WO2014097696A1

WO2014097696A1 - Relay device, connector device, charging cable, and power supply system

Info

Publication number: WO2014097696A1
Application number: PCT/JP2013/075399
Authority: WO
Inventors: 陽介高田; 卓司神頭
Original assignee: 住友電気工業株式会社; 住友電装株式会社; 株式会社オートネットワーク技術研究所
Priority date: 2012-12-20
Filing date: 2013-09-20
Publication date: 2014-06-26
Also published as: JP5942837B2; JP2014124033A

Abstract

Provided is a relay device that allows a charging station having a different specification to perform battery charging at low cost by relaying a charging control signal between a vehicle and the charging station both having different DC charging specifications. A relay device (5) relays a charging control signal between a vehicle (4) mounted with a battery (41) and a charging station (1) for charging the battery (41) by supplying direct current through a charging cable (2). The relay device (5) comprises: an analog control communication unit (32b) for transmitting and receiving an analog control signal to and from the charging station (1); a CAN communication unit (32c) for, according to the CAN communication protocol, transmitting and receiving a control signal to and from the charging station (1); a pilot signal communication unit (32d) for transmitting and receiving a square wave pilot signal to and from the vehicle (4); an in-band communication unit (33) for transmitting and receiving a control signal superimposed on the pilot signal; and a control unit (32a) for controlling the operations of the respective communication units.

Description

Relay machine, connector device, charging cable and power supply system

The present invention relates to a relay device that relays a control signal related to battery charging between a vehicle and a charging stand, a connector device including the relay device, a charging cable, and a power feeding system.

In recent years, hybrid vehicles (HEV: Hybrid Electric Vehicle) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV: Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) using both a motor and an engine have become widespread in order to raise environmental awareness and combat global warming. In addition, an electric vehicle (EV: electric vehicle) that does not include an engine and is driven by an electric motor has become widespread.

There are AC charging and DC charging as battery charging methods for driving the motor. As a method of DC charging, there are a CHAdeMO standard and a Combo method. The charging stand compliant with the CHAdeMO standard has a DC charging connector, and communicates with the vehicle by CAN (Controller Area Network) communication. On the other hand, a charging stand compliant with the combo system has a DC charging connector and an AC charging connector, and performs communication with the vehicle by in-band communication. In-band communication is a communication method performed by superimposing a control signal having a frequency of 2 to 30 MHz on a rectangular wave control signal used for simple information communication.

JP 2011-135653 A

By the way, when both standards of DC charging are adopted, there is a problem that the automobile manufacturer has to cope with two types of DC charging standards, and the development cost increases.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances. By relaying a control signal related to charging between a vehicle and a charging stand having different DC charging standards, battery charging by charging stations having different standards can be realized at low cost. It is to provide a repeater to perform.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a connector device, a charging cable, and a power feeding system that include the relay device.

The relay device according to the present invention is a relay device that relays a control signal related to charging between a vehicle equipped with a battery and a charging station that charges the battery by supplying direct current through a charging cable. An analog control communication unit that transmits and receives analog control signals to and from the charging station, a CAN communication unit that transmits and receives control signals according to a CAN communication protocol, and a pulse wave control signal between the vehicle and the vehicle A signal corresponding to the control signal received by the pulse signal communication unit for transmitting and receiving, the in-band communication unit for transmitting and receiving another control signal superimposed on the control signal of the pulse wave, and the analog control communication unit and the CAN communication unit Is transmitted to the pulse signal communication unit and the in-band communication unit, and received by the pulse signal communication unit and the in-band communication unit. Characterized in that a signal corresponding to the control signal and a control unit for transmitting to said analog control communication unit and the CAN communication unit.

In the present invention, the vehicle and the charging station transmit and receive control signals using different communication methods. The relay machine relays control signals between the vehicle and the charging station, thereby enabling transmission and reception of control signals between the vehicle and the charging station. Specifically, the repeater transmits / receives a control signal using an analog control communication unit or a CAN communication unit to / from a charging station, and controls using a pulse signal communication unit or an in-band communication unit to / from a vehicle. The control signal is relayed by transmitting and receiving the signal.

The repeater according to the present invention is characterized by including a power source for supplying power to each communication unit.

In the present invention, each communication unit operates with power supplied from a power source. In particular, by providing a power supply other than the charging stand and the battery, it is possible to improve the safety of power supply in the repeater.

The repeater according to the present invention includes an insulating part that insulates a vehicle-side terminal to which an alternating current for charging the battery is input.

In the present invention, the insulating portion insulates the vehicle side terminal. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an unexpected situation where the battery current is supplied to the outside from the vehicle side terminal.

The repeater according to the present invention is characterized by including a cut-off switch that cuts off power supply from the charging stand to the battery.

In the present invention, when there is an abnormality in the vehicle, the charging stand, or the relay machine, it is possible to cut off the power supply from the charging stand to the battery by the cutoff switch.

