JP7403415B2 - Design method and control method of output switching unit configuring charging device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method of designing and a method of controlling an output switching section that constitutes a charging device that includes a plurality of power supply units and a plurality of charging ports.

In order to charge electric vehicles such as electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles, stand-type charging devices are increasingly being installed in parking lots of shopping centers, restaurants, convenience stores, and the like. This type of charging device has an AC/DC converter that converts commercial AC power into DC, a DC/DC converter that steps up and down the power output from the AC/DC converter, and converts the power output from the DC/DC converter into DC. It is equipped with a charging port (charging connector) that supplies electricity to electric vehicles. The AC/DC converter and the DC/DC converter are usually housed within a housing. Further, the charging port is usually provided at the tip of a charging cable extending from the housing.

In recent years, with the spread of electric vehicles, the need for additional charging devices has increased. In response to this, charging devices with multiple charging ports are also being considered, which have a cost advantage over arranging multiple stand-type charging devices as described above. For example, as seen in Patent Document 1, this type of charging device includes a plurality of identical power supply units that convert commercial AC power into desired DC power, a plurality of charging ports, and a connection between the power supply unit and the charging port. and an output switching section provided therebetween. The output switching section can connect the output of each power supply unit to any one of the plurality of charging ports.

JP2020-061880A

In the above-mentioned charging device equipped with a plurality of charging ports, as the number of charging ports and power supply units increases, the number of relays to be arranged in the output switching section also increases accordingly. For example, if the number of charging ports is 4 and the number of power supply units is 6, 4×6=24 relays must be arranged in the output switching section. In this case, it cannot be said that the advantage of low cost is fully utilized.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a design method and a control method for an output switching section, which can realize a low-cost charging device that is as convenient as conventional ones. Take it as a challenge.

In order to solve the above problems, a design method for an output switching unit according to the present invention includes C charging ports, U power supply units, outputs of the U power supply units, and C charging ports. A method of designing an output switching section of a charging device including an output switching section provided between C charging ports, the method comprising: The first step is to determine (1) the number of relays connected to the outputs of each of the U power supply units is C×N/U, and (2) any one of the C charging ports. The present invention is characterized in that it includes a second step of arranging C×N relays in the output switching unit so that the number of power supply units shared by the two units is equal to or less than C×N/U−1.

In the above design method, in the first step, it is preferable that the number N of relays connected to each of the C charging ports is set to U/2.

Moreover, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the control method of the output switching unit according to the present invention includes C charging ports, U power supply units, outputs of the U power supply units, and C charging ports. A method for controlling an output switching section of a charging device equipped with an output switching section designed by the above design method, which is provided between the charging port and the charging port, the method comprising: charging one of the C charging ports; When the target is connected, (1) one of the N relays connected to the charging port is closed and the power supply unit connected to the relay is used to charge the charging target; Assuming that, (2) how many unused charging ports can be connected to unused ones of the remaining power supply units; The present invention is characterized in that the relay to be closed is determined from the viewpoint of how many unused charging ports are presently connectable to unused ones among the connected power supply units.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a design method and a control method for an output switching unit, which can realize a low-cost charging device that has the same convenience as conventional charging devices.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a charging device to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method for controlling an output switching unit according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a first example of an output switching unit designed using a design method according to the present invention. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of control of the output switching section shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of control of the output switching section shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of control of the output switching section shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of control of the output switching section shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of control of the output switching section shown in FIG. 3. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a first conventional example of an output switching unit designed using a conventional design method. 10 is a diagram showing a specific example of control of the output switching unit shown in FIG. 9. FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a first comparative example of an output switching unit designed using a design method different from the design method according to the present invention and the conventional design method. 12 is a diagram showing a specific example of control of the output switching unit shown in FIG. 11. FIG. It is a figure which shows the 2nd Example of the output switching part designed by the design method based on this invention. 14 is a diagram showing a specific example of control of the output switching unit shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a specific example of control of the output switching unit shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a specific example of control of the output switching unit shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a specific example of control of the output switching unit shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a specific example of control of the output switching unit shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a specific example of control of the output switching unit shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a specific example of control of the output switching unit shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a specific example of control of the output switching unit shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a specific example of control of the output switching unit shown in FIG. 13. FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a second conventional example of an output switching unit designed using a conventional design method. 24 is a diagram showing a specific example of control of the output switching unit shown in FIG. 23. FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a second comparative example of an output switching unit designed using a design method different from the design method according to the present invention and the conventional design method. 26 is a diagram showing a specific example of control of the output switching unit shown in FIG. 25. FIG. It is a figure which shows the 3rd comparative example of the output switching part designed by the design method based on this invention. 28 is a diagram showing a specific example of control of the output switching unit shown in FIG. 27. FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of another charging device to which the present invention is applied.

