JPH0937473A - Charging system for electric vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a user from forgetting charging of a battery for drive, and leaving an electric vehicle. SOLUTION: A timer 16 is connected in parallel to the main switch 11 of an electric vehicle, and an alarm circuit 7 equipped with a buzzer which issues an alarm sound, for example, by being supplied with power, is connected the DC output line from a battery 10 for drive. A normal open type of timer switch 16a for the timer 16 and a normal close type of charge current detection switch 14a are interposed in the power supply circuit to this alarm circuit 17. Out of these, the timer switch 16a performs on operation when it clocks the specified time being set after the timer 16 starts, and a charge detection switch 14a converts from on state to on state when the battery 10 for power gets in charging condition by a charging switch 14. Accordingly, if specified time passes after the main switch 11 is turned off without performing charge operation, a buzzer sounds and charging forgetting is informed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a charging system for charging an electric vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the configuration which has been put into practical use as this type of charging system is as follows. The vehicle body of an electric vehicle is provided with a vehicle-side connector connected to a power battery, and a power supply connector is connected thereto from outside the vehicle. The power supply connector is provided at the tip of the cable from the charging power source installed outside the vehicle, and the power from the charging power source is supplied to the power battery through both connectors.

[0003]

By the way, since charging an electric vehicle requires a relatively long time compared to refueling a gasoline vehicle, a charger is installed in each garage of the vehicle owner's home. It has been considered to charge an electric vehicle that is parked using.

However, under such a usage pattern, it is possible that the driver puts the electric vehicle in the garage, forgets the charging operation, and leaves the vehicle. Then, for example, when the user re-enters the car the next morning, he or she will notice that the vehicle is not charged, and eventually, it is expected that the vehicle cannot be driven with a sufficient battery capacity in the next morning.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an electric vehicle charging system capable of preventing a driver from forgetting a charging operation and leaving the vehicle. .

[0006]

The electric vehicle charging system of the present invention provides an alarm when the power battery is not charged within a predetermined time after the main switch of the electric vehicle is turned off. It is characterized in that it is emitted (the invention of claim 1). This allows
If the driver of the car turns off the main switch and tries to leave the car without charging,
Since the alarm is issued when the predetermined time has passed, it is possible to surely notice that the user has forgotten to charge the battery.

As a structure for that purpose, a time measuring means for measuring the time after the main switch of the electric vehicle is turned off, a charge detecting means for detecting a charging operation to the power battery, and a time measuring means for measuring a predetermined time. It is sufficient to provide an alarm means that operates on the condition that the charging operation is not detected by the charge detecting means by the time (the invention of claim 2).

When the electric battery is not charged while the electric vehicle is parked, an alarm may be issued when a person passes through the entrance of the parking lot where the electric vehicle is parked. Invention of 3). In this way, if an electric vehicle is parked and an attempt is made to leave the parking lot without performing a charging operation, an alarm is issued, and it is possible to reliably notice that the user has forgotten to charge.
As a structure for that, a means for detecting that the main switch of the electric vehicle is turned off, a charge detecting means for detecting a charging operation to the power battery, and a doorway of a parking lot where the electric vehicle is parked are provided. With the door switch and the main switch of the electric vehicle turned off and the charging operation is not detected by the charging detection means,
An alarm means for issuing an alarm on the condition that the door switch is activated can be provided (the invention of claim 4).

Further, the alarm means may be provided on the vehicle key for operating the main switch of the electric vehicle, and the alarm means may be activated via the wireless communication means provided on both the electric vehicle and the vehicle key. (Invention of Claim 5). According to this, even if the user leaves the parked electric vehicle, he / she can surely notice that he / she forgets to charge by the alarm issued from the vehicle key.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

<First Embodiment> A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an electric circuit mounted on an electric vehicle. 10
Is a power battery provided in the body of an electric vehicle, and is connected to a motor drive circuit 12 via a main switch 11 that is turned on / off by a vehicle key. The motor drive circuit 12 drives a power motor 13 To be done.
A charging circuit 14 is connected to the power battery 10, and a power connector (not shown) is connected to a charging connector 15 provided on the vehicle body EV of the electric vehicle to charge the power battery 10. This charging is performed, for example, by connecting the power supply side connector to the charging connector 15 of the electric vehicle and turning on a charging switch (not shown) when the electric vehicle returns to the parking lot of the home of the vehicle owned vehicle.

