WO2011132054A2

WO2011132054A2 - Charging apparatus and vehicle equipped with the charging apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2011132054A2
Application number: PCT/IB2011/000852
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yoshinobu Sugiyama; Wanleng Ang
Original assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
Priority date: 2010-04-20
Filing date: 2011-04-19
Publication date: 2011-10-27
Also published as: WO2011132054A3; JP2011229276A

Abstract

A charging apparatus ( 100 ) that charges a storage device ( 110 ) using a commercial power from a commercial power supply ( 30 ) is equipped with a power conversion device ( 200 ) that converts the commercial power into a power for charging the storage device, and a control device ( 300 ) that controls whether to perform or prohibit charging of the storage device via the power conversion device ( 200 ) on the basis of information on an amount of carbon dioxide discharged to generate the commercial power, and performs the charging of the storage device even when the charging of the storage device is prohibited on the basis of the information on the amount of carbon dioxide in a case where the charging of the storage device needs to be forcibly performed.

Description

CHARGING APPARATUS AND VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH THE CHARGING

APPARATUS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The invention relates to a charging apparatus and a vehicle equipped with the charging apparatus, and more specifically, to a charging control of a vehicle that can be charged using a power from a commercial power supply.

2. Description of the Related Art

[0002] Recently, as vehicles reducing the load to the environment, electric-powered -vehicles equipped with storage devices (e.g., secondary batteries, capacitors, or the like) to run using a driving force resulting from a power stored in the storage device have been drawing attention. Such electric-powered vehicles may include, for example, electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, fuel-cell-powered vehicles, and the like. There h.as been proposed an art for charging the storage device mounted on each of these electric-powered vehicles by using a commercial power supply with high power generation efficiency.

[0003] Avmong hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles, there is known a vehicle allowing the charging (hereinafter referred to simply as "external charging" as well) of an on-vehicle storage device from a power supply outside the vehicle (hereinafter referred to simply as "an external power supply" as well). For example, there is known "a plug-in l ybrid vehicle" allowing the charging of a storage device from a household power supply by connecting a power supply socket provided in a house and a charging port provided in the vehicle to each other by a charging cable. Thus, the fuel consumption efficiency of the hybrid vehicle may be enhanced. For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-262692 and No. 2009-248822 (JP-A-2009-262692 and JP-A-2009-248822) describe the plug-in hybrid vehicle.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007- 185083 (JP-A-2007- 185083) discloses an art for charging an on- vehicle storage device only when an amount of carbon dioxide discharged during the generation of a commercial power used for charging (a C0₂ discharge amount) is smaller than a predetermined threshold in a vehicle allowing the charging of the storage device equipped in the vehicle using a power from a commercial power supply. According to Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-185083 (JP-A-2007- 185083), a charging apparatus and a vehicle that can contribute to environmental protection during commercial power generation as well can be provided.

[0005] Meanwhile, there may occur circumstances in which the storage device needs to be charged even when the amount of the carbon dioxide discharged during commercial power generation is larger than the predetermined threshold, for example, in the case where electricity has been completely discharged from the storage device, where a hybrid vehicle having an engine or the like runs short of fuel, or where the vehicle needs to run in an emergency. However, in the art disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-185083 (JP-A-2007- 185083), these circumstances are not taken into account.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention provides a charging apparatus and a vehicle in which charging is prohibited on the basis of an amount of carbon dioxide discharged during commercial power generation but charging can be performed in the event of an emergency even when the amount of carbon dioxide is equal to an amount at which charging should be prohibited.

[0007] A first aspect of the invention relates to a charging apparatus that charges a storage device using a commercial power from a commercial power supply. This charging apparatus includes a power conversion device that converts the commercial power into a power charged to the storage device; and a control device that controls whether to perform or prohibit charging of the storage device via the power conversion device on the basis of information on an amount of carbon dioxide discharged to generate the commercial power, and performs the charging of the storage device even when the charging of the storage device is prohibited on the basis of the information on the amount of carbon dioxide in a case where the charging of the storage device needs to be forcibly performed.

[0008] In the charging apparatus, the information on the amount of carbon dioxide may include the amount of carbon dioxide discharged to generate the commercial power. The control device may prohibit the charging of the storage device when the amount of carbon dioxide is equal to or larger than a threshold, and may perform the charging of the storage device when the amount of carbon dioxide is smaller than the threshold.

