JP7833652B2 - Electric vehicle charging device, control method, program, and electric vehicle charging system - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to an electric vehicle charging device, control method, program, and electric vehicle charging system, and more particularly to an electric vehicle charging device, control method, program, and electric vehicle charging system that control the charging power supplied from a power source to an electric vehicle.

The charging system described in Patent Document 1 comprises a charging means, a charging limiting means, and a limit release means. The charging means charges the battery using power supplied through a power line wired within the house from a limiter that stops the power supply to the house when the current usage within the house exceeds an upper limit. The charging limiting means restricts the battery charging operation by the charging means after the power supply from the limiter is stopped, once the power supply is resumed. The limit release means releases the limit after the power supply is resumed and predetermined conditions are met.

In this charging system, the charging limiting means consists of an in-house limiting command means that transmits a limiting command signal via a transmission interface to instruct the system to limit charging when the power supply from the limiter is interrupted, and a limiting command receiving means within the charging device that, upon receiving the limiting command signal via a reception interface, limits the battery charging operation by the charging means.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2012-44807

In a charging system like the one described in Patent Document 1, there was a possibility that charging limiting processing could not be performed if communication between the transmitting interface and the receiving interface was impossible.

This disclosure is made in view of the above circumstances and aims to provide an electric vehicle charging device, control method, program, and electric vehicle charging system that can limit the supply of charging power even when a control signal instructing the control of charging power to an electric vehicle cannot be received.

An electric vehicle charging device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an electric vehicle charging device for charging an electric vehicle, and comprises a communication unit, a second control unit, a communication determination unit, and a connection determination unit. The communication unit is able to communicate with a first control unit which transmits a control signal to the electric vehicle charging device that instructs the control of the charging power supplied from a power source to the electric vehicle. The second control unit controls the charging power in accordance with the control signal received by the communication unit from the first control unit. The communication determination unit determines whether the communication unit and the first control unit can communicate. The connection determination unit determines whether the electric vehicle charging device and the electric vehicle are connected. If, at the start of supplying the charging power to the electric vehicle, the communication determination unit determines that the communication unit and the first control unit cannot communicate, and the connection determination unit determines that the electric vehicle charging device and the electric vehicle are connected, the second control unit does not supply the charging power to the electric vehicle. If the connection determination unit determines that the connection between the electric vehicle charging device and the electric vehicle has been disconnected when the charging power is not being supplied to the electric vehicle, the second control unit supplies the charging power to the electric vehicle when the electric vehicle charging device and the electric vehicle are reconnected.

A control method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a control method for an electric vehicle charging device for charging an electric vehicle, and includes a communication step, a power control step, a communication determination step, and a connection determination step. In the communication step, communication is performed with a control unit that transmits a control signal to the electric vehicle charging device instructing the control of the charging power supplied from a power source to the electric vehicle. In the power control step, the charging power is controlled in accordance with the control signal received from the control unit in the communication step. In the communication determination step, it is determined whether or not communication with the control unit is possible in the communication step. In the connection determination step, it is determined whether or not the electric vehicle charging device and the electric vehicle are connected. In the power control step, if, at the start of supplying the charging power to the electric vehicle, it is determined in the communication determination step that communication with the control unit is impossible and in the connection determination step that the electric vehicle charging device and the electric vehicle are connected, the charging power is not supplied to the electric vehicle. In the power control step, if it is determined in the connection determination step that the connection between the electric vehicle charging device and the electric vehicle has been disconnected when the charging power is not being supplied to the electric vehicle, the charging power is supplied to the electric vehicle when the electric vehicle charging device and the electric vehicle are reconnected.

A program relating to one aspect of this disclosure causes a computer system to execute the control method described above.

An electric vehicle charging system according to one aspect of this disclosure comprises the electric vehicle charging device and the first control unit. The first control unit transmits a control signal to the electric vehicle charging device instructing the control of the charging power supplied from the power source to the electric vehicle.

According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide an electric vehicle charging device, control method, program, and electric vehicle charging system that can limit the supply of charging power even when a control signal instructing the control of charging power to an electric vehicle cannot be received.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the use of the electric vehicle charging system according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electric vehicle charging system described above. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the electric vehicle charging device included in the electric vehicle charging system described above. Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the communication determination operation in the electric vehicle charging system described above. Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the electric vehicle charging system described above when communication is possible. Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the electric vehicle charging system described above when communication fails. Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electric vehicle charging system in Modification Example 1. Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the electric vehicle charging system described above when communication fails.

The electric vehicle charging device 1 and the electric vehicle charging system 10 equipped with the electric vehicle charging device 1 according to the embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments and modifications described below are merely examples of this disclosure, and this disclosure is not limited to these embodiments and modifications. Even outside of these embodiments and modifications, various modifications are possible depending on the design, etc., as long as they do not depart from the technical idea of this disclosure.

(1) Overview First, the overview of the electric vehicle charging system 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

The electric vehicle charging system 10 is installed in residential facilities such as detached houses or apartment buildings, or in non-residential facilities such as offices, shops, or nursing care facilities, and controls the supply of charging power to electric vehicles 3 in these facilities. In this embodiment, as an example, the case in which the electric vehicle charging system 10 is installed in a detached house H1, as shown in Figure 1, will be described.

As shown in Figure 2, the electric vehicle charging system 10 comprises an electric vehicle charging device 1 and an equipment control device 2.

The equipment control device 2 includes a first control unit 23. The first control unit 23 transmits a control signal to the electric vehicle charging device 1 instructing the control of the charging power supplied to the electric vehicle 3 from the power source (a power system 63 such as a commercial power source or a distributed power source 7).

The electric vehicle charging device 1 is a device for charging the electric vehicle 3.

The electric vehicle 3 comprises a power unit such as an electric motor and a battery 300 as a power source that supplies power to the power unit. The electric vehicle 3 converts the electrical energy (power) output from the battery 300 into mechanical energy (driving force) in the power unit, and uses this mechanical energy to move. The electric vehicle 3 is equipped with a charging circuit 301. The charging circuit 301 charges the battery 300 with a charging power that does not exceed a predetermined maximum value (power setting value).

In this disclosure, "electric vehicle" refers to, for example, an electric vehicle that runs on the output of an electric motor, or a plug-in hybrid vehicle that runs on a combination of engine output and electric motor output. Electric vehicles may also include mobility scooters, motorcycles (electric bikes), tricycles, or electric bicycles.

As shown in Figure 2, the electric vehicle charging device 1 comprises a communication unit (second communication unit) 12, a second control unit 17, a communication determination unit 18, and a connection determination unit 19.

The communication unit 12 is configured to communicate with the first control unit 23 of the equipment control device 2.

The second control unit 17 controls the charging power according to the control signal received by the communication unit 12 from the first control unit 23.

The communication determination unit 18 determines whether communication is possible between the communication unit 12 and the first control unit 23.

The connection determination unit 19 determines whether the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the electric vehicle 3 are connected.

Furthermore, the second control unit 17 will not supply charging power to the electric vehicle 3 if, at the start of supplying charging power to the electric vehicle 3, the communication determination unit 18 determines that communication between the communication unit 12 and the first control unit 23 is impossible, and the connection determination unit 19 determines that the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the electric vehicle 3 are connected.

The electric vehicle charging device 1 and electric vehicle charging system 10 according to this embodiment offer the following advantages.

Let's assume that the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the electric vehicle 3 are connected, and the electric vehicle 3 is being charged by charging power supplied from the power grid 63 via the electric vehicle charging device 1. In this case, for example, if the power supply from the power grid 63 is interrupted (power outage), the electric vehicle 3 will be charged by charging power supplied from the energy storage device 72 (see Figure 1) of the distributed power source 7 via the electric vehicle charging device 1.