Hereinafter, a method of designing and a method of controlling an output switching section according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Charging device configuration]
FIG. 1 shows a charging device 10 to which the present invention is applied. As shown in the figure, the charging device 10 includes an AC/DC converter 11 that converts commercial AC power output from a commercial power source 20 into DC, and a DC/DC converter that steps up and steps down the power output by the AC/DC converter 11. part 12, C charging ports 14-1, 14-2...14-C connected to the electric vehicle, DC/DC converter 12 and charging ports 14-1, 14-2...14 -C.

The DC/DC converter 12 is composed of U identical units 12-1, 12-2, . . . 12-U. These correspond to the "power supply unit" of the present invention. The inputs of the power supply units 12-1, 12-2, . . . , 12-U are each connected to the output of the AC/DC converter 11. Furthermore, the outputs of the power supply units 12-1, 12-2, . . . , 12-U are each connected to an output switching section 13.

The output switching unit 13 is designed using the design method according to the present invention, and is composed of a plurality of relays. However, the number of relays constituting the output switching section 13 is the number U of power supply units 12-1, 12-2... -2...14-C is less than the product U×C of the number C.

The relays constituting the output switching section 13 are controlled to open and close by a control section (not shown). As a result, for example, the output power of the power supply unit 12-1 can be outputted from either the charging port 14-1, 14-2, or the output power of the two power supply units 12-1, 12-2 can be outputted from the charging port 14-1, 14-2. It is possible to output from the charging port 14-1. However, as mentioned above, the number of relays configuring the output switching section 13 is smaller than U×C, so the power supply units 12-1, 12-2...12-U and the charging ports 14-1, 14- There are restrictions on the combination with 2...14-C to the extent that the convenience of the charging device 10 is not impaired.

[Design method of output switching section]
In the design method of the output switching unit 13 according to the present invention, the number N of relays connected to each of the C charging ports 14-1, 14-2...14-C is determined to be less than U. It has a first step.

If N is made equal to the number of units U, the output switching section 13 will be composed of U×C relays, making it impossible to achieve cost reduction. That is, according to the first step, it is ensured that the charging device 10 is lower in cost than before. For example, N is preferably 1/2 of the number U of units.

The design method of the output switching unit 13 according to the present invention further provides that (1) the number of relays connected to each output of the U power supply units 12-1, 12-2...12-U is C. ×N/U power supply units 12-1, 12-2, and shared by any two of the (2)C charging ports 14-1, 14-2...14-C. A second step is provided in which C×N relays are arranged in the output switching unit 13 so that the number of 12-Us is equal to or less than C×N/U−1.

FIG. 3 shows that by performing the second step under the conditions that the number of units U = 6, the number of charging ports C = 4, and the number of relays connected to each of charging ports [1] to [4] N = 3. The result of arranging 4×3=12 relays in the output switching unit 13 (first example) is shown. In addition, in each figure after FIG. 3, the circle mark indicates the position of the relay. Moreover, in each figure after FIG. 6, the ● mark indicates the position of the relay that is in the closed state.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the first embodiment, three (=N) relays are connected to each of the charging ports [1] to [4]. For example, the charging port [1] includes a relay that is also connected to the power supply unit [1], a relay that is also connected to the power supply unit [3], and a relay that is also connected to the power supply unit [6]. are connected.