[0009] In the charging apparatus, the control device may set a required charging amount for the storage device on the basis of information on a purpose of use of the power in the case where the charging of the storage device needs to be forcibly performed.

[0010] The charging apparatus may further include a reception portion that receives the information on the amount of carbon dioxide.

[0011] In the charging apparatus, the reception portion may receive the information on the amount of carbon dioxide via an electric feeder line for feeding the commercial power.

[0012] In the charging apparatus, the reception portion may receive the information on the amount of carbon dioxide through radio communication or cable communication.

[0013] The charging apparatus may further include a display portion that displays a state of performance or prohibition of the charging of the storage device.

[0014] In the charging apparatus, the control device may charge the storage device with a predetermined charging amount in the case where the charging of the storage device needs to be forcibly performed. [0015] In the charging apparatus, the charging of the storage device may need to be forcibly performed when a command to forcibly perform the charging of the storage device is received from a user.

[0016] A second aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle that is charged using a commercial power from a commercial power supply. This vehicle includes a rechargeable storage device, a drive device that generates a driving force for causing the vehicle to run using a power from the storage device, a power conversion device that converts the commercial power into a power charged to the storage device, and a control device that controls whether to perform or prohibit charging of the storage device via the power conversion device on the basis of information on an amount of carbon dioxide discharged to generate the commercial power, and performs the charging of the storage device even when the charging of the storage device is prohibited on the basis of the information on the amount of carbon dioxide in a case where the charging of the storage device needs to be forcibly performed.

The control device of the vehicle may comprise features similar to those of the control device of the charging apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, and vice versa.

[0017] In the vehicle, the information on the amount of carbon dioxide may include the amount of carbon dioxide discharged to generate the commercial power. The control device may prohibit the charging of the storage device when the amount of carbon dioxide is equal to or larger than a threshold, and may perform the charging of the storage device when the amount of carbon dioxide is smaller than the threshold.

[0018] In the vehicle, the control device may set a required charging amount for the storage device on the basis of information on a destination in the case where the charging of the storage device needs to be forcibly performed.

[0019] In the vehicle, the required charging amount may be set on the basis of an amount of a power consumed by the drive device to reach the destination.

[0020] In the vehicle, the information on the destination may include information on a current position of the vehicle, and the destination may be determined on the basis of the current position.

[0021] In the vehicle, the destination may be a charging station capable of charging the vehicle.

[0022] The vehicle may further include an internal combustion engine that operates as a motive energy source of the vehicle. The destination may be a filling stand capable of supplying fuel to the internal combustion engine.

[0023] In the vehicle, the control device may include a memory portion in which map information on a neighborhood of the current position is stored in advance, and may search candidates of the destination on the basis of the map information.

[0024] In the vehicle, the control device may set the required charging amount on the basis of information on a running route to a destination selected by a user from among the candidates of the destination.

[0025] The vehicle may further include a display portion that displays the candidates of the destination.

[0026] In the vehicle, the charging of the storage device may need to be forcibly performed when a command to forcibly perform the charging of the storage device is received from a user.

[0027] The vehicle may further include an input portion that allows the user to input the command.

[0028] The vehicle may further include a reception portion that receives the information on the amount of carbon dioxide.

The reception portion of the vehicle may comprise features similar to those of the reception portion of the charging apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, and vice versa.

[0029] The vehicle may further include a display portion that displays a state of performance or prohibition of the charging of the storage device.

The vehicle may be equipped with the charging apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention. In this case, the power conversion device and the control device of the vehicle are included in this charging apparatus.

[0030] According to each of the aspects of the invention, in a charging apparatus and a vehicle in which charging is prohibited on the basis of an amount of carbon dioxide discharged during commercial power generation, charging can be performed in the event of an emergency even when the amount of carbon dioxide is equal to an amount at which charging should be prohibited.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of this invention will be described in the following detailed description of an example embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals denote like elements, and wherein:

FIG 1 is a schematic diagram of a charging system including a vehicle according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG 2 is an overall block diagram of the vehicle according to this embodiment of the invention;

FIG 3 is a functional block diagram for explaining charging control executed by an ECU in this embodiment of the invention;

FIG 4 is a flowchart for explaining the details of a charging control process executed by the ECU in this embodiment of the invention;

FIG 5 is a diagram showing an example of the process in step S 160 of FIG 4 in detail; and

FIG 6 is a schematic diagram of the CCID of a charging cable that includes a display portion and an input portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

[0032] The embodiment of the invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that similar or equivalent components or elements are denoted by like reference symbols, and that the

description of the same components or elements will not be repeated.

