JP7636920B2 - Charging device, charging control program, and power supply device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a charging device, a charging control program, and a power supply device.

As a conventional charging device, for example, Patent Document 1 describes a charging device that charges a vehicle battery with power supplied from a power source. This charging device includes a charging connector that is connected to a vehicle-side connector, a relay that is provided between the power source and the charging connector and that passes or cuts off the current flowing in the power supply path from the power source to the charging connector, and a control circuit that controls the relay to be turned on and off.

JP 2010-283902 A

However, the charging device described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 has room for further improvement, for example, when charging a vehicle battery via a power supply path that includes a relay.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide a charging device that can properly charge a vehicle battery.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the charging device of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a charging connector configured to be connectable to a vehicle; a plurality of switching units each connected in parallel on a power supply path between an external power source and the charging connector and configured to be switchable between a conducting state in which power is supplied from the external power source through the charging connector to the battery of the vehicle and a cut-off state in which the power is cut off; an information acquisition unit configured to acquire information related to charging; and a control unit capable of executing control to switch between the conducting state and the cut-off state of each of the plurality of switching units based on information related to the charging acquired by the information acquisition unit.

The charging control program of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute an information acquisition step of acquiring information related to charging, and a switching step of switching between a conducting state and a cut-off state of each of a plurality of switching units that are connected in parallel on a power supply path between a charging connector configured to be connectable to a vehicle and an external power source, and that are configured to be switchable between a conducting state in which power is supplied from the external power source to the vehicle battery via the charging connector and a cut-off state in which the power is cut off, based on the information related to charging acquired in the information acquisition step.

The power supply device according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: a power supply connector configured to be connectable to a power supply target; a plurality of switching units each connected in parallel on a power supply path between a power source and the power supply connector and configured to be switchable between a power-on state in which power is supplied from the power source via the power supply connector to the power supply target and a cut-off state in which the power is cut off; an information acquisition unit configured to acquire information related to the power supply; and a control unit capable of executing control to switch between the power-on state and the cut-off state of each of the plurality of switching units based on information related to the power supply acquired by the information acquisition unit.

The charging device and charging control program of the present invention can charge the vehicle battery with power supplied from an external power source via various circuits on the power supply path according to information related to charging, thereby enabling the vehicle battery to be charged appropriately. The power supply device can supply power supplied from a power source to a power supply target via various circuits on the power supply path according to information related to power supply, thereby enabling the power supply target to be supplied appropriately.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a charging device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating switching conditions of a relay according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the charging device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a charging device according to a modified example of the embodiment.

The following describes in detail the form (embodiment) for carrying out the present invention with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the contents described in the following embodiment. The components described below include those that a person skilled in the art can easily imagine and those that are substantially the same. Furthermore, the configurations described below can be combined as appropriate. Various omissions, substitutions, or modifications of the configuration can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[Embodiment]
A charging device 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The charging device 1 charges a battery mounted on a vehicle. Here, the vehicle is an electric vehicle such as an EV (Electric Vehicle) or a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle). The charging device 1 is installed, for example, at a charging station, which is a facility dedicated to charging, or at a parking lot of a general home, and is connected to an external power source P provided at these locations. The charging device 1 is connected to a vehicle parked at a charging station or the like, and energizes or cuts off power (for example, AC power) supplied from the external power source P to the battery of the vehicle. The charging device 1 will be described in detail below.

As shown in FIG. 1, the charging device 1 includes a charging connector 10, a relay unit 20, an information acquisition unit 30, a memory unit 40, and a control unit 50.

The charging connector 10 is configured to be connectable to a vehicle. For example, the charging connector 10 can be connected to a connector provided on the vehicle during charging. The charging connector 10 forms a power supply path R between the external power source P. In other words, the power supply path R is a supply path that connects the external power source P and the charging connector 10. When connected to the connector of the vehicle, the charging connector 10 outputs power supplied from the external power source P via the power supply path R to the vehicle.

The relay unit 20 passes or cuts off electric power. The relay unit 20 is provided on the electric power supply path R, and is configured to be able to pass or cut off electric power (AC power) supplied from an external power source P to the vehicle battery via the charging connector 10. The relay unit 20 has a relay 21 and a relay 22 as multiple switching units. The relays 21 and 22 are connected in parallel to form a parallel circuit N. In other words, the parallel circuit N is formed by connecting the relay 21 and the relay 22 in parallel.

The relay 21 can be switched between a conducting state in which power is passed and a cut-off state in which power is cut off, and is, for example, a contact relay having electrically contacted contacts. The relay 21 includes a first relay 21a and a second relay 21b.