A connector device according to the present invention is a connector device that connects a vehicle equipped with a battery and a charging cable, and is characterized by including any one of the above-described relays.

In the present invention, the connector device that connects the vehicle equipped with the battery and the charging cable relays the control signal, thereby enabling transmission and reception of the control signal between the vehicle and the charging station.

The charging cable according to the present invention is a charging cable for supplying a direct current to a battery mounted on a vehicle, and includes any one of the above-described repeaters.

In the present invention, the charging cable that supplies power to the battery mounted on the vehicle relays the control signal, thereby enabling transmission and reception of the control signal between the vehicle and the charging station.

The power supply system according to the present invention is controlled according to a CAN communication protocol between any one of the above repeaters, an analog control communication unit that transmits / receives an analog control signal to / from the repeater, and the repeater. And a charging station having a CAN communication unit for transmitting and receiving signals.

In the present invention, the above-described function is realized by a system including a charging stand and a repeater.

The power supply system according to the present invention includes a control signal according to a CAN communication protocol between any one of the above repeaters, an analog control communication unit that transmits / receives an analog control signal to / from the repeater, and the repeater. A charging station having a CAN communication unit for transmitting and receiving a pulse signal and a pulse signal communication unit for transmitting and receiving a pulse wave control signal between the repeater and an in-band for transmitting and receiving other control signals superimposed on the pulse wave control signal And a vehicle having a communication unit.

In the present invention, the above-described function is realized by a system including a charging station, a vehicle, and a repeater.

According to the present invention, by relaying a control signal related to charging between a vehicle having a different DC charging standard and a charging station, battery charging by a charging station having a different standard can be realized at low cost.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a power feeding system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is the block diagram which showed the detail of the electric power feeding system. It is the circuit diagram which showed the detail of the analog control communication part. It is the circuit diagram which showed the detail of the pilot signal communication part. It is the flowchart which showed the procedure of electric power feeding control. It is the flowchart which showed the procedure of electric power feeding control. It is the flowchart which showed the procedure of electric power feeding control. It is the flowchart which showed the procedure of electric power feeding control. It is the block diagram which showed the example of 1 structure of the electric power feeding system which concerns on a modification. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a power feeding system according to a second embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a power feeding system according to Embodiment 1, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating details of the power feeding system. The power supply system according to the first embodiment includes a charging stand 1 that charges a battery via a charging cable 2, a connector device 3 for connecting the charging cable 2 to a vehicle 4, and a hybrid that can be charged with external power. And a vehicle 4 such as an automobile or an electric vehicle.

<Charging stand>
The charging stand 1 includes an inverter 11 that converts alternating current supplied from the alternating current power supply 6 into direct current. The inverter 11 has an AC / DC converter 11a as shown in FIG. The AC / DC converter 11a is, for example, an insulating converter circuit that converts 200V three-phase alternating current into direct current. The AC / DC converter 11a includes a rectifier circuit that converts alternating current to direct current, an inverter circuit that converts rectified direct current to high frequency alternating current, a transformer that boosts the converted high frequency alternating current, and boosted alternating current boosted by the transformer to direct current. And a rectifier circuit for conversion.
A protection circuit 11b that protects the AC / DC converter 11a from surge voltage, overcurrent, overvoltage, and the like is provided on the downstream side of the AC / DC converter 11a.
A relay L11 that turns on and off between the AC power source 6 and the AC / DC converter 11a is provided on the upstream side of the AC / DC converter 11a.

In addition, the charging station 1 includes a charging control unit 12 that controls battery charging by transmitting and receiving control signals to and from the vehicle 4 via a relay machine 5 described later. The charging control unit 12 is a device that performs charging control by transmitting and receiving an analog control signal related to charging of the battery 41 and a control signal according to the CAN communication protocol to and from the vehicle 4 via the relay 5. It is. The charging control unit 12 includes a control unit 12a, an analog control communication unit 12b, a CAN communication unit 12c, and a ground fault detection unit 12d.

The control unit 12a is a microcomputer having a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and the like that control the operation of each component of the charge control unit 12. The control unit 12a transmits and receives control signals using the analog control communication unit 12b and the CAN communication unit 12c.
The analog control communication unit 12 b is a circuit that transmits and receives analog control signals to and from the repeater 5. The analog control communication unit 12b transmits and receives information related to the start and stop of charging. Details will be described later.
The CAN communication unit 12 c is a circuit that transmits and receives control signals to and from the relay device 5 in accordance with the CAN communication protocol. The CAN communication unit 12c transmits and receives information related to the charging station 1 and the battery 41, and information such as the amount of charging current. Details will be described later.

The ground fault detector 12d is a circuit that is connected to the output terminal of the AC / DC converter 11a and detects a short circuit in the charging path. When detecting a short circuit in the charging path, the ground fault detection unit 12d outputs a signal notifying the short circuit to the control unit 12a.