Further, in the first embodiment, 2 (=C×N/U) relays are connected to each of the outputs of the power supply units [1] to [6]. For example, a relay that is also connected to the charging port [1] and a relay that is also connected to the charging port [4] are connected to the output of the power supply unit [1].

Further, in the first embodiment, the charging ports [1] and [2] share the power supply unit [6], the charging ports [1] and [3] share the power supply unit [3], and the charging ports [1] and [3] share the power supply unit [3]. [1], [4] share the power supply unit [1], charging ports [2], [3] share the power supply unit [2], and charging ports [2], [4] share the power supply unit [2]. The charging ports [3] and [4] share the power supply unit [5]. That is, any two charging ports share 1 (=C×N/U−1) or less power supply units.

According to the second step, it is possible to ensure the same convenience as in the conventional case where the output switching section is composed of U×C relays. This will be explained in detail later.

[How to control the output switching unit]
The method for controlling the output switching unit 13 according to the present invention is such that an electric vehicle is connected to one (for example, 14-1) of C charging ports 14-1, 14-2, . . . 14-C. (1) Assuming that one of the N relays connected to the charging port 14-1 is closed and the power supply unit connected to the relay is used for charging the electric vehicle. , the first point of view is how many unused charging ports can be connected to unused ones among the remaining power supply units, and (2) the number of N relays connected to the charging port 14-1. Relays to be closed are determined based on the second viewpoint of how many unused charging ports are presently connectable to unused ones of the power supply units connected to each.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of the above control method. In the figure, i is a variable, and R is the number of power supply units 12-1, 12-2, . . . 12-U required by the electric vehicle. For example, if the output power of each power supply unit 12-1, 12-2, .

In step S1, which is first executed when the electric vehicle is connected, the variable i is set to 0.

In step S2A, which is executed next, it is determined whether one relay to be brought into the closed state can be selected according to a first procedure embodying the first aspect. If it can be selected, the relay is closed. On the other hand, if the selection cannot be made, the process advances to step S2B.

In step 2B, it is determined whether one relay to be closed can be selected according to a second procedure embodying the second aspect. If it can be selected, the relay is closed. On the other hand, if the selection cannot be made, the process advances to step S2C.

In step S2C, one relay selected according to the third procedure is closed. In the third step, for example, a relay connected to the power supply unit with the smallest number among the plurality of power supply units is closed.

In steps S3 and S4, which are executed after one relay is closed in any of steps S2A, S2B, and S2C, it is determined whether the variable i after adding 1 has reached R. If the variable i has reached R, this flow ends. On the other hand, if it has not been reached, steps S2A, S2B, and S2C are executed again to close another relay. As a result, R relays are finally closed.

Next, a specific example in which the output switching section 13 of the first embodiment is controlled by the above control method will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8. In this specific example, an electric vehicle is connected to charging ports [1] and [3] among charging ports [1] to [4]. A relay connected to the power supply unit [1], a relay connected to the power supply unit [3], and a relay connected to the power supply unit [6] are connected to the charging port [1]. There is. Further, a relay connected to the power supply unit [2], a relay connected to the power supply unit [3], and a relay connected to the power supply unit [5] are connected to the charging port [3]. has been done.

・Figures 4 and 5: When an electric vehicle that requires 30kW is connected to the charging port [1] First, as the first step (step S2A), the power supply unit [1] is connected to charge the electric vehicle. Assuming that they are used, how many unused charging ports (hereinafter referred to as "first evaluation value") can be connected to unused ones of the remaining power supply units [2] to [6]? seek. Unused power supply units [2] to [6] are power supply units [2] to [6], and unused charging ports that can be connected to power supply units [2] to [6] are power supply units [2] to [6]. Since the charging ports are [2] to [4], the first evaluation value of the power supply unit [1] is 3 (see FIG. 4(A)). Similarly, the first evaluation values of the power supply units [3] and [6] are determined. (See FIGS. 4(B) and (C)).

