JP5861609B2 - Unlock control device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an unlock control device that releases a locked state of a charging cable to a vehicle by a charging cable locking device and unlocks the vehicle in a vehicle capable of charging a battery using a charging cable.

  In recent years, an electric vehicle (EV vehicle (Electric Vehicle)) or a hybrid vehicle that travels by being connected to an external power supply device via a charging cable to charge a battery and driving a motor with electric power stored in the battery Vehicles (so-called plug-in vehicles) such as (HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle)) are beginning to spread. Hereinafter, the EV vehicle and the HEV vehicle are collectively referred to as “EV vehicle”. In such an EV vehicle, it takes a time of several tens of minutes to several hours to fully charge the battery.

  In an EV vehicle, in order to prevent the connection of the charging cable to the vehicle in a state where charging to the battery using the charging cable is insufficient, a connector that is a connecting portion for the charging cable on the vehicle side It is common to provide a lock mechanism at the (charge port) portion.

  As a vehicle-mounted device provided with a lock mechanism, for example, there is a vehicle power supply device disclosed in Patent Document 1.

  The power supply device for a vehicle includes a main battery that supplies electric power to a motor that drives wheels, and a connection unit that connects a charging cable to the main battery for charging from the outside of the vehicle. And this power supply device has the locking mechanism for charging cables which locks in the state which connected the connector provided in the edge part of the charging cable to the said connection part.

  The vehicle user then releases the lock mechanism using the vehicle key. The vehicle key is recognized by an unlock key recognition unit, and transmits to the control ECU that an unlocking instruction by the vehicle key has been given to a control ECU (Electronic Control Unit). In response to this, the control ECU operates the unlocking actuator to set the locked state by the lock mechanism to the unlocked state. In this way, the unlock control device is configured to release the lock state by the lock mechanism by the lock release key recognizing unit, the control ECU, the unlocking actuator, and the like so as to make the unlock state.

JP 2007-236172 A

  However, the conventional unlock control device has a problem that no countermeasure is taken when the unlock control drive unit itself such as the control ECU, the unlocking actuator, or the like fails.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. Even when a failure occurs in the unlock control drive unit, the unlocking device can be unlocked by releasing the lock state of the locking device for the charging cable. The object is to obtain a control device.

  The unlock control device according to claim 1 of the present invention is mounted on a vehicle that charges a battery with electric power supplied via a charging cable from a power supply device installed outside the vehicle, and the charging by the locking device for the charging cable is performed. An unlock control device for releasing the lock state between the cable and the vehicle to unlock the vehicle, receiving a communication control signal received from the power feeding device via the charging cable, and receiving the communication control signal A communication circuit that transmits information indicating whether or not an unlock request is included as an unlock request signal; and when the unlock request signal is received and the unlock request signal indicates an unlock request, A normal unlock control drive unit for performing a normal unlock control process for releasing the lock state by the lock device and setting the unlock state; An abnormality that receives a monitor signal indicating the lock / unlock state by the lock device for the charging cable and the unlock request signal, and indicates whether there is an abnormality based on a comparison result of the instruction contents of the unlock request signal and the monitor signal An abnormality determination circuit that generates a determination signal; and when the abnormality determination signal is received and the abnormality determination signal indicates that there is an abnormality, the unlocking state is released by releasing the lock state by the charging cable locking device. A forced unlock control drive unit that performs a lock control process.

The invention according to claim 2 is the unlock control device according to claim 1, wherein the communication circuit is capable of receiving the abnormality determination signal and transmitting the abnormality determination signal to the power feeding device via the charging cable. It is characterized by being.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the unlock control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least the normal unlock control drive unit and the forced unlock control drive unit are provided in the same unit.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the unlock control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the normal unlock control drive unit and the forced unlock control drive unit are provided in different units independent from each other. It is done.

  2. The unlock control device according to claim 1, wherein the monitor signal (indicating the lock state) is detected in an abnormal state in which the normal unlock control drive unit does not operate normally even if the unlock request signal indicates the unlock request. ) And the unlock request signal (instructing the unlocked state) are inconsistent, and therefore an abnormality determination signal for instructing the presence of abnormality is output from the abnormality determination circuit.

  As a result, the unlock control device according to the first aspect of the present invention is such that even if an operation abnormality occurs in the normal unlock control drive unit, the abnormality determination unit accurately recognizes the abnormal state, and the forced unlock control unit By executing the forced unlock control process, the lock state by the charging cable locking device is released, and the fail safe function that can enter the unlock state is provided.

Since the abnormality determination signal can be transmitted to the power supply apparatus via the charging cable , the present invention according to claim 2 can transmit the presence / absence of abnormality of the normal unlock control drive unit to the external power supply apparatus side.

