WO2012133024A1

WO2012133024A1 - Charge control device and charge control system using same

Info

Publication number: WO2012133024A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/057116
Authority: WO
Inventors: 國吉　賢治; 井平　靖久; 梅田　直樹; 和生土橋
Original assignee: パナソニック株式会社
Priority date: 2011-03-30
Filing date: 2012-03-21
Publication date: 2012-10-04
Also published as: JP2012210132A; JP5874047B2

Abstract

Provided are a charge control device and a charge control system using the same, whereby a user is readily able to ascertain information on electricity pricing for different time zones. This charge control system comprises a charge control device (10) as well as a smart meter (20) for acquiring, and transmitting to a server device (84) of a power supply company, the power usage amount received from a commercial power source and used in a home. A slave unit (22) of the smart meter (20) acquires information on electricity pricing for different time zones from the server device (84), and outputs the information to the charge control device (10). The charge control device (10) comprises: a contact part (12) for opening and closing a power supply path from a power source to a charge device of an electric vehicle (70); a communication unit for receiving information on electricity pricing for different time zones from the smart meter (20); a notification unit (16) for operating to provide notifications to a user; and a control unit (11) for causing the notification unit (16) to provide notifications of the electricity pricing for different time zones as acquired by the communication unit 14.

Description

Charge control device and charge control system using the same

The present invention relates to a charge control device and a charge control system using the same.

Conventionally, there has been a charging cable unit that is provided with a plug for connection to an outlet and a device connection connector that is connected to a connector on the electric vehicle side, and is used for supplying commercial power from the outlet to the electric vehicle for charging. (For example, see Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010-11050, hereinafter referred to as “Patent Document 1”).

In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, during charging using the charging cable unit, the charge amount calculated from the integrated value of the electric energy consumed for charging and the integrated value of the electric energy is provided in the charging cable unit. It also describes displaying on the display unit.

By the way, when charging a battery of an electric vehicle using a commercial power source, it is more economical to charge in a time zone where the electricity rate is cheap because the electricity rate of the commercial power source changes depending on the time zone. For this reason, it is considered that the user charges the electric vehicle in anticipation of a time when the electricity charge is cheap, but the electricity charge for each time body may be changed by the power company, and the current electricity charge is accurately remembered. It was a burden for the user to keep.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a charge control device that allows a user to easily grasp information on electricity charges according to time zones and a charge control system using the same. It is in.

The charging control device of the present application includes a contact portion, a receiving portion, a notification portion, and a control portion. The contact portion opens and closes a power feeding path from the power source to the power storage device of the electric vehicle. A receiving part receives the information of the electricity bill according to time zone from the outside. The notification unit performs a notification operation to the user. The control unit causes the notification unit to notify the information on the electricity bill for each time period acquired by the reception unit.

The charging control device includes a first selection operation unit for the user to select a desired electricity charge from the electricity charge for each time period notified by the notification unit, and the control unit selects the first selection operation unit. It is also preferable to close the contact portion in a time zone corresponding to the electricity bill.

In this charging control apparatus, it is also preferable that the control unit closes the contact portion in a time zone corresponding to a cheaper electricity rate based on the electricity rate for each time zone acquired by the receiving unit.

This charging control device is used in a charging control system in which a commercial power source and a power storage facility for storing electric power are used as a power source. When the charge of the power storage facility can be used for charging the electric vehicle, the charging control device sends a control signal for causing the electric vehicle to supply the power stored in the power storage facility with priority over the commercial power supply. It is also preferable to transmit to a power supply control unit that switches the supply source.

In this charging control device, the power supply plug that is detachably connected to the power reception socket of the electric vehicle is removed from the power reception socket, or the power supply plug is stored in the storage portion that stores the power supply plug. When any one of the operations is performed, the control unit preferably causes the notification unit to notify the electricity cost for the current charging.

In this charging control device, the control unit causes the notification unit to notify the information on the power supply source that can be used for charging. The charging control device includes a second selection operation unit for the user to select a desired power supply source from the power supply sources notified by the notification unit, and the control unit is selected by the second selection operation unit. It is also preferable to control the power supply control unit that switches the power supply source so that power is supplied from the power supply source.

In this charging control device, the control unit rearranges the electricity charges for each time zone acquired by the receiving unit in the order of the lowest unit price, and starts from number 1 in the order of the lowest price for the rearranged time zone. It is also preferable to assign K, charge time sequentially from the assigned number K in ascending order, and close the contact portion in the assigned time period to perform charging.

The charge control system of the present application includes any one of the above-described charge control devices and a smart meter that receives power from a commercial power source and accumulates the amount of power used in the house and transmits it to the server device of the power supplier. Prepare. The smart meter includes an acquisition unit that acquires information on electricity charges by time zone from the server device, and a transmission unit that transmits the acquired information on electricity rates by time zone to the charging control device. The control unit of the charging control device causes the notification unit to notify the information on the electricity bill for each time period received by the reception unit.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a charge control device in which a user can easily grasp information on electricity charges by time zone and a charge control system using the same.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in further detail. Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood with reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
It is a system configuration figure of the charge control system of this embodiment. FIG. 2A is a front view, and FIG. 2B is a side view. It is a perspective view which shows the other form of a charge control apparatus same as the above. It is a figure explaining the usage pattern of a charge control apparatus same as the above. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement same as the above. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement same as the above. It is a graph which shows an example of the electricity bill information which said same acquired. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement same as the above. It is a system block diagram which shows the other structure of a charge control system same as the above.