[0033] FIG 1 is a schematic diagram of a charging system including a vehicle 100 according to the embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG 1, a power system 1 includes power plants 10A and 10B, an electric feeder line 20, a charging station 30, a power information server 50, and the vehicle 100.

[0034] The power plants 10A and 10B are commercial electric power generators. The electricity generated by the power plants 10A and 10B, is supplied to the electric feeder line 20. It should be noted that additional power plants (not shown) may also connected to the electric feeder line 20, and that the power plants may be thermal power plants that generate electricity through the combustion of petroleum, gas, and the like, nuclear power plants, hydraulic power plants, and the like. The charging station 30 is connected to the electric feeder line 20. The charging station 30 is a facility for charging the vehicle 100 using electric power supplied from the electric feeder line 20. The charging station 30 may be a dedicated charging stand for charging the vehicle 100, or a house may serve as the charging station 30 through the use of a socket provided in the house.

[0035] The vehicle 100 can charge a storage device (not shown) that stores a power, by connecting a charging plug to a socket 32 of the charging station 30.

[0036] Further, the vehicle 100 acquires information on the power

(hereinafter referred to simply as "power information") from a power information server 50 connected to the electric feeder line 20, via the electric feeder line 20 and the charging station 30. The power information includes information on the amount of carbon dioxide discharged in generating the electric power fed by the electric feeder line 20 (which is, for example, the amount of carbon dioxide discharged to generate 1 kwh of electric power (i.e., commercial power), and will be referred to as the "C0₂ discharge amount"). The vehicle 100 then inputs the electric power from the charging station 30 to charge the storage device only if the C0₂ discharge amount included in the power information acquired from the power information server 50 is smaller than a preset threshold.

[0037] The power information server 50 is connected to the electric feeder line 20. The power information server 50 creates power information including the C0₂ discharge amount, and outputs the created power information to the electric feeder line 20 with the aid of a modem (not shown) or the like. It should be noted that the C0₂ discharge amount may be calculated by, for example, multiplying a ratio of each power generation method (thermal power generation, nuclear power generation, and the like) in the electric power supplied to the electric feeder line 20 by a discharge amount of carbon dioxide in a corresponding one of the power generation methods and summating respective the amount corresponding to the respective power generation methods obtained through multiplication. In general, thermal power generation discharges more carbon dioxide than the other power generation methods. If the ratio of thermal power generation is high, the C0₂ discharge amount will likely be high as well.

[0038] It should be noted that the power information from the power information server 50 may also be acquired through, for example, radio

communication using electric waves or the like, cable communication via a

communication network line such as the Internet, a phone line or the like, instead of using the method of acquiring the power information via the electric feeder line 20 as described above.

[0039] FIG 2 is an overall block diagram of the vehicle 100 according to this embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG 2, the vehicle 100 is equipped with a storage device 110, a system main relay (hereinafter referred to also as an SMR) 115, a power control unit (a PCU) 120, a motor generator 130, a motive energy transmission gear 140, driving wheels 150, an engine 190, and a control device (hereinafter referred to also as an electronic control unit (an ECU)) 300. [0040] The storage device 110 is a power storage element constructed in a rechargeable and dischargeable manner. The storage device 110 is so constructed as to include, for example, a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery, a

nickel-hydrogen battery, a lead storage battery, or the like, or a storage element such as an electric double-layer capacitor, or the like.

[0041] The storage device 110 is connected, via the SMR 115, to the PCU 120 for driving the motor generator 130. The storage device 110 then supplies power to the PCU 120 for generating the driving force of the vehicle 100. Further, the storage device 110 stores power generated by the motor generator 130. The storage device 110 has an output of, for example, 200 V.

[0042] One end of each relay included in the SMR 115 is connected to a positive electrode terminal of the storage device 110 and a negative electrode terminal of the storage device 110 respectively. In addition, the other end of each relay included in the SMR 115 is respectively connected to a power line PL1 and a grounding line NL1, which are connected to the PCU 120. The SMR 115 then switches between power supply and power shutoff, between the storage device 110 and the PCU 120 in accordance with a control signal SE1 from the ECU 300.

[0043] The PCU 120 includes a converter 121, an inverter 122, and capacitors CI and C2.

