20C need not be provided with the charging device 10 individually. Therefore, the cost of the electric vehicle 20C can be kept low as compared with the case where the electric vehicle 20C is individually provided with a charging device.

  Further, when changing the configuration of the charging device, it is only necessary to change the configuration of the charging device 10 provided in the charging facility 60, and it is not necessary to individually change the configuration of the charging device provided in the electric vehicle 20C. The configuration of the charging device can be easily changed. For example, the charging device 10 provided in the charging facility 60 can be easily changed to the charging device 40 of the second embodiment or the charging device 50 of the third embodiment. Therefore, a charging system with better usability can be easily realized.

  The charging devices 10, 40, and 50 of the first to fourth embodiments described above are configured to use data stored in the power rate data storage unit 12 in advance as power rate data for each time zone. However, it is not limited to this. The charging devices 10, 40, and 50 are, for example, regularly or whenever the user instructs the execution of the charging process, the charging control unit 11 uses a communication unit (not shown) to communicate with an electric utility or the like. You may be comprised so that the electric charge data classified by time slot | zone may be acquired.

  In this case, since it is not necessary for the user to perform complicated work of updating the power charge data for each time zone stored in the power charge data storage unit 12, a charging device and a charging system that are convenient for the user are realized. be able to. In addition, since the updated power charge data by time zone can be acquired by communication and the charge charge can be calculated using this, the charge charge by departure time can be calculated more accurately. Therefore, a highly reliable charging device and charging system can be realized.

  The communication by the communication means may be, for example, wireless communication using a wireless local area network (LAN) or wired communication using a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or a LAN cable.

  Further, in each of the embodiments described above, hourly power rate data includes not only the rate of power supplied by one electric utility, but also the electric power supplied by other electric operators, solar power generation at home It is also preferable that the data reflect the charges of other electric power that can be used by the user, such as electric power generated by wind power generation. As a result, the charging fee for each departure time can be calculated with higher accuracy. In addition, since the departure time is determined and input based on the charging charge for each departure time calculated as described above, an appropriate power is selected from various types of power available to the user and used for charging. It becomes possible to do. Therefore, the charge which a user bears can further be suppressed.

  In each of the embodiments described above, [kWh], [kWh / h], [h], [yen], [yen / kWh], or the like is used as a unit. However, the present invention is not limited to these. Various units can be used.

  In addition, the charging devices 10, 40, and 50 according to the embodiments described above are configured to include the charging fee display unit 13 that displays the charging fee for each departure time as the charging fee output unit. Instead of the unit 13 or together with the charge charge display unit 13, a sound output unit that outputs a charge charge for each departure time by voice may be provided as a charge charge output unit.

  Moreover, in each embodiment described above, charging device 10, 40, 50 and charging system 1, 2, 3, 4 charge the vehicle-mounted battery 21 mounted in the electric vehicles 20, 20A, 20B, 20C. Although the case where it is the charging device for electric vehicles and the charging system for electric vehicles was demonstrated, it is not limited to this, The charging device and charging system which charge the battery mounted in another apparatus may be sufficient.

  The present invention can be freely combined with each embodiment within the scope of the invention. In addition, any component in each embodiment can be changed or omitted as appropriate.

  1, 2, 3, 4 Charging system 10, 40, 50 Charging device, 11 Charging control unit, 12 Electricity rate data storage unit, 13 Charging rate display unit, 14 Departure time input unit, 20, 20A, 20B, 20C Electric Vehicle, 21 Vehicle-mounted battery, 22 Storage amount detection unit, 23 Vehicle side connector, 30 External power supply, 41 Destination input unit, 42 Required storage amount calculation unit, 51 Target storage amount input unit, 60 Charging facility, 61 Facility side connector

Claims (6)

A charging device for charging a battery with electric power supplied from an external power source,
A plurality of use start time candidates that are candidates for use start time, which is the time to start using the battery, are charged with the electric power required for charging the battery according to each use start time candidate. A charge charge output unit that outputs with a certain charge charge,
A use start time input unit in which any one of the plurality of use start time candidates output by the charge charge output unit is input as the use start time;
A charge control unit that charges the battery according to the use start time input to the use start time input unit ;
The charge controller is
Based on the current storage amount, which is the amount of power currently stored in the battery, to calculate a required charging time that is the time required to charge the battery from the current storage amount to a predetermined storage amount,
Based on the calculated required charging time and the power charge by time period that is a charge by time period of the power, charging of the battery is completed by the use start time candidate for each use start time candidate. And, the charging schedule of the battery and the charging fee are calculated so that the charging fee is the lowest,
Calculating the charging fee, and the charging device according to claim Rukoto is output to the charging fee output unit with each of said use start time candidates. The charge control unit, a storage amount determining the full accumulation amount of said battery said previously, the charging device according to claim 1, characterized that you calculate the required charging time. A target storage amount input unit for inputting a target storage amount as a target of the storage amount of the battery;
The charge control unit, the charging device according to the target state of charge input to the target state of charge input unit as the storage amount the predetermined, to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that calculating the necessary charging time . The charge controller is
Based on the past charge record of the battery, at least one of an average charge charge representing an average of the past charge charge and a minimum charge charge representing the lowest charge among the past charge charges is used as a reference for the charge charge. As a reference fee
Calculating the reference charges that, the charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, together with the charge fee corresponding to each of said use start time candidate is output to the charging fee output unit, characterized in Rukoto. The battery is an in-vehicle battery that is mounted on an electric vehicle and used as a power source for running the electric vehicle;
A destination input unit for inputting a destination of the electric vehicle;
A required storage amount calculation unit that calculates a required storage amount that is a storage amount of the battery necessary for the electric vehicle to travel from a current location to a destination input to the destination input unit;
The said charge control part calculates the said required charging time by making the said required electrical storage amount calculated by the said required electrical storage amount calculation part into the said predetermined electrical storage amount, The any one of Claims 1-4 characterized by the above-mentioned. The charging device described in 1. The charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Charging systems that anda external power source.

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