A charge control device of this embodiment and a charge control system using the same will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of the charging control system of the present embodiment. This charge control system is applied to a detached house 60 and includes a charge control device 10 and a smart meter 20 as main components. In the present embodiment, the charge control system is applied to a detached house, but it goes without saying that the charge control system may be applied to an office, an apartment house, or the like.

The charging control device 10 is installed, for example, on the outer wall of the house 60, and controls power supply from the power source (in this embodiment, the commercial AC power source 90, the solar battery panel 62, and the storage battery 63) to the electric vehicle 70. . The electric vehicle 70 includes, for example, an electric vehicle (EV) having only an electric motor as a power source, a hybrid vehicle (HEV) and a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) that use an engine and an electric motor together as a power source. The electric vehicle 70 includes a secondary battery 71 made of, for example, a lithium ion secondary battery as a power source for driving the electric motor, and includes a charging circuit 72 for charging the secondary battery 71. Here, the secondary battery 71 and the charging circuit 72 constitute a power storage device.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the charging control device 10. 2A is a front view of the charging control apparatus 10, and FIG. 2B is a side view of the charging control apparatus 10.

The charging control device 10 includes a control unit 11, a contact point unit 12, an opening / closing control unit 13, a communication unit 14, an operation unit 15, a notification unit 16, a CPLT communication unit 17, and a power supply unit 18. Prepare as a simple configuration. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the charging control device 10 includes a vertically long container 30 installed on an outer wall 68 of a house 60, and the above-described circuit units are housed inside the container 30.

The control unit 11 is composed of a microcomputer, for example, and performs general control of the charging control device 10.

The contact portion 12 includes a relay in which a contact is connected between the power cable L1 from the distribution board 61 installed in the house and the power cable L2 connected to the electric vehicle 70.

The opening / closing control unit 13 switches the contact unit 12 on / off in accordance with a control signal from the control unit 11. That is, the control unit 11 controls on / off of the contact unit 12 (via the opening / closing control unit 13). In addition, when the open / close control unit 13 detects the occurrence of electric leakage in the electric vehicle 70 or the power supply path to the electric vehicle 70, the open / close control unit 13 opens the contact portion 12 (off) to protect the circuit on the electric vehicle 70 side. Have.

The communication unit 14 communicates with the outside (for example, the smart meter 20). The communication unit 14 includes, for example, a specific low power wireless module, and performs wireless communication with the smart meter 20 installed on the outer wall of the house 60. The communication method between the communication unit 14 and the smart meter 20 is not limited to wireless communication, but may be wired communication (for example, communication via a communication cable, power line carrier communication via a power cable, etc.). .

The operation unit 15 is operated by the user and outputs a signal corresponding to the operation result to the control unit 11. The operation unit 15 includes a plurality of operation buttons 15a to 15d that are operated by a user, and these operation buttons 15a to 15d are arranged vertically in the vertical center of the front surface of the body 30 (see FIG. 2A). . Among the plurality of operation buttons 15a to 15d, the operation button 15a is used to select, for example, an electricity charge to be used for charging from an electricity charge for each time zone, or to select a power supply source to be used for charging from a plurality of power supply sources. This is a selection button operated. The operation button 15b is a determination button that is operated to determine the content selected by the operation button 15a. The operation button 15c is a test button that is operated to check whether the leakage protection function operates normally. The operation button 15 d is a reset button that is operated to reset the operation of the charging control device 10. When the user operates these operation buttons 15a to 15d, a signal corresponding to the operation is output to the control unit 11.

The notification unit 16 is for notifying the user of various types of information, and includes a liquid crystal display (display unit) 16a that performs a notification operation by displaying characters, pictograms, images, and the like, and voice and melody sounds. And a speaker 16b for performing a notification operation. The liquid crystal display 16a and the speaker 16b are disposed above the operation buttons 15a to 15d on the front surface of the container 30.

The lower part of the container body 30 is provided with a storage part 31 that is open to the front side and the lower side, and the storage part 31 is provided with a horizontal bar 32 whose left and right ends are fixed to the inner wall of the storage part 31. Yes. The power supply plug 33 detachably connected to the power receiving socket of the electric vehicle 70 is provided with a hook 34 for hooking on the horizontal bar 32, and the plug 33 is stored in the storage portion 31 by hooking the hook 34 on the horizontal bar 32. It is held in a suspended state. The power supply plug 33 is connected to the contact portion 12 via a cable L <b> 2 led out from the container body 30.

The CPLT communication unit 17 transmits and receives a pilot signal [a so-called CPLT signal defined in the SAE (American Automotive Engineers Association) standard] that mutually notifies the operation state between the charging control device 10 and the electric vehicle 70. That is, CPLT communication unit 17 communicates with electric vehicle 70 using the pilot signal.