At this time, the power value of the charging power supplied from the energy storage device 72 to the electric vehicle 3 is indicated by a control signal transmitted from the first control unit 23 of the equipment control device 2 to the electric vehicle charging device 1. Here, a limit (e.g., 4 kW) is set on the power value that can be supplied from the energy storage device 72. If the power value supplied from the energy storage device 72 exceeds this limit, the power supply from the energy storage device 72 stops. Therefore, the power value of the charging power supplied from the energy storage device 72 to the electric vehicle 3 is limited by the control signal to a value smaller than the rated value (e.g., 6 kW) (e.g., 1.2 kW). The rated value is the value of the charging power supplied from the power system 63 under normal conditions (non-power outage).

In this case, for example, if communication between the communication unit 12 of the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the first control unit 23 of the equipment control device 2 becomes impossible due to a malfunction in the recovery of the equipment control device 2 after a power outage, the communication unit 12 cannot receive the control signal. In such a case, in the conventional configuration, the charging power supplied by the electric vehicle charging device 1 to the electric vehicle 3 was not limited, and the electric vehicle 3 was configured to be charged at its rated value. Therefore, the power supplied from the energy storage device 72 could exceed the limit, potentially causing the power supply from the energy storage device 72 to stop.

According to the electric vehicle charging device 1 and electric vehicle charging system 10 of this embodiment, if the communication unit 12 and the first control unit 23 are unable to communicate, the electric vehicle charging device 1 will not supply charging power to the electric vehicle 3, even if the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the electric vehicle 3 are connected. In other words, even if the electric vehicle charging device 1 cannot receive a control signal instructing the electric vehicle 3 to control its charging power, it can still limit the supply of charging power to the electric vehicle 3.

(2) Details The electric vehicle charging system 10 according to this embodiment will be described in more detail below with reference to Figures 1 to 6.

(2.1) Overall Configuration First, the overall configuration of the electric vehicle charging system 10 will be explained with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

As described above, the electric vehicle charging system 10 comprises an electric vehicle charging device 1 and an equipment control device 2. In this embodiment, the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the equipment control device 2 work together to realize the functions of the electric vehicle charging system 10.

The electric vehicle charging device 1 and the equipment control device 2 are configured to communicate with each other. In this disclosure, "communicative" means that information can be exchanged directly or indirectly via a network or relay, etc., using an appropriate communication method such as wired or wireless communication. That is, the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the equipment control device 2 can exchange information with each other. In this embodiment, the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the equipment control device 2 are bidirectionally communicative, allowing for both the transmission of information from the electric vehicle charging device 1 to the equipment control device 2 and the transmission of information from the equipment control device 2 to the electric vehicle charging device 1.

As shown in Figure 1, the equipment control device 2 is installed inside the house H1. The equipment control device 2 is a device that controls various devices (including equipment and facilities) that are to be controlled. The various devices controlled by the equipment control device 2 include at least the electric vehicle charging device 1.

The device control unit 2 controls the start and stop of charging the battery 300 of the electric vehicle 3 by the electric vehicle charging unit 1 by outputting a "charging start signal" to instruct the electric vehicle charging unit 1 to start charging and a "charging stop signal" to instruct the electric vehicle charging unit 1 to stop charging.

The electric vehicle charging device 1 is a charging facility for charging the electric vehicle 3. The electric vehicle charging device 1 is installed outside (outdoors) of the house H1 by being attached to the exterior wall or support pillars of the house H1. A charging cable 101 is electrically connected to the electric vehicle charging device 1. The charging cable 101 has a charging connector 102 at its end. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the charging connector 102 is detachably connected to the charging inlet of the electric vehicle 3. With the charging connector 102 connected to the charging inlet, the electric vehicle charging device 1 is electrically connected to the electric vehicle 3 via the charging cable 101, enabling power to be supplied to the electric vehicle 3 via the charging cable 101 and charging of the battery 300.

Furthermore, in the electric vehicle charging system 10 according to this embodiment, the equipment control device 2 can control various devices other than the electric vehicle charging device 1. Specifically, as shown in Figure 1, the equipment control device 2 is configured to communicate with the distribution board 61 installed in the house H1, the load 62 including electrical equipment such as lighting fixtures and air conditioning equipment, and the distributed power supply 7. Here, the equipment control device 2 is connected to the router 64 and communicates with the distribution board 61 and the load 62 directly or indirectly via the router 64. As a result, the equipment control device 2 can obtain information about the status of the load 62 (for example, whether the lighting fixture is on or off) from the load 62, and transmit information to the load 62 for controlling the load 62.

The electric vehicle charging device 1 and load 62 are electrically connected to the distribution board 61. Furthermore, the power grid 63, such as the commercial power supply, and the distributed power supply 7 are also electrically connected to the distribution board 61. This allows the distribution board 61 to supply power from the power grid 63 or the distributed power supply 7 to the electric vehicle 3 and other loads 62. In other words, the power grid 63, such as the commercial power supply, or the distributed power supply 7 can be used as a power source to supply charging power to the electric vehicle 3. If the supply of charging power from the power grid 63 stops, charging power will be supplied from the distributed power supply 7.

In this embodiment, the distributed power source 7 includes, for example, a solar cell 71, a power storage device 72, and a power conditioner 73 as a power generation module. The power generation module is not limited to a solar cell 71; it may also be a power generation module that utilizes natural energy sources such as wind, hydro, and geothermal energy.

The solar cell 71 outputs power as generated power, corresponding to the amount of sunlight it receives. The energy storage device 72 is configured to store the power generated by the solar cell 71 and the power supplied from the power grid 63. The energy storage device 72 outputs the stored power (electrical energy) as discharged power. The power conditioner 73 converts the power generated by the solar cell 71 or the discharged power from the energy storage device 72 into AC power and outputs it to the distribution board 61. Alternatively, the power conditioner 73 may convert the AC power supplied from the distribution board 61 into DC power during off-peak hours when electricity rates are lower, such as at night, to charge the energy storage device 72. Furthermore, the power conditioner 73 may convert the power generated by the solar cell 71 into a voltage to charge the energy storage device 72.

The distributed power source 7 is configured to be grid-connectable. In this disclosure, "grid connection" means a state in which the distributed power source 7 is electrically connected to the power grid 63, and power can be supplied to the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the load 62 from both the distributed power source 7 and the power grid 63. In other words, the distributed power source 7 can supply power generated by the solar cell 71 (or discharged power from the energy storage device 72) to the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the load 62, either together with or in lieu of power from the power grid 63.

The distribution panel 61 has the function of measuring the power supplied from the power system 63, the power supplied from the distributed power source 7, and the power consumption of loads 62, etc. (including the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the distributed power source 7) using current sensors, etc. Therefore, the equipment control device 2 can appropriately acquire information regarding the power supplied from the power system 63, the power supplied from the distributed power source 7, and the power consumption of loads 62, etc., from the distribution panel 61 through communication with the distribution panel 61.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the device control unit 2 is connected to a network 65, such as the Internet, via a router 64. This allows the device control unit 2 to communicate with an information terminal 4 located inside the house H1 via the router 64, and also to communicate with an information terminal 4 located outside the house H1 via the router 64 and the network 65. The information terminal 4 is, for example, a smartphone or tablet. A server 5 is further connected to the network 65. This allows the device control unit 2 to communicate with both the information terminal 4 and the server 5.

(2.2) Equipment Control Device Next, the configuration of the equipment control device 2 will be described. As described above, in this embodiment, the equipment control device 2 is part of the electric vehicle charging system 10 and together with the electric vehicle charging device 1 constitutes the electric vehicle charging system 10.

As shown in Figure 2, the device control unit 2 includes a first communication unit 21, a first processing unit 22, an input interface 25, a first display unit 26, and an external communication unit 27.