  In the present invention of claim 3, since the normal unlock control drive unit and the forced unlock control drive unit are provided in the same unit, the degree of integration in the apparatus can be improved.

  In the present invention of claim 4, since the normal unlock control drive unit and the forced unlock control drive unit are provided in different units independent from each other, the unit of the forced unlock control drive unit is made optional and used. The presence or absence can be properly used.

It is a block diagram which shows typically the whole structure of the electric power feeding system containing the charge control unit which is embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows typically the structure of the unlocking control apparatus which is Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the aspect of the unlock setting operation of a plug lock mechanism in a tabular form. It is a block diagram which shows typically the structure of the unlocking control apparatus which is Embodiment 2 of this invention.

<System configuration>
FIG. 1 schematically shows an overall configuration of a power feeding system including an EV vehicle 1 including a charging control unit 10 (10A, 10B) having an unlock control function and a charging stand 50 (power feeding device) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

  As shown in the figure, in the power feeding system, the EV vehicle 1 and the charging station 50 are connected via the charging cable 3 so that the battery (not shown) of the EV vehicle 1 is charged by the charging station 50. Is possible.

  Further, when the EV vehicle 1 and the charging stand 50 are connected by the charging cable 3, the electric power via the charging cable 3 between the charging control unit 10 of the EV vehicle 1 and the charging stand control unit 51 of the charging stand 50. Communication (PLC (Power Line Communications) etc.) is possible.

  The charging cable 3 is connected to a charging port 5 (connector, connecting portion) provided on the side surface of the EV vehicle 1 by connecting a plug 4 provided at an end thereof to the battery of the EV vehicle 1 from the charging stand 50. Can be charged.

  The charging port 5 includes a hole portion into which the plug 4 of the charging cable 3 is inserted and a plurality of terminals for electrical connection with a power line, a ground line, and the like included in the charging cable 3. The plug lock mechanism 2 (charge cable lock device) is fixed in a state in which the plug 4 cannot be removed from the charging port 5 by engaging with the plug 4 of the charging cable 3 inserted into the hole of the charging port 5. Set the lock state to be used. The plug lock mechanism 2 includes a mechanical mechanism for locking, a motor or actuator for operating the mechanical mechanism, and a drive circuit for driving the motor or actuator. The lock setting and unlock setting are performed in accordance with the lock device drive signal S10.

  When the charging cable 3 is connected to the charging port 5 of the EV vehicle 1, the plug lock mechanism 2 sends the monitor signal S2 indicating the current setting state (locked state, unlocked state) constantly or periodically to the charging control unit 10. Output to.

  The charging control unit 10 is connected to other units (body control unit 30, power supply control unit 40, etc.) so that they can communicate with each other by CAN8.

  The charging station 50 includes the unlock request information R50 in the communication control signal S50 by the charging station control unit 51, so that the lock state by the plug lock mechanism 2 is unlocked after the start of charging to the preparation period (exception period). A command to be released can be transmitted to the charging control unit 10. The communication control signal S50 includes, for example, a header portion, a payload portion (including unlock request information R50) and the like.

  The charging stand 50 has an authentication function, and is configured to transmit the communication control signal S50 including the unlock request information R50 only when the authentication result after executing the authentication process is normal. The Hereinafter, this point will be described in detail.

  The charging stand control unit 51 has an operation unit (not shown), and is unlocked only when the authentication result is normal in conjunction with an unlock request operation (including authentication processing) using the operation unit. An authentication process of including the lock request information R50 in the communication control signal S50 transmitted to the EV vehicle 1 is executed.

  As described above, the charging stand control unit 51 has an authentication function, and only when the authentication result for the unlock requesting operator is normal by performing the above authentication process at the time of the unlocking request operation. Unlock request information R50 is included in communication control signal S50. As authentication determination, authentication determination such as fingerprint authentication, authentication by IC card, input of a personal identification number, and personal recognition via an external center can be considered.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the unlock control apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The unlock control device is realized by the charge control unit 10. Note that the charge control unit 10 naturally has a charge control unit that controls the charging of the battery, but for convenience of explanation, only the components configured as the unlock control device are shown in FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the charge control unit 10 that functions as an unlock control device for the plug lock mechanism 2 includes a CPU 11, a drive circuit 12, an abnormality determination unit 15, a forced unlock control unit 16, a drive circuit 17, and A communication circuit 24 is provided.