<Charging cable>
The charging cable 2 includes two power supply lines 21, an analog control line 22, a CAN communication line 23, and a ground line. One end of the two power supply lines 21 is connected to the inverter 11, and the other end is connected to the DC power supply terminal of the connector device 3. One end of the analog control line 22 is connected to the analog control communication unit 12b, and the other end is connected to an analog control communication unit 32b described later included in the connector device 3. Similarly, one end of the CAN communication line 23 is connected to the CAN communication unit 12c, and the other end is connected to a CAN communication unit 32c described later included in the connector device 3. One end of the ground line is grounded on the charging stand 1 side, and the other end is connected to the ground terminal of the connector device 3.

<Connector device>
The connector device 3 can be connected to the tip of the charging cable 2. The connector device 3 is inserted into the inlet 40 of the vehicle 4 to electrically connect the charging stand 1 and the vehicle 4. The connector device 3 includes, for example, a gun grip type gripping part, an insertion guide for connecting to the inlet 40 of the vehicle 4, a latch for locking with the vehicle 4, and the like. The connecting part of the connector device 3 is shaped to be connectable to the inlet 40 of the vehicle 4. The connecting part with the inlet 40 outputs a control signal terminal for inputting / outputting a control signal and a DC voltage supplied from the charging stand 1. DC power supply terminals, ground terminals, etc. are provided. The connector device 3 also includes a repeater 5 that relays a control signal related to charging between the vehicle 4 and the charging stand 1. The relay machine 5 may be fixedly provided on the connector device 3 or may be provided detachably. For example, when the connection part of the connector attached as standard to the charging cable 2 is not compatible with the inlet 40 of the vehicle 4 and cannot be fitted, the relay machine 5 is fitted to the connection part of the connector device 3. It is good to comprise as a compatible adapter provided with the 1st connection part to perform and the 2nd connection part fitted to the inlet 40 of the vehicle 4. FIG. In this case, a connector device 3 is formed by connecting a relay device 5 as a compatible adapter to a standard connector.
Details of the repeater 5 will be described later.

<Vehicle>
The vehicle 4 includes an inlet 40 connected to the connector device 3 and a battery 41 for driving the electric vehicle. The inlet 40 has a shape that can be connected to the connector device 3. The connection portion includes a DC power supply terminal, a control signal terminal, a terminal connected to the ground terminal of the connector device 3, and an AC that inputs alternating current to the vehicle 4. A power feeding terminal 40a (vehicle side terminal, see FIG. 1) is provided. The DC power supply terminal is connected to the battery 41 via the relay L4, and the battery 41 is charged by the direct current supplied from the charging stand 1. The battery 41 is connected to a charger 41a that charges the battery 41 by alternating current, and the battery can be charged by alternating current by using another charging stand that can supply alternating current.

Further, the vehicle 4 includes a charge control unit 42 and an in-band communication unit 43 that control battery charging by transmitting and receiving a control signal to and from the charging station 1 via the relay device 5.

The charging control unit 42 is a circuit that transmits and receives a rectangular wave pilot signal related to battery charging to and from the repeater 5, and includes a control unit 42a and a pilot signal communication unit (pulse signal communication unit) 42d.

The control unit 42a is a microcomputer having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like that control the operation of the pilot signal communication unit 42d. The control unit 42a transmits and receives control signals using the pilot signal communication unit 42d.
The pilot signal communication unit 42 d is a circuit that transmits and receives a rectangular wave pilot signal to and from the repeater 5. The pilot signal communication unit 42d transmits and receives information related to the start and stop of charging. Details will be described later.

The in-band communication unit 43 is a circuit that transmits and receives a control signal superimposed on a pilot signal. The in-band communication unit 43 transmits and receives information related to the charging stand 1 and the battery 41, and information such as the amount of charging current. Details will be described later.

<Repeater>
The repeater 5 includes a charge control unit 32, an in-band communication unit 33, and a power source 34. The charging control unit 32 transmits / receives an analog control signal related to charging of the battery 41 and a control signal according to the CAN communication protocol to / from the charging station 1, and also transmits a pilot signal to / from the vehicle 4. A device that relays control signals by transmitting and receiving control signals superimposed on the pilot signals. The charge control unit 32 includes a control unit 32a, an analog control communication unit 32b, a CAN communication unit 32c, and a pilot signal communication unit (pulse signal communication unit) 32d.

The control unit 32a is a microcomputer having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like that control the operation of each component of the charge control unit 32. The control unit 32a transmits and receives control signals to and from the charging station 1 using the analog control communication unit 32b and the CAN communication unit 32c, and transmits and receives control signals to and from the vehicle 4 using the pilot signal communication unit 32d. Further, the control unit 32a controls the operation of the in-band communication unit 33 to transmit / receive the control signal superimposed on the pilot signal.