The first processing unit 22 primarily consists of a computer system including, for example, memory and a processor. That is, the functions of the first processing unit 22 are realized by the execution of a program stored in the computer system's memory by the processor. The program may be pre-stored in memory, provided via telecommunication lines such as the Internet, or provided stored on a non-temporary storage medium such as a memory card.

Furthermore, the first processing unit 22 includes a first control unit 23 and a display control unit 24. The first control unit 23 also includes a control signal generation unit 231 and a charging control unit 232. Note that the control signal generation unit 231, charging control unit 232, and display control unit 24 merely represent functions implemented by the first processing unit 22 and do not necessarily represent an actual physical configuration.

The control signal generation unit 231 generates a control signal. The control signal is a signal that instructs the control of the charging power supplied from the power source (power system 63 such as commercial power or distributed power source 7) to the electric vehicle 3 via the electric vehicle charging device 1. In other words, the control signal is a signal that instructs the electric vehicle charging device 1 to control the charging power supplied to the battery 300 of the electric vehicle 3.

Specifically, the control signal specifies the maximum value (power setting) of the charging power that the charging circuit 301 can supply to the battery 300 when the charging circuit 301 of the electric vehicle 3 charges the battery 300 with power supplied from the electric vehicle charging device 1. Alternatively, the control signal may also specify the maximum value of the charging current that the charging circuit 301 can supply to the battery 300 when the charging circuit 301 charges the battery 300 with power supplied from the electric vehicle charging device 1.

The control signal generation unit 231 generates a control signal based on information obtained from the distribution board 61, including the power supplied from the power system 63, the power supplied from the distributed power sources 7, and the power consumption of the loads 62, etc. Here, the control signal generation unit 231 generates a control signal that specifies a power setting value such that the current flowing through the main circuit breaker of the distribution board 61—that is, the supply current supplied from the power system 63 to the distribution board 61—does not exceed the rated current of the main circuit breaker.

Furthermore, the control signal generation unit 231 specifies the power setting value for the charging power supplied from the energy storage device 72 to the electric vehicle 3 via the electric vehicle charging device 1 when, for example, the power supply from the power system 63 is interrupted (power outage). In this case, the power setting value is set to a value smaller than the power setting value of the charging power supplied to the electric vehicle 3 under normal conditions (e.g., 6 kW) (e.g., 1.2 kW).

The charging control unit 232 transmits a charging start signal and a charging stop signal from the first communication unit 21 to the electric vehicle charging device 1 in response to operation signals from the input interface 25. Specifically, when the charging control unit 232 receives an operation signal to stop charging the battery 300 while it is charging, it outputs a charging stop signal. Furthermore, when the charging control unit 232 receives an operation signal to start charging the battery 300 while it has stopped charging, it outputs a charging start signal. The charging control unit 232 may also automatically transmit the charging start signal and the charging stop signal to the electric vehicle charging device 1 when predetermined conditions are met.

Furthermore, the charging control unit 232, for example, when transmitting a charging start signal, causes the control signal generated by the control signal generation unit 231 to be transmitted from the first communication unit 21 to the electric vehicle charging device 1. Also, when the control signal generation unit 231 generates a control signal specifying a new power setting value, the charging control unit 232 causes the first communication unit 21 to transmit the control signal specifying the new power setting value to the electric vehicle charging device 1. The electric vehicle charging device 1 receives the control signals via the communication unit 12.

The display control unit 24 controls the display of various screens on the first display unit 26. In other words, the display control unit 24 generates screens to be displayed on the first display unit 26 and controls the first display unit 26 to display various screens on the first display unit 26. In this disclosure, "screen" refers to an image (including various objects and characters, etc.) displayed on the first display unit 26. In this embodiment, the display control unit 24 displays a settings screen for the user to operate the input interface 25. The display control unit 24 may also display these screens on the display unit of an external device such as an information terminal 4. In this disclosure, "user" refers to users of the electric vehicle charging device 1 and electric vehicle charging system 10, including, for example, residents of the residence H1 and users of the electric vehicle 3.

The first communication unit 21 communicates with the communication unit (second communication unit) 12 of the electric vehicle charging device 1 directly or indirectly via a network or repeater. The communication method between the first communication unit 21 and the second communication unit 12 can be any appropriate method, such as wireless or wired communication. In this embodiment, as an example, the communication method between the first communication unit 21 and the second communication unit 12 is wired communication compliant with a communication standard such as a wired LAN (Local Area Network). The communication protocol used in communication between the first communication unit 21 and the second communication unit 12 is, for example, Ethernet® or ECHONET Lite®.

The input interface 25 receives user input and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the user input. In this disclosure, "user operation" includes operations on a touch panel or mechanical switch, voice input, or gestures. Therefore, the input interface 25 may be implemented as, for example, a touch panel display, mechanical switch, voice input unit, or camera. Alternatively, the input interface 25 may indirectly receive user input to an external device such as the information terminal 4 through communication with the external device. Alternatively, the input interface 25 may be provided on the external device such as the information terminal 4.

The first display unit 26 displays the screen generated by the display control unit 24. The first display unit 26 is implemented as a display such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The first display unit 26 displays the screen according to the video signal output from the display control unit 24.

In this embodiment, the device control unit 2 is equipped with a touch panel display, which functions as both an input interface 25 and a first display unit 26. However, the input interface 25 is not limited to a touch panel display; it may also be, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device, a mechanical switch, or the like.

The external communication unit 27 communicates with external devices such as the information terminal 4 and server 5 directly or indirectly via a network or relay. In this disclosure, "external devices" refers to devices not included in the components of the electric vehicle charging system 10, and, as an example, includes the distribution board 61, load 62, and distributed power supply 7, in addition to the information terminal 4 and server 5. A suitable communication method, such as wireless or wired communication, is employed for communication between the external communication unit 27 and the external devices. In this embodiment, as an example, the external communication unit 27 employs wireless communication using radio waves as the communication medium, compliant with standards such as Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, or unlicensed low-power radio (specified low-power radio).

(2.3) Electric Vehicle Charging Device Next, the configuration of the electric vehicle charging device 1 will be described. In this embodiment, the electric vehicle charging device 1 is part of the electric vehicle charging system 10 and together with the equipment control device 2 constitutes the electric vehicle charging system 10.

As shown in Figure 2, the electric vehicle charging device 1 comprises a communication unit (second communication unit) 12, a vehicle communication unit 13, a relay 14, a protection circuit 15, a second processing unit 16, and a display unit (second display unit) 11.

The second communication unit 12 communicates with the first communication unit 21 of the equipment control device 2, either directly or indirectly via a network or repeater. Furthermore, as described above, the charging control unit 232 of the first control unit 23 communicates with the second communication unit 12 via the first communication unit 21. In other words, the second communication unit 12 can communicate with the first control unit 23.

The second communication unit 12 receives the control signals generated and transmitted by the first control unit 23 (control signal generation unit 231) of the equipment control device 2.

The communication method between the second communication unit 12 and the first communication unit 21 can be any appropriate communication method, such as wireless or wired communication. In this embodiment, as an example, the communication method between the second communication unit 12 and the first communication unit 21 is wired communication compliant with communication standards such as wired LAN (Local Area Network). The communication protocol used in communication between the second communication unit 12 and the first communication unit 21 is, for example, Ethernet® or ECHONET Lite®.

The vehicle communication unit 13 communicates with the electric vehicle 3. In this embodiment, as an example, the vehicle communication unit 13 communicates with the electric vehicle 3 via a wired connection through the transmission line 1012 (described later) of the charging cable 101. In this embodiment, as an example, the vehicle communication unit 13 communicates, at least using CPLT (Control Pilot) signals, to confirm the connection between the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the electric vehicle 3, and to confirm the status of the electric vehicle 3. Note that the communication method between the vehicle communication unit 13 and the electric vehicle 3 is not limited to communication using CPLT signals; any appropriate communication method, such as wireless or wired communication, may be employed.