  The communication circuit 24 uses the power communication via the charging cable 3 to receive the communication control signal S50 transmitted from the charging station 50 (charging station control unit 51), and extracts the unlock request information from the communication control signal S50. And transmitted as an unlock request signal S24. The unlock request signal S24 is transmitted to the CPU 11 and the abnormality determination unit 15.

  The CPU 21 receives the unlock request signal S24, and when the unlock request signal S24 instructs the unlock request to be generated, the CPU 21 determines that a normal unlock request has been made from the charging stand 50, and instructs the unlock. S11 is output.

  The drive circuit 12 outputs the drive signal S12 instructing the unlock state to the plug lock mechanism 2 as the lock device drive signal S10 based on the CPU control signal S11 instructing the unlock, thereby changing the lock state of the plug lock mechanism 2. Release to unlock state.

  As described above, when the CPU 11 and the drive circuit 12 determine the occurrence of the unlock request from the charging stand 50 based on the unlock request signal S24, the normal unlock is performed by releasing the lock state by the plug lock mechanism 2 and setting the unlock state. It functions as a normal unlock control drive unit that performs control processing.

  Further, the plug lock mechanism 2 outputs a monitor signal S <b> 2 instructing the current lock / unlock state to the abnormality determination unit 15.

  The abnormality determination unit 15 receives the monitor signal S2 and the unlock request signal S24, and generates an abnormality determination signal S15 that indicates the presence or absence of an abnormality based on the comparison result of the instruction contents of the monitor signal S2 and the unlock request signal S24. The abnormality determination signal S15 is output to the forced unlock control unit 16 and the communication circuit 24.

  That is, when the unlock request signal S24 indicates an unlock request, if the monitor signal S2 is set to the unlock state, it is determined that there is no abnormality, and the unlock request signal S24 indicates an unlock request. In spite of this, if the lock state is continued in the determination period as the instruction content of the monitor signal S2, it is determined that there is an abnormality. Note that the presence of an abnormality is assumed that the normal unlock control drive unit did not perform normal operation according to the unlock request signal S24 instructing the unlock request due to a failure of the CPU 11 or the drive circuit 12. As the determination period, the normal unlock control operation by the CPU 11 and the drive circuit 12 is executed in response to the unlock request signal S24 instructing the unlock request, and the plug lock mechanism 2 is reliably set to the unlocked state. The expected time is desirable.

  Further, the forced unlock control unit 16 receives the abnormality determination signal S15, executes unlock control when the abnormality determination signal S15 instructing the occurrence of abnormality is input, and performs unlock control when the abnormality determination signal S15 without occurrence of abnormality is input. Do not execute.

  That is, the forced unlock control unit 16 executes the unlock control for outputting the forced unlock control signal S16 for instructing unlocking to the drive circuit 17 in response to the abnormality determination signal S15 indicating that there is no abnormality. The forced unlock control unit 16 is sufficient if it has a function of generating the forced unlock control signal S16. Therefore, the internal configuration can be simplified by greatly simplifying it from the CPU 11.

  The drive circuit 17 outputs the drive signal S17 instructing the unlock state to the plug lock mechanism 2 based on the forced unlock control signal S16 instructing the unlock, thereby releasing the lock state of the plug lock mechanism 2 and unlocking. Set to locked state.

  As described above, when the forced unlock control unit 16 and the drive circuit 17 recognize the occurrence of an abnormality based on the abnormality determination signal S15, the forced unlock control process of releasing the lock state by the plug lock mechanism 2 and setting the unlock state. It functions as a forced unlock control drive unit that executes

  In such a configuration, when the CPU 11 is operating normally, the charge control unit 10 of the first embodiment can exhibit the following unlock control function.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing the mode of the unlock setting operation of the plug lock mechanism 2 in the form of a table. As shown in the figure, the influence of the communication control signal S50 is excluded as an exceptional period from the start of charging to the lapse of 1 minute (preparation period). That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the presence / absence of the unlock request information included in the communication control signal S50 and the normality / abnormality of the authentication result are irrelevant. The plug insertion switch input is a switch for determining that a plug has been inserted into the charging port 5 and is in an “on” state in the locked state.

  In addition, by including the charging start information instructing the charging start in the communication control signal S50, the charging stand control unit 51 can transmit the charging start information to the CPU 11 of the charging control unit 10, and the CPU 11 has the charging start information instructing the charging start. Can be used to recognize the charging start timing.

  Then, the CPU 11 performs a lock control operation only after the exception period has elapsed from the charging start timing, causes the drive circuit 12 to output the drive signal S12 instructing the lock state, and sets the plug lock mechanism 2 to the lock state.