The analog control communication unit 32 b is a circuit that transmits and receives analog control signals to and from the vehicle 4.
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing details of the analog

control communication units

12b and 32b. The analog control line 22 has five

communication lines

22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, and 22e.
One end of the first communication line 22a is connected to a 12V power source on the charging stand 1 side, and the other end is grounded on the repeater 5 side. The first communication line 22a on the charging station 1 side is provided with a relay L1 for turning on and off the communication line 22a, and the first communication line 22a on the repeater 5 side has a light emitting element of a resistor R1 and a photocoupler P1. They are connected in series. Specifically, one end of the relay L1 is connected to the positive electrode of the 12V power supply, and the other end of the relay L1 is connected to one end of the resistor R1. The other end of the resistor R1 is connected to one end of a light emitting element constituting the photocoupler P1, and the other end of the light emitting element is grounded. The analog control communication unit 12b can turn on / off the photocoupler P1 by controlling on / off of the relay L1, and can output an analog control signal to the analog control communication unit 32b.

One end of the second communication line 22b is grounded on the charging stand 1 side, and the other end is connected to the one end of the resistor R1. The second communication line 22b on the charging station 1 side is provided with a relay L2 for turning on and off the communication line 22b. A resistor R2 and a photocoupler P2 are connected in series to the second communication line 22b on the repeater 5 side. Specifically, one end of the relay L2 is grounded on the charging stand 1 side, and the other end of the relay L2 is connected to one end of the resistor R2. One end of the light emitting element constituting the photocoupler P2 is connected to the one end of the resistor R1, and the other end of the light emitting element is connected to the other end of the resistor R2. The analog control communication unit 12b can turn on / off the photocoupler P2 by controlling on / off of the relay L2, and can output an analog control signal to the analog control communication unit 32b.

One end of the third communication line 22c is grounded on the charging stand 1 side, and the other end is connected to the power supply potential on the repeater 5 side. A resistor R3 and a photocoupler P3 are connected in series to the third communication line 22c on the repeater 5 side. Specifically, one end of the light emitting element constituting the photocoupler P3 is connected to the power supply potential on the relay 5 side, and the other end of the light emitting element is connected to one end of the resistor R3. The other end of the resistor R3 is connected to the communication line 22c and grounded. If the charging cable 2 and the connector device 3 are normal, the photocoupler P3 is in an on state. It is also possible to eliminate the third communication line 22c.

One end of the fourth communication line 22d is connected to the positive electrode of the 12V power source on the charging stand 1 side, and the other end is grounded on the repeater 5 side. A photocoupler P4 and a resistor R4 are connected in series to the fourth communication line 22d on the charging station 1 side, and a switch SW1 is provided on the fourth communication line 22d on the repeater 5 side. Specifically, one end of the light emitting element constituting the photocoupler P4 is connected to a 12V power source, and the other end of the light emitting element is connected to one end of the resistor R4. The other end of the resistor R4 is connected to one end of the switch SW1, and the other end of the switch SW1 is grounded on the repeater 5 side. The analog control communication unit 32b can control on / off of the photocoupler P4 by turning on / off the switch SW1, and can output an analog control signal to the analog control communication unit 12b.

The fifth communication line 22e is a ground line, one end of the communication line 22e is grounded on the charging stand 1 side, and the other end of the communication line 22e is grounded on the repeater 5 side.

The CAN communication unit 32 c is a circuit that transmits and receives control signals to and from the vehicle 4 according to the CAN communication protocol. The CAN communication unit 32c transmits and receives information related to the charging station 1 and the battery 41, and information such as the amount of charging current.

The pilot signal communication unit 32 d is a circuit that transmits and receives a rectangular wave control signal to and from the vehicle 4.
FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing details of the pilot

signal communication units

32d and 42d. The pilot signal communication unit 32d includes a CPLT (Control Pilot) output unit 32e that outputs a pilot signal and a CPLT detection unit 32f that detects a pilot signal.
The CPLT output unit 32e is a circuit that generates a rectangular wave pilot signal. The CPLT output unit 32e transmits and receives a control signal related to charging by changing the voltage level of the pilot signal. The pilot signal is transmitted to the vehicle via the pilot signal line. The CPLT output unit 32e includes an oscillator 32g that generates a rectangular wave signal. One end of the oscillator 32g is grounded, and the other end of the oscillator 32g is connected to one end of the resistor R5. The other end of the resistor R5 is connected to the pilot signal line. The other end of the resistor R5 is connected to one end of a capacitor C1, and the other end of the capacitor C1 is grounded. The operation of the oscillator 32g is controlled by the control unit 32a.
The CPLT detection unit 32f is a circuit that detects the voltage of the pilot signal line and supplies the detection result to the control unit 32a.