The first evaluation value of the power supply units [1], [3], and [6] is 3, and there is no difference between them. Therefore, in the first procedure, it is not possible to select one relay to be closed. Note that if there is only one power supply unit whose first evaluation value is larger than the others, the relay connected to the power supply unit may be closed.

In the second procedure (step S2B), the unused one of the power supply units [1], [3], and [6] connected to each of the three relays connected to the charging port [1] is How many connectable unused charging ports are present (hereinafter referred to as "second evaluation value") is determined. Among the power supply units [1], [3], and [6], the unused ones are the power supply units [1], [3], and [6]. Among these, the unused charging ports that can be connected to the power supply unit [1] are the charging ports [1] and [4], so the second evaluation value of the power supply unit [1] is 2 (Fig. 5 (A) reference). Similarly, second evaluation values of power supply units [3] and [6] are determined (see FIGS. 5(B) and 5(C)).

The second evaluation value of the power supply units [1], [3], and [6] is 2, and there is no difference between them. In other words, even in the second procedure, it is not possible to select one relay to be closed. Therefore, in the third procedure (step S2C), the relay connected to the smallest numbered power supply unit [1] among the power supply units [1], [3], and [6] is closed.

After that, the first to third steps are executed twice, and finally the three relays are closed. That is, a relay between charging port [1] and power supply unit [1], a relay between charging port [1] and power supply unit [3], and a relay between charging port [1] and power supply unit [6]. Close the relay. This makes it possible to supply 30 kW of power from the power supply units [1], [3], and [6] to the electric vehicle at the charging port [1] (see FIG. 8(A)).

・Figures 6 and 7: When an electric vehicle that requires 10kW is connected to the charging port [3] First, as the first step (step S2A), the power supply unit [2] is connected to charge the electric vehicle. Assuming that the power supply unit is used for seek. The unused ones among the power supply units [1], [3] to [6] are the power supply units [4] and [5], and the unused ones that can be connected to the power supply units [4] and [5] are the power supply units [4] and [5]. Since the charging ports in use are charging ports [2] and [4], the first evaluation value of the power supply unit [2] is 2 (see FIG. 6(A)). Similarly, the first evaluation value of the power supply unit [5] is determined (see FIG. 6(B)).

The first evaluation value of the power supply units [2] and [5] is 2, and there is no difference between them. Therefore, in the first procedure, it is not possible to select one relay to be closed.

In the second procedure (step S2B), the unused one of the power supply units [2], [3], and [5] connected to each of the three relays connected to the charging port [3] is How many connectable unused charging ports are present (second evaluation value) is determined. Among the power supply units [2], [3], and [5], the unused ones are power supply units [2] and [5]. Among these, the only unused charging port that can be connected to the power supply unit [2] is the charging port [2], so the second evaluation value of the power supply unit [2] is 1 (see FIG. 7(A)). Similarly, a second evaluation value of the power supply unit [5] is determined (see FIG. 7(B)).

The second evaluation value of the power supply units [2] and [5] is 1, and there is no difference between them. In other words, even in the second procedure, it is not possible to select one relay to be closed. Therefore, in the third procedure (step S2C), the relay connected to the power supply unit [2] with the smallest number among the power supply units [2] and [5] is closed.

As a result, while supplying 30kW of power from the power supply units [1], [3], and [6] to the electric vehicle at the charging port [1], from the power supply unit [2] to the electric vehicle at the charging port [3]. It becomes possible to supply 10 kW of power to (see FIG. 8(B)).

As described above, when the output switching unit 13 (see FIG. 3) of the first embodiment is controlled by the above control method, the charging port can be used when an electric vehicle requiring 30 kW is connected to the charging port [1]. The number of usable charging ports became 3 (see Figure 8 (A)), and when an electric vehicle requiring 10 kW was connected to charging port [3], the number of usable charging ports became 2 (see Figure 8 (B) )reference). This result is equal to the number of charging ports (see FIG. 10) when the output switching section of the first conventional example in which relays are arranged as shown in FIG. 9 is controlled by the above control method. That is, by designing the output switching section using the design method according to the present invention and controlling it using the control method according to the present invention, it is possible to ensure convenience equivalent to the conventional method.