The power supply unit 18 is connected to the distribution board 61 via the power cable L1 and supplied with AC power from the distribution board 61 to supply operating power to the internal circuit of the charging control apparatus 10.

The charging control device 10 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B is a wall-mounted type, but may be a portable type as shown in FIGS. This charging control device 10 has an elongated box-like shape and is provided with a container body 35 that is formed to a size that can be carried by a person. The above-described circuit is housed inside the container body 35. Yes. A power cable L1 is led out from one end side in the longitudinal direction of the container body 35 (right end side in FIG. 3), and a plug 36 connected to

outlets

66 and 67 provided on the outer wall of the house 60 is connected to the power cable L1. Is provided. A cable L2 is led out from the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the container body 35 (left end side in FIG. 3), and a power supply plug 37 connected to a power receiving socket of the electric vehicle 70 is provided on the cable L2. Yes. A plurality of operation buttons 15 a to 15 d constituting the operation unit 15 and a liquid crystal display 16 a constituting the notification unit 16 are arranged on the upper surface of the container body 35.

The smart meter 20 is connected in the middle of the power cable L3 drawn from the high voltage distribution line 91 that distributes the commercial AC power supply 90 to the distribution board 61 of the house 60 through the pole transformer 92, and the wattmeter 21 and the slave unit 22 as a main configuration. The watt hour meter 21 accumulates the amount of power used in the house 60 where the smart meter 20 is installed, and accumulates the accumulated value. The subunit | mobile_unit 22 communicates between the server apparatuses 84 by the side of an electric power provider through the main | base station 81 installed for every some consumer, and the information of the electric power consumption measured by the electric energy meter 21 Is transmitted to the server device 84. In addition, the slave unit 22 acquires information on the electricity rate for each time zone from the server device 84 and transmits the information on the electricity rate for each time zone to the charging control device 10. The information on the electricity charges for each time zone is, for example, a data set in which a plurality of time zones obtained by dividing 24 hours into a plurality of periods are associated with an electricity fee (electricity charge unit price). The base unit 81 is connected to the communication network 83 via the media converter 82, and communicates with the server device 84 via the communication network 83.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the private power generation equipment is installed in the house 60 to which the charge control system is applied. There are various types of private power generation facilities, for example, a fuel cell, a solar power generation facility, and a wind power generation facility. In this embodiment, the solar power generation facility is employed. A solar battery panel 62 is installed on the roof of the house 60 as a private power generation facility. The house 60 is provided with a storage battery 63 (power storage facility) that stores power generated by the private power generation facility (in this embodiment, the solar cell panel 62). Since a power generation facility using natural energy such as solar power generation or wind power generation does not have a constant power generation amount, a necessary amount may be supplied to a load in the house after the power is once stored in the storage battery 63. The power conditioner 64 supplies the electric power generated by the solar battery panel 62 to the storage battery 63 to store the electric power, and converts the direct-current power discharged from the storage battery 63 into alternating current when supplying power from the storage battery 63 to the load. It is connected to an AC power supply 90 and supplied to a load in the house.

As described above, the charging control device 10 according to the present embodiment includes the contact unit 12, the communication unit 14 serving as the reception unit, the notification unit 16, and the control unit 11. The contact portion 12 is connected in the middle of a power feeding path from the power source to the power storage device of the electric vehicle 70 to open and close the power feeding path. The communication part 14 receives the information of the electricity bill according to time zone from the outside (for example, smart meter 20). The notification unit 16 performs a notification operation for a user in the house 60, for example, a liquid crystal display 16a that performs a notification operation with characters or images, or a speaker 16b that performs a notification operation with, for example, voice or melody sound. Is provided. The notification operation by the notification unit 16 is controlled by the control unit 11. In the control part 11, the information of the electricity bill according to time slot | zone which the communication part 14 acquired is displayed, for example on the liquid crystal display 16a, or is output with the sound from the speaker 16b.

Further, the charge control system of the present embodiment includes a charge control device 10 including a contact unit 12, a communication unit (reception unit) 14, a notification unit 16, and a control unit 11, and a smart meter 20. The smart meter 20 receives power from a commercial power source, accumulates the amount of power used at home, and transmits it to the server device 84 of the power supplier. The smart meter 20 includes an acquisition unit (slave unit 22) that acquires information on electricity charges for each time zone from the server device 84, and the information on the electricity rates for each time zone that the acquisition unit has acquired is stored in the charging control device 10. Send. The control unit 11 of the charging control device 10 causes the notification unit 16 to notify the information on the electricity rate for each time zone received from the smart meter 20 by the communication unit (reception unit) 14.

The subunit | mobile_unit 22 of the smart meter 20 accesses the server apparatus 84 which a power supply provider manages regularly or with a predetermined timing, and acquires the information of the electricity bill according to time zone from the server apparatus 84. FIG. The subunit | mobile_unit 22 will transmit this information to the charge control apparatus 10, if the information of the electricity bill according to time zone is acquired from the server apparatus 84. FIG. When the control unit 11 of the charging control apparatus 10 acquires information on the electricity bill by time zone from the slave unit 22 via the communication unit 14, the control unit 11 causes the notification unit 16 to notify the information.