The first relay 21a is provided between the first power supply terminal Pa of the external power supply P (AC power supply) and the first connector terminal 10a of the charging connector 10, and passes or cuts off the current flowing from the first power supply terminal Pa to the first connector terminal 10a. The first relay 21a has a movable contact connected to the first power supply terminal Pa, a fixed contact connected to the first connector terminal 10a, and a coil section that moves the movable contact. When a current is applied to the coil section by the control unit 50, the first relay 21a generates a magnetic force in the coil section due to the applied current. Then, the first relay 21a moves the movable contact from the reference position to the fixed contact side by this magnetic force, bringing the movable contact into contact with the fixed contact, and passing a current. In other words, the first relay 21a is turned ON, and passes current between the first power supply terminal Pa of the external power supply P and the first connector terminal 10a of the charging connector 10. On the other hand, when no current is applied to the coil portion of the first relay 21a by the control unit 50, no magnetic force is generated in the coil portion. As a result, the movable contact of the first relay 21a is located in the reference position, so the movable contact does not come into contact with the fixed contact and the current is interrupted. In other words, the first relay 21a is turned OFF and interrupts the connection between the first power supply terminal Pa of the external power supply P and the first connector terminal 10a of the charging connector 10.

The second relay 21b is provided between the second power supply terminal Pb of the external power supply P (AC power supply) and the second connector terminal 10b of the charging connector 10, and passes or cuts off the current flowing from the second power supply terminal Pb to the second connector terminal 10b. The second relay 21b has a movable contact connected to the second power supply terminal Pb, a fixed contact connected to the second connector terminal 10b, and a coil section that moves the movable contact. When a current is applied to the coil section by the control unit 50, the second relay 21b generates a magnetic force in the coil section due to the applied current. Then, the second relay 21b moves the movable contact from the reference position to the fixed contact side by this magnetic force, bringing the movable contact into contact with the fixed contact, and passing a current. In other words, the second relay 21b is turned ON to pass current between the second power supply terminal Pb of the external power supply P and the second connector terminal 10b of the charging connector 10. On the other hand, when no current is applied to the coil portion of the second relay 21b by the control unit 50, no magnetic force is generated in the coil portion. As a result, the movable contact of the second relay 21b is located in the reference position, so the movable contact does not come into contact with the fixed contact and the current is interrupted. In other words, the second relay 21b is turned OFF, and the connection between the second power supply terminal Pb of the external power supply P and the second connector terminal 10b of the charging connector 10 is interrupted.

The relay 22 can be switched between a conducting state in which power is conducted and a cut-off state in which power is cut off, and is connected in parallel to the relay 21. The relay 22 is configured in the same manner as the above-mentioned relay 21. In other words, the relay 22 is a contact relay, and is configured to include a first relay 22a and a second relay 22b.

The first relay 22a is provided between the first power terminal Pa of the external power source P (AC power source) and the first connector terminal 10a of the charging connector 10, and passes or cuts off current. The first relay 22a is configured in the same manner as the above-mentioned first relay 21a. For example, the first relay 22a is turned ON by the control unit 50 to pass current between the first power terminal Pa of the external power source P and the first connector terminal 10a of the charging connector 10. The first relay 22a is also turned OFF by the control unit 50 to cut off current between the first power terminal Pa of the external power source P and the first connector terminal 10a of the charging connector 10.

The second relay 22b is provided between the second power supply terminal Pb of the external power supply P (AC power supply) and the second connector terminal 10b of the charging connector 10, and passes or cuts off current. The second relay 22b is configured in the same manner as the above-mentioned second relay 21b. For example, the second relay 22b is turned ON by the control unit 50 to pass current between the second power supply terminal Pb of the external power supply P and the second connector terminal 10b of the charging connector 10. The first relay 22a is turned OFF by the control unit 50 to cut off current between the first power supply terminal Pa of the external power supply P and the first connector terminal 10a of the charging connector 10.

The information acquisition unit 30 acquires information related to charging. For example, when the charging device 1 is installed in a charging station, which is a facility dedicated to charging, the information acquisition unit 30 acquires a charging current control signal (current information) indicating the current value of the charging current of the power supplied from the external power source P from a charging controller C, such as an authentication device of an external charging service. The information acquisition unit 30 is connected to the control unit 50 and outputs the acquired charging current control signal to the control unit 50.