Note that the output switching section of the first comparative example was designed using a design method different from the design method according to the present invention and the conventional design method (see FIG. 11. The number N of relays connected to each charging port is the same as that of the first embodiment. Similarly, when 3) was controlled using the control method according to the present invention, the result was that it was less convenient than the conventional method. Specifically, even if an electric vehicle that requires 30kW is connected to charging port [1] and then an electric vehicle that requires 10kW is connected to charging port [3], that electric vehicle cannot be charged. (See FIG. 12(B)).

Next, 6 × 4 = 24 relays are arranged under the conditions that the number of units U = 8, the number of charging ports C = 6, and the number of relays connected to each of charging ports [1] to [6] N = 4. A specific example in which the output switching unit 13 of the second embodiment (see FIG. 13) is designed and controlled by the control method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 22. In this specific example, an electric vehicle is connected to charging ports [2] to [5] among charging ports [1] to [6]. The charging port [2] includes a relay connected to the power supply unit [1], a relay connected to the power supply unit [4], a relay connected to the power supply unit [6], and a power supply unit. The relay connected to [7] is connected. The charging port [3] includes a relay connected to the power supply unit [1], a relay connected to the power supply unit [3], a relay connected to the power supply unit [6], and a power supply unit. The relay connected to [8] is connected. The charging port [4] includes a relay connected to the power supply unit [2], a relay connected to the power supply unit [4], a relay connected to the power supply unit [6], and a power supply unit. The relay connected to [8] is connected. The charging port [5] also includes a relay connected to the power supply unit [2], a relay connected to the power supply unit [3], a relay connected to the power supply unit [5], and a relay connected to the power supply unit [5]. A relay connected to the supply unit [8] is connected.

・Figures 14 and 15: When an electric vehicle that requires 20kW is connected to the charging port [4] First, in the first procedure (step S2A), among the four relays connected to the charging port [4] The first evaluation value of the power supply unit [2] connected to one of the power supply units [2] is determined (see FIG. 14(A)). Similarly, the first evaluation values of the power supply units [4], [6], and [8] are determined (see FIGS. 14B to 14D).

The first evaluation value of the power supply units [2], [4], [6], and [8] is 5, and there is no difference between them. Therefore, in the second procedure (step S2B), second evaluation values of the power supply units [2], [4], [6], and [8] are determined (see FIGS. 15(A) to 15(D)).

Since the second evaluation value of the power supply units [2], [4], [6], and [8] is 3, and there is no superiority or inferiority, the power supply units [2], [4], [6], and [8] are The relay connected to the power supply unit [2] with the smallest number among [4], [6], and [8] is closed.

After that, the first to third steps are executed once again, and finally the two relays are closed. That is, the relay between the charging port [4] and the power supply unit [2] and the relay between the charging port [4] and the power supply unit [4] are closed. This makes it possible to supply 20 kW of power from the power supply units [2] and [4] to the electric vehicle at the charging port [4] (see FIG. 22(A)).

・Figures 16 and 17: When an electric vehicle that requires 20kW is further connected to the charging port [3] First, in the first step (step S2A), the four relays connected to the charging port [3] are connected to the charging port [3]. A first evaluation value of the power supply unit [1] connected to one of the power supply units is determined (see FIG. 16(A)). Similarly, first evaluation values of power supply units [3], [6], and [8] are determined (see FIGS. 16(B) to (D)).

The first evaluation value of the power supply units [1], [3], [6], and [8] is 4, and there is no difference between them. Therefore, in the second procedure (step S2B), second evaluation values of the power supply units [1], [3], [6], and [8] are determined (see FIGS. 17(A) to (D)).

Power supply units [6] and [8] have smaller second evaluation values than power supply units [1] and [3], so they are used preferentially over power supply units [1] and [3]. Should. However, since the power supply units [6] and [8] have no superiority or inferiority, the power supply unit [6], which has the smallest number among the power supply units [6] and [8], is determined by the third procedure (step S2C). ] Closes the relay connected to .