The control unit 11 may cause the communication unit 14 to transmit an information acquisition command for acquiring information on electricity charges for each time zone. When the slave unit 22 of the smart meter 20 receives the information acquisition command from the communication unit 14, the slave unit 22 accesses the server device 84 to acquire information on the electricity bill for each time zone, and transmits the acquired information to the charging control device 10. . If the control part 11 acquires the information of the electricity bill classified by time zone from the subunit | mobile_unit 22 via the communication part 14, the information part 16 will alert | report this information.

The control unit 11 responds to the operation of the operation unit 15 by the user (for example, when the user operates any one of the operation buttons 15a to 15d), and the electric charge for each time period acquired by the communication unit (reception unit) 14 The information may be notified by the notification unit 16. The control unit 11 may cause the communication unit 14 to transmit an information acquisition command for acquiring information on the electricity bill for each time period in accordance with the operation of the operation unit 15 by the user.

A human sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a person around the charging control device 10 is provided in the charging control device 10, and the control unit 11 notifies information on electricity charges according to time zones when the human sensor detects a person. You may make it alert | report by the part 16. FIG. When the human sensor detects a person, the control unit 11 may cause the communication unit 14 to transmit an information acquisition command for acquiring information on the electricity bill for each time zone.

The control unit 11 may periodically acquire information on the electricity rate for each time period from the server device 84 at a predetermined time interval determined in advance.

Thus, since the information of the electricity bill according to time zone is notified by the notification unit 16 of the charging control device 10, when the user charges the electric vehicle 70, by confirming the notification content of the notification unit 16, The current electricity bill can be grasped. Therefore, the user can charge the electric vehicle 70 by selecting a relatively inexpensive time zone of the electric charge, and can reduce the cost for charging. In addition, the notification unit 16 of the charging control device 10 notifies the electricity bill for each time zone (for example, the electricity bill for each time zone is displayed on the liquid crystal display 16a or outputted by sound from the speaker 16b). The user does not need to remember the electricity charges for each time zone, and the usability is improved. In addition, since electricity charges by time zone are set to be lower at times when electricity demand is relatively low, users can charge electricity at times when electricity charges are cheap, so that electricity demand can be leveled. There is also an advantage that it can be achieved.

In addition, based on the information on the electricity charge for each time zone notified by the notification unit 16, the user operates the selection button 15a to select a desired electricity charge and operates the decision button 15b to perform charging. The hourly electricity rate is selected. When the time zone set in this way (time zone corresponding to the electricity bill selected by the user) comes, the control unit 11 closes (turns on) the contact unit 12 to switch the electric vehicle 70 from the power source. Electric power is supplied, and charging can be performed during a time period selected by the user.

As described above, the charging control apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes the first selection operation unit (selection button 15a or the like for the user to select a desired electricity rate from the electricity rate for each time zone notified by the notification unit 16. And a determination button 15b). And the control part 11 is closing the contact part 12 in the time slot | zone corresponding to the electricity bill selected by the 1st selection operation part.

Thus, if the user has selected an electricity charge at the time of charging, the charging control device 10 automatically starts charging when a time zone corresponding to the selected electricity charge comes. Therefore, when the time zone corresponding to the desired electricity rate comes, there is no need for the user to perform work for starting charging, and usability is improved.

Moreover, the control part 11 of the charging control apparatus 10 closes the contact part 12 in the time slot | zone corresponding to a cheaper electric charge based on the electric charge according to the time slot | zone acquired by the communication part 14, and charges. It is also preferred to do so. For example, the control unit 11 acquires information on the amount of charge necessary to fully charge the secondary battery 71 from the electric vehicle 70, and determines the charging time period so that the total amount of electricity charge for charging is reduced. Is preferred. Here, the process of determining the charging time zone based on the electricity charge for each time zone will be described based on the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6.

The subunit | mobile_unit 22 of the smart meter 20 accesses the server apparatus 84 which a power supply provider manages regularly or with predetermined timing, acquires the information of the electricity bill according to time zone from the server apparatus 84, and acquired time Information on the electricity charges for each band is transmitted to the charging control device 10.

When the control unit 11 of the charging control device 10 acquires the information on the electricity bill for each time zone via the communication unit 14, this information is stored in a memory (not shown).

Further, the control unit 11 periodically monitors whether or not the electric vehicle 70 is connected based on the CPLT signal received by the CPLT communication unit 17 (S1 in FIG. 5). When the electric vehicle 70 is connected (YES in S1), the control unit 11 acquires information on the required charging capacity of the secondary battery 71 from the electric vehicle 70 (S2), and the charged capacity (electric vehicle 70 from the power source). Is set to zero (S3).

Here, the operation mode of the charging control apparatus 10 includes an automatic charging mode in which the electric vehicle 70 is connected and charging is automatically performed when a preset time zone comes, and a timing at which the user connects the electric vehicle 70. There is a manual charging mode to charge with.