[0044] The converter 121 carries out power conversion between a set of the power line PL1 and the grounding line NL1 and a set of a power line HPL and the grounding line NL1, in accordance with a control signal PWC from the ECU 300.

[0045] The inverter 122 is connected to the power line HPL and the grounding line NL1. The inverter 122 converts direct-current power supplied from the converter 121 into alternating-current power in accordance with a control signal PWI from the ECU 300, and drives the motor-generator 130. It should be noted that although this embodiment of the invention presents, as an example, a configuration that includes a single pair of a motor-generator and an inverter, an alternative configuration that includes a plurality of pairs of motor-generators and inverters may also be adopted.

[0046] The capacitor CI is provided between the power line PLl and the grounding line NLl to reduce voltage fluctuations between the power line PLl and the grounding line NLl. Further, the capacitor C2 is provided between the power line HPL and the grounding line NLl to reduce voltage fluctuations between the power line HPL and the grounding line NLl.

[0047] The motor generator 130 is an alternating-current rotating electrical machine, for example, a permanent magnet-type synchronous motor equipped with a rotor in which a permanent magnet is embedded.

[0048] The output torque of the motor generator 130 is transmitted to the driving wheels 150 via the motive energy transmission gear 140, which is composed of a reducer and a motive energy splitting mechanism, to propel the vehicle 100. The motor generator 130 can generate a power through torques from the driving wheels 150 during regenerative braking operation of the vehicle 100. The generated power is then converted into a power for charging the storage device 110 by the PCU 120.

[0049] Further, the engine 190 is joined to the motor generator 130 and the driving wheels 150 via the motive energy transmission gear 140. The engine 190 and the motor generator 130 are then operated in a cooperative manner to generate the driving force required by the vehicle. In this case, the storage device 110 can also be charged using power generated through the rotation of the engine 190. It should be noted that the PCU 120, the motor generator 130, the motive energy transmission gear 140, the driving wheels 150, and the engine 190 constitute a drive device 116.

[0050] In this embodiment of the invention, the vehicle 100 is described citing a hybrid vehicle as an example as described above. The configuration of the vehicle 100 is not limited as long as the vehicle is equipped with an electric motor for generating a driving force of the vehicle. The vehicle 100 may be a fuel-cell-powered vehicle or an electric vehicle that is not equipped with an engine, instead of a hybrid vehicle whose driving force is generated by an engine and an electric motor as shown in FIG 1.

[0051] The ECU 300 includes, although not shown in FIG. 2, a central processing device (a CPU), a memory device, and an input/output buffer. Signals from various sensors and the like are input to the ECU 300, and the ECU 300 in turn outputs control signals to various components to control the vehicle 100 and the respective components. It should be noted that the control processings of the components are not required to be realized by software, but can also be realized by a dedicated piece of hardware (an electronic circuit).

[0052] The ECU 300 receives detected values of a voltage VB and a current

IB from sensors (not shown) included in the storage device 110. The ECU 300 calculates a state of charge (an SOC) of the storage device 110 based on the voltage VB and the current IB.

[0053] Further, the ECU 300 executes later-described charging control of the storage device 110 in addition to the control of the SMR 115 and the PCU 120.

[0054] It should be noted that although the ECU 300 is illustrated as the single control device in FIG 2, it may adopt a configuration in which control devices are provided individually for the respective components or respective functions.

[0055] As a configuration for charging the storage device 110 with the commercial power from the charging station 30, the vehicle 100 is further equipped with a power conversion device 200, a charging relay CHR 210, a reception portion 220, a connection portion 230, a display portion 240, an input portion 250, and a setting portion 260.

[0056] The connection portion 230 is provided on a body of the vehicle 100 to receive electric power from the charging station 30. A charging connector 420 of a charging cable 400 is connected to the connection portion 230. A power supply plug 410 of the charging cable 400 is then connected to the socket 32 of the charging station 30, and electric power from the charging station 30 is thereby transmitted to the vehicle 100 via an electric wire portion 430 of the charging cable 400. Further, the electric wire portion 430 of the charging cable 400 is fitted with a charging circuit interrupt device (hereinafter referred to also as a CCID) 440 for switching between the supply of power to the vehicle 100 from the charging station 30 and the shutoff of power to the vehicle 100 from the charging station 30.