  Therefore, during this exceptional period, the plug lock mechanism 2 is in the unlocked state, so that the owner of the car presses the lock release switch provided on the plug 4 (turns it on) and connects the plug 4 to the charging port 5. The charging cable 3 can be opened from the charging port 5 of the EV vehicle 1 by performing an unlocking manual operation such as guiding in a direction away from the charging vehicle.

  As described above, in the exceptional period, the plug lock mechanism 2 is unlocked and the influence of the communication control signal S50 and the authentication result is excluded. This is because the convenience of the owner is considered in consideration of the high possibility of being near.

  On the other hand, after one minute has elapsed from the start of charging, the normal period is reached and the plug lock mechanism 2 is set to the locked state, so the communication control signal S50 (unlock request information R50) is set to the unlock setting of the plug lock mechanism 2. Switch to normal control to add conditions.

  During the normal period described above, since the possibility that the owner is near the EV vehicle 1 is low, the unlocking manual operation described above can be performed only when there is a regular unlock request from the charging stand 50, and security is ensured. The function is enhanced. Hereinafter, the operation of the charging control unit 10 during the normal period will be described in detail.

  When receiving the unlock request signal S24 instructing the unlock request from the charging station 50 (charging station control unit 51) via the communication circuit 24, the CPU 11 determines the generation of the unlock request from the charging station 50, and By outputting the CPU control signal S11 instructing unlocking, the lock state of the plug lock mechanism 2 is released to the unlocked state via the drive circuit 12.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 11 or the drive circuit 12 is operating abnormally and the plug lock mechanism 2 is kept locked even when the unlock request signal S24 instructing the unlock request is received, the charge control unit 10 The following unlock control functions can be exhibited.

  That is, when the unlock request signal S24 instructs the unlock request, the charge control unit 10 according to the first embodiment performs the plug lock when the CPU 11 or the drive circuit 12 constituting the normal unlock control drive unit does not operate normally. The mechanism 2 enters an abnormal state where the locked state is maintained without being unlocked.

  Accordingly, the instruction content (lock state) of the monitor signal S2 and the instruction content (unlock request occurrence) of the unlock request signal S24 do not match, so the abnormality determination signal S15 instructing the occurrence of abnormality from the abnormality determination unit 15 is generated. The forced unlock control unit 16 can execute the unlock control operation.

  As a result, in the unlock control device of the first embodiment, even if an abnormal operation occurs in the CPU 11 or the drive circuit 12 that constitutes the normal unlock control drive unit, the abnormality determination unit 15 accurately recognizes the abnormal state and A fail safe that allows the forced unlock control unit 16 and the drive circuit 17 constituting the unlock control unit to execute the forced unlock control process, thereby releasing the lock state by the plug lock mechanism 2 and setting the unlock state. It has a function.

  Further, in the first embodiment, since the CPU 11 and the forced unlock control unit 16 are provided in the same charge control unit 10, the degree of integration in the unlock control device can be improved.

  In addition, in the first embodiment, the communication circuit 24 also receives the abnormality determination signal S15. Since the communication circuit 24 has a transmission function to the charging station 50 side by power communication using the charging cable 3, the abnormality determination signal S <b> 15 can be transmitted to the charging station 50 through the charging cable 3.

  The charging control unit 10 according to the first embodiment has a function of transmitting an abnormality determination signal S15, thereby determining whether or not there is an abnormality in the normal unlock control driving unit (the CPU 11 and the driving circuit 12). Can be transmitted to the power feeding device) side.

<Embodiment 2>
FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of an unlock control apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The unlock control apparatus according to the second embodiment includes a charge control unit 10A and a forced unlock unit 10B. Note that the charge control unit 10A naturally includes a charge control unit that controls charging of the battery, but for convenience of explanation, only the components configured as the unlock control device are shown in FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the charge control unit 10A that functions as a normal unlock control drive unit for the plug lock mechanism 2 is composed of a CPU 11, a drive circuit 12, an abnormality determination unit 15, and a communication circuit 24. The forced unlocking unit 10B having a forced unlocking control driving unit for the motor has a forced unlocking control unit 16 and a driving circuit 17 therein. Therefore, the unlock control device of the second embodiment is configured by the combination of the charge control unit 10A and the forced unlock unit 10B.

  The charge control unit 10A and the forced unlock unit 10B are electrically connected so that the forced unlock control unit 16 can receive the abnormality determination signal S15 output from the abnormality determination unit 15 of the charge control unit 10A.

  The operations of the CPU 11, the drive circuit 12, the communication circuit 24, the abnormality determination unit 15, and the plug lock mechanism 2 in the charge control unit 10A are the same as those in the first embodiment. The operations of the forced unlock control unit 16 and the drive circuit 17 in the forced unlock unit 10B are the same as those in the first embodiment. Accordingly, the description will be omitted by appropriately attaching the same reference numerals.