When the operation mode of the charging control device 10 is not set to the automatic charging mode (NO in S4), the control unit 11 closes the contact unit 12 after setting the charging conditions (such as necessary charging capacity) (S5). To start charging (S6). The control unit 11 accumulates the charged capacity at a predetermined measurement interval (for example, repeatedly adding “charge amount α” to “previous charged capacity” to derive “current charged capacity”) ( S7) If the charged capacity is less than or equal to the required charge capacity (YES in S8), continue charging, and if the charged capacity exceeds the required charge capacity (NO in S8), the contact portion 12 is opened, Charging is terminated (S9).

Next, processing when the operation mode of the charging control device 10 is set to the automatic charging mode (YES in S4) will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

First, the control unit 11 causes the communication unit 14 to communicate with the smart meter 20, for example, and obtains current date and time information from the smart meter 20 (S10 in FIG. 6). The control unit 11 determines whether or not a desired date and time (desired completion date and time) at which charging is desired is set by the user (S11). If there is a setting (YES in S11), the desired completion date and time is set (S12). ). The control unit 11 may be configured to automatically set the desired completion date and time in accordance with a predetermined method (for example, 12 hours after the current date and time or 8 am next to the current date and time). Next, the control unit 11 calculates the required charging time from the required charging capacity acquired in S2 (S13), and calculates the shortest charging completion date by adding the required charging time to the current date (S14).

Here, if the desired completion date is before the shortest charging completion date, or if the desired completion date is not set (YES in S15), the control unit 11 causes the notification unit 16 to display the shortest charging completion date (S16). Gives the user the opportunity to change the desired completion date and time. When the user changes the desired completion date and time using the operation unit 15, the control unit 11 returns to S 12 based on the changed desired completion date and time and executes the above processing. On the other hand, when the desired completion date / time has not been changed, the control unit 11 performs the processing from S6 onward in FIG. 5 and immediately starts charging.

If the desired completion date / time is later than the shortest charge completion date / time (NO in S15), the control unit 11 completes the desired completion from the current time based on the information on the electricity rate for each time zone acquired by the communication unit 14. The charges by time zone until the date and time are rearranged in the order of the lowest unit price (S18).

Table 1 below shows an example of electricity charges by time zone. Charge A from 23:00 to 7:00 the next day is the lowest price, Charge B from 7:00 to 10:00, and Charge B from 17:00 to 23:00 is the second. The price C from 10:00 to 17:00 is the highest. FIG. 7 is a graph showing the setting of the charge for each time zone.

For example, if the current date is time t1 in FIG. 7, the desired completion date is time t2 on the next day, and the electricity charges by time zone are set as shown in Table 1, the electricity by time zone from time t1 to time t2 The charges are as shown in Table 2.

And the result of having rearranged the electric bill according to the time slot | zone from the time t1 to the time t2 in the cheap order by the control part 11 becomes as Table 3. The control unit 11 assigns numbers K starting from No. 1 in the order of low charges to the electric charges for each time zone from time t1 to time t2.

In this example, when rearranging the electricity charges by time zone, for the time zone where the electricity rate is the same, the time zone closer to the current date and time comes first (the time zone closer to the current date and time is the number K Is smaller). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and rearrangement may be performed so that a time zone close to the current date and time comes after the time zone with the same electricity bill (number K is larger in the time zone closer to the current date and time).

Next, the control unit 11 sets the remaining charge time to the required charge time (S19), and after setting the number K to 1 (S20), determines whether the remaining charge time is longer than 0 (S21). ). If the remaining charging time remains (YES in S21), the control unit 11 determines the time T that can be charged with the K-th time zone charge (in the case of Table 3, K = 1 is 1 hour, and K = 2 is 7). (Time etc.) is obtained (S22), the start time of the charge by time zone is set as the charge start time (S23), and the end time of the charge by time zone is set as the charge end time (S24). The control unit 11 sets the time obtained by subtracting the time T obtained in S22 from the remaining charge time as a new remaining charge time (S25), increments the number K by one (S26), returns to S21, and returns to the remaining charge time. Judge whether it is longer than 0 or not. If it is determined in S21 that the remaining charge time is 0 or less (NO in S21), the control unit 11 stores one or more time zones set in the processing in S22 to S26 in a memory (not shown). To complete the setting of the charging time zone (S27). The control unit 11 sets the charging end time of the Nth time zone charge when the remaining charge time is determined to be 0 or less in S21 after performing the processing of S22 to S26 for the Nth time zone charge. You may try again. For example, the control unit 11 ends the charging of the Nth time zone charge by adding the remaining charge time before performing the process for the Nth time zone charge to the start time of the Nth time zone charge. You may reset the time.

Thereafter, when the charging time zone set in S27 comes, the control unit 11 closes the contact portion 12 and starts automatic charging (S28). When the automatic charging is finished, the setting of the charging time zone is cleared. Then, the charging process is terminated (S29). If a plurality of charging time zones are set before the charging is completed, the contact portion 12 is closed every time the charging start time comes, and then the contact portion 12 is turned off when the charging end time comes. What is necessary is just to open a pole.

As described above, the control unit 11 closes the contact unit 12 in the time zone corresponding to the cheaper electricity rate based on the electricity rate for each time zone acquired by the communication unit 14 and performs charging. ing.