The information acquisition unit 30 is also configured to include a temperature detection unit 31. The temperature detection unit 31 detects the temperature inside the charging device 1, and detects the temperatures of the relays 21 and 22, for example. The temperature detection unit 31 detects the temperatures of the contacts (fixed contacts or movable contacts) of the relays 21 and 22, for example. The temperature detection unit 31 outputs the detected temperature to the control unit 50.

The memory unit 40 stores information and is composed of a magnetic storage device, a semiconductor memory, etc. The memory unit 40 stores the charging current threshold, the temperature threshold of the relays 21 and 22, a program to be executed by the control unit (computer) 60, etc. The memory unit 40 is connected to the control unit 50, and the control unit 50 reads and writes information.

The control unit 50 is capable of executing control to switch the relays 21, 22 between a conducting state and a cut-off state. The control unit 50 is configured to include an electronic circuit mainly composed of a well-known microcomputer including a CPU, a RAM constituting a memory, and an interface. When the charging device 1 is started, the control unit 50 reads a program from the storage unit 40 and controls the relays 21, 22 based on the program. The control unit 50 switches between, for example, a first power supply mode in which some of the relays 21, 22, the relays 21 (22), are switched to a conducting state (ON) and the remaining relays 22 (21) are switched to a cut-off state (OFF) to enable power supply, and a second power supply mode in which all of the relays 21, 22 are switched to a conducting state (ON) to enable power supply.

The control unit 50 is connected to the information acquisition unit 30 and controls the relays 21 and 22 based on information related to charging acquired by the information acquisition unit 30. For example, a charging current control signal representing the current value of the charging current is output from the information acquisition unit 30 to the control unit 50. The control unit 50 then determines whether charging is possible or not based on the output charging current control signal. For example, when the current value of the charging current represented by the charging current control signal is within a predetermined reference range, the control unit 50 determines that charging is possible and makes the relays 21 and 22 controllable to be turned on. On the other hand, when the current value of the charging current represented by the charging current control signal is outside the predetermined reference range, the control unit 50 determines that charging is not possible and does not make the relays 21 and 22 controllable to be turned on.

The control unit 50 is also connected to the temperature detection unit 31, which outputs a detection temperature (temperature information) indicating the temperature of the relays 21 and 22. The control unit 50 then controls the relays 21 and 22 based on the output detection temperature. For example, when the control unit 50 controls the relays 21 and 22 based on the detection temperature, if the detection temperature is relatively high, the control unit 50 switches more relays 21 and 22 to a conducting state than if the detection temperature is relatively low. For example, when the detection temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature threshold (second temperature threshold: 30°C), the control unit 50 turns on both relays 21 and 22. As a result, the control unit 50 can suppress the temperature rise of the relays 21 and 22 by supplying a charging current through both relays 21 and 22, compared to when the charging current is supplied through one of the relays 21 and 22.

On the other hand, when the detected temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature threshold (first temperature threshold: 20°C), the control unit 50 supplies a charging current through one of the relays 21 and 22. For example, the control unit 50 switches ON the relay 21 (22) having a relatively small cumulative number of switching times to the energized state, and switches OFF the relay 22 (21) having a relatively large cumulative number of switching times. Here, the control unit 50 counts the number of switching times of each of the relays 21 and 22 to ON. The control unit 50 has counters for each of the relays 21 and 22. These counters are set to zero in the initial state. The control unit 50 counts up each counter each time the control unit 50 switches each of the relays 21 and 22 to ON. For example, when the control unit 50 switches the relay 21 to ON, the control unit 50 counts up the counter of the relay 21, and when the control unit 50 switches the relay 22 to ON, the control unit 50 counts up the counter of the relay 22. This allows the counter of relay 21 to store the cumulative number of times that relay 21 has been switched ON, and the counter of relay 22 to store the cumulative number of times that relay 22 has been switched ON.

For example, when the cumulative number of times that relay 21 is switched ON is less than the cumulative number of times that relay 22 is switched ON, the control unit 50 turns ON the relay 21 with the smaller cumulative number. On the other hand, when the cumulative number of times that relay 22 is switched ON is less than the cumulative number of times that relay 21 is switched ON, the control unit 50 turns ON the relay 22 with the smaller cumulative number. As a result, the control unit 50 can turn ON the relay 21, 22 with the smaller cumulative number of times of switching, so that the number of times of ON can be made equal, and as a result, the wear of the contacts of the relays 21, 22 can be made equal. Since the control unit 50 can make the wear of the contacts of the relays 21, 22 equal, it is possible to avoid a situation in which one of the relays 21, 22 cannot be turned ON due to extreme wear when both relays 21, 22 are turned ON, and as a result, the life of the relays 21, 22 can be suppressed from being shortened. In addition, the control unit 50 can turn on either relay 21 or 22 depending on the conditions, which can reduce wear on the contacts of relays 21 and 22 compared to when only one relay is turned on as in the conventional method.