[0057] The power conversion device 200 is connected to the connection portion 230 via power lines ACL1 and ACL2. The power conversion device 200 is also connected to the storage device 110 via a CHR 210. The power conversion device 200 then converts alternating-current power supplied from the charging station 30 into direct-current power to charge the storage device 110 in accordance with the control signal PWD from the ECU 300.

[0058] One end of each relay included in the CHR 210 is connected to the positive electrode terminal of the storage device 110 and the negative electrode terminal of the storage device 110 respectively. The other end of each relay included in the CHR 210 is respectively connected to a power line PL2 and a grounding line NL2, which are connected to the power conversion device 200. The CHR 210 then switches between power supply and power shutoff between the storage device 110 and the power conversion device 200 in accordance with control signal SE2 from the ECU 300.

[0059] The reception portion 220 is connected to the power lines ACL1 and

ACL2. The reception portion 220 may be, for example, a power line communication module that sends and receives control signals through power line communication (PLC), and receives power information sent from the power information server 50 via the electric feeder line 20, the charging station 30, and the charging cable 400. The reception portion 220 then sends the received power information INFG to the ECU 300 through communication.

[0060] It should be noted that power information from the power information server 50 may be received through radio communication using electric waves or the like or cable communication via a communication network line such as the Internet, a phone line or the like, as well as power line communication as described aJbove. The reception portion 220 can be designed to handle these communication modes.

[0061] The display portion 240 is a user interface for displaying a state of performance or prohibition of external charging, which is determined in later-described charging control, and display information DSP from the ECU 300, such as map information and the like. The display portion 240 may be a display lamp, an indicator such as an LED or the like, a liquid crystal display, or the like.

[0062] The input portion 250 is a user interface for issuing a command to forcibly perform charging when external charging is prohibited in later-described charging control. The input portion 250 may be, for example, a push button switch. When a user operates the switch, an emergency charging signal EMG is thereby output to the ECU 300.

[0063] The setting portion 260 is a user interface used to set information on a destination, such as the destination of the vehicle 100, a running route (i.e., travel route) of the vehicle 100, and the like. Information DIS on the destination- set by the setting portion 260 is sent to the ECU 300.

[0064] It should be noted that although the display portion 240, the input portion 250, and the setting portion 260 are shown as separate elements in FIG 2, these elements may be integrated into a single element as, for example, a navigation system.

[0065] Further, the CCID 440 of the charging cable 400 may also h>e included the function of the display portion 240 and the input portion 250. In this case, the ECU 300 is connected to the CCID 440 by a communication line (not shown) included in the electric wire portion 430 via the connection portion 230. The emergency charging signal EMG that is input by the user is output to the ECU 300, and the display information DSP from the ECU 300 is displayed by the CCID 440.

[0066] To protect the environment, the vehicle 100 configured as described above may be configured to determine whether to perform or prohibit charging in accordance with the C0₂ discharge amount during the generation of a commercial power transmitted from the charging station. More specifically, while charging is performed when the C0₂ discharge amount is smaller than a predetermined threshold, charging is prohibited when the C0₂ discharge amount is equal to or larger than the predetermined threshold. Thus, the vehicle 100 can be caused to run using a power with a smaller environmental load.

[0067] However, in this configuration in which it is determined whether charging can be performed, charging may become impossible when the C0₂ discharge amount is equal to or larger than the predetermined threshold in the case where, for example, an electric vehicle cannot be driven through electricity due to a fall in the charging amount of a storage device mounted on the vehicle below a lower-limit level. Further, in a hybrid vehicle, a similar problem may occur when emergency charging is required when the vehicle cannot be caused to run by an engine due to a shortage of fuel, restrictions on the driving of the vehicle by the engine in an emission control area (or a reduced emissions area), a demand to reduce the amount of fuel consumption caused by a rise in the price of fuel, or the like.

[0068] Thus, in this embodiment of the invention, as will be described below, a charging control allowing the performance of emergency charging, namely, the forcible performance of charging regardless of the C0₂ discharge amount is executed when emergency charging is required in the case where the charging of the storage device is prohibited on the basis of the C0₂ discharge amount during commercial power generation as described above.

[0069] FIG 3 is a functional block diagram for explaining charging control executed by the ECU 300 in this embodiment of the invention. Respective functional blocks illustrated in the functional block diagram of FIG 3 are realized by processings performed by the ECU 300 through hardware or software.

[0070] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the ECU 300 includes a determination portion 310, an SOC calculation portion 320, a command generation portion 330, a memory portion 340, a display control portion 350, and a charging control portion 360. Further, the memory portion 340 includes a vehicle database 341 and a map database 342.

