JP2008077267A - Power supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a power supply system that provides communication means between a power supply terminal and a load to exchange information.
Power is supplied by a load 44 that receives power supply, a power cable 50 that supplies power to the load 44 from the outside, a third communication unit 43 that transmits and receives information using the power cable 50 as a medium, and a load 44. The vehicle 40 having the authentication device 42 that transmits the authentication information of the user to be used using the third communication unit 43, the power supply device 11 to which the power cable 50 is connected and supplies power to the load 44, and the power cable 50 A power supply terminal 10 having a first communication unit 13 that transmits and receives information and receives authentication information, and a determination / control unit 24 that authenticates a user based on the authentication information received by the first communication unit 13; When the determination / control unit 24 authenticates the user, the power supply system 1 configured to control the power supply device 11 to supply power to the load 44 It is formed.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply system such as a power supply stand that supplies power to a load mounted on a vehicle, for example.

  Communication means for exchanging information between a power supply terminal and a vehicle in a power supply stand that supplies power for charging a battery mounted on the vehicle or moving an electric device mounted on the vehicle Is not installed. Therefore, for example, user authentication is required to charge for power usage. In the conventional power supply stand, an IC card reader is provided at the power supply stand, and the IC card reader is read by the IC card reader registered in advance. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP-A-6-231361

  However, according to the configuration as described above, there is a problem that the user needs to get off the vehicle and perform an operation for authentication. In addition, since such a power supply terminal may be installed outdoors, it is necessary to take measures against waterproofing. In particular, there is a problem that the IC card reader must have a non-contact configuration. In addition, since there is no communication means between the power supply stand and the vehicle, the power supply stand will perform the energization control only by the power supply status, but with this, it is impossible to grasp the situation between the power supply terminal and the vehicle, For example, even if the vehicle starts during power feeding and the power cable is disconnected, power supply continues.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and a communication means is provided between a power supply terminal and a vehicle on which a load such as a battery or an electric device that receives power supply from the power supply terminal is provided. An object is to provide a power supply system for performing exchanges.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a power supply system according to the present invention includes a load that receives power supply, a power cable that supplies power to the load from the outside, and a load-side communication unit that transmits and receives information via transmission means ( For example, the third communication unit 43) in the embodiment and load means (for example, the vehicle 40 in the embodiment) having an authentication device that transmits authentication information of a user who uses power by a load using the load side communication unit. A power supply device connected to the power cable to supply power to the load, and a power-side communication unit that transmits and receives information via the transmission unit and receives authentication information (for example, the first communication unit 13 in the embodiment) ) Having power supply means (for example, the power supply terminal 10 in the embodiment) and management means (for example, implementation) for authenticating the user by the authentication information received by the power supply side communication unit Constructed from judging and controlling unit 24) and in the state, the management unit, when authenticating the user, supplies power to a load by controlling the power supply device.

  In such a power supply system according to the present invention, the power supply unit has a detection unit that detects that the power cable is connected, and the management unit detects that the power cable is connected by the detection unit. Sometimes, it is preferable to configure to perform user authentication.

  Here, it is preferable that the transmission unit is a power cable, and the load side communication unit and the power source side communication unit are configured to transmit and receive information via the power cable by power line carrier communication.

  Moreover, it is preferable that a transmission means is a communication cable connected to a load side communication part and a power supply side communication part. At this time, it is more preferable that the power cable and the communication cable are bundled and configured by a single cable.

  Alternatively, the transmission means is preferably a wireless line, and the load side communication unit and the power source side communication unit are preferably configured to transmit and receive information by wireless communication.

  In such a power supply system according to the present invention, when the management unit is supplying power to the load by the power feeding device, a confirmation signal is sent to the load side communication unit via the power supply side communication unit and the transmission unit. The load side communication unit that transmits and receives the confirmation signal is configured to receive the response signal transmitted via the transmission means and the power source side communication unit, and the response signal is transmitted within a predetermined time after the confirmation signal is transmitted. It is preferable that the power supply device is controlled so that power is not supplied to the load when the power is not received.

  In addition, it is preferable that the management unit has an alarm unit (for example, the alarm facility 60 in the embodiment) that issues an alarm when the response signal is not received within a predetermined time from the transmission of the confirmation signal.