The control unit 50 controls the relays 21 and 22 based on the charging current control signal when the detected temperature exceeds the first temperature threshold (20°C) and is equal to or lower than the second temperature threshold (30°C). For example, when the control unit 50 controls the relays 21 and 22 based on the charging current control signal, if the current value represented by the charging current control signal is relatively large, the control unit 50 switches more relays 21 and 22 to the energized state than when the current value represented by the charging current control signal is relatively small. For example, when the current value of the charging current represented by the charging current control signal is greater than the current threshold (15A), the control unit 50 turns on both relays 21 and 22. As a result, the control unit 50 can suppress the temperature rise of the relays 21 and 22 by supplying the charging current through both relays 21 and 22, compared to when the charging current is supplied through one of the relays 21 and 22. On the other hand, when the current value of the charging current represented by the charging current control signal is equal to or less than the current threshold value (15A), the charging current is small and the effect of temperature rise is small, so the control unit 50 supplies the charging current through one of the relays 21 and 22.

Next, an example of the operation of the charging device 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing switching conditions of the relay according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the charging device 1 according to the embodiment. In the charging device 1, the charging connector 10 is connected to the connector of a vehicle parked at a charging station. In the charging device 1, the information acquisition unit 30 acquires the charging current as shown in FIG. 3 (step S1). The information acquisition unit 30 acquires a charging current control signal representing the current value of the charging current of the power supplied from the external power source P from, for example, a charging controller C such as an authentication device of an external charging service. Next, the control unit 50 determines whether charging is permitted (step S2). For example, when the current value of the charging current represented by the charging current control signal is within a predetermined reference range (for example, 6A≦charging current≦30A), the control unit 50 determines that charging is possible (step S2; Yes) and enables ON control of the relays 21 and 22. Then, the control unit 50 determines the maximum charging current to be supplied to the vehicle based on the charging current control signal, and transmits the maximum charging current to the vehicle by a CPLT signal. The vehicle charges the vehicle battery with a current that does not exceed the maximum charging current transmitted from the control unit 50. If the current value of the charging current represented by the charging current control signal is outside a predetermined reference range, the control unit 50 determines that charging is not possible (step S2; No) and does not enable ON control of the relays 21 and 22.

When the control unit 50 determines that charging is possible (step S2; Yes), it acquires the detected temperature (step S3). The control unit 50 acquires, for example, a detected temperature representing the temperature of the relays 21 and 22 from the temperature detection unit 31. Next, the control unit 50 determines whether the acquired detected temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature threshold (second temperature threshold: 30°C) (step S4). When the acquired detected temperature is equal to or lower than the temperature threshold (second temperature threshold: 30°C) (step S4; Yes), the control unit 50 determines whether the acquired detected temperature is equal to or lower than the temperature threshold (first temperature threshold: 20°C) (step S5). When the acquired detected temperature is equal to or lower than the temperature threshold (first temperature threshold: 20°C) (step S5; Yes), the control unit 50 acquires the cumulative number of times that the relays 21 and 22 have been switched ON in order to turn ON one of the relays 21 and 22 as shown in FIG. 2 (step S7). Next, the control unit 50 compares the cumulative number of times the relay 21 is switched ON with the cumulative number of times the relay 22 is switched ON (step S8). For example, if the cumulative number of times the relay 21 is switched ON is equal to or less than the cumulative number of times the relay 22 is switched ON (step S8; Yes), the control unit 50 turns ON the relay 21 with the smaller cumulative number (step S9) and supplies the charging current supplied from the external power source P to the vehicle battery via the relay 21, not via the relay 22 (first power supply mode). Then, the control unit 50 counts up the counter of the relay 21, and increases the cumulative number of the relay 21 by "+1" (step S10). On the other hand, if the cumulative number of times relay 22 is switched ON is less than the cumulative number of times relay 21 is switched ON (step S8; No), the control unit 50 turns ON the relay 22 with the smaller cumulative number (step S11) and supplies the charging current supplied from the external power source P to the vehicle battery via relay 22, not via relay 21 (first power supply mode). Then, the control unit 50 counts up the counter of relay 22, increasing the cumulative number of relay 22 by "+1" (step S12).