As shown in Figure 3, the relay 14 is inserted into the power supply path (power supply line 1011, described later) from the distribution board 61 to the battery 300. Specifically, the relay 14 is inserted between the connection terminal to the distribution board 61 and the connection terminal to the charging cable 101 of the electric vehicle charging device 1. As a result, when the relay 14 is ON (conductive), the distribution board 61 and the electric vehicle 3 are electrically connected, and power can be supplied from the power source (power system 63 or distributed power source 7) to the electric vehicle 3 (battery 300). On the other hand, when the relay 14 is OFF (disconnected), the distribution board 61 and the electric vehicle 3 are electrically disconnected, and power cannot be supplied from the power source (power system 63 or distributed power source 7) to the electric vehicle 3 (battery 300). The relay 14 only needs to be controllable by the second processing unit 16, and may be either a mechanical relay with mechanical contacts or a semiconductor relay without mechanical contacts. In this embodiment, as an example, relay 14 is implemented as a mechanical relay.

The protection circuit 15 is a circuit that protects the electric vehicle 3 and the electric vehicle charging system 10 by turning off the relay 14 when an abnormality such as a ground fault or overcurrent is detected. The protection circuit 15 may also have an element that cuts off the power supply to the electric vehicle 3, separate from the relay 14.

The second processing unit 16 primarily consists of a computer system including, for example, memory and a processor. That is, the functions of the second processing unit 16 are realized by the processor executing a program stored in the computer system's memory. The program may be pre-stored in memory, provided via telecommunication lines such as the Internet, or provided stored on a non-temporary storage medium such as a memory card.

The second processing unit 16 controls the charging voltage from the electric vehicle charging device 1 to the electric vehicle 3.

As shown in Figure 2, the second processing unit 16 includes a second control unit 17, a communication determination unit 18, a connection determination unit 19, and a timing unit 20. The second control unit 17 also includes a communication control unit 171 and an opening/closing control unit 172. Note that the communication control unit 171, opening/closing control unit 172, communication determination unit 18, connection determination unit 19, and timing unit 20 merely represent functions implemented by the second processing unit 16 and do not necessarily represent an actual physical configuration.

The communication control unit 171 controls the operation of the second communication unit 12 and the vehicle communication unit 13. The communication control unit 171 controls the second communication unit 12 to receive the charging start signal and charging stop signal transmitted from the first control unit 23 (charging control unit 232) of the equipment control device 2.

Furthermore, the communication control unit 171 controls the charging power supplied from the power source (power system 63 or distributed power source 7) to the electric vehicle 3 (storage battery 300) in accordance with the control signal received by the second communication unit 12 from the first control unit 23. Specifically, the communication control unit 171 controls the vehicle communication unit 13 to communicate with the electric vehicle 3 using CPLT signals. The communication control unit 171 controls the vehicle communication unit 13 to transmit a set value signal to the electric vehicle 3 using CPLT signals. Here, the set value signal is a signal indicating the power set value specified by the control signal received by the second communication unit 12. As described above, the power set value is the maximum value of the charging power that can be supplied to the electric vehicle 3. Therefore, the communication control unit 171 transmits information on the maximum value of the charging power that can be supplied to the electric vehicle 3 to the electric vehicle 3 via the vehicle communication unit 13.

When the second communication unit 12 receives a control signal specifying a new power setting value, the communication control unit 171 causes the vehicle communication unit 13 to transmit a setting value signal indicating the new power setting value to the electric vehicle 3.

The switching control unit 172 controls the supply of charging power to the electric vehicle 3 by driving the relay 14 according to the charging start signal and charging stop signal from the equipment control device 2. Basically, when the second communication unit 12 receives a charging start signal from the equipment control device 2, the switching control unit 172 turns on (conducts) the relay 14, enabling the supply of charging power from the electric vehicle charging device 1 to the electric vehicle 3, thereby charging the battery 300. On the other hand, when the second communication unit 12 receives a charging stop signal from the equipment control device 2, the switching control unit 172 turns off (disconnects) the relay 14, stopping the supply of charging power from the electric vehicle charging device 1 to the electric vehicle 3.

Furthermore, if the communication determination unit 18 determines that communication between the second communication unit 12 and the equipment control device 2 (first control unit 23) is impossible, and the connection determination unit 19 determines that the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the electric vehicle 3 are connected, the opening/closing control unit 172 will keep the relay 14 in the off state and will not supply charging power from the electric vehicle charging device 1 to the electric vehicle 3.

The communication determination unit 18 determines at regular time intervals whether communication is possible between the second communication unit 12 and the first control unit 23. If communication between the second communication unit 12 and the first control unit 23 is not established for a predetermined time or longer, the communication determination unit 18 determines that communication between the second communication unit 12 and the first control unit 23 is impossible. In this embodiment, the predetermined time is set to, for example, 10 minutes. However, the predetermined time is not limited to 10 minutes and can be set to any value.

The connection determination unit 19 determines at regular time intervals whether the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the electric vehicle 3 are connected. Specifically, the connection determination unit 19 determines whether a connection has been established between the vehicle communication unit 13 and the electric vehicle 3 by detecting whether or not a CPLT signal is input from the electric vehicle 3 to the vehicle communication unit 13.

The timing unit 20 measures the elapsed time since the communication control unit 171 controlled the second communication unit 12 to begin attempting to establish communication with the first control unit 23 via the first communication unit 21.

The second display unit 11 displays the result of the communication determination unit 18's determination of whether the second communication unit 12 and the first control unit 23 can communicate. Hereinafter, the second display unit 11 may be referred to as the communication status display unit 11. The communication status display unit 11 is a light-emitting device, for example, including a multi-color LED (Light Emitting Diode), and emits light in different ways depending on whether the communication determination unit 18 determines that the second communication unit 12 and the first control unit 23 can communicate or not. For example, the communication status display unit 11 emits green light when the communication determination unit 18 determines that the second communication unit 12 and the first control unit 23 can communicate, and emits red light when the communication determination unit 18 determines that the second communication unit 12 and the first control unit 23 cannot communicate.

As described above, a charging cable 101 having a charging connector 102 is electrically connected to the electric vehicle charging device 1. The charging cable 101 consists of a power supply line 1011 through which the charging current to the electric vehicle 3 flows, and a transmission line 1012 through which the CPLT signal is transmitted, both covered by an insulating sheath. The charging connector 102 is provided at the tip of the charging cable 101.

The electric vehicle charging device 1 is electrically connected to the electric vehicle 3 via the charging cable 101, with the charging connector 102 connected to the electric vehicle 3's charging inlet. This allows the electric vehicle charging device 1 to supply power to the electric vehicle 3 (storage battery 300) via the power supply line 1011 of the charging cable 101, and to transmit CPLT signals to the electric vehicle 3 via the transmission line 1012 of the charging cable 101.

The electric vehicle charging device 1 may include a charging switch. When the charging switch is operated while the charging connector 102 is connected to the charging inlet of the electric vehicle 3, it sends a request signal to the equipment control device 2 requesting the transmission of a charging start signal.

The electric vehicle 3 connected to the electric vehicle charging device 1 has a charging circuit 301 as described above. The charging circuit 301 is a circuit that receives power from the electric vehicle charging device 1 and performs charging of the storage battery 300. Furthermore, the electric vehicle 3 is equipped with a charging ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 302 that controls the charging circuit 301 based on CPLT signals transmitted via the transmission line 1012.