In short, the control unit 11 determines the charging time zone based on the information on the required charging capacity acquired from the electric vehicle 70 and the desired completion date and time set by the user so that the total electricity charge for charging is reduced. ing.

Specifically, the control unit 11 obtains the required charging time based on the information on the required charging capacity. Further, the control unit 11 rearranges the time-based charges from the current time to the desired completion date and time in the order of the lowest unit price based on the information on the electric charges for each time period acquired via the communication unit 14. The control unit 11 assigns the number K to the sorted charges by time zone in the order of low charges. Then, the control unit 11 assigns the charging time in order from the time zone charge with the smallest number K until the total chargeable time T of the time zone charge becomes equal to or greater than the required charge time (that is, the time zone with the lowest unit price). Allocate charging time in order). The control unit 11 performs charging by closing the contact unit 12 in the time zone to which the above charging time is allocated.

As a result, if the electric vehicle 70 is connected to the charging control device 10, the electric vehicle 70 is charged by automatically selecting a time zone in which the electricity rate is relatively low, without increasing the user's effort. The electricity bill for charging can be reduced. In addition, since the electric vehicle 70 is charged by selecting a time zone in which the electricity rate is cheaper, that is, a time zone in which the power demand is relatively low, there is also an advantage that the power demand is leveled.

When the charging of the electric vehicle 70 is completed, the user removes the power supply plug 33 of the charging control device 10 from the socket of the electric vehicle 70. In the control unit 11 of the charging control device 10, the user is exchanged by the CPLT communication unit 17. It can be detected from the CPLT signal that the power supply plug 33 is removed. Then, when detecting that the power supply plug 33 is removed, the control unit 11 calculates the electricity cost for charging based on the information on the electricity charge for each time zone and the amount of charge in each time zone. Then, the calculation result of the electricity bill is displayed on the liquid crystal display 16a or is output from the speaker 16b by voice.

When the charging control device 10 is a wall-mounted type as shown in FIG. 2, a switch for detecting whether or not the power supply plug 33 is stored in the storage unit 31 is provided. When it is detected that the power supply plug 33 has been returned to the storage unit 31, the electricity cost for charging may be displayed on the liquid crystal display 16a.

In this way, the power supply plug 33 detachably connected to the power reception socket of the electric vehicle 70 is removed from the power reception socket, or the power supply plug 33 is installed in the storage portion 31 that stores the power supply plug 33. When any of the stored operations is performed, the control unit 11 causes the notification unit 16 to notify the electricity bill for the current charging.

Specifically, the charging control device 10 includes a CPLT communication unit 17 that transmits and receives a pilot signal to and from the electric vehicle 70. In the control unit 11, the power supply plug 33 is removed from the power reception socket of the electric vehicle 70. When this is detected via the CPLT communication unit 17, the notification unit 16 notifies the electricity bill for the current charging.

Alternatively, the charging control device 10 includes a storage unit 31 for storing the power supply plug 33, and the control unit 11 includes a switch for detecting whether or not the power supply plug 33 is stored in the storage unit 31. When the switch detects that the power supply plug 33 has been returned to the storage unit 31 by the switch, the notification unit 16 notifies the electricity bill for the current charging.

Thereby, the user can grasp the electricity cost for charging the electric vehicle 70 and can make the user aware of power saving.

It should be noted that a human sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a person around the charging control apparatus 10 is provided in the charging control apparatus 10, and only when the human sensor detects a person, the operation for notifying the electricity bill is performed. May be.

The operation in this case will be described according to the flowchart of FIG.

The control unit 11 of the charge control device 10 periodically reads the detection result of the human sensor (S30), and stops the status display by the notification unit 16 if the human sensor does not detect a person (NO in S30). (S31), and unnecessary display is stopped.

In S30, when the human sensor detects a person (YES in S30), the control unit 11 determines whether charging is in progress (S32). Here, if charging is in progress (YES in S32), the control unit 11 stops the sound output from the speaker 16b (S33), and causes the liquid crystal display 16a to display the charging state (S34). The information displayed on the liquid crystal display 16a includes, for example, information such as a charged capacity that has been charged so far and a scheduled time for completion of charging.

If charging is not in progress in S32 (NO in S32), the control unit 11 determines whether charging is complete (S35). If charging is not complete (NO in S35), the liquid crystal The display 16a is made to display the state of charge (S34). On the other hand, if charging is completed in S35 (YES in S35), the control unit 11 determines whether it is daytime based on the current date and time (S36). If it is daytime (YES in S36), the speaker 16b. After outputting the sound for notifying the completion of charging (S37), the electricity cost for the current charging is displayed on the liquid crystal display 16a. If it is not daytime in S36 (NO in S36), the control unit 11 stops the sound output from the speaker 16b, and displays the electricity cost for the current charging on the liquid crystal display 16a.

The charging control device 10 includes an alarm unit (for example, a speaker 16b), and the control unit 11 issues an alarm via the alarm unit (for example, “charging” if the human sensor detects that a person is charging). You may be able to make a sound like The control unit 11 may be configured to issue an alarm only during daytime, or may be configured to issue an alarm only when it is not daytime (in the case of nighttime). Thereby, safety is improved.