Next, the control unit 50 determines whether charging has been completed (step S13). For example, if the control unit 50 receives a signal from the vehicle indicating that the battery is fully charged, it determines that charging has been completed (step S13; Yes), turns off relays 21 and 22, and ends the charging process. On the other hand, if the control unit 50 does not receive a signal from the vehicle indicating that the battery is fully charged, it determines that charging has not been completed (step S13; No), and continues the charging process without turning off relays 21 and 22.

In addition, in the above-mentioned step S4, if the acquired detected temperature exceeds the temperature threshold (second temperature threshold: 30°C) (step S4; No), the control unit 50 turns on the relays 21 and 22 (step S15) and supplies the charging current supplied from the external power source P to the vehicle battery via the relays 21 and 22 (second power supply mode). Then, the control unit 50 counts up the counters of the relays 21 and 22, respectively, and increases the cumulative number of the relays 22 and 22 by "+1" (step S16). In addition, in the above-mentioned step S5, if the acquired detected temperature exceeds the temperature threshold (first temperature threshold: 20°C) (step S5; No), the control unit 50 determines whether the current value of the charging current represented by the charging current control signal is equal to or less than the current threshold (15A) (step S6). If the current value of the charging current represented by the charging current control signal is equal to or less than the current threshold value (15A) (step S6; Yes), the control unit 50 obtains the cumulative number of times that the relays 21 and 22 have been switched ON (step S7) and turns ON one of the relays 21 and 22. On the other hand, if the current value of the charging current represented by the charging current control signal exceeds the current threshold value (15A) (step S6; No), the control unit 50 turns ON the relays 21 and 22 (step S15), counts up the counters of the relays 21 and 22, and increases the cumulative number of the relays 22 and 22 by "+1" (step S16).

As described above, the charging device 1 includes the charging connector 10, the relays 21 and 22, the information acquisition unit 30, and the control unit 50. The charging connector 10 is configured to be connectable to a vehicle. The relays 21 and 22 are each connected in parallel on the power supply path R between the external power source P and the charging connector 10, and are configured to be switchable between a conducting state in which power is supplied from the external power source P to the vehicle battery via the charging connector 10 and a cut-off state in which the power is cut off. The information acquisition unit 30 is configured to be able to acquire information related to charging. The control unit 50 can execute control to switch between the conducting state and the cut-off state of each of the relays 21 and 22 based on the information related to charging acquired by the information acquisition unit 30.

With this configuration, the charging device 1 can form, for example, a parallel circuit N using relays 21 and 22 on the power supply path R, or a circuit including one of each of relays 21 and 22. This allows the charging device 1 to charge the vehicle's battery with power supplied from the external power source P via various circuits on the power supply path R according to information related to charging. This allows the charging device 1 to properly charge the vehicle's battery.

In the charging device 1, the control unit 50 switches between a first power supply mode in which some of the relays 21, 22 (21) are switched to a conducting state and the remaining relays 22 (21) are switched to a cut-off state to supply power, and a second power supply mode in which all of the relays 21, 22 are switched to a conducting state to supply power, based on information related to charging. With this configuration, the charging device 1 can supply power by switching to the first power supply mode or the second power supply mode depending on the temperature of the relays 21, 22, for example. When the temperature of the relays 21, 22 is relatively high, for example, the charging device 1 can switch to the second power supply mode to supply power by putting all of the relays 21, 22 in a conducting state. On the other hand, when the temperature of the relays 21, 22 is relatively low, the charging device 1 can switch to the first power supply mode to supply power by putting either one of the relays 21, 22 in a conducting state.

In the charging device 1, the control unit 50 switches the relay 21, which has a relatively small cumulative number of switching times to the energized state, to the energized state, and switches the relay 22, which has a relatively large cumulative number of switching times, to the cut-off state, based on information about charging. With this configuration, the charging device 1 can equalize the number of ON times of each relay 21, 22, so that the wear of the contacts of the relays 21, 22 can be made equal. In other words, in the charging device 1, the contacts are worn every time the relays 21, 22 are turned ON, but by making the number of ON times equal, the wear amount of each contact can be made equal and the remaining parts of the contacts can be made equal. Since the charging device 1 can equalize the remaining parts of the contacts of the relays 21, 22, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the remaining parts of one of the relays 21, 22 cannot be turned ON when both relays 21, 22 are turned ON because the remaining parts of the contacts of one of the relays 21, 22 are extremely small, and as a result, the life of the relays 21, 22 can be prevented from being shortened.