A timer 16 is provided in parallel with the main switch 11.
Is connected to the DC output line from the power battery 10, and an alarm circuit 17 (alarm means) having a buzzer that emits an alarm sound by being supplied with power is connected to the DC output line. A normally open type timer switch 16a of the timer 16 and a normally closed type charge detection switch 14a are interposed in a power supply path to the alarm circuit 17. Of these, the timer switch 16a is adapted to be turned on when a predetermined time set after the timer 16 is activated is counted, and the charge detection switch 14a is turned off when the power battery 10 is charged by the charging circuit 14. It is designed to turn from the state to the on state. It should be noted that the above-described configuration including the charging circuit 14 is all mounted on the electric vehicle.

In the above structure, the timer 16 and the timer switch 16a function as a time measuring means for measuring the time after the main switch 11 of the electric vehicle is turned off, and the charging circuit 14 and the charge detection switch 14a are the power battery. It functions as a charge detection unit that detects the charging operation to 10.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. Insert the electric vehicle into the parking lot, remove the vehicle key, and open the main switch 11. Then, a voltage is generated across the terminals, so that the timer 16 is started. Here, when the driver of the automobile connects the power supply side connector to the charging connector 15 and turns on the charging switch, the charging detection switch 14a is turned off by a signal from the charging circuit 14 based on this. Therefore, even if the timer switch 16a is turned on after the time set in the timer 16 has elapsed, the alarm circuit 17 does not operate at all.

On the other hand, when the driver does not perform the charging operation, the charge detection switch 14a remains in the ON state. Therefore, when the set time of the timer 16 has passed since the main switch 11 was turned off, the timer switch 16a is turned on, so that the voltage of the DC output line is applied to the alarm circuit 17 and the alarm circuit 17 functions as an alarm means. Is activated and the buzzer sounds.

As a result, the driver can notice that the charging operation is not performed, and it is possible to prevent forgetting to charge the power battery 10. It should be noted that the warning is to perform a charging operation, or
It can be stopped by operating a reset switch (not shown) of the alarm circuit 17.

<Second Embodiment> FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the above embodiment is the addition of a configuration for receiving a signal from a door switch 20 provided at the entrance of a parking lot, and the other points are the same. Therefore, the same portions will be denoted by the same reference numerals, redundant description will be omitted, and different points will be described.

As described above, the door switch 20 detects the opening of the door (not shown) provided at the entrance of the parking lot for parking the electric vehicle, and a person passes through the entrance. It has a function to detect that. The signal from the door switch 20 is given to the transmission circuit 21 installed near the doorway and transmitted from the antenna 21a.

On the other hand, the receiving circuit 22 is provided inside the body of the electric vehicle and closes the normally open relay switch 23 based on the radio signal received by the antenna 22a. The relay switch 23 is a time switch 16a of the timer 16.
It is provided in parallel with and is closed to supply power to the alarm circuit 17. In this embodiment, only the portion surrounded by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 2 and the charging connector 15 are the portions mounted on the electric vehicle.

In this embodiment, similar to the above-mentioned embodiment,
If the vehicle key is removed and the main switch 11 is turned off and the charging operation is not performed, the timer switch 16a is turned on when the set time of the timer 16 has elapsed, the alarm circuit 17 is activated, and the buzzer sounds. Further, if the driver tries to exit the parking lot before the set time of the timer 16 elapses, the door switch 20 is turned on when the door of the entrance / exit is opened, so that the transmission circuit 21 is activated to operate the antenna. A radio signal is output from 21a and is received by the receiving circuit 22 of the electric vehicle. As a result,
Since the relay switch 23 is closed (the charging detection switch 14a is closed because the charging operation is not performed at this time), the alarm circuit 17 operates and the buzzer sounds.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, when the driver tries to leave the parking lot without performing the charging operation, the buzzer sounds even before the time set by the timer 16 elapses. The driver can certainly notice that the charging operation is not performed.

<Third Embodiment> FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. The difference from both of the above-described embodiments is mainly that the alarm means is provided in the vehicle key, and the other points are the same. Therefore, the same portions will be denoted by the same reference numerals, redundant description will be omitted, and different points will be described.

In this embodiment, the timer circuit 30 is composed of an electronic circuit and is set by receiving a signal from the main switch 11 side to start the time counting operation. When the timer circuit 30 measures the set time, an alarm signal is output to the transmission circuit 31 and is output as a radio wave signal from the antenna 31a. Further, when the charging operation is performed, the charging circuit 14 outputs a reset signal to the timer circuit 30,
The timer circuit 30 is reset.