After that, the first to third steps are executed once again, and finally the two relays are closed. That is, the relay between the charging port [3] and the power supply unit [6] and the relay between the charging port [3] and the power supply unit [8] are closed. As a result, while supplying 20kW of power from the power supply units [2], [4] to the electric vehicle at the charging port [4], from the power supply units [6], [8] to the electric vehicle at the charging port [3]. It becomes possible to supply 20 kW of power to (see FIG. 22(B)).

・Figures 18 and 19: When an electric vehicle that requires 10kW is further connected to the charging port [2] First, in the first step (step S2A), the four relays connected to the charging port [2] are connected to the charging port [2]. A first evaluation value of an unused power supply unit [1] connected to one of the power supply units is determined (see FIG. 18(A)). Similarly, the first evaluation value of the power supply unit [7] is determined (see FIG. 18(B)).

The first evaluation value of the power supply units [1] and [7] is 3, and there is no difference between them. Therefore, in the second procedure (step S2B), second evaluation values of the power supply units [1] and [7] are determined (see FIGS. 19A and 19B).

Since the second evaluation value of the power supply unit [1] is smaller than the second evaluation value of the power supply unit [7], the relay connected to the power supply unit [1] is closed. As a result, 20kW of power is supplied from the power supply units [2], [4] to the electric vehicle at the charging port [4], and from the power supply units [6], [8] to the electric vehicle at the charging port [3]. It becomes possible to supply 10 kW of power from the power supply unit [1] to the electric vehicle at the charging port [2] while supplying 20 kW of power to the electric vehicle (see FIG. 22(C)).

・Figures 20 and 21: When an electric vehicle that requires 20kW is further connected to the charging port [5] First, in the first procedure (step S2A), the four relays connected to the charging port [5] are connected to the charging port [5]. A first evaluation value of an unused power supply unit [3] connected to one of the power supply units is determined (see FIG. 20(A)). Similarly, the first evaluation value of the power supply unit [5] is determined (see FIG. 20(B)).

The first evaluation value of the power supply units [3] and [5] is 2, and there is no difference between them. Therefore, in the second procedure (step S2B), second evaluation values of the power supply units [3] and [5] are obtained (see FIGS. 21(A) and 21(B)).

Since the second evaluation value of the power supply unit [3] is smaller than the second evaluation value of the power supply unit [5], the relay connected to the power supply unit [3] is closed.

After that, the first to third steps are executed once again, and finally the two relays are closed. That is, the relay between the charging port [5] and the power supply unit [3] and the relay between the charging port [5] and the power supply unit [5] are closed. As a result, 20kW of power is supplied from the power supply units [2] and [4] to the electric vehicle at the charging port [4], and from the power supply units [6] and [8] to the electric vehicle at the charging port [3]. While supplying 20kW of power, and supplying 10kW of power from the power supply unit [1] to the electric vehicle at the charging port [2], the electric vehicle from the power supply unit [3], [5] to the electric vehicle at the charging port [5] It becomes possible to supply 20 kW of power to the car (see FIG. 22(D)).

As described above, when the output switching unit 13 (see FIG. 13) of the second embodiment is controlled by the above control method, the charging port can be used when an electric vehicle requiring 20 kW is connected to the charging port [4]. The number of usable charging ports becomes 5 (see Figure 22 (A)), and the number of usable charging ports becomes 4 when an electric vehicle requiring 20 kW is connected to charging port [3] (see Figure 22 (B)). , when an electric vehicle that requires 10kW is connected to charging port [2], the number of usable charging ports becomes 3 (see Figure 22 (C)), and an electric vehicle that requires 10kW to charging port [5] is connected. The number of usable charging ports when the car is connected is now 2 (see FIG. 22(D)). This result is equal to the number of charging ports (see FIG. 24) when the output switching section of the second conventional example in which relays are arranged as shown in FIG. 23 is controlled by the above control method. That is, by designing the output switching section using the design method according to the present invention and controlling it using the control method according to the present invention, it is possible to ensure convenience equivalent to the conventional method.