In the charging device 1, when the control unit 50 controls the relays 21 and 22 based on temperature information (detected temperature) representing the temperature of the relays 21 and 22 as information related to charging, if the temperature information is relatively high, the control unit 50 switches more relays 21 and 22 to the energized state than when the temperature information is relatively low. Also, when the control unit 50 controls the relays 21 and 22 based on current information (charging current control signal) representing the current of the power supplied from the external power source P as information related to charging, if the current information is relatively high, the control unit 50 switches more relays 21 and 22 to the energized state than when the current information is relatively small. With this configuration, for example, when the temperature of the relays 21 and 22 is relatively high (for example, when charging in the summer when the temperature is high), the charging device 1 can suppress a temperature rise by turning on both relays 21 and 22 and supplying a charging current to the vehicle battery through each of the relays 21 and 22. On the other hand, when the temperature of the relays 22, 22 is relatively low (for example, when charging in winter when the temperature is low), the charging device 1 turns on one of the relays 21, 22 and supplies a charging current to the vehicle battery via one of the relays 21, 22, thereby suppressing wear. In this way, the charging device 1 can suppress the temperature rise of the relays 21, 22 and suppress wear of the contacts of each of the relays 21, 22. Furthermore, when the current value of the power supplied from the external power source P is relatively large, the charging device 1 turns on both of the relays 21, 22 and supplies a charging current to the vehicle battery via each of the relays 21, 22, thereby suppressing a temperature rise. On the other hand, when the current value of the power supplied from the external power source P is relatively small, the charging device 1 turns on one of the relays 21, 22 and supplies a charging current to the vehicle battery via one of the relays 21, 22, thereby suppressing wear. In this way, the charging device 1 can suppress the temperature rise of the relays 21 and 22 and also suppress wear on the contacts of each of the relays 21 and 22.

The charging control program executed by the control unit (computer) 60 includes information acquisition steps S1 and S3 and switching steps S9, S11, and S15. In the information acquisition steps S1 and S3, information related to charging is acquired. In the switching steps S9, S11, and S15, based on the information related to charging acquired in the information acquisition steps S1 and S3, the relays 21 and 22 are connected in parallel on the power supply path R between the charging connector 10 configured to be connectable to the vehicle and the external power source P, and are configured to be switchable between a conducting state in which power is supplied from the external power source P to the vehicle battery via the charging connector 10 and a cut-off state in which the power is cut off, and are switched between a conducting state and a cut-off state. As a result, the charging control program is executed by the control unit (computer) 60, so that the vehicle battery can be properly charged.

The charging control program includes a step of switching between a first power supply mode in which some of the relays 21, 22 (22) are switched to a conductive state and the remaining relays 22 (21) are switched to a cut-off state to enable power supply, and a second power supply mode in which all of the relays 21, 22 are switched to a conductive state to enable power supply, based on information related to charging.

The charging control program includes a step of switching relay 21, which has a relatively small cumulative number of switching times to the energized state, to the energized state, and switching relay 22, which has a relatively large cumulative number of switching times, to the cut-off state, based on information related to charging.

The charging control program includes a step in which, when the control unit 50 controls the relays 21, 22 based on temperature information (detected temperature) representing the temperature of the relays 21, 22 as information related to charging, if the temperature information is relatively high, more relays 21, 22 are switched to the conductive state than when the temperature information is relatively low. The charging control program also includes a step in which, when the control unit 50 controls the relays 21, 22 based on current information (charging current control signal) representing the current of the power supplied from the external power source P as information related to charging, if the current information is relatively high, more relays 21, 22 are switched to the conductive state than when the current information is relatively small.

[Modifications]
Next, a modified example of the embodiment will be described. In the modified example, the same components as those in the embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of operation of the charging device 1 according to the modified example of the embodiment. The charging device 1 according to the modified example is different from the charging device 1 according to the embodiment in that, when turning on one of the relays 21 and 22, a relay other than the relay that was turned on alone the previous time is turned on.

In the charging device 1 according to the modified example, the information acquisition unit 30 acquires the charging current as shown in FIG. 4 (step T1) and determines whether charging is permitted or not (step T2). For example, when the current value of the charging current represented by the charging current control signal is within a predetermined reference range, the control unit 50 determines that charging is permitted (step T2; Yes) and enables the relays 21 and 22 to be controlled to be turned on. The control unit 50 then determines the maximum charging current to be supplied to the vehicle based on the charging current control signal and transmits the maximum charging current to the vehicle by a CPLT signal. On the other hand, when the current value of the charging current represented by the charging current control signal is outside the predetermined reference range, the control unit 50 determines that charging is not permitted (step T2; No) and does not enable the relays 21 and 22 to be controlled to be turned on.