On the other hand, the vehicle key 32 for turning on / off the main switch 11 is provided with a receiving circuit 34 and an alarm circuit 35 at a grip portion 33 thereof. Receiving circuit 34
Operates when the antenna 34a receives a radio signal from the transmitting circuit 31, and constitutes wireless communication means together with the transmitting circuit 31. The alarm circuit 35 includes a buzzer, and when the signal from the receiving circuit 34 is received, the buzzer sounds. In addition, these receiving circuits 3
4 and the alarm circuit 35, a replaceable button battery (not shown) is built in the grip portion 33 of the vehicle key 32. In this embodiment, only the portion surrounded by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 3 and the charging connector 15 are the portions mounted on the electric vehicle.

According to this embodiment, the main switch 1
If the charging operation is not performed within a predetermined time after turning off the switch 1, the radio wave signal is output from the antenna 31a of the transmission circuit 31, and this is received by the reception circuit 34 of the vehicle key 32, and the alarm circuit The buzzer sounds at 35. Therefore, even if the driver leaves the vehicle EV immediately without charging the electric vehicle, the buzzer of the vehicle key 32 put in the driver's pocket sounds and the driver forgets to charge the vehicle. You can definitely notice.

<Other Embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described by the above description and the drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. In addition to the following, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. (1) The warning means is not limited to the audible warning means such as the buzzer described above, but may be a visual warning means such as a lamp or a display for displaying a message, or both types may be used in combination. (2) The alarm means is not limited to being provided in the vehicle or the vehicle key as in the above-described embodiment, but may be provided in the parking lot, at its entrance / exit, or at the external charging power source side. Alternatively, a signal may be sent from the vehicle to the computer in the house and used as an alarm means. When the alarm means provided outside the vehicle is used as described above, the wireless communication means may be used as shown in the third embodiment. (3) Further, when the alarm means is activated, for example, the charge capacity may be detected and the lack thereof may be added as a condition, or it may be detected that the vehicle is parked in a parking lot at home. May be further added as a condition. (4) In the second embodiment, the entrance / exit of a person to / from the parking lot is detected by the door switch. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be detected by an infrared sensor provided at the entrance / exit. (5) In each of the above embodiments, the charging circuit 14 is mounted inside the electric vehicle. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a rectifying circuit for generating a DC voltage for charging from an AC power supply and a voltage / current for charging. It can be applied to a configuration in which a charging control circuit or the like for controlling the battery is installed in a charger outside the vehicle and DC power is supplied to the electric vehicle. Further, even when the charging power is supplied to the electric vehicle by alternating current, the secondary coil is provided on the vehicle side and the primary coil is provided outside the vehicle, even if the power is not necessarily supplied through the connector having the terminals. Alternatively, an AC current may be passed through the primary coil in a magnetically coupled state to supply power to the power circuit in the vehicle.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Power battery 11 ... Main switch 14 ... Charging circuit 14a ... Charge detection switch (charging detection means) 16 ... Timer (timekeeping means) 16a ... Timer switch 17 ... Warning circuit (warning means) 20 ... Door switch 30 ... Timer circuit (Alarm means) 31 ... Transmission circuit (wireless communication means) 32 ... Vehicle key 34 ... Reception circuit (wireless communication means) 35 ... Alarm circuit

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A system for charging a power battery of an electric vehicle, wherein an alarm is issued when the power battery is not charged within a predetermined time after the main switch of the electric vehicle is turned off. A charging system for an electric vehicle, which is characterized by being emitted. 2. A system for charging a power battery of an electric vehicle, comprising: a time measuring means for measuring a time after a main switch of the electric vehicle is turned off.
Charge detecting means for detecting a charge operation to the power battery, and alarm means for issuing an alarm on condition that the charge operation is not detected by the charge detecting means before the time measuring means measures a predetermined time. A charging system for electric vehicles provided. 3. A system for charging a power battery of an electric vehicle, wherein the electric vehicle is parked in a parking lot where the power battery is not charged while the electric vehicle is parked. A charging system for an electric vehicle, characterized in that an alarm is issued when a person passes through the doorway. 4. A system for charging a power battery of an electric vehicle, a means for detecting that a main switch of the electric vehicle is turned off, and a charging operation for the power battery. Charge detection means, a door switch provided at the entrance of the parking lot where the electric vehicle is parked, the main switch of the electric vehicle is turned off, and in a state where the charging operation is not detected by the charge detection means, A charging system for an electric vehicle, comprising: alarm means for issuing an alarm when the door switch is activated. 5. The alarm means is provided on a vehicle key for operating a main switch of an electric vehicle, and the alarm means is activated via wireless communication means provided on both the electric vehicle and the vehicle key. The charging system for an electric vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4.