JP7087536B2 - Charging device - Google Patents

Description

The technique disclosed herein relates to a charging device for charging a vehicle-driving power storage device mounted on a vehicle.

A power storage device that supplies power to a vehicle-driving electric motor mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle (hereinafter referred to as a vehicle-driving power storage device) is large in order to enable long-distance driving. Capacity increase is required. Therefore, the charging device for charging the power storage device for driving the vehicle is also required to have high output power in order to quickly charge the power storage device having a large capacity.

As a method of increasing the output power of the charging device, it is conceivable to change the contract form of the commercial power supply (external power supply) that supplies power to the charging device to receive a larger amount of power (high voltage power reception). However, doing so raises the contract fee and requires equipment (infrastructure) to receive a large amount of electric power, which is difficult in terms of cost.

For this reason, conventionally, a charging device having an internal power storage device (hereinafter referred to as an internal power source) and connecting a charger and an internal power source in series to quickly charge the battery while suppressing an increase in cost is known (hereinafter referred to as an internal power source). For example, see Patent Document 1).
Specifically, the quick charging device described in Patent Document 1 includes a first DC power supply device, a second DC power supply device, and a power storage device for equipment (Embodiment 3 of the same document). The quick charging device charges the equipment storage device by the first DC power supply when the power storage device mounted on the electric vehicle is not charged, and the second DC power supply when charging the power storage device. Quick charging is performed by connecting a storage battery for equipment in series.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-39864

In the future, many vehicles are expected to require high charge power (charge power higher than the power supplied from commercial power sources), but for the time being, vehicles that require high charge power and high charge power will be required. It is conceivable that there will be a mixture of vehicles that do not. However, in the past, the mixture of these vehicles has not been sufficiently studied.

In the present specification, even if a vehicle that requires a charge power higher than the power supplied from an external power source and a vehicle that requires a charge power equal to or less than the power supplied from the external power source are mixed, those vehicles are used by one charging device. Discloses a technology that can quickly charge a power storage device.

The charging device for charging the power storage device for driving the vehicle mounted on the vehicle includes a converter that converts AC power supplied from an external power source into DC power, an internal power source that supplies DC power, and the power storage device. An acquisition unit for acquiring information on charging power and a control unit are provided, and the converter and the internal power supply are connected so as to be able to switch the connection form, and the control unit is acquired by the acquisition unit. By switching the connection form between the converter and the internal power supply according to the information, the output power of the charging device is equal to or less than the power supplied from the external power supply or the power supplied from the external power supply. Switch to higher output power.

Even if a vehicle that requires a higher charging power than the power supplied from an external power source and a vehicle that requires a charging power that is less than or equal to the power supplied from an external power source are mixed, one charging device can be used to store the power storage device of those vehicles. Can be charged quickly.

Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the charging device according to the embodiment (first connection mode) Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the first charger Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the power storage device (A) is a graph showing the relationship between the current and voltage of the first converter and the second converter, and (B) is a graph showing the relationship between the capacity and voltage of the power storage device. Schematic diagram of the first connection form Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the charging device (second connection mode) Schematic diagram of the second connection form Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the charging device (third connection mode) Schematic diagram of the third connection form

(Outline of this embodiment)
The charging device for charging the vehicle-driving power storage device mounted on the vehicle includes a converter that converts AC power supplied from an external power source into DC power, an internal power source that supplies DC power, and the power storage device. An acquisition unit for acquiring information on charging power and a control unit are provided, and the converter and the internal power supply are connected so as to be able to switch the connection form, and the control unit is acquired by the acquisition unit. By switching the connection form between the converter and the internal power supply according to the information, the output power of the charging device is equal to or less than the power supplied from the external power supply or the power supplied from the external power supply. Switch to higher output power.

According to the above charging device, even if a vehicle that requires a charging power higher than the power supplied from an external power source and a vehicle that requires a charging power lower than the power supplied from the external power source are mixed, they are used by one charging device. The power storage device of the vehicle can be charged quickly. Therefore, the cost and installation space of the charging device can be reduced as compared with the case where the charging device is prepared for each charging power required by the vehicle.
It is considered difficult in the future to receive a large amount of power from an external power source such as a commercial power source in terms of cost, but the charging power required by the vehicle will increase depending on the vehicle type, age, or changes in the world. It is expected that. That is, it is conceivable that the input power to the charging device does not change, but only the output power of the charging device changes. According to the above charging device, the output power can be changed by changing the number of power storage devices, so that the input power to the charging device can be changed as it is.
At home, it is common to have a contract with a smaller amount of power received than at a business establishment. According to the above-mentioned charging device, since it is possible to output more power than the input power, it is possible to quickly charge a power storage device having a larger capacity than before even at home. Therefore, the convenience when charging the vehicle at home is improved.