When the control unit 50 determines that charging is possible (step T2; Yes), it acquires the detection temperature (step T3) and determines whether the acquired detection temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature threshold (second temperature threshold: 30°C) (step T4). When the acquired detection temperature is equal to or lower than the temperature threshold (second temperature threshold: 30°C) (step T4; Yes), the control unit 50 determines whether the acquired detection temperature is equal to or lower than the temperature threshold (first temperature threshold: 20°C) (step T5). When the acquired detection temperature is equal to or lower than the temperature threshold (first temperature threshold: 20°C) (step T5; Yes), the control unit 50 acquires information on the relay that was turned on alone last time (step T7). Here, the control unit 50 stores the relay that was turned on alone last time for each of the relays 21 and 22. That is, the control unit 50 stores the relay that was turned on alone most recently. For example, if the control unit 50 previously turned on the relay 22 alone (step T8; Yes), it turns on a relay 21 other than the relay 22 (step T9) and updates the previously turned on relay information to the relay 21 (step T10). On the other hand, if the control unit 50 previously turned on the relay 21 alone (step T8; No), it turns on a relay 22 other than the relay 21 (step T11) and updates the previously turned on relay information to the relay 22 (step T12).

Next, if the control unit 50 determines that charging has been completed (step T13; Yes), it turns off the relays 21 and 22 and ends the charging process. On the other hand, if the control unit 50 determines that charging has not been completed (step T13; No), it continues the charging process without turning off the relays 21 and 22.

In addition, in the above-mentioned step T4, if the acquired detected temperature exceeds the temperature threshold (second temperature threshold: 30°C) (step T4; No), the control unit 50 turns on the relays 21 and 22 (step T15), and then proceeds to the above-mentioned step T13 to determine the end of charging. Also, in the above-mentioned step T5, if the acquired detected temperature exceeds the temperature threshold (first temperature threshold: 20°C) (step T5; No), the control unit 50 determines whether the current value of the charging current represented by the charging current control signal is equal to or less than the current threshold (15A) (step T6). If the current value of the charging current represented by the charging current control signal is equal to or less than the current threshold (15A) (step T6; Yes), the control unit 50 proceeds to the above-mentioned step T8 and determines which relay was turned on alone last time. On the other hand, when the current value of the charging current represented by the charging current control signal exceeds the current threshold value (15 A) (step T6; No), the control unit 50 turns on the relays 21 and 22 (step T15), and then proceeds to the above-mentioned step T13 to determine the end of charging. As described above, when turning on one of the relays 21 and 22, the charging device 1 according to the modified example turns on a relay other than the relay that was turned on alone previously.

In the above description, the present invention has been described as being applied to a charging device 1 that supplies power from an external power source P to a vehicle battery via a charging connector 10, but is not limited thereto. For example, the present invention may be applied to a power supply device (not shown) that supplies power from a vehicle battery to a household electrical appliance via a power supply connector in order to utilize the power stored in the vehicle battery for household use. In this case, the power supply device includes a power supply connector, multiple switching units, an information acquisition unit, and a control unit. The power supply connector is configured to be connectable to a power supply target. The multiple switching units are each connected in parallel on a power supply path between the power source and the power supply connector, and are configured to be switchable between a power supply state in which power is supplied from the power source to the power supply target via the power supply connector and a cut-off state in which the power is cut off. The information acquisition unit is configured to be able to acquire information related to power supply. The control unit is capable of executing control to switch between the power supply state and the cut-off state of each of the multiple switching units based on the information related to power supply acquired by the information acquisition unit. This allows the power supply device to supply power from the power source to the power supply target via various circuits on the power supply path according to the information about the power supply, so that power can be supplied appropriately to the power supply target.

In the above description, the information acquisition unit 30 has been described as acquiring a charging current control signal representing the charging current from a charging controller C such as an external charging service authentication device when the charging device 1 is installed in a charging station, which is a facility dedicated to charging, but is not limited to this. For example, when the charging device 1 is installed in a parking lot of a general household, the information acquisition unit 30 may acquire a charging current control signal representing the current value of the charging current from an external HEMS (Home Energy Management System) controller. In addition, the information acquisition unit 30 may acquire a charging current setting signal for setting the charging current from an operation unit (not shown) provided in the charging device 1. Then, the charging device 1 controls the relays 21 and 22 based on the acquired charging current setting signal. For example, when the charging device 1 acquires a relatively small charging current (for example, 15 A) as a charging current setting signal from the operation unit, the charging device 1 can extend the life of the relays 21 and 22 by turning on one of the relays 21 and 22. On the other hand, when the charging device 1 receives a relatively large charging current (e.g., 30 A) as the charging current setting signal from the operation unit, it can charge in a short time while suppressing the temperature rise by turning on both relays 21 and 22.