(2.4) Operation The operation when the power supply from the power grid 63 is stopped and the electric vehicle 3 is charged by the charging power supplied from the energy storage device 72 (see Figure 1) of the distributed power source 7 via the electric vehicle charging device 1 will be described below. In the following description, it will be assumed that the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the electric vehicle 3 are connected as an initial state, and the electric vehicle 3 is being charged by the charging power supplied from the power grid 63 via the electric vehicle charging device 1.

(2.4.1) Operation when communication is possible First, the case when the second communication unit 12 and the first control unit 23 can communicate will be explained with reference to Figures 1 to 3 and the flowcharts Figures 4 and 5.

For example, if the power supply from the power grid 63 is interrupted (step ST1), the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the equipment control device 2 stop operating. At this time, the switching control unit 172 uses the electrical energy stored in the capacitor inside the electric vehicle charging device 1 to control the relay 14 to the OFF position. As a result, when the power supply from the power grid 63 is interrupted, the supply of charging power from the power grid 63 to the battery 300 is stopped.

Subsequently, when power is supplied from the energy storage device 72 to the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the equipment control device 2 (step ST2), the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the equipment control device 2 begin the restart process (step ST3).

During the restart process, the communication control unit 171 controls the second communication unit 12 to attempt to establish communication with the first control unit 23 via the first communication unit 21.

When the communication control unit 171 begins attempting to establish communication with the first control unit 23, the communication determination unit 18 checks at regular time intervals whether communication between the second communication unit 12 and the first control unit 23 has been established (step ST4).

The communication determination unit 18 determines that communication between the second communication unit 12 and the first control unit 23 is possible (step ST5) if communication between the second communication unit 12 and the first control unit 23 is established before the equipment control device 2 restarts normally and a predetermined time has elapsed (step ST4: Yes).

Furthermore, if communication between the second communication unit 12 and the first control unit 23 is established before the equipment control device 2 restarts and a predetermined time has elapsed, the control signal generation unit 231 generates a control signal (limit control signal) specifying a power setting value of 1.2 kW, which is smaller than the 6 kW supplied to the electric vehicle 3 under normal conditions (non-power outage). The charging control unit 232 transmits the limit control signal from the first communication unit 21 to the electric vehicle charging device 1. The charging control unit 232 also transmits a charging start signal from the first communication unit 21 to the electric vehicle charging device 1 along with the limit control signal.

When the second communication unit 12 receives a restriction control signal (step ST11), the connection determination unit 19 begins determining at regular time intervals whether the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the electric vehicle 3 are connected (step ST12). At this time, the second communication unit 12 also simultaneously receives a charging start signal.

When the connection determination unit 19 determines that the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the electric vehicle 3 are connected (step ST12: Yes), the communication control unit 171 controls the vehicle communication unit 13 to transmit a setting value signal (limit value signal) corresponding to the power setting value (e.g., 1.2 kW) specified by the limit control signal to the electric vehicle 3 via a CPLT signal (step ST13).

Once the communication control unit 171 has finished transmitting the limit value signal to the electric vehicle 3, the switching control unit 172 turns on (conducts) the relay 14 in accordance with the charging start signal from the equipment control device 2, and starts supplying charging power from the electric vehicle charging device 1 to the electric vehicle 3 (storage battery 300) (step ST14). At this time, the charging ECU 302 controls the value of the charging power supplied from the electric vehicle charging device 1 to the storage battery 300 using the energy storage device 72 as a power source to the power set value (1.2 kW) specified by the limit value signal. Note that if the charge rate of the energy storage device 72 falls below a predetermined value (for example, 10%), the switching control unit 172 may turn off (disconnects) the relay 14 and stop supplying charging power from the electric vehicle charging device 1 to the electric vehicle 3 (storage battery 300).

(2.4.2) Operation when communication fails Next, the case when the second communication unit 12 and the first control unit 23 are unable to communicate will be explained with reference to Figures 1 to 3 and the flowcharts Figures 4 and 6.

When power supply from the power grid 63 is cut off (step ST1), the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the equipment control device 2 stop operating. When power supply from the power grid 63 is cut off, the supply of charging power from the power grid 63 to the battery 300 stops.

Subsequently, when power is supplied from the energy storage device 72 to the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the equipment control device 2 (step ST2), the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the equipment control device 2 begin the restart process (step ST3).

During the restart process, the communication control unit 171 controls the second communication unit 12 to attempt to establish communication with the first control unit 23 via the first communication unit 21.

When the communication control unit 171 begins attempting to establish communication with the first control unit 23, the communication determination unit 18 begins checking at regular time intervals whether communication between the second communication unit 12 and the first control unit 23 has been established (step ST4).

If, due to a malfunction in the restart process of the device control unit 2, communication between the second communication unit 12 and the first control unit 23 is not established (step ST4: NO), the communication determination unit 18 checks whether the elapsed time since the communication control unit 171 began attempting to establish communication with the first control unit 23 is equal to or greater than a predetermined time (e.g., 10 minutes) (step ST6). As mentioned above, the elapsed time is measured, for example, by the timing unit 20.

If the elapsed time is less than the predetermined time (Step ST6: NO), the communication determination unit 18 continues to check at regular time intervals whether communication between the second communication unit 12 and the first control unit 23 has been established (Step ST4).

If the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time (Step ST6: YES), the communication determination unit 18 determines that communication between the second communication unit 12 and the first control unit 23 is impossible (Step ST7).

When the communication determination unit 18 determines that communication between the second communication unit 12 and the first control unit 23 is impossible, the connection determination unit 19 begins determining, at regular time intervals, whether the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the electric vehicle 3 are connected (step ST21).

When the connection determination unit 19 determines that the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the electric vehicle 3 are connected (step ST21: YES), the opening/closing control unit 172 holds the relay 14 in the off (disconnected) state. In other words, when the connection determination unit 19 determines that the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the electric vehicle 3 are connected (step ST21: YES), the second control unit 17 maintains a state where no charging power is supplied to the electric vehicle 3 (step ST22).

When the second control unit 17 has stopped supplying charging power to the electric vehicle 3, for example, if the rated value of the electric vehicle 3's charging power is less than the limit value of the power that can be supplied from the energy storage device 72, the user may want the supply of charging power from the energy storage device 72 to the electric vehicle 3 to be resumed. That is, even if the energy storage device 72 supplies charging power to the electric vehicle 3, if the value of the charging power does not exceed the limit power, and there is a low possibility of the power supply from the energy storage device 72 being stopped, the user may want the supply of charging power from the energy storage device 72 to the electric vehicle 3 to be resumed. Furthermore, when the equipment control device 2 has not restarted, for example, if power supply from the power system 63 is restored, the user may want the supply of charging power from the power system 63 to the electric vehicle 3 to be resumed.

In these cases, the user can resume the supply of charging power to the electric vehicle 3 by temporarily disconnecting the connection between the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the electric vehicle 3. Specifically, the user temporarily disconnects the charging connector 102 from the inlet of the electric vehicle 3. When the connection determination unit 19 determines that the connection between the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the electric vehicle 3 has been disconnected (step ST23: YES) while no charging power is being supplied to the electric vehicle 3, the second control unit 17 enters a charging standby state (step ST24).

When the second control unit 17 is in a charging standby state, if the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the electric vehicle 3 are reconnected by the user (step ST25: YES), the second control unit 17 starts supplying charging power to the electric vehicle 3. Specifically, when the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the electric vehicle 3 are reconnected by the user connecting the charging connector 102 to the inlet of the electric vehicle 3 (step ST25: YES), the communication control unit 171 controls the vehicle communication unit 13 to transmit a set value signal (rated value signal) corresponding to the rated value, for example, via a CPLT signal to the electric vehicle 3 (step ST26). Once the communication control unit 171 has finished transmitting the rated value signal to the electric vehicle 3, the switching control unit 172 turns on the relay 14 (conductive state) and starts supplying charging power from the electric vehicle charging device 1 to the electric vehicle 3 (storage battery 300) (step ST27). At this time, the charging ECU 302 controls the value of the charging power supplied from the electric vehicle charging device 1 to the storage battery 300 to the rated value.