  In such a configuration, when the CPU 11 and the drive circuit 12 are operating normally, the charge control unit 10A performs normal unlock control processing by the CPU 11 and the drive circuit 12 in the same manner as the charge control unit 10 of the first embodiment. Can be executed.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 11 and the drive circuit 12 are operating abnormally, the forced unlock unit 10B is controlled by the forced unlock control unit 16 and the drive circuit 17 in the same manner as the charge control unit 10 of the first embodiment. Processing can be executed.

  Therefore, in the unlock control device according to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, even if an abnormal operation occurs in the CPU 11 or the drive circuit 12 constituting the normal unlock control drive unit, the abnormality determination unit 15 is in an abnormal state. It has a fail-safe function that can be unlocked by releasing the locked state by the plug lock mechanism 2 by recognizing and causing the forced unlock control unit 16 and the drive circuit 17 to execute the forced unlock control process. ing.

  In addition, in the unlock control device of the second embodiment, the CPU 11 and the forced unlock control unit 16 are provided in different charge control units 10 </ b> A and in-vehicle ECUs 14 that are independent of each other.

  For this reason, a mode in which the forced unlocking unit 10B on the forced unlocking control drive unit side is made optional and the presence or absence of the use of the forced unlocking unit 10B can be properly used is possible.

<Others>
In the charging control unit 10 of the first embodiment and the forced unlocking unit 10B of the second embodiment, the drive circuit 17 is linked to the abnormal state instruction of the abnormality determination signal S15, and the drive signal S17 instructs the unlock state. It is also possible to omit the forced unlock control unit 16 by outputting the signal.

  Further, when the communication control signal S50 transmitted from the charging stand control unit 51 includes only the unlock request information R50, the communication control signal S50 (= unlock request signal S24) is output to the CPU 11 and the abnormality determination unit 15 as they are. You may do it.

  In the above-described embodiment, the unlock request information R50 is included in the communication control signal S50 only when the authentication result is normal on the charging stand control unit 51 side.

  In addition, the authentication information (password, fingerprint information, etc.) acquired at the time of the authentication process is included in the communication control signal S50 as it is, the authentication information is transmitted to the CPU 11, and the verification process for breaking the correctness by the CPU 11 is executed. It is also possible to perform the unlock control only when the verification result is normal.

  Further, only the authentication result information (information indicating normality or abnormality) by the charging stand control unit 51 is included in the communication control signal S50, and the unlock control process is performed only when the authentication result information is normal on the CPU 11 side. An embodiment is also conceivable.

  It should be noted that the present invention can be freely combined with each other within the scope of the invention, and each embodiment can be appropriately modified or omitted.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 EV vehicle 2 Plug lock mechanism 3 Charging cable 4 Plug 5 Charging port 10, 10A Charge control unit 10B Forced unlock unit 11 CPU
12, 17 Drive circuit 15 Abnormality determination unit 16 Forced unlock control unit 24 Communication circuit

Claims (4)

Installed in a vehicle that charges the battery with power supplied from a power supply device installed outside the vehicle to the battery, and unlocks the lock state between the charge cable and the vehicle by the lock device for the charge cable. An unlock control device,
A communication circuit that receives a communication control signal received from the power supply device via the charging cable and transmits information indicating whether or not there is an unlock request included in the communication control signal, as an unlock request signal;
When the unlock request signal is received and the unlock request signal instructs the unlock request, the normal unlock control processing for releasing the lock state by the charging cable locking device and setting the unlock state is performed. A lock control drive; and
The monitor signal for instructing the lock / unlock state by the charging cable lock device and the unlock request signal are received, and the presence / absence of an abnormality is instructed based on the comparison result of the instruction contents of the unlock request signal and the monitor signal An abnormality determination circuit for generating an abnormality determination signal;
When the abnormality determination signal is received and the abnormality determination signal indicates that there is an abnormality, a forced unlock control drive that performs a forced unlock control process that releases the locked state by the charging cable locking device and sets the unlocked state. Comprising a part,
Unlock control device. The unlock control device according to claim 1,
The communication circuit is capable of receiving the abnormality determination signal and transmitting the abnormality determination signal to the power feeding device via the charging cable .
Unlock control device. The unlock control device according to claim 1 or 2,
At least the normal unlock control drive unit and the forced unlock control drive unit are provided in the same unit,
Unlock control device. The unlock control device according to claim 1 or 2,
The normal unlock control drive unit and the forced unlock control drive unit are respectively provided in different units independent from each other.
Unlock control device.

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