The output voltage and output current of the converter are variable, and the control unit may control the output voltage and output current of the converter according to the information.

Even if the charging power is the same, the charging voltage and charging current may differ depending on the vehicle. According to the above charging device, since the output voltage and the output current of the converter are controlled according to the information regarding the charging power of the power storage device, it is possible to supply the charging power of an appropriate voltage value and current value for each vehicle.

The charging device includes a first converter and a second converter as the converter, and the connection form between the converter and the internal power supply includes the second converter and the internal power supply. First connection form in which the first converters are connected in parallel to them in series on the upstream side in the flow direction of the charging current, and the first converter and the second conversion. There is a second connection mode in which the devices are connected in parallel and the internal power supply is connected in series to the downstream side in the flow direction of the charging current, and the control unit is charged as required by the vehicle. If the power is equal to or less than the power supplied from the external power source, the connection may be switched to the first connection form, and if the power is higher than the power supplied from the external power source, the connection mode may be switched to the second connection form.

According to the above charging device, when the charging power required by the vehicle is equal to or less than the power supplied from the external power source, the charging power required by the vehicle can be supplied by switching to the first connection mode. On the other hand, when the charging power required by the vehicle is higher than the power supplied from the external power source, the charging power required by the vehicle can be supplied by switching to the second connection mode.

The internal power source may be a power storage device.

According to the above charging device, since the internal power supply is a power storage device, the internal power supply is charged by the second converter when the connection mode is switched to the first connection mode. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the power storage device of the vehicle cannot be quickly charged due to the low voltage of the internal power source when switching to the second connection mode.

In the first connection mode, the control unit constantly controls the output voltage and output current of the second converter, and the output voltage and output current of the charging device correspond to the information. The first converter may be controlled according to a change in the current flowing from the second converter to the internal power source so as to be a current.

As the charging of the internal power supply progresses, the current flowing from the second converter to the internal power supply gradually decreases. That is, even if the output voltage and output current of the second converter are kept constant, the current flowing from the second converter to the internal power supply changes with the progress of charging. According to the above charging device, even if the current flowing from the second converter to the internal power supply changes, a constant output voltage and output current can be supplied to the vehicle by controlling the first converter.

In the second connection mode, the control unit responds to a change in the voltage of the internal power supply so that the output voltage and the output current of the charging device become the output voltage and the output current according to the information. The converter and the second converter may be controlled.

In the second connection mode, since the internal power supply is used for charging the power storage device of the vehicle, the voltage of the internal power supply gradually drops with the discharge. According to the above charging device, a constant output voltage and output current can be supplied to the vehicle even if the voltage of the internal power supply changes.

The connection form between the converter and the internal power supply further includes a third connection form in which the first converter and the second converter are connected in parallel and the internal power supply is disconnected. The control unit has the first connection mode when the charging power required by the vehicle is equal to or less than the power supplied from the external power source and the charging voltage required by the vehicle is higher than the voltage of the internal power source. If the voltage is lower than the voltage of the internal power supply, the voltage may be switched to the third connection mode.

According to the above charging device, if the charging power required by the vehicle is less than or equal to the power supplied from the external power source and the charging voltage required by the vehicle is lower than the voltage of the internal power source, the connection mode is switched to the third connection mode. Since the internal power supply is disconnected, it is possible to prevent the internal power supply from being discharged to the power storage device of the vehicle. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the power storage device of the vehicle cannot be quickly charged due to the low voltage of the internal power supply when the connection mode is subsequently switched to the second connection mode.

The techniques disclosed herein can be realized in various aspects such as devices, methods, computer programs for realizing the functions of these devices or methods, recording media on which the computer programs are recorded, and the like.

<Embodiment 1>
The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9.

(1) Configuration of Charging Device The configuration of the charging device 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The charging device 1 is provided in, for example, a charging stand or a business establishment, and rapidly charges a storage device for driving a vehicle (hereinafter referred to as a vehicle-side battery) mounted on a vehicle 3 such as an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle (hereinafter referred to as a vehicle-side battery). do.

The charging device 1 receives information (hereinafter referred to as charging information) regarding the charging power of the vehicle-side battery from the ECU of the vehicle 3 (an example of acquisition), and charges the AC power supplied from the commercial power source 2 (an example of an external power source). It is converted into DC output voltage and output current according to the information and output to the vehicle 3. Specifically, the charging information is, for example, a charging voltage value and a charging current value required by the vehicle 3. The charging information may include information representing the charging power required by the vehicle 3.