[0071] The determination portion 310 receives the power information INFO received by the reception portion 220. The determiaiation portion 310 determines whether the C0₂ discharge amount included in the power information INFO is smaller than a predetermined threshold. The threshold is determined on the basis of, for example, the C0₂ discharge amount when the vehicle travels in a hybrid running mode in which the vehicle is propelled by the engine 190 and the motor generator 130. In other words, the determination portion 310 determines whether the C0₂ discharge amount discharged, when power used when the vehicle travels in an electric running mode in which it is propelled by only the motor generator 130 is produced, is smaller than the C0₂ discharge amount when the vehicle travels in the hybrid running mode.

[0072] The determination portion 310 then outputs a prohibition signal INH as a result of determination thereof to the command g eneration portion 330 and the display control portion 350. More specifically, the prohibition signal is set off if the C0₂ discharge amount is smaller than the threshold, aaid is set on if the C0₂ discharge amount is equal to or larger than the threshold.

[0073] The SOC calculation portion 320 receives detected values of the voltage VB of the storage device 110 and the current IB of the storage device 110 from the storage device 110. The SOC calculation portion 320 then calculates an SOC of the storage device on the basis of these pieces of information, and outputs a calculation result to the command generation portion 330.

[0074] The command generation portion 330 receives the prohibition signal INH from the determination portion 310 and the SOC from the SOC calculation portion 320. Further, the command generation portion 330 receives the emergency charging signal EMG from the input portion 250 and iaiformation DIS on the destination from the setting portion 260. [0075] The command generation portion 330 basically sets a charging command value CHG such that the SOC of the storage device 110 becomes full when external charging is performed. However, when the prohibition signal INH from the determination portion 310 is set on, the charging command value CHG is set such that charging is not performed.

[0076] However, even when charging is thus prohibited, if the emergency charging signal EMG is input from the input portion 250, the command generation portion 330 performs emergency charging, namely, performs charging even in the case where the prohibition signal INH is set on.

[0077] It should be noted that the storage device 110 may be fully charged when this emergency charging is performed, but that an increase in environmental load may be caused when the storage device 110 is charged beyond necessity because a power corresponding to a large C0₂ discharge amount during power generation is used to charge the storage device 110. Thus, it is desirable to set a minimum required charging amount in the case of emergency charging.

[0078] Thus, in executing emergency charging, the command generation portion 330 sets the charging command value CHG such that the storage device 110 is charged by the minimum required charging amount.

[0079] The required charging amount may be set as, for example, a power amount that allows the vehicle to reach the next running destination set in the setting portion 260 by the user. The command generation portion 330 sets the charging command value CHG on the basis of information on a running route to the destination from the map database 342 included in the memory portion 340 and an amount of power consumption in the case where the vehicle runs along the running route, which is included in the vehicle database 341.

[0080] Alternatively, the command generation portion 330 may set another charging station or filling station nearest the current position of the vehicle 100 as a destination by referring the map information in the map database 342, and may set a charging amount sufficient to allow the vehicle to reach the set destination as the charging command value CHG.

[0081] This is because the configuration of a power plant for supplying commercial power differs from region to region, and because the C0₂ discharge amount may be reduced when there is another charging station with a small C0₂ discharge amount during power generation nearby or when the vehicle travels in the hybrid running mode or using only the engine 190. It should be noted in this case that candidates of charging stations and filling stations around the current position may be displayed on a screen of the display portion 240 together with data on the C0₂ discharge amount, and that the user may select a destination from among those candidates.

[0082] Further, to simplify control, the command generation portion 330 may set, as the charging command value CHG, a preset charging amount that is lower than a full charging amount in performing emergency charging. It is also possible to have the user directly set the charging amount from the setting portion 260.

[0083] The command generation portion 330 then outputs to the display control portion 350 position information POS, including map information on the current position of the vehicle 100 and the periphery thereof, and state information STAT on a state during the performance of charging. Further, the command generation portion 330 outputs the set charging command value CHG to the charging control portion 360.

[0084] The display control portion 350 receives the prohibition signal INH from the determination portion 310, and the position information POS from the command generation portion 330 and trie state information STAT from the command generation portion 330. The display control portion 350 then outputs these pieces of information to the display portion 240 as the display information DSP.