The CPLT control unit 42e provided on the vehicle 4 side is a circuit that changes the voltage level of the CPLT signal. The CPLT control unit 42e includes a diode D1 whose anode is connected to the pilot signal line, and resistors R6 and R7 whose one ends are connected to the cathode of the diode D1. The other end of the resistor R6 is grounded. The other end of the resistor R7 is connected to one end of the switch SW2, and the other end of the switch SW2 is grounded. One end of the capacitor C2 is connected to one end of the anode of the diode D1, and the other end of the capacitor C2 is grounded. On / off of the switch SW2 is controlled by the control unit 42a. By controlling on / off of the switch SW2, the voltage level of the pilot signal can be changed, and a control signal related to charging can be transmitted from the vehicle 4 to the repeater 5.
The CPLT detector 42f receives the pilot signal by detecting the voltage of the pilot signal line.

Further, the repeater 5 includes a power supply 34 that supplies power to the charging control unit 32 and the in-band communication unit 33. The power supply 34 is preferably a storage battery mounted on the relay machine 5, for example. The power source 34 may be a device that generates a constant voltage using a voltage output from a battery 41 mounted on the vehicle 4. Moreover, the apparatus which produces | generates a constant voltage using the DC voltage output from the charging stand 1 may be sufficient.

Furthermore, the relay machine 5 includes an insulating portion 31 that insulates the AC power supply terminal 40 a of the inlet 40 when the connector device 3 is connected to the inlet 40. The insulating portion 31 is configured by a member that can be reliably insulated without causing breakdown or the like in preparation for the case where an alternating current is supplied from the vehicle 4 to the connector device 3 via the charger 41a in an unexpected situation. For example, the insulating part 31 is an insulating resin member that covers the AC power supply terminal 40a.
More preferably, when it is detected that the connector device 3 and the inlet 40 are connected, the charging control unit 32 transmits a signal for stopping the operation of the charger 41a to the vehicle 4 to stop the operation of the charger 41a. And good. Further, the connector device 3 may be configured so that it cannot be fitted to the AC power supply terminal 40 a of the vehicle 4.

5 to 7 are flowcharts showing the procedure of power supply control. In the figure, thin horizontal arrows indicate transmission / reception of analog control signals, and thick horizontal arrows indicate transmission / reception of control signals according to the CAN communication protocol. Further, a horizontal broken arrow indicates transmission / reception of a pilot signal, and a dotted horizontal arrow indicates transmission / reception of a control signal by in-band communication.
The control unit 12a of the charging stand 1 monitors the operation state of a charging start button (not shown), and determines whether or not the charging start button is turned on (step S11). When it determines with the charge start button not being operated (step S11: NO), the control part 12a performs the process of step S11 again, and waits. When it determines with the charge start button having been turned on (step S11: YES), the control part 12a outputs a 1st charge start signal to the relay machine 5 (step S12). Specifically, the control unit 12a gives a control command to the analog control communication unit 12b and controls the relay L1 to be in an on state. When the relay L1 is turned on, the photocoupler P1 is turned on.

The control unit 32a of the relay machine 5 detects the charging start operation (step S13). Specifically, the analog control communication unit 32b monitors the voltage state of the photocoupler P1, and detects that the photocoupler P1 is on by the light receiving element of the photocoupler P1. When the photocoupler P1 is turned on, the analog control communication unit 32b gives a signal indicating that a charging start operation has been performed to the control unit 32a. The control unit 32a detects the charging start operation by receiving the signal.

The control unit 32a that has detected the charging start operation activates the pilot signal communication unit 32d and the in-band communication unit 33 (step S14), and when the relay machine 5 and the vehicle 4 are fitted, the pilot signal communication unit 32d performs control. A command is given and a 9V pilot signal is output to the vehicle 4 (step S15). When the fitting is not performed, the pilot signal voltage is constant at 12 V (not shown). The activation of the in-band communication unit 33 is described in FIG. 5 when the charging start operation is detected, but there is no problem even when the 9V pilot signal is output.

The control unit 42a on the vehicle 4 side detects the fitting of the connector device 3 by detecting the 9V pilot signal by the CPLT detection unit 42f (step S16). When the fitting of the connector device 3 is detected, the control unit 42a confirms the insulation state and locks the connector (step S17). Next, the control unit 42a outputs the confirmation result of the insulation state to the repeater 5 by the CPLT control unit 42e (step S18).

The control unit 32a of the repeater 5 acquires the insulation state confirmation result transmitted from the vehicle 4 side by detecting it by the CPLT detection unit 32f (step S19), and stores the insulation state confirmation result in a storage unit (not shown). Store (step S20). And the control part 32a locks the connector apparatus 3 (step S21).