In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the contract form of the commercial power supply 2 is three-phase, 200V, 50Hz, and less than 50kW. The standard currently widely used for charging the vehicle-side battery has a charging power of less than 50 kW, but it is expected that the vehicle 3 will require a charging power of 50 kW or more in the future. Therefore, the charging device 1 is provided with a power storage device 12 (an example of an internal power source), and even if the contract form of the commercial power source 2 is less than 50 kW, the power storage device 12 can output electric power of 50 kW or more. The above-mentioned contract form is an example. The contract form is not limited to the above-mentioned form.

However, for the time being, it is conceivable that a vehicle 3 that requires a charging power of less than 50 kW and a vehicle 3 that requires a charging power of 50 kW or more will coexist. Therefore, the charging device 1 is configured to be able to charge both the vehicle 3 having a charging power of less than 50 kW and the vehicle 3 having a charging power of 50 kW or more.

As shown in FIG. 1, the charging device 1 includes a first charger 10, a second charger 11, a power storage device 12, a charging connector 13, a first changeover switch 14, a second changeover switch 15, and a switch 16. A diode 17 is provided, and these are connected by power lines 20a to 20f.

The positive electrode of the first charger 10 is connected to the negative electrode of the power storage device 12 via the power line 20a, and the negative electrode is connected to the charging connector 13 via the power line 20b. As will be described in detail later, the first charger 10 includes a control unit 23 (see FIG. 2). The control unit 23 of the first charger 10 is communicably connected to the charging connector 13, the power storage device 12, and the control unit 23 of the second charger 11 via communication lines 21a to 21c.

The output voltage, output current and maximum output of the first charger 10 are as follows.
Output voltage (DC voltage): 48-300V
Output current (direct current): 0 to 125A
Maximum output: 25kW
The output voltage, output current, and maximum output described above are examples. The output voltage, output current and maximum output of the first charger 10 can be appropriately determined.

The second charger 11 has the same configuration as the first charger 10. The first changeover switch 14 is connected to the negative electrode of the second charger 11, and the second changeover switch 15 is connected to the positive electrode.

The contact A of the first changeover switch 14 is connected to the power line 20c branched from the power line 20b connecting the negative electrode of the first charger 10 and the charging connector 13. The contact B of the first changeover switch 14 and the contact C of the second changeover switch 15 are connected to the power line 20a via the power line 20d and the power line 20e. The contact D of the second changeover switch 15 is connected to the charging connector 13 via the power line 20f.

The diode 17 is provided in the power line 20g connecting the power line 20d and the power line 20f. The diode 17 is provided to prevent the current from flowing back in the first connection mode described later.
The power storage device 12 is for supplementing the voltage that is insufficient when the vehicle 3 that requires charging power of 50 kW or more and less than 100 kW is connected. The negative electrode of the power storage device 12 is connected to the positive electrode of the first charger 10 via the power line 20a, and the positive electrode is connected to the power line 20f via the switch 16.

The maximum voltage, capacity, and discharge power of the power storage device 12 are as follows.
Maximum voltage: 250V
Capacity: 200Ah
Discharge power: 50kW
The maximum voltage, capacity and discharge power described above are examples. The maximum voltage, capacity, and discharge power of the power storage device 12 can be appropriately determined.

The charging connector 13 is connected to a charging inlet (not shown) provided in the vehicle 3. By connecting the charging connector 13 to the charging inlet, the charging device 1 is electrically connected to the vehicle-side battery, and the control unit 23 of the first charger 10 is communicably connected to the ECU of the vehicle 3. ..

(1-1) Electrical Configuration of First Charger and Second Charger With reference to FIG. 2, the electrical configuration of the first charger 10 and the second charger 11 will be described. Since the first charger 10 and the second charger 11 have the same configuration, the first charger 10 will be described here as an example. The first charger 10 includes a converter 22 that converts AC power supplied from the commercial power source 2 into DC power, and a control unit 23 that controls the converter 22.

The converter 22 has a variable output voltage and output current, and converts AC power supplied from the commercial power source 2 into DC power having a voltage value and a current value instructed by the control unit 23. The converter 22 may have any configuration as long as it can convert AC power into DC power having the indicated voltage value and current value. The converter 22 of the first charger 10 is an example of the first converter, and the converter 22 of the second charger 11 is an example of the second converter.

The control unit 23 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, a communication unit, and the like. The charging connector 13 and the communication unit described above are examples of an acquisition unit that acquires charging information. The control unit 23 may include an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or the like in place of the CPU or in addition to the CPU.