Note that when the output switching section of the second comparative example (see FIG. 25), which was designed using a design method different from the design method according to the present invention and the conventional design method, is controlled by the control method according to the present invention, it is more convenient than before. The result was inferior. Specifically, even if a new electric vehicle is connected to the unused charging port [1] after an electric vehicle is connected to the charging port [2], [3], [4], or [5], the corresponding It was not possible to charge the electric vehicle (see FIG. 26(D)).

In addition, the output switching section of the third comparative example that is the same as the output switching section 13 of the second embodiment (see FIG. 27; the number N of relays connected to each charging port is 4 as in the second embodiment) is used in the present invention. Even if the control method is controlled using a control method different from the control method according to the above, the result is that the convenience is inferior to that of the conventional method. Specifically, after an electric vehicle is connected to charging ports [2], [3], [4], [5], a new electric vehicle is connected to any of the unused charging ports [1], [6]. Even if the electric vehicle was connected, the electric vehicle could not be charged (see FIG. 28(D)).

[Modified example]
Note that the design method and control method of the output switching unit according to the present invention are not limited to those described above.

For example, the present invention can also be applied to the charging device 10' shown in FIG. 29. As shown in the figure, the charging device 10' includes an AC/DC converter 11 that converts commercial AC power output from a commercial power source 20 into DC, and a DC/DC converter that converts the power output from the AC/DC converter 11 into a DC/DC converter. Provided between the conversion unit 12, C charging ports 14-1, 14-2...14-C connected to the electric vehicle, and the AC/DC conversion unit 11 and the DC/DC conversion unit 12. The output switching section 13 is also provided.

The AC/DC converter 11 is composed of U identical units 11-1, 11-2, . . . 11-U. In this example, these units correspond to "power supply units". On the other hand, the C identical units 12-1, 12-2, . . . , 12-C that constitute the DC/DC converter 12 do not correspond to a "power supply unit."

Even when the present invention is applied to the charging device 10', the same effects as when the present invention is applied to the charging device 10 can be obtained.

Further, the present invention can also be applied to a charging device that simultaneously charges a plurality of charging targets other than electric vehicles.

Further, in the third procedure (step S2C), one relay to be closed may be determined based on the state of the power supply unit (for example, temperature, cumulative operating time, etc.).

10, 10' Charging device 11 AC/DC conversion section 12 DC/DC conversion section 13 Output switching section 14-1, 14-2... Charging port 20 Commercial power supply

Claims (4)

The charging device includes C charging ports, U power supply units, and an output switching section provided between the outputs of the U power supply units and the C charging ports. A method of designing an output switching section, the method comprising:
A first step of determining the number N of relays connected to each of the C charging ports to be less than U;
(1) The number of relays connected to the outputs of each of the U power supply units is C×N/U, and (2) any two of the C charging ports are shared. a second step of arranging C×N relays in the output switching section so that the number of power supply units is C×N/U−1 or less;
A design method characterized by comprising: 2. The design method according to claim 1, wherein in the first step, the number N of relays connected to each of the C charging ports is set to U/2. C charging ports,
U power supply units;
An output switching section designed by the design method according to claim 1 or 2, which is provided between the outputs of the U power supply units and the C charging ports;
A charging device characterized by comprising: The design according to claim 1 or 2, comprising C charging ports, U power supply units, and provided between the outputs of the U power supply units and the C charging ports. A method for controlling an output switching section of a charging device equipped with an output switching section designed according to the method,
When a charging target is connected to one of the C charging ports, (1) one of the N relays connected to the charging port is closed and connected to the relay; Assuming that the power supply unit is used to charge the object to be charged, how many unused charging ports can be connected to unused ones of the remaining power supply units; and (2) Closed state from the viewpoint of how many unused charging ports are currently connectable to unused power supply units connected to each of the N relays connected to the charging port. A control method characterized by determining a relay.

Images