Next, the control unit 42a on the vehicle 4 side that has output the confirmation result of the insulation state starts in-band communication by the in-band communication unit 43, and transmits a control signal indicating that communication is started to the repeater 5 (step) S31). The control unit 32a of the relay machine 5 performs gateway processing (step S32), and transmits a control signal indicating that communication is started to the charging station 1. Specifically, the control unit 32a gives a control command to the CAN communication unit 32c, and transmits a control signal indicating that communication is started to the charging station 1 according to the CAN communication protocol. When the control unit 12a of the charging station 1 receives the control signal indicating the start of communication from the repeater 5, the control unit 12a starts the CAN communication by the CAN communication unit 12c (step S33).

When communication is established between the vehicle 4 and the charging station 1, the control unit 42a of the vehicle 4 gives a control command to the in-band communication unit 43, and transmits battery information to the repeater 5 through in-band communication (step S34). The control unit 32a of the relay machine 5 relays the battery information to the charging station 1 by gateway processing (step S35). That is, the control part 32a receives battery information in the in-band communication part 33, and transmits battery information to the charging station 1 by a CAN communication protocol by giving a control command to the CAN communication part 32c. The battery information includes information such as maximum voltage, battery capacity, and maximum charging time.

The control unit 12a of the charging station 1 receives the battery information transmitted from the repeater 5 at the CAN communication unit 12c (step S36), and determines whether or not the charging station 1 is compatible with the battery 41 (step S37). ). When it is determined that the battery 41 to be charged is compatible with the charging station 1, the control unit 12 a gives a control command to the CAN communication unit 12 c so that the charging station information regarding the charging station 1 is transmitted according to the CAN communication protocol. (Step S38). The charging station information includes information such as maximum voltage and maximum current.

The control unit 32a of the relay machine 5 relays the charging station information to the vehicle 4 by gateway processing (step S39). That is, the control unit 32a receives the charging station information at the CAN communication unit 32c, and sends the charging station information to the vehicle 4 through in-band communication by giving a control command to the in-band communication unit 33.

The control unit 42a on the vehicle 4 side receives the charging station information at the in-band communication unit 43 (step S40), and determines whether or not the battery 41 is suitable for the charging station 1 based on the charging station information. (Step S41). If it is determined that it is compatible, the control unit 42a gives a control command to the CPLT control unit 42e, thereby notifying the repeater 5 that the preparation for charging on the vehicle 4 side has been completed by the pilot signal (step S42). Specifically, the control unit 42a lowers the pilot signal voltage from 9V to 6V by turning on the switch SW2 of the CPLT control unit 42e. The control unit 32a of the relay machine 5 detects the notification that the preparation for charging has been completed on the vehicle 4 side in the CPLT detection unit 32f (step S43). Specifically, the control unit 32a detects the preparation for charging by detecting that the pilot signal voltage has decreased to 6V by the CPLT detection unit 32f.

Next, the control unit 32a of the relay machine 5 outputs a charging permission signal to the charging station 1 through the analog control communication unit 32b (step S44). Specifically, the control unit 32a gives a control command to the analog control communication unit 32b and turns on the switch SW1. When the switch SW1 is turned on, the photocoupler P4 is turned on.

The control unit 12a on the charging stand 1 side detects the charging permission signal (step S45), and the control unit 12a that has detected the charging permission signal locks the connector device 3 (step S46). Specifically, the analog control communication unit 12b monitors the voltage state of the photocoupler P4. When the photocoupler P4 detects that the photocoupler P4 is on by the light receiving element of the photocoupler P4, the photocoupler P4 is on. Is output to the control unit 12a. The control unit 12a detects the charge permission signal by receiving the signal.

The control part 32a of the relay machine 5 which output the charge permission signal in step S43 transmits the confirmation result of the insulation state to the charging station 1 by the CAN communication part 32c (step S51). The control unit 12a of the charging station 1 receives the confirmation result at the CAN communication unit 12c (step S52).

On the other hand, the control unit 42a that has notified that the preparation for charging on the vehicle 4 side has been completed in step S42 transmits request information for requesting a charging current required for charging to the repeater 5 in the in-band communication unit 43 ( Step S53). The control unit 32a of the repeater 5 receives and stores the charging request information at the in-band communication unit 33 (step S54).

On the other hand, the control unit 12a on the charging station 1 side that has received the insulation confirmation result in step S52 outputs a second charging start signal in the analog control communication unit 12b (step S55). Specifically, the analog control communication unit 12b controls the relay L2 to be on. When the relay L2 is turned on, the photocoupler P2 is turned on.

The control unit 32a of the relay machine 5 detects the second charging start signal (step S56). Specifically, the analog control communication unit 32b monitors the voltage state of the photocoupler P2, detects that the photocoupler P2 is on by the light receiving element of the photocoupler P2, and sets the photocoupler P2 to the on state. A signal indicating the presence is given to the control unit 32a. The control unit 32a detects the second charging start signal by receiving the signal.