In this embodiment, as a power source used for charging the electric vehicle 70, a commercial AC power source 90 and a storage battery 63 that stores the generated power of the solar battery panel 62 that is a private power generation facility are used. The power conditioner 64 as a power supply control unit has a function of switching a power supply source (power supply source) to the charge control device 10. The power conditioner 64 according to the present embodiment has a function of supplying the electric power stored in the storage battery 63 to the electric vehicle 70 in preference to the commercial AC power supply 90 in accordance with a control signal transmitted from the charging control device 10. ing.

In the above-described embodiment, the charging time zone is set to a time zone where the electricity rate is relatively low. However, while the control unit 11 of the charging control device 10 can use the stored amount of the storage battery 63 for charging, the storage battery 63. A control signal may be transmitted to the power conditioner 64 in order to supply the stored power to the electric vehicle 70 with priority over the commercial AC power supply 90. The operation in this case will be described below.

The power conditioner 64 includes a communication unit (not shown) made of, for example, a specific low-power wireless module, and the communication unit 14 of the charging control device 10 performs regular communication with the power conditioner 64, and the power conditioner 64 The amount of electricity stored in the storage battery 63 is obtained from the memory 64. The control unit 11 of the charge control device 10 periodically receives the amount of power stored in the storage battery 63, and when the stored amount can be used for charging the electric vehicle 70 (for example, when the amount of stored power is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold), The amount of electricity stored in the storage battery 63 is stored as electric power having a unit price (for example, 0 yen / kWh) lower than the unit price of the commercial AC power supply 90 and stored in the table shown in Table 1 above. And when the control part 11 sets a charging time slot | zone according to the flowchart of FIG. 6, first, it subtracts the chargeable time of the storage battery 63 with the lowest unit price from the remaining charging time to obtain a new remaining charging time. Thereafter, based on the charge for each time zone of the commercial AC power supply 90, the processing of S21 to S26 described above is performed to determine the charging time zone.

When the charging time zone is set in this way, the control unit 11 of the charging control device 10 starts charging according to the setting of the charging time zone. Here, in the time zone in which the stored amount of the storage battery 63 is used, the control unit 11 of the charge control device 10 supplies a control signal for supplying the stored amount of the storage battery 63 to the electric vehicle 70 with priority over the commercial AC power supply 90. Transmit to the conditioner 64. When the power conditioner 64 receives the control signal transmitted from the charging control device 10, the power conditioner 64 discharges the storage battery 63, converts the DC power from the storage battery 63 to AC, and outputs it to the distribution board 61. The power conditioner 64 controls switching means (not shown) in the distribution board 61 to supply power supplied from the power conditioner 64 to the charging control device 10 from the distribution board 61. Electric power stored in the storage battery 63 can be supplied to the electric vehicle 70. Note that when the storage battery 63 runs out of charge, the control unit 11 of the charging control device 10 outputs a control signal for switching the power supply source to the distribution board 61 to the power conditioner 64. When the power conditioner 64 receives this control signal, the power conditioner 64 stops the discharge of the storage battery 63 and controls the distribution board 61 to switch the power supply source to the commercial AC power supply 90.

Thereby, since the power generated by the private power generation facility, which is less expensive than the commercial AC power supply 90, can be used for charging the electric vehicle 70, the cost required for charging the electric vehicle 70 can be reduced.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 9, a system including a power control unit 65 that switches a power supply source to the charging control device 10 to either the distribution board 61 or the storage battery 63 may be used. In this system, when the power stored in the storage battery 63 can be used for charging the electric vehicle 70, the control unit 11 of the charge control device 10 supplies the power stored in the storage battery 63 with priority over the commercial AC power supply 90 to the electric vehicle 70. The control signal to be output is output from the communication unit 14 to the power supply control unit 65. When the communication unit (not shown) of the power control unit 65 receives this control signal, the power control unit 65 switches the power supply source from the commercial AC power supply 90 (distribution panel 61) to the storage battery 63, and the storage battery. The 63 stored power can be used for charging the electric vehicle 70. The power supply control unit 65 has a power conversion function for converting DC power supplied from the storage battery 63 to AC and outputting the AC power to the charging control device 10. However, when the charging control device 10 has a function of supplying DC power to the electric vehicle 70 and the electric vehicle 70 can receive DC power, the power supply control unit 65 may not have the power conversion function. When the storage battery 63 runs out of charge, the control unit 11 of the charge control device 10 outputs a control signal for switching the power supply source to the distribution board 61 to the power supply control unit 65. When the power supply control unit 65 receives this control signal, the power supply control unit 65 switches the power supply source to the commercial AC power supply 90 (distribution panel 61), and power is supplied from the commercial AC power supply 90 to the electric vehicle 70. Is called.

Moreover, in this embodiment, in the control part 11 of the charging control apparatus 10, the information of the electric power supply source which can be utilized for charge based on the information which the communication part 14 which is a receiving part received from the smart meter 20 and the power conditioner 64. May be notified to the notification unit 16. FIG. 2A is an example of the content notified to the liquid crystal display 16a constituting the notification unit 16, and that a commercial power source, solar power generation (generated power of the solar battery panel 62), and the storage battery 63 can be used as a power source. Is displayed together with the electricity rate information for the current time zone.