In the present embodiment, the control unit 23 of the first charger 10 is the main, the control unit 23 of the second charger 11 is the subordinate relationship, and the control unit 23 of the first charger 10 controls the entire charging device 1. Control. The control unit 23 of the second charger 11 may be the main, and the control unit 23 of the first charger 10 may be the subordinate.

(1-2) Electrical Configuration of Power Storage Device As shown in FIG. 3, the power storage device 12 includes an assembled battery 30 and a battery management device 31 (BMS: Battery Management System). The assembled battery 30 is a battery cell 32 connected in series. Each battery cell 32 is a rechargeable secondary battery, specifically, for example, a lithium ion battery. The plurality of battery cells 32 may be connected in parallel, or may be connected in series and in parallel.

The BMS 31 includes a current sensor 33, a voltage sensor 34, and a management unit 35. The current sensor 33 is connected in series with the assembled battery 30, measures the current value I [A] of the current flowing through the assembled battery 30, and outputs the current value I [A] to the management unit 35. The voltage sensor 34 is connected in parallel to each battery cell 32, measures the voltage value V [V] which is the terminal voltage of each battery cell 32, and outputs the voltage value V [V] to the management unit 35.

The management unit 35 operates by the electric power supplied from the assembled battery 30, and includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a communication unit, and the like. The CPU outputs the current value I and the voltage value V of the assembled battery 30 to the control unit 23 of the first charger 10 via the communication unit. The management unit 35 may include an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or the like in place of the CPU or in addition to the CPU.

(2) Relationship between current and voltage of the charger and relationship between capacity and voltage of the power storage device With reference to FIG. 4A, the current of the first charger 10 and the second charger 11 The relationship with voltage will be described. Here, the first charger 10 will be described as an example. In FIG. 4A, the solid line 40 shows the output voltage and the output current at which the output voltage is 25 kW. The range that the combination of the output voltage and the output current of the first charger 10 can take is inside the solid line 40.

The relationship between the capacity and the voltage of the power storage device 12 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 (B). The voltage of the power storage device 12 rises with charging and falls with discharging. As will be described in detail later, the control unit 23 of the first charger 10 controls so that the output power of the charging device 1 becomes the charging power required by the vehicle 3. More specifically, the control unit 23 of the first charger 10 has a range inside the solid line 40 of FIG. 4 (A) according to a change in the current flowing through the power storage device 12 and a change in the voltage of the power storage device 12. Controls the output voltage and output current of the first charger 10 and the second charger 11.

(3) Connection form between a plurality of chargers and a power storage device The connection form of the first charger 10, the second charger 11 and the power storage device 12 includes the first connection form (high voltage, small) shown in FIG. Connection form corresponding to current), second connection form shown in FIG. 6 (connection form corresponding to high voltage and large current), and third connection form shown in FIG. 8 (connection form corresponding to low voltage and large current). ). The switching of these connection forms is performed by the control unit 23 of the first charger 10 switching the first changeover switch 14, the second changeover switch 15, and the switch 16.

(3-1) First Connection Form As shown in FIG. 1, in the first connection form, the first changeover switch 14 is connected to the contact B, the second changeover switch 15 is connected to the contact D, and the switch is switched. 16 is turned on. That is, as schematically shown in FIG. 5, in the first connection mode, the second charger 11 and the power storage device 12 are connected in parallel, and the flow direction of the charging current with respect to them (arrow 41 in the figure). The first charger 10 is connected in series on the upstream side in the direction indicated by. The first charger 10 may be connected in series to the second charger 11 and the power storage device 12 on the downstream side in the flow direction of the charging current.

As shown in FIG. 1, the charging device 1 is switched to the first connection form when a vehicle 3 that requires the following charging voltage, charging current, and charging power is connected.
Charging voltage: less than 500V Charging current: less than 125A Charging power: less than 50kW The specific charging voltage value less than 500V and the specific charging current value less than 125A differ depending on the vehicle model. The specific charging voltage value and charging current value are transmitted from the vehicle 3 to the charging device 1 as the charging information described above. The specific charging power required by the vehicle can be specified as the product of the charging voltage value and the charging current value.

In this case, the maximum output voltage, maximum output current, and maximum output power of the charging device 1 are controlled as follows.
Maximum output voltage: less than 500V Maximum output current: less than 125A Maximum output power: less than 50kW

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the charging voltage required by the vehicle 3 is less than 500V. Since the maximum output voltage of the first charger 10 and the second charger 11 is 300V, if they are connected in parallel, the voltage remains at 300V, and the charging voltage required by the vehicle 3 cannot be supplied. On the other hand, when these are connected in series, the maximum output voltage becomes 600 V, so that the charging voltage required by the vehicle 3 can be supplied.