[0085] The charging control portion 360 receives the charging command value CHG from the command generation portion 330. The charging control portion 360 then generates a control signal PWD for driving the power conversion device 200 in accordance with this charging command value CHG, and outputs the control signal PWD to the power conversion device 200.

[0086] FIG 4 is a flowchart for explaining the details of a charging control process executed by the ECU 300 in this embodiment of the invention. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, the process is executed by execution on a predetermined cycle of a program stored in advance in the ECU 300 and called from a main routine. Alternatively, processes in some or all the steps can be realized by a dedicated piece of hardware (an electronic circuit) as well.

[0087] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the ECU 300 determines in step 100 whether the charging cab>le 400 is connected to the connection portion 230 and to the charging station 30.

[0088] If the charging cable 400 is not connected to the connection portion 230 or the charging station 30 (NO in step 100), external charging is not performed. Therefore, the process returns to the main routine.

[0089] If the charging cable 400 is connected to the connection portion 230 and the charging station 30 (YES in step 100), the process proceeds to step 110 where the ECU 300 acquires the power information INFO received by the reception portion 220.

[0090] Next, the ECU 300 determines in step 120 whether the C0₂ discharge amount included in the acquired power information is smaller than a predetermined threshold.

[0091] If the CO₂ discharge amount is smaller than the predetermined threshold (YES in step 120), the process proceeds to step 130, where the ECU 300 allows external charging and drives the power conversion device 200 to perform a charging process for the storage device 110.

[0092] If the CO₂ discharge amount is equal to or larger than the

predetermined threshold O in step 120), the process proceeds to step 140 where the ECU 300 suspends external charging to reduce the environmental load. Then, the display portion 240 displays that charging is suspended as a result of the C0₂ discharge amount.

[0093] The ECU 300 then determines in step 150 whether the emergency charging signal EMG is set on through the operation of the user. It should be noted that the ECU 300 may determine whether to set the emergency charging signal EMG on or off. Γη this case, for example, a threshold of the state of charge SOC may be preset in the ECU 300, and it may be determined that the emergency charging signal EMG should be turned on when the SOC is smaller than this threshold.

[0094] If the emergency charging signal EMG is off (NO in step 150), the process returns to the main routine and charging remains suspended.

[0095] If the emergency charging signal EMG is on (YES in step 150), the process proceeds to step 160 where a required charging amount for emergency charging is calculated. In calculating the required charging amount in step 160, various methods as described with reference to FIG 3 may be adopted. FIG 5 shows an detailed example of a process in this step 160.

[0096] Referring to FIG. 5, when the process proceeds to step 160, the ECU 300 searches, in step 161, candidates of charging stations and/or filling stations around the current position of the vehicle 100, on the basis of the map database 342 of the memory portion 340. At this moment, the display portion 240 displays the searched candidates as well as information on C0₂ discharge amounts in respective regions which is acquired from the reception portion 220 or the like.

[0097] Next, in step 162, the ECU 300 acquires information on a destination selected through the operation of the user, and information on a selected running route in the case where there are a plurality of running routes to the destination. It should be that the ECU 300 may uniquely select a destination and a running route in accordance with a preset condition.

[0098] Then in step 163, the ECU 300 calculates a required charging amount on the basis of information on the selected destination and the selected running route and data on the amount of power consumption included in the vehicle database 341.

[0099] Referring again to FIG 4, when the required charging amount is set in step 160, the process proceeds to step 130. The ECU 300 then controls the power conversion device 200 based on the set required charging amount to execute the charging process for the storage device 110.

[0100] It should be noted that when the discharge amount of supplied C0₂ becomes smaller than the threshold after external charging is temporarily suspended in step 140, an affirmative answer YES is selected in step 120 to resume normal external charging.

[0101] By performing the control according to the processing as described ahove, charging can be performed through the operation of the user when emergency charging is required even in the case where the C0₂ discharge amount during power generation becomes equal to or larger than the threshold and external charging is prohibited.

[0102] FIG 6 is a schematic diagram in the case where the CCID 440 of the charging cable 400 is provided with a display portion and an input portion.

[0103] Referring to FIG 6, display lamps 441 and 442 and a switch 443 are provided on a surface of the CCID 440.

[0104] The display lamp 441 is, for example, a red lamp, and lights up when th.e C0₂ discharge amount becomes equal to or larger than the threshold and external charging is prohibited, namely, when the prohibition signal INH is set on.