In the above explanation, an example was described in which the first temperature threshold is 20°C, the second temperature threshold is 30°C, and the current threshold is 15A, but these thresholds can be changed as appropriate depending on the application situation of the charging device 1.

1 Charging device 20 Relay unit 21, 22 Relay (multiple switching units)
30 Information acquisition unit 31 Temperature detection unit 50 Control unit C Charging connector N Parallel circuit P External power source R Power supply path

Claims (5)

A charging connector configured to be connectable to a vehicle;
a plurality of switching units each connected in parallel on a power supply path between an external power source and the charging connector and configured to be switchable between a conducting state in which power is supplied from the external power source via the charging connector to the battery of the vehicle and a cut-off state in which the power is cut off;
An information acquisition unit configured to be able to acquire information regarding charging;
a control unit capable of executing control of switching between the energized state and the cut-off state of each of the plurality of switching units based on information regarding the charging acquired by the information acquisition unit ;
the information related to charging includes detected temperatures representing temperatures of the plurality of switching units and current information representing a current of power supplied from the external power source,
The control unit is
when the detected temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined first temperature threshold, switching fewer of the switching units to the energized state than when the detected temperature exceeds a second temperature threshold that is higher than the first temperature threshold;
When the detected temperature exceeds the second temperature threshold, a larger number of the switching units are switched to the energized state than when the detected temperature is equal to or lower than the first temperature threshold;
A charging device characterized in that when the detected temperature is below the second temperature threshold and exceeds the first temperature threshold, the multiple switching units are controlled based on the current information, and when the current information is relatively large, more of the switching units are switched to the conductive state than when the current information is relatively small . The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit switches between a first power supply mode in which some of the switching units are switched to the energized state and the remaining switching units are switched to the cut-off state to enable power supply, and a second power supply mode in which all of the switching units are switched to the energized state to enable power supply, based on information related to the charging. The charging device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit switches the switching unit having a relatively small cumulative number of switching times to the energized state among the multiple switching units to the energized state, and switches the switching unit having a relatively large cumulative number of switching times to the cut-off state, based on the information related to the charging. An information acquisition step of acquiring information related to charging;
a switching step of switching between a current-on state and a cut-off state of each of a plurality of switching units, the switching units being connected in parallel on a power supply path between a charging connector configured to be connectable to a vehicle and an external power source and configured to be switchable between a current-on state for supplying power to a battery of the vehicle via the charging connector from the external power source and a cut-off state for cutting off the power, based on information related to the charging acquired in the information acquisition step ;
the information related to charging includes detected temperatures representing temperatures of the plurality of switching units and current information representing a current of power supplied from the external power source,
In the switching step,
when the detected temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined first temperature threshold, switching fewer of the switching units to the energized state than when the detected temperature exceeds a second temperature threshold that is higher than the first temperature threshold;
When the detected temperature exceeds the second temperature threshold, a larger number of the switching units are switched to the energized state than when the detected temperature is equal to or lower than the first temperature threshold;
A charging control program characterized by controlling the multiple switching units based on the current information when the detected temperature is below the second temperature threshold and exceeds the first temperature threshold, and switching more of the switching units to the conductive state when the current information is relatively large than when the current information is relatively small . A power supply connector configured to be connectable to a power supply target;
a plurality of switching units each connected in parallel on a power supply path between a power source and the power supply connector and configured to be switchable between a conducting state in which power is supplied from the power source via the power supply connector to the power supply target and a cut-off state in which the power is cut off;
An information acquisition unit configured to be able to acquire information regarding power supply;
a control unit capable of executing control of switching between the energized state and the cut-off state of each of the plurality of switching units based on information regarding the power supply acquired by the information acquisition unit ;
the information about the power supply includes detected temperatures representing temperatures of the plurality of switching units and current information representing a current of the power supplied from the power source;
The control unit is
when the detected temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined first temperature threshold, switching fewer of the switching units to the energized state than when the detected temperature exceeds a second temperature threshold that is higher than the first temperature threshold;
When the detected temperature exceeds the second temperature threshold, a larger number of the switching units are switched to the energized state than when the detected temperature is equal to or lower than the first temperature threshold;
a power supply device which controls the multiple switching units based on the current information when the detected temperature is below the second temperature threshold and exceeds the first temperature threshold, and when the current information is relatively large, switches more of the switching units to the conductive state than when the current information is relatively small .

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