As described above, the maximum output current of the first charger 10 and the second charger 11 is 125 A. Even if the first charger 10 and the second charger 11 are connected in series, the output current remains 125 A, but the charging current required by the vehicle 3 is less than 125 A, so the vehicle 3 requires it. Even if these are connected in series to supply a charging voltage, the charging current required by the vehicle 3 can be supplied.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the output voltage of the charging device 1 becomes 500 V or more without using the power storage device 12. Therefore, the power storage device 12 is not used for charging the vehicle-side battery, but is charged by the second charger 11 while the vehicle-side battery is being charged.
Specifically, in the first connection mode, the output voltage and output current of the second charger 11 are fixed to, for example, 295.2V, 125A. Since the maximum voltage of the power storage device 12 is 250V, if the output voltage of the second charger 11 is fixed at 295.2V, the voltage of the second charger 11 becomes higher than the voltage of the power storage device 12. Therefore, the power storage device 12 is charged by the second charger 11. The charging current for charging the power storage device 12 by the second charger 11 is 125A minus the charging current required by the vehicle 3. For example, assuming that the charging current required by the vehicle 3 is 100 A, a current of 25 A (= 125 A-100 A) is supplied to the power storage device 12.

As the charging of the power storage device 12 by the second charger 11 progresses, the current flowing from the second charger 11 to the power storage device 12 gradually decreases. Therefore, the control unit 23 of the first charger 10 controls the output voltage and the output current of the charging device 1 in consideration of the decrease in the current flowing through the power storage device 12.
Specifically, the control unit 23 of the first charger 10 receives the current value of the current flowing through the power storage device 12 from the BMS 31 of the power storage device 12 at predetermined time intervals, and the first charger 10 and the second charger 10 receive the current value at predetermined time intervals. The converter 22 of the first charger 10 is dynamically controlled so that the output voltage and output current combined with the charger 11 become the charging voltage and charging current required by the vehicle 3.

That is, the control unit 23 of the first charger 10 flows from the second charger 11 to the power storage device 12 so that the output voltage and output current of the charging device 1 become the output voltage and output current corresponding to the charging information. The converter 22 of the first charger 10 is controlled according to the change in the current. Therefore, even if the current flowing from the second charger 11 to the power storage device 12 changes, a constant output voltage and output current can be supplied to the vehicle 3.

(3-2) Second Connection Form As shown in FIG. 6, in the second connection form, the first changeover switch 14 is connected to the contact A, the second changeover switch 15 is connected to the contact C, and the switch is switched. 16 is turned on. That is, as schematically shown in FIG. 7, in the second connection mode, the first charger 10 and the second charger 11 are connected in parallel, and the flow direction of the charging current with respect to those chargers. The power storage device 12 is connected in series on the downstream side (direction indicated by the arrow 42 in the figure). The power storage device 12 may be connected in series to those chargers on the upstream side in the flow direction of the charging current.

As shown in FIG. 6, the charging device 1 is switched to the second connection mode when a vehicle 3 that requires the following charging voltage, charging current, and charging power is connected.
Charging voltage: less than 500V Charging current: less than 200A Charging power: 50kW or more and less than 100kW

In this case, the maximum output voltage, maximum output current, and maximum output power of the charging device 1 are controlled as follows.
Maximum output voltage: less than 500V Maximum output current: less than 200A Maximum output power: less than 100kW

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the charging current required by the vehicle 3 is less than 200 A. Since the maximum output current of the first charger 10 and the second charger 11 is 125 A, if they are connected in series, the maximum output current remains 125 A, and the charging current required by the vehicle 3 is supplied. Can not. On the other hand, when these are connected in parallel, the maximum output current is 250 A, so that the charging current required by the vehicle 3 can be supplied.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the charging voltage required by the vehicle 3 is less than 500V. Since the maximum output voltage of the first charger 10 and the second charger 11 is 300 V, the first charger 10 and the second charger 11 are used to supply the charging current required by the vehicle 3. When connected in parallel, the output voltage remains at 300V, and the voltage is insufficient. Therefore, in this case, the insufficient voltage is supplemented by connecting the power storage device 12 in series to these chargers. As described above, since the maximum voltage of the power storage device 12 is 250V, when the power storage devices 12 are connected in series, the maximum output voltage becomes 550V, and the charging voltage required by the vehicle 3 can be supplied.