Furthermore, when the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the electric vehicle 3 are reconnected, the communication control unit 171 may control the vehicle communication unit 13 to transmit a setting value signal corresponding to the power setting value that was set before the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the equipment control device 2 stopped operating (i.e., before the power outage occurred) to the electric vehicle 3. In this case, the charging ECU 302 controls the value of the charging power supplied from the electric vehicle charging device 1 to the battery 300 to the power setting value that was set before the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the equipment control device 2 stopped operating.

(3) Modifications The above embodiments are merely one of many embodiments of the present disclosure. The above embodiments can be modified in various ways depending on the design, etc., as long as the objectives of the present disclosure are achieved. Furthermore, functions similar to those of the electric vehicle charging device 1 may be realized by a control method, a computer program, or a non-temporary recording medium on which a program is stored.

The control method according to the above embodiment is a control method for an electric vehicle charging device 1 that charges an electric vehicle 3, and includes a communication step, a power control step, a communication determination step, and a connection determination step. In the communication step, communication is performed with a first control unit 23 that transmits a control signal to the electric vehicle charging device 1 instructing the control of the charging power supplied from the power source to the electric vehicle 3. In the power control step, the charging power is controlled according to the control signal received from the first control unit 23 in the communication step. In the connection determination step, it is determined whether communication with the first control unit 23 is possible in the communication step. In the connection determination step, it is determined whether the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the electric vehicle 3 are connected. In the power control step, if, at the start of supplying charging power to the electric vehicle 3, it is determined in the communication determination step that communication with the first control unit 23 is impossible, and in the connection determination step it is determined that the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the electric vehicle 3 are connected, charging power is not supplied to the electric vehicle 3.

Furthermore, the (computer) program according to the above embodiment is a program that causes the computer system to execute the control method for the electric vehicle charging device 1 described above.

The following describes an electric vehicle charging device according to a modified version of the above embodiment. However, components common to the electric vehicle charging device 1 of the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, each of the modified configurations described below can be appropriately combined with the configurations described in the above embodiment.

(3.1) Experimental Example 1
The following description of the electric vehicle charging device 1A according to Modification 1 will be made with reference to Figure 7 and the flowcharts Figures 4 and 8.

As shown in Figure 7, the electric vehicle charging device 1A further includes a switching unit 81 that switches the operating mode of the second control unit 17 between the first mode and the second mode.

The switching unit 81 may, for example, have an operating switch that can be operated by the user. In this case, the switching unit 81 switches the operating mode of the second control unit 17 between the first mode and the second mode in response to the user's operation of the operating switch.

In the first mode, the second control unit 17 does not supply charging power to the electric vehicle 3 if, at the start of supplying charging power to the electric vehicle 3, the communication determination unit 18 determines that communication between the second communication unit 12 and the first control unit 23 is impossible, and the connection determination unit 19 determines that the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the electric vehicle 3 are connected.

In the second mode, the second control unit 17 supplies charging power to the electric vehicle 3 when, at the start of supplying charging power to the electric vehicle 3, the communication determination unit 18 determines that communication between the second communication unit 12 and the first control unit 23 is impossible, and the connection determination unit 19 determines that the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the electric vehicle 3 are connected.

The operation of the electric vehicle charging device 1A is described below.

In the electric vehicle charging device 1A, when the communication determination unit 18 determines that communication between the second communication unit 12 and the first control unit 23 is impossible, it begins determining at regular time intervals whether the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the electric vehicle 3 are connected. The determination operation by the communication determination unit 18 to determine whether communication between the second communication unit 12 and the first control unit 23 is impossible is the same as in steps ST1 to ST4, ST6, and ST7 in the above embodiment, so its explanation is omitted.

If the connection determination unit 19 determines that the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the electric vehicle 3 are connected (step ST31: YES), and the operating mode of the second control unit 17 is set to the second mode (ST32: YES), the communication control unit 171 causes the vehicle communication unit 13 to transmit a setting value signal (rated value signal) corresponding to, for example, the rated value to the electric vehicle 3 (step ST33).

Once the communication control unit 171 has finished transmitting the rated value signal to the electric vehicle 3, the switching control unit 172 turns on (conducts) the relay 14 and starts supplying charging power from the electric vehicle charging device 1 to the electric vehicle 3 (storage battery 300) (step ST34).

Furthermore, if the connection determination unit 19 determines that the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the electric vehicle 3 are connected (step ST31: YES), and the operation mode of the second control unit 17 is set to the first mode (ST32: NO), the operation is the same as the operation in steps ST22 to ST27 in the above embodiment, so the explanation is omitted.

As shown in Figure 7, the electric vehicle charging device 1A further includes a third display unit (operation mode display unit) 82 that indicates whether the operation mode of the second control unit 17 is the first mode or the second mode. The operation mode display unit 82 is a light-emitting device including, for example, a first light-emitting unit and a second light-emitting unit, each containing an LED (Light Emitting Diode). When the operation mode of the second control unit 17 is the first mode, the first light-emitting unit emits light; when the operation mode of the second control unit 17 is the second mode, the second light-emitting unit emits light. The operation mode display unit 82 may also be a light-emitting device containing a multi-color type LED (Light Emitting Diode). In this case, the operation mode display unit 82 emits light in different ways depending on whether the operation mode of the second control unit 17 is the first mode or the second mode. That is, a multi-color type LED is used for both the first and second light-emitting units.

Furthermore, as a further modification of Modification 1, in the second mode, if the communication determination unit 18 determines that communication is impossible between the second communication unit 12 and the first control unit 23, the second control unit 17 (on/off control unit 172) may control the relay 14 to turn on and start supplying charging power to the electric vehicle 3, regardless of whether the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the electric vehicle 3 are connected or not. That is, in the further modification of Modification 1, in the second mode, the second control unit 17 supplies charging power to the electric vehicle 3 when the communication determination unit 18 determines that communication is impossible between the second communication unit 12 and the first control unit 23 at the start of supplying charging power to the electric vehicle 3.

According to the configuration of the electric vehicle charging device 1A, the user can select the operating mode of the second control unit 17 according to, for example, the rated value of the charging power of the electric vehicle 3. For example, if the rated value of the charging power of the electric vehicle 3 is sufficiently smaller than the limit value of the power supplyable from the energy storage device 72, the user sets the operating mode of the second control unit 17 to the second mode. This allows the electric vehicle charging device 1 to supply charging power to the electric vehicle 3 even if it cannot receive a control signal from the equipment control device 2.

(3.2) Variation 2
The connection determination unit 19 may determine, based on the detection result of the disconnection detection unit, that the connection between the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the electric vehicle 3 has been disconnected.

The release detection unit includes, for example, the charging connector holding unit CH (see Figure 1) of the electric vehicle charging device 1. The charging connector holding unit CH is a holder for keeping the charging connector 102 connected when the charging connector 102 is not connected to the electric vehicle 3.

In this case, the release detection unit detects whether or not the charging connector 102 is connected to the charging connector holding unit CH. Furthermore, the connection determination unit 19 determines that the connection between the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the electric vehicle 3 has been released when the release detection unit detects that the charging connector 102 is connected to the charging connector holding unit CH.

(3.3) Other Modifications The following lists other modifications of the embodiment. The following modifications may be implemented in appropriate combinations.