[0105] The display lamp 442 is, for example, a green lamp, and lights up when the C0₂ discharge amount becomes smaller than the threshold and external charging is performed, namely, when the prohibition signal INH is set off.

[0106] The switch 443 is a switch to be operated in performing emergency charging. The storage device 110 can be charged in an emergency by operating this S"witch 443 when the C0₂ discharge amount becomes equal to or larger than the threshold and external charging is prohibited.

[0107] In general, when external charging is performed, the user is often outside the vehicle. Thus, by thus providing the charging cable 400 with the input portion and the display portion, a state of performance or prohibition of external charging can be recognized even in the case where the user is outside the vehicle, and the operation can be performed outside the vehicle when emergency charging is required.

[0108] The embodiment of the invention disclosed herein is an example in all respects and should be considered to be nonrestrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated not by the description of the foregoing embodiment of the invention but by the claims. The invention is intended to include all the modifications that are equivalent in sense and scope to the claims.

Claims

1. A charging apparatus that charges a storage device using a commercial power from a commercial power supply, comprising:

a power conversion device that converts the commercial power into a power charged to the storage device; and

a control device that controls whether to perform or prohibit charging of the storage device via the power conversion device on a basis of information on an amount of carbon dioxide discharged to generate the commercial power, and performs the charging of the storage device even when the charging of the storage device is prohibited on the basis of the information on the amount of carbon dioxide in a case where the charging of the storage device needs to be forcibly performed.

2. The charging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the information on the amount of carbon dioxide includes the amount of carbon dioxide discharged to generate the commercial power, and

the control device prohibits the charging of the storage device when the amount of carbon dioxide is equal to or larger than a threshold, and performs the charging of the storage device when the amount of carbon dioxide is smaller than the threshold.

3. The charging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein

the control device sets a required charging amount for the storage device on a basis of information on a purpose of use of the power in the case where the charging of the storage device needs to be forcibly performed.

4. The charging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a reception portion that receives the information on the amount of carbon dioxide.

5. The charging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein

the reception portion receives the information on the amount of carbon dioxide via an electric feeder line for feeding the commercial power.

6. The charging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein

the reception portion receives the information on the amount of carbon dioxide through radio communication or cable communication.

7. The charging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising: a display portion that displays a state of performance or prohibition of the charging of the storage device.

8. The charging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein

the control device charges the storage device with a predetermined charging amount in the case where the charging of the storage device needs to be forcibly performed.

9. The charging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein

the charging of the storage device needs to be forcibly performed when a command to forcibly perform the charging of the storage device is received from a user.

10. A vehicle that is charged using a commercial power from a commercial power supply, comprising:

a rechargeable storage device;

a drive device that generates a driving force for causing the vehicle to run using a power from the storage device;

11. The vehicle according to claim 10, wherein

12. The vehicle according to claim 10 or 11, wherein

the control device sets a required charging amount for the storage device on a basis of information on a destination in the case where the charging of the storage device needs to be forcibly performed.

13. The vehicle according to claim 12, wherein

the required charging amount is set on a basis of an amount of a power consumed by the drive device to reach the destination.

14. The vehicle according to claim 12 or 13, wherein

the information on the destination includes information on a current position of the vehicle, and

the destination is determined on a basis of the current position.

15. The vehicle according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein

the destination is a charging station capable of charging the vehicle.

16. The vehicle according to any one of claims 12 to 14, further comprising:

an internal combustion engine that operates as a motive energy source of the vehicle, wherein

the destination is a filling stand capable of supplying fuel to the internal combustion engine.

17. The vehicle according to claim 14, wherein

the control device includes a memory portion in which map information on a neighborhood of the current position is stored in advance, and searches candidates of the destination on a basis of the map information.

18. The vehicle according to claim 17, wherein

the control device sets the required charging amount on a basis of information on a running route to a destination selected by a user from among the candidates of the destination.

19. The vehicle according to claim 17 or 18, further comprising:

a display portion that displays the candidates of the destination.

20. The vehicle according to any one of claims 10 to 19, wherein

21. The vehicle according to claim 20, further comprising:

an input portion that allows the user to input the command.

22. The vehicle according to any one of claims 10 to 21, further comprising:

a reception portion that receives the information on the amount of carbon dioxide.

23. The vehicle according to any one of claims 10 to 22, further comprising:

a display portion that displays a state of performance or prohibition of the charging of the storage device.