In the second connection mode, the power storage device 12 is in a discharge operation, so that the voltage of the power storage device 12 gradually decreases. Therefore, the control unit 23 of the first charger 10 controls the output voltage and the output current of the charging device 1 in consideration of the voltage drop of the power storage device 12.
Specifically, the control unit 23 of the first charger 10 receives the voltage value of the power storage device 12 from the BMS 31 of the power storage device 12 at predetermined time intervals. Then, the control unit 23 of the first charger 10 first outputs the power of the same output voltage and the same output current to the first charger 10 and the second charger 11. The first charger 10 and the second charger so that the combined output voltage and output current of the charger 10, the second charger 11 and the power storage device 12 become the charging voltage and charging current requested by the vehicle 3. The output voltage and output current of 11 are dynamically determined.
Then, the control unit 23 of the first charger 10 dynamically controls the converter 22 of the first charger 10 so as to have the determined output voltage and output current, and the control unit 23 of the second charger 11 Also dynamically controls the converter 22 of the second charger 11 in synchronization with the control unit 23 of the first charger 10.

That is, the control unit 23 of the first charger 10 responds to changes in the voltage of the power storage device 12 so that the output voltage and output current of the charging device 1 become the output voltage and output current according to the charging information. The converter 22 of the charger 10 and the converter 22 of the second charger 11 are controlled. Therefore, even if the voltage of the power storage device 12 changes, a constant output voltage and output current can be supplied to the vehicle 3.

(3-3) Third Connection Form As shown in FIG. 8, in the third connection form, the first changeover switch 14 is connected to the contact A, the second changeover switch 15 is connected to the contact C, and the switch is switched. 16 is turned off. That is, as schematically shown in FIG. 9, in the third connection mode, the first charger 10 and the second charger 11 are connected in parallel, and the power storage device 12 is disconnected.

As shown in FIG. 8, the charging device 1 is switched to the third connection mode when a vehicle 3 that requires the following charging voltage, charging current, and charging power is connected.
Charging voltage: less than 250V Charging current: less than 200A Charging power: less than 50kW

In this case, the maximum output voltage, maximum output current, and maximum output power of the charging device 1 are controlled as follows.
Maximum output voltage: less than 250V Maximum output current: less than 200A Maximum output power: less than 50kW

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the charging current required by the vehicle 3 is less than 200 A. Since the maximum output current of the first charger 10 and the second charger 11 is 125 A, if they are connected in series, the maximum output current remains 125 A, and the charging voltage required by the vehicle 3 is supplied. Can not. On the other hand, when these are connected in parallel, the maximum current is 250 A, so that the charging current required by the vehicle 3 can be supplied.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the charging voltage required by the vehicle 3 is less than 250V. Since the maximum output voltage of the first charger 10 and the second charger 11 is 300 V, the charging voltage required by the vehicle 3 even if they are connected in parallel to supply the charging current required by the vehicle 3. Can be supplied.

In the third connection mode, the charging voltage of the vehicle is less than 250V, and the maximum voltage of the power storage device 12 is 250V. Therefore, the voltage of the power storage device 12 is higher than the charging voltage depending on the charging state of the power storage device 12. Therefore, when the switch 16 is closed, a current may flow from the power storage device 12 to the vehicle-side battery. That is, the power storage device 12 may be discharged. Immediately after the power storage device 12 is discharged, if a vehicle 3 that requires a charging power of 50 kW or more is connected, the voltage of the power storage device 12 is insufficient even if the second connection mode is switched to, and the vehicle 3 It may not be possible to charge the power storage device quickly. Therefore, in the third connection mode, the switch 16 is opened and the power storage device 12 is disconnected. This prevents the power storage device 12 from being discharged.

(4) Switching of connection form When the charging connector 13 is connected to the vehicle 3, the control unit 23 of the first charger 10 receives charging information (charging voltage value and charging current value) from the ECU of the vehicle 3. .. The control unit 23 of the first charger 10 identifies the charging power required by the vehicle 3 from the received charging information, and when the charging power required by the vehicle 3 is 50 kW or more, the charging device 1 is set to the second connection form. Switch.

When the charging power required by the vehicle 3 is less than 50 kW, the control unit 23 of the first charger 10 determines whether the charging voltage required by the vehicle 3 is higher or lower than the voltage (250 V) of the power storage device 12. If it is high, the second charger 11 switches to the first connection form in order to charge the power storage device 12. On the other hand, when the charging voltage required by the vehicle 3 is lower than the voltage of the power storage device 12, the control unit 23 of the first charger 10 switches to the third connection form in order to disconnect the power storage device 12. When the charging voltage required by the vehicle 3 and the voltage of the power storage device 12 are the same, the connection mode may be switched to the first connection mode or the second connection mode may be switched to.