The second processing unit 16 of the electric vehicle charging device 1 in this disclosure includes a computer system. The computer system mainly consists of a processor and memory as hardware. The function of the second processing unit 16 in this disclosure is realized by the processor executing a program recorded in the memory of the computer system. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, provided via a telecommunication line, or provided on a non-temporary recording medium such as a memory card, optical disk, or hard disk drive that can be read by the computer system. The processor of the computer system is composed of one or more electronic circuits including semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs) or large-scale integrated circuits (LSIs). The integrated circuits such as ICs or LSIs referred to here are named differently depending on the degree of integration, and include integrated circuits called system LSIs, VLSIs (Very Large Scale Integration), or ULSIs (Ultra Large Scale Integration). Furthermore, FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) that are programmed after the manufacture of the LSI, or logic devices that allow for the reconfiguration of junction relationships or circuit compartments within the LSI, can also be used as processors. Multiple electronic circuits may be integrated onto a single chip or distributed across multiple chips. Multiple chips may be integrated into a single device or distributed across multiple devices. The computer system referred to here includes a microcontroller having one or more processors and one or more memories. Therefore, the microcontroller also consists of one or more electronic circuits, including semiconductor integrated circuits or large-scale integrated circuits.

Furthermore, the integration of multiple functions in the second processing unit 16 into a single housing is not a necessary configuration for the electric vehicle charging device 1; the components of the second processing unit 16 may be distributed across multiple housings. Moreover, at least some of the functions of the second processing unit 16, for example, the functions of the second control unit 17, may be implemented by cloud computing or the like.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, where "less than" is used in comparisons between elapsed time and a predetermined time, it may also be used as "less than or equal to," and where "greater than or equal to" is used as "greater than."

(4) Summary As described above, the electric vehicle charging device (1, 1A) of the first embodiment is an electric vehicle charging device for charging an electric vehicle (3), and comprises a communication unit (12), a second control unit (17), a communication determination unit (18), and a connection determination unit (19). The communication unit (12) is able to communicate with the first control unit (23), which transmits a control signal to the electric vehicle charging device (1, 1A) that instructs the control of the charging power supplied from the power source to the electric vehicle (3). The second control unit (17) controls the charging power in accordance with the control signal received by the communication unit (12) from the first control unit (23). The communication determination unit (18) determines whether the communication unit (12) and the first control unit (23) are able to communicate. The connection determination unit (19) determines whether the electric vehicle charging device (1, 1A) and the electric vehicle (3) are connected. The second control unit (17) does not supply charging power to the electric vehicle (3) if, at the start of supplying charging power to the electric vehicle (3), the communication determination unit (18) determines that communication between the communication unit (12) and the first control unit (23) is impossible, and the connection determination unit (19) determines that the electric vehicle charging device (1, 1A) and the electric vehicle (3) are connected.

According to this embodiment, if the communication unit (12) and the first control unit (23) are unable to communicate, the electric vehicle charging device (1, 1A) will not supply charging power to the electric vehicle (3), even if the electric vehicle charging device (1, 1A) and the electric vehicle (3) are connected. In other words, even if the electric vehicle charging device (1, 1A) cannot receive a control signal instructing the electric vehicle (3) to control its charging power, it can still limit the supply of charging power to the electric vehicle (3).

In the second embodiment of the electric vehicle charging device (1, 1A), in the first embodiment, if the connection determination unit (19) determines that the connection between the electric vehicle charging device (1, 1A) and the electric vehicle (3) has been disconnected when no charging power is being supplied to the electric vehicle (3), the second control unit (17) supplies charging power to the electric vehicle (3) when the electric vehicle charging device (1, 1A) and the electric vehicle (3) are reconnected.

According to this embodiment, when the second control unit (17) has stopped supplying charging power to the electric vehicle (3), for example, if the rated value of the charging power of the electric vehicle (3) is smaller than the limit value which is the power value that can be supplied from the energy storage device (72), the supply of charging power from the energy storage device (72) to the electric vehicle (3) can be resumed.

In the third embodiment of the electric vehicle charging device (1, 1A), a vehicle communication unit (13) capable of communicating with the electric vehicle (3) is further provided, as in the first or second embodiment. The electric vehicle charging device (1, 1A) transmits information on the maximum amount of charging power that can be supplied to the electric vehicle (3) to the electric vehicle (3) via the vehicle communication unit (13).

According to this embodiment, the electric vehicle charging device (1, 1A) can control the value of the charging power supplied to the electric vehicle (3) to be less than or equal to its maximum value.

In the fourth embodiment of the electric vehicle charging device (1, 1A), in any of the first to third embodiments, the communication determination unit (18) determines that communication between the communication unit (12) and the first control unit (23) is impossible if communication between the communication unit (12) and the first control unit (23) is not established for a predetermined period of time or longer.

According to this embodiment, if communication between the communication unit (12) and the first control unit (23) is not established for a period exceeding the time required for communication between the communication unit (12) and the first control unit (23), it can be determined that communication between the communication unit (12) and the first control unit (23) is impossible.

The fifth embodiment of the electric vehicle charging device (1, 1A) further includes a switching unit (81) that switches the operating mode of the second control unit (17) between a first mode and a second mode in any of the first to fourth embodiments. In the first mode, the second control unit (17) does not supply charging power to the electric vehicle (3) if, at the start of supplying charging power to the electric vehicle (3), the communication determination unit (18) determines that communication between the communication unit (12) and the first control unit (23) is impossible, and the connection determination unit (19) determines that the electric vehicle charging device (1, 1A) and the electric vehicle (3) are connected. In the second mode, the second control unit (17) supplies charging power to the electric vehicle (3) if, at the start of supplying charging power to the electric vehicle (3), the communication determination unit (18) determines that communication between the communication unit (12) and the first control unit (23) is impossible.

According to this embodiment, the user can select the operating mode of the second control unit (17) according to, for example, the rated value of the charging power of the electric vehicle (3). For example, if the rated value of the charging power of the electric vehicle (3) is sufficiently smaller than the limit value which is the power value that can be supplied from the energy storage device (72), the user sets the operating mode of the second control unit (17) to the second mode. This allows the electric vehicle charging device (1, 1A) to supply charging power to the electric vehicle (3) even if it cannot receive a control signal from the equipment control device (2).

The electric vehicle charging device (1, 1A) of the sixth embodiment further includes a switching unit (81) that switches the operating mode of the second control unit (17) between a first mode and a second mode in any of the first to fourth embodiments. In the first mode, the second control unit (17) does not supply charging power to the electric vehicle (3) if, at the start of supplying charging power to the electric vehicle (3), the communication determination unit (18) determines that communication between the communication unit (12) and the first control unit (23) is impossible, and the connection determination unit (19) determines that the electric vehicle charging device (1, 1A) and the electric vehicle (3) are connected. In the second mode, the second control unit (17) supplies charging power to the electric vehicle (3) when, at the start of supplying charging power to the electric vehicle (3), the communication determination unit (18) determines that communication between the communication unit (12) and the first control unit (23) is impossible, and the connection determination unit (19) determines that the electric vehicle charging device (1, 1A) and the electric vehicle (3) are connected.

According to this embodiment, the user can select the operating mode of the second control unit (17) according to, for example, the rated value of the charging power of the electric vehicle (3). For example, if the rated value of the charging power of the electric vehicle (3) is sufficiently smaller than the limit value which is the power value that can be supplied from the energy storage device (72), the user sets the operating mode of the second control unit (17) to the second mode. This allows the electric vehicle charging device (1, 1A) to supply charging power to the electric vehicle (3) even if it cannot receive a control signal from the equipment control device (2).

The seventh embodiment of the electric vehicle charging device (1, 1A) further includes a communication status display unit (11) that displays the result of a determination by a communication determination unit (18) as to whether or not communication is possible between the communication unit (12) and the first control unit (23), in any of the first to sixth embodiments.

According to this embodiment, the user can visually recognize whether the communication unit (12) and the first control unit (23) are able to communicate.