The control unit 32a that has detected the second charging start signal transmits notification information indicating that the relay L4 of the vehicle 4 should be closed to the vehicle 4 by the in-band communication unit 33 (step S57). The control unit 42a on the vehicle 4 side receives the notification information at the in-band communication unit 43 (step S58), and the control unit 42a closes the relay L4 on the vehicle 4 side (step S59).

The controller 12a on the charging station 1 side that has output the second charging start signal in step S55 confirms the closed state of the relay L4 (step S60).

On the other hand, the control unit 32a of the relay machine 5 that has notified that the relay L4 of the vehicle 4 should be closed in step S57 transmits a charging command to the charging station 1 through the CAN communication unit 32c (step S61). The control unit 12a of the charging station 1 receives the charging command at the CAN communication unit 12c (step S62), and operates the inverter 11 to supply power to the battery 41 (step S63).

During charging, the control unit 42a of the vehicle 4 monitors the state of the battery 41 and determines whether or not the charging is completed (step S71). If it is determined that charging has not been completed (step S71: NO), charging control is continued. The flowchart of FIG. 8 is a process of repeatedly executing the process of step S71, but actually, by sending a request for a charging current according to the charging state of the battery 41 from the vehicle 4 to the charging station 1, Charging control is continued.

If it is determined that charging has been completed (step S71: YES), the control unit 42a transmits a power supply stop request to the repeater 5 through the pilot signal communication unit 42d (step S72). Specifically, the control unit 42a changes the voltage level of the pilot signal to 9V by turning off the switch SW2 of the CPLT control unit 42e.

The control unit 32a of the relay machine 5 detects the power supply stop request signal at the CPLT detection unit 32f (step S73). Next, the control unit 32a requests the charging station 1 for a power supply stop signal at the CAN communication unit 32c (step S74). The control unit 12a of the charging station 1 detects a power supply stop signal at the CAN communication unit 12c (step S75), stops the operation of the inverter 11 and stops power supply (step S76).

Moreover, the control part 32a of the relay machine 5 outputs a charge stop signal to the charging stand 1 by the analog control communication part 32b (step S77). Specifically, the control unit 32a supplies the analog control communication unit 32b to turn off the switch SW1. When the switch SW1 is turned off, the photocoupler P4 is also turned off.

The controller 12a of the charging stand 1 detects a charging stop signal (step S78). Specifically, the analog control communication unit 12b monitors the voltage state of the photocoupler P4. When the photocoupler P4 detects that the photocoupler P4 is off by the light receiving element of the photocoupler P4, the photocoupler P4 is turned off. A signal indicating that the error has occurred is output to the control unit 12a. The control unit 12a receives the signal to detect a charge stop signal.

The control part 12a which detected the charge stop signal performs a process required in order to complete | finish charge (step S79).

Next, the control unit 32a of the relay machine 5 releases the locked state of the connector device 3 (step S80). And the control part 42a of the vehicle 4 opens the relay L4 by the side of the vehicle 4 (step S81).

Next, the control unit 12a ends the CAN communication by the CAN communication unit 12c (step S82).

Next, the control unit 32a of the repeater 5 stops the CAN communication and the in-band communication by the CAN communication unit 32c and the in-band communication unit 33 (step S83), and the control unit 42a on the vehicle 4 side Band communication is terminated (step S84), and the process is terminated.

According to the relay device 5, the connector device 3, and the power feeding system configured as described above, the standards are different by relaying a control signal related to charging between the vehicle 4 having a different DC charging standard and the charging stand 1. Battery charging by the charging stand 1 can be realized at low cost.

In addition, if the user's vehicle 4 does not comply with the DC charging standard of the charging stand 1, the battery 41 cannot be charged, and there is a possibility of causing an electric shortage while searching for the charging station 1 conforming to the standard. According to the embodiment, such a problem can be solved.

Furthermore, since the AC power supply terminal 40a is reliably insulated by the insulating portion 31, it is possible to prevent an unexpected situation in which battery current is supplied from the AC power supply terminal 40a to the outside.

Furthermore, by providing the power supply 34 that is a storage battery, it is possible to improve the safety of power supply in the relay machine 5. The storage battery can also be charged from an external power source. In addition to the storage battery, there are a plurality of methods such as activation by AC power supplied from commercial power or the like, and supply of power by a solar battery.