(5) Effect of the Embodiment According to the charging device 1, the charging information is received from the ECU of the vehicle 3, and the output power of the charging device 1 is less than 50 kW (less than or equal to the power supplied from the external power source) according to the received charging information. Since it switches to (output power) or 50 kW or more (output power higher than the power supplied from the external power source), even if a vehicle 3 that requires a charge power of less than 50 kW and a vehicle 3 that requires a charge power of 50 kW or more coexist. The vehicle-side battery of those vehicles 3 can be quickly charged by one charging device 1. Therefore, the cost and installation space of the charging device 1 can be reduced as compared with the case where the charging device 1 is prepared for each charging power required by the vehicle 3.
According to the charging device 1, the output power can be changed by changing the number of the storage devices 12, so that the input power to the charging device 1 can be changed as it is, and the required change in the output power can be dealt with.
According to the charging device 1, since it is possible to output more power than the input power, it is possible to quickly charge a power storage device having a larger capacity than before even at home. Therefore, the convenience when charging the vehicle 3 at home is also improved.

According to the charging device 1, since the output voltage and the output current of the first charger 10 and the second charger 11 are controlled according to the charging information, the charging power having an appropriate voltage value and current value is set for each vehicle 3. Can be supplied.

According to the charging device 1, when the charging power required by the vehicle 3 is less than 50 kW, the charging power required by the vehicle 3 can be supplied by switching to the first connection mode. On the other hand, when the charging power required by the vehicle 3 is 50 kW or more, the charging power required by the vehicle 3 can be supplied by switching to the second connection mode.

According to the charging device 1, the internal power source is the power storage device 12, and the power storage device 12 is charged by the second charger 11 when the connection mode is switched to the first. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the vehicle-side battery cannot be quickly charged due to the low voltage of the power storage device 12 when switching to the second connection mode.

According to the charging device 1, in the first connection mode, the output voltage and output current of the second charger 11 are controlled to be constant, and the output voltage and output current of the charging device 1 correspond to the charging information. Since the first charger 10 is controlled according to the change in the current flowing from the second charger 11 to the power storage device 12 so as to be a current, the current flowing from the second charger 11 to the power storage device 12 changes. However, a constant output voltage and output current can be supplied to the vehicle 3.

According to the charging device 1, in the second connection mode, the first is made according to the change in the voltage of the power storage device 12 so that the output voltage and the output current of the charging device 1 become the output voltage and the output current according to the charging information. Since the charger 10 and the second charger 11 are controlled, a constant output voltage and output current can be supplied to the vehicle 3 even if the voltage of the power storage device 12 changes.

According to the charging device 1, if the charging power required by the vehicle 3 is less than 50 kW and the charging voltage required by the vehicle 3 is lower than the voltage of the power storage device 12, the power storage device 12 is switched to the third connection mode. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the power storage device 12 from being discharged to the vehicle-side battery. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the vehicle-side battery cannot be quickly charged due to the low voltage of the power storage device 12 when the connection mode is subsequently switched to the second connection mode.

<Other embodiments>
The techniques disclosed herein are not limited to the embodiments described above and in the drawings, and include, for example, various embodiments such as:

(1) In the above embodiment, the case where two chargers, the first charger 10 and the second charger 11, are provided as an example has been described, but the number of chargers is not limited to this. For example, the number of chargers may be one or three or more. When there is one charger or three or more chargers, it is possible to appropriately determine what kind of connection form the charger and the power storage device 12 can be switched to. For example, when there is one charger, the connection form is such that the charger and the power storage device 12 are connected in series, the charger and the power storage device 12 are connected in parallel, the power storage device 12 is disconnected, and the like. You may switch.

(2) In the above embodiment, the first charger 10 and the second charger 11 each include a control unit 23, but the control unit 23 is provided with only one control unit 23, and the control unit 23 is the first charger. 10 and the second charger 11 may be controlled.

(3) Although the lithium ion battery has been described as an example of the power storage device 12 in the above embodiment, the power storage device 12 may be a lead storage battery.

(4) In the above embodiment, the power storage device 12 has been described as an example as the internal power source, but the internal power source may be a capacitor or a solar cell.