When the user who views this display operates the selection button 15a to select a desired power source and operates the decision button 15b, the control unit 11 supplies power from the power supply source selected by the user. A control signal for switching the source is output to the power conditioner 64. When a control signal is input from the control unit 11 of the charging control device 10, the power conditioner 64 switches the power supply source based on the control signal, and can be switched to a desired power supply source. Become. Here, the selection button 15a and the determination button 15b constitute a second selection operation unit for the user to select a desired power supply source from the power supply sources notified by the notification unit 16.

As described above, the control unit 11 causes the notification unit 16 to notify the information on the power supply source that can be used for charging. The charging control device 10 includes a second selection operation unit for the user to select a desired power supply source from the power supply sources notified by the notification unit 16. And the control part 11 of the charge control apparatus 10 controls the power supply control part (power conditioner 64) which switches an electric power supply source so that it may be fed from the electric power supply source selected by the 2nd selection operation part.

In short, the communication unit (reception unit) 14 receives information on the power supply source (power supply source) that can be used for charging from the outside (for example, the smart meter 20 and the power conditioner 64). Based on the information received by the communication unit (reception unit) 14, the control unit 11 causes the notification unit 16 to report information on the power supply source that can be used for charging. The charging control device 10 includes a second selection operation unit for the user to select a desired power supply source from the power supply sources notified by the notification unit 16. Then, the control unit 11 transmits (via the communication unit 14) a control signal for supplying power from the power supply source selected by the second selection operation unit to the power supply control unit that switches the power supply source.

Thereby, in the charging control apparatus 10, the user has switched the power supply source that supplies power to the electric vehicle 70 to a desired power supply source based on the information on the power supply source notified to the notification unit 16. A desired power supply source can be selected and used.

In addition, the other party (the other party with which the communication unit 14 communicates) from which the communication unit 14 obtains information on the electricity charges for each time zone is not limited to the smart meter 20. For example, the communication unit 14 may be configured to communicate with a charge setting terminal provided by an electric power company, or another communication device (a broadband modem installed in the house 60) that can be connected to an electric power company server. Etc.) may be used.

While the invention has been described in terms of several preferred embodiments, various modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, ie, the claims.

Claims

A contact part that opens and closes a power supply path from the power source to the power storage device of the electric vehicle, a receiving part that receives information on electricity charges according to time zones from the outside, a notifying part that performs a notification operation to a user, and the receiving part A charging control apparatus comprising: a control unit that causes the notification unit to notify the acquired information on the electricity bill for each time period.
A first selection operation unit is provided for the user to select a desired electricity charge from the electricity charges for each time period notified by the notification unit, and the control unit is configured to select the electricity selected by the first selection operation unit. The charging control device according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion is closed in a time zone corresponding to a charge.
The control unit is configured to charge the battery by closing the contact unit in a time zone corresponding to a cheaper electricity fee based on the electricity fee for each time zone acquired by the receiving unit. The charge control device according to claim 1.
As the power source, it is used in a charge control system in which a commercial power source and a power storage facility for storing electric power are used,
When the power stored in the power storage facility can be used for charging the electric vehicle, the control unit supplies a control signal for supplying the power stored in the power storage facility to the electric vehicle in preference to a commercial power source. The charge control device according to claim 1, wherein the charge control device is configured to transmit to a power supply control unit that switches between.
An operation in which a power supply plug detachably connected to a power reception socket of the electric vehicle is removed from the power reception socket, or an operation in which the power supply plug is stored in a storage portion for storing the power supply plug. 5. The charge control according to claim 1, wherein when any one of the operations is performed, the control unit causes the notification unit to notify the electricity cost for the current charge. 6. apparatus.
The control unit informs the information of the power supply source available for charging from the notification unit,
A second selection operation unit for allowing the user to select a desired power supply source from the power supply sources notified by the notification unit;
The said control part controls the power supply control part which switches a power supply source so that it may be fed from the power supply source selected by the said 2nd selection operation part, The any one of Claim 1 thru | or 5 characterized by the above-mentioned. The charging control device according to 1.
The control unit rearranges the electricity charges for each time zone acquired by the receiving unit in the order of the lowest unit price, and assigns the number K starting from 1 in the order of the lowest rates for the rearranged time zones, 4. The charging control device according to claim 3, wherein charging time is assigned in order from a time zone in which the assigned number K is small, and charging is performed by closing the contact portion in the time zone to which charging time is assigned. .
The charge control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
It is equipped with a smart meter that receives power from a commercial power source and accumulates the amount of power used at home, and transmits it to the server device of the power supplier,
The smart meter includes an acquisition unit that acquires information on electricity charges for each time zone from the server device, and transmits information on the electricity charges for each time zone acquired by the acquisition unit to the charging control device,
The said control part of the said charge control apparatus is made to alert | report the information of the electric bill according to time slot | zone received by the said receiving part from the said alerting | reporting part.