(Modification)
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a power feeding system according to a modification. The power supply system according to the modification includes a charging stand 1, a charging cable 2, a connector device 103, and a vehicle 4 similar to those in the first embodiment. The connector device 103 according to the modified example further includes a cut-off switch 35 for turning on and off the power supply line 21 in the repeater 105. The on / off of the cutoff switch 35 is controlled by the charge control unit 32. For example, the charging control unit 32 keeps the cutoff switch 35 in an OFF state until charging is permitted, and when the charging permission can be confirmed through communication with the charging station 1 and the vehicle 4, the cutoff switch 35 is turned on. Thus, the on / off of the cutoff switch 35 is controlled. Further, the charging control unit 32 controls the cutoff switch 35 to be turned on when an abnormality detection signal is received from the charging station 1 or the vehicle 4 or when an overcurrent, an overvoltage, a short circuit, or the like is detected by a sensor (not shown). Anyway.
By providing the cut-off switch 35 in this way, the safety of the power feeding system can be improved.
Since other configurations, operations, and effects of the power feeding system are the same as those of the power feeding system described in the first embodiment, the corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the power feeding system according to the second embodiment. The power feeding system according to the second embodiment includes a charging stand 1, a charging cable 202, a connector device 203, and a vehicle 4 similar to those in the first embodiment. However, the point that relay device 205 is provided in the middle of charging cable 2 instead of connector device 203 is different from the first embodiment.
Since other configurations, operations, and effects of the power feeding system are the same as those of the power feeding system described in the first embodiment, the corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.
In the first and second embodiments, the example in which the relay device 5 is provided in the connector device 103 and the charging cable 202 has been described. However, the relay device may be provided in another part of the power feeding path. For example, it may be provided at a charging stand or at an inlet of a vehicle. Moreover, you may comprise as an adapter which can be attached or detached to a connector apparatus or an inlet.

The embodiment disclosed this time is to be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined not by the above-described meaning but by the scope of claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.
In addition, when data such as authentication and billing is added to in-band communication, it can be processed by a repeater. For this purpose, a connector device incorporating a repeater may be provided with a function for identifying personal information such as a card reader, an electronic money settlement function, and the like.
In addition, a plurality of functions are integrated in the inverter (11) and the charging controller (12) in the charging stand, the charging controller (32) in the connector device, and the charging controller (42) in the vehicle. It may be a separate unit.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Charging stand 2 Charging cable 3 Connector apparatus 4 Vehicle 5 Relay machine 6 AC power supply 11 Inverter 11a AC / DC conversion part 11b Protection circuit 12 Charging control part 12a Control part 12b Analog control communication part 12c CAN communication part 12d Ground fault detection part 21 Feed line 22 Analog control line 22a 1st communication line 22b 2nd communication line 22c 3rd communication line 22d 4th communication line 22e 5th communication line 23 CAN communication line 31 Insulating part 32 Charge control part 32a Control part 32b Analog control communication unit 32c CAN communication unit 32d Pilot signal communication unit (pulse signal communication unit)
32e CPLT output unit 32f CPLT detection unit 32g oscillator 33 in-band communication unit 34 power supply 35 cutoff switch 40 inlet 40a AC power supply terminal (vehicle side terminal)
41 battery 41a charger 42 charge control unit 42a control unit 42d pilot signal communication unit (pulse signal communication unit)
42e CPLT control unit 42f CPLT detection unit 43 In-band communication unit

Claims

In a relay that relays a control signal related to charging between a vehicle equipped with a battery and a charging station that charges the battery by supplying direct current through a charging cable,
An analog control communication unit for transmitting and receiving an analog control signal to and from the charging station;
A CAN communication unit that transmits and receives control signals to and from the charging station according to a CAN communication protocol;
A pulse signal communication unit for transmitting and receiving a pulse wave control signal to and from the vehicle;
An in-band communication unit that transmits and receives another control signal superimposed on the control signal of the pulse wave;
A signal corresponding to the control signal received by the analog control communication unit and the CAN communication unit is transmitted to the pulse signal communication unit and the in-band communication unit, and received by the pulse signal communication unit and the in-band communication unit. A relay unit comprising: a control unit that causes the analog control communication unit and the CAN communication unit to transmit a signal corresponding to the control signal.
The repeater according to claim 1, further comprising a power source that supplies power to each communication unit.
The relay unit according to claim 1, further comprising an insulating unit that insulates a vehicle-side terminal to which alternating current for charging the battery is input.
The relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a cut-off switch that cuts off power supply from the charging stand to the battery.
In a connector device that connects a vehicle equipped with a battery and a charging cable,
The connector apparatus provided with the relay machine as described in any one of Claim 1 thru | or 4.
In the charging cable that supplies direct current to the battery installed in the vehicle,
A charging cable comprising the repeater according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
A repeater according to any one of claims 1 to 4;
An analog control communication unit that transmits / receives an analog control signal to / from the repeater, and a charging station that has a CAN communication unit that transmits / receives a control signal to / from the repeater according to a CAN communication protocol. Power supply system.
A repeater according to any one of claims 1 to 4;
A charging station having an analog control communication unit that transmits and receives analog control signals to and from the repeater and a CAN communication unit that transmits and receives control signals to and from the repeater according to a CAN communication protocol;
A vehicle having a pulse signal communication unit that transmits and receives a pulse wave control signal to and from the repeater, and an in-band communication unit that transmits and receives another control signal superimposed on the pulse wave control signal. Power supply system.