(5) In the above embodiment, the case where the charging device 1 includes only one power storage device 12 has been described as an example, but a plurality of power storage devices 12 may be provided. For example, the charging device 1 may include a lithium ion battery and a lead storage battery in parallel. Then, the vehicle 3 that requires quick charging may be charged using a lithium ion battery, and the vehicle 3 that does not require quick charging may be charged using a lead storage battery.

(6) In the above embodiment, the case where the charging device 1 receives the charging information from the ECU of the vehicle 3 by wire via the charging connector 13 has been described as an example, but it may be received wirelessly.
In the above embodiment, the case where the charge voltage value and the charge current value are received as the charge information has been described as an example, but the charge information can be specified as long as the charge voltage value and the charge current value required by the vehicle 3 can be specified. Not limited. For example, when the charging voltage value and the charging current value are determined by the vehicle type, information indicating the vehicle type may be received as charging information.
In the above embodiment, the case where the charging device 1 acquires the charging information by communication has been described as an example, but the acquisition of the charging information is not limited to the communication. For example, the charging device 1 may be provided with an operation unit, and the operator may operate the operation unit to input charging information to acquire charging information.

1 ... Charging device, 2 ... Commercial power supply (example of external power supply), 3 ... Vehicle, 12 ... Power storage device (example of internal power supply), 13 ... Charging connector (example of acquisition unit), 22 ... Converter, 23 ... Control Department

Claims (7)

It is a charging device that charges the power storage device for driving the vehicle mounted on the vehicle.
A converter that converts AC power supplied from an external power source to DC power,
An internal power supply that supplies DC power,
An acquisition unit that acquires information on the charging power of the power storage device, and
Control unit and
Equipped with
The converter and the internal power supply are connected so that the connection form can be switched.
The control unit switches the connection mode between the converter and the internal power supply according to the information acquired by the acquisition unit, so that the output power of the charging device is equal to or less than the power supplied from the external power source. Switch to output power higher than the output power or power supplied from the external power source ,
The charging device includes a first converter and a second converter as the converter.
The connection form between the converter and the internal power supply is as follows.
A first connection mode in which the second converter and the internal power supply are connected in parallel, and the first converter is connected in series to the upstream side in the flow direction of the charging current.
There is a second connection form in which the first converter and the second converter are connected in parallel, and the internal power supply is connected in series to the downstream side in the flow direction of the charging current. ,
The control unit is a charging device that switches to the first connection mode when the charging power required by the vehicle is equal to or less than the power supplied from the external power source . It is a charging device that charges the power storage device for driving the vehicle mounted on the vehicle.
A converter that converts AC power supplied from an external power source to DC power,
An internal power supply that supplies DC power,
An acquisition unit that acquires information on the charging power of the power storage device, and
Control unit and
Equipped with
The converter and the internal power supply are connected so that the connection form can be switched.
The control unit switches the connection mode between the converter and the internal power supply according to the information acquired by the acquisition unit, so that the output power of the charging device is equal to or less than the power supplied from the external power source. Switch to output power higher than the output power or power supplied from the external power source,
The charging device includes a first converter and a second converter as the converter.
The connection form between the converter and the internal power supply is as follows.
A first connection mode in which the second converter and the internal power supply are connected in parallel, and the first converter is connected in series to the upstream side in the flow direction of the charging current.
There is a second connection form in which the first converter and the second converter are connected in parallel, and the internal power supply is connected in series to the downstream side in the flow direction of the charging current. ,
The control unit switches to the second connection mode when the charging power required by the vehicle is higher than the power supplied from the external power source. The charging device according to claim 1 or 2 .
The converter has variable output voltage and output current.
The control unit is a charging device that controls the output voltage and output current of the converter according to the information. The charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 .
The internal power source is a charging device, which is a power storage device. The charging device according to claim 4.
In the first connection mode, the control unit constantly controls the output voltage and output current of the second converter, and the output voltage and output current of the charging device correspond to the information. A charging device that controls the first converter according to a change in the current flowing from the second converter to the internal power source so as to be a current. The charging device according to claim 4 or 5.
In the second connection mode, the control unit responds to a change in the voltage of the internal power supply so that the output voltage and the output current of the charging device become the output voltage and the output current according to the information. A charging device that controls the converter and the second converter. The charging device according to any one of claims 4 to 6.
The connection form between the converter and the internal power supply further includes a third connection form in which the first converter and the second converter are connected in parallel and the internal power supply is disconnected.
The control unit has the first connection mode when the charging power required by the vehicle is equal to or less than the power supplied from the external power source and the charging voltage required by the vehicle is higher than the voltage of the internal power source. A charging device that switches to the third connection form when the voltage is lower than the voltage of the internal power supply.

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