The electric vehicle charging device (1, 1A) of the eighth embodiment further includes an operation mode display unit (82) that indicates whether the operation mode of the second control unit (17) is the first mode or the second mode, as in the fifth or sixth embodiment.

According to this embodiment, the user can visually recognize whether the operating mode of the second control unit (17) is the first mode or the second mode.

In the electric vehicle charging device (1, 1A) of the ninth embodiment, a commercial power supply or a distributed power supply (7) can be used as the power source in any of the first to eighth embodiments. If the supply of charging power from the commercial power supply is interrupted, charging power will be supplied from the emergency power supply.

According to this embodiment, charging power can be supplied stably even during a commercial power outage.

The control method of the tenth embodiment is a control method for an electric vehicle charging device (1, 1A) that charges an electric vehicle (3), and includes a communication step, a power control step, a communication determination step, and a connection determination step. In the communication step, communication is performed with a control unit (23) that transmits a control signal to the electric vehicle charging device (1, 1A) instructing the control of the charging power supplied from the power source to the electric vehicle (3). In the power control step, the charging power is controlled according to the control signal received from the control unit (23) in the communication step. In the communication determination step, it is determined whether communication with the control unit (23) is possible in the communication step. In the connection determination step, it is determined whether the electric vehicle charging device (1, 1A) and the electric vehicle (3) are connected. In the power control step, if, at the start of supplying charging power to the electric vehicle (3), it is determined in the communication determination step that communication with the control unit (23) is impossible, and in the connection determination step it is determined that the electric vehicle charging device (1, 1A) and the electric vehicle (3) are connected, charging power is not supplied to the electric vehicle (3).

According to this embodiment, even if the electric vehicle charging device (1, 1A) cannot receive a control signal instructing the electric vehicle (3) to control the charging power, the supply of charging power to the electric vehicle (3) can be limited.

The eleventh embodiment of the program is a program that causes a computer system to execute the control method of the tenth embodiment.

According to this embodiment, even if the electric vehicle charging device (1, 1A) cannot receive a control signal instructing the electric vehicle (3) to control the charging power, the supply of charging power to the electric vehicle (3) can be limited.

The twelfth embodiment of the electric vehicle charging system (10) comprises an electric vehicle charging device (1, 1A) according to any of the first to ninth embodiments, and a first control unit (23) that transmits a control signal to the electric vehicle charging device (1, 1A) instructing the control of the charging power supplied from the power source to the electric vehicle (3).

According to this embodiment, even if the electric vehicle charging device (1, 1A) cannot receive a control signal instructing the electric vehicle (3) to control the charging power, the supply of charging power to the electric vehicle (3) can be limited.

Furthermore, the second to ninth embodiments are not essential components of the electric vehicle charging device (1, 1A) and can be omitted as appropriate.

1. 1A Electric vehicle charging device 11 Second display unit (communication status display unit)
12 Second communication unit 13 Vehicle communication unit 17 Second control unit 18 Communication determination unit 19 Connection determination unit 10 Electric vehicle charging system 3 Electric vehicle 2 Equipment control device 23 First control unit (control unit)
7 Distributed power supply 72 Energy storage device 81 Switching unit 82 Third display unit (operating mode display unit)

Claims (11)

An electric vehicle charging device for charging electric vehicles,
A communication unit that can communicate with a first control unit that transmits a control signal to the electric vehicle charging device to instruct the control of the charging power supplied from the power source to the electric vehicle,
The communication unit controls the charging power in accordance with the control signal received from the first control unit, and
A communication determination unit that determines whether communication is possible between the communication unit and the first control unit,
The system includes a connection determination unit that determines whether the electric vehicle charging device and the electric vehicle are connected,
The second control unit, when it starts supplying the charging power to the electric vehicle, if the communication determination unit determines that communication between the communication unit and the first control unit is impossible, and the connection determination unit determines that the electric vehicle charging device and the electric vehicle are connected, does not supply the charging power to the electric vehicle.
The second control unit, when it determines that the connection between the electric vehicle charging device and the electric vehicle has been disconnected while the electric vehicle is not receiving the charging power, will supply the charging power to the electric vehicle when the electric vehicle charging device and the electric vehicle are reconnected.
Electric vehicle charging device. The vehicle further comprises a vehicle communication unit capable of communicating with the aforementioned electric vehicle,
Information regarding the maximum value of the charging power that can be supplied to the electric vehicle is transmitted to the electric vehicle via the vehicle communication unit.
The electric vehicle charging device according to claim 1. The communication determination unit determines that communication between the communication unit and the first control unit is impossible if communication between the communication unit and the first control unit is not established for a predetermined period of time or longer.
The electric vehicle charging device according to claim 1. The second control unit further includes a switching unit that switches the operating mode between a first mode and a second mode.
In the first mode, if the second control unit determines, at the start of supplying the charging power to the electric vehicle, that communication between the communication unit and the first control unit is impossible, and that the connection determination unit determines that the electric vehicle charging device and the electric vehicle are connected, the second control unit will not supply the charging power to the electric vehicle.
In the second mode, the second control unit supplies the charging power to the electric vehicle if the communication determination unit determines that communication between the communication unit and the first control unit is impossible when the supply of the charging power to the electric vehicle is initiated.
The electric vehicle charging device according to claim 1. The second control unit further includes a switching unit that switches the operating mode between a first mode and a second mode.
In the first mode, if the second control unit determines, at the start of supplying the charging power to the electric vehicle, that communication between the communication unit and the first control unit is impossible, and that the connection determination unit determines that the electric vehicle charging device and the electric vehicle are connected, the second control unit will not supply the charging power to the electric vehicle.
In the second mode, the second control unit supplies the charging power to the electric vehicle if, at the start of supplying the charging power to the electric vehicle, the communication determination unit determines that communication between the communication unit and the first control unit is impossible, and the connection determination unit determines that the electric vehicle charging device and the electric vehicle are connected.
The electric vehicle charging device according to claim 1. The system further includes a communication status display unit that displays the result of the communication determination unit's determination of whether or not the communication unit and the first control unit can communicate.
The electric vehicle charging device according to claim 1. The system further includes an operation mode display unit that indicates whether the operation mode of the second control unit is the first mode or the second mode.
The electric vehicle charging device according to claim 4 or 5. Commercial power or distributed power can be used as the aforementioned power source.
If the supply of charging power from the commercial power source is interrupted, the charging power will be supplied from the distributed power source.
The electric vehicle charging device according to claim 1. A control method for an electric vehicle charging device that charges an electric vehicle,
A communication step involves communicating with a control unit that transmits a control signal to the electric vehicle charging device to instruct the control of the charging power supplied from the power source to the electric vehicle,
A power control step in which the charging power is controlled in accordance with the control signal received from the control unit in the communication step,
The communication step includes a communication determination step that determines whether or not communication with the control unit is possible,
The process includes a connection determination step of determining whether the electric vehicle charging device and the electric vehicle are connected,
In the power control step, if, at the start of supplying the charging power to the electric vehicle, the communication determination step determines that communication with the control unit is impossible, and the connection determination step determines that the electric vehicle charging device and the electric vehicle are connected, then the charging power is not supplied to the electric vehicle.
In the power control step, if it is determined in the connection determination step that the connection between the electric vehicle charging device and the electric vehicle has been disconnected when the charging power is not being supplied to the electric vehicle, the charging power will be supplied to the electric vehicle when the electric vehicle charging device and the electric vehicle are reconnected.
Control method. The computer system is made to execute the control method described in claim 9.
Program. The electric vehicle charging device according to claim 1, and
The first control unit transmits a control signal to the electric vehicle charging device that instructs the control of the charging power supplied from the power source to the electric vehicle.
Electric vehicle charging system.