  If the power supply system according to the present invention is configured as described above, an authentication device that transmits authentication information for authenticating a user can be provided on the load means side, so that the configuration of the power supply means can be simplified. it can. In particular, when the power supply means is installed outdoors, it is necessary to have a waterproof structure. However, for example, it is not necessary to consider the waterproofness of the authentication means configured to insert and remove the authentication card.

  Further, by configuring so as to start the authentication by detecting the connection of the power cable that supplies power to the load, the user can start the power supply with only one operation.

  When power is supplied to the load means as described above, if the confirmation signal and the response signal are transmitted / received between the management means and the load means (load side communication unit), an abnormality in the power cable ( In particular, it is possible to detect the disconnection of the power cable, thereby stopping power feeding by the power feeding device and improving safety. In addition, when configured to issue an alarm by an alarm means in such a situation, safety can be further improved. In particular, when the transmission means is a power cable, an abnormality in the power cable can be reliably detected.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of the power supply system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The power supply system 1 in the present embodiment will be described when applied to a power supply stand that supplies power to a load mounted on a vehicle such as a battery for driving an electric vehicle or a home appliance mounted on a camper. To do. The power supply station refers to a facility that supplies electric power to the vehicle, similar to a gas station that supplies gasoline to the vehicle.

  The power supply system 1 connects the power supply terminal 10 installed in the power supply stand 2 where the vehicle 40 can be parked, the management system 20 that manages the power supply by the power supply terminal 10, and the power supply terminal 10 and the management system 20. Network 30 (for example, LAN, Internet, etc.) that enables transmission and reception of information, and an alarm facility 60 that is connected to the network 30 and issues an alarm when any abnormality occurs during power feeding. . When power is supplied to the vehicle 40 at the power supply stand 2, the vehicle 40 and the power supply terminal 10 are connected by the power cable 50.

  Then, the detailed structure of such an electric power supply system 1 is demonstrated using FIG. 2 as 1st Example. First, the power supply terminal 10 communicates with a power supply device 11 that is connected to the power cable 50 and supplies power to the vehicle 40, a power supply device control unit 12 that controls the start and end of power supply to the power supply device 11, and the vehicle. The first communication unit 13, the second communication unit 14 that communicates with the management system 20, and the detection unit 15 that detects connection / disconnection of the power cable 50 to / from the power supply apparatus 11 are configured. As described later, the power feeding device control unit 12 is configured to control power feeding by communicating with the vehicle 40 and the management system 20 via the first and second communication units 13 and 14. In addition, the power supply device 11 is configured to measure the amount of power used when power is supplied to the vehicle 40, so that the power supply device control unit 12 can read out the measured power usage. It is configured.

  The vehicle 40 is connected to the power cable 50, receives power supply from the power supply device 11 of the power supply terminal 10, and receives power supplied to a load 44 (for example, an electric device or a battery) mounted in the vehicle 40. The apparatus 41 includes an authentication apparatus 42 for authenticating a user who receives power supply, and a third communication unit 43 for communicating with the power supply terminal 10. In addition, in a present Example, about the case where the 1st communication part 13 and the 3rd communication part 43 do not provide a special communication cable, but use the power line carrier communication which superimposes a signal on the power cable 50 and communicates. Show.

  The management system 20 uses the fourth communication unit 21 that communicates with the second communication unit 14 of the power supply terminal 10 via the network 30 (not shown in FIG. 2) and the authentication information of the user of the power supply stand 2. The user database 22, the history database 23 for managing the user's usage history, and the fourth communication unit 21, communicate with the authentication device 42 of the vehicle 40 and the power supply device control unit 12 of the power supply terminal 10, and It has a determination / control unit 24 that controls authentication and operation of the power supply apparatus.

  Further, the alarm facility 60 is connected to the power supply station 2 according to a command from the fifth communication unit 61 connected to the fourth communication unit 21 of the management system 20 via the network 30 and the determination / control unit 24 of the management system 20. And an alarm device 62 that issues an alarm to the user or the like.

  The power supply process for supplying power to the vehicle 40 in the power supply system 1 having such a configuration will now be described with reference to FIG. Here, as an authentication method, the user possesses an authentication card composed of an IC card or the like, and the user information is read from the authentication card by a card reader provided in the authentication device 42 of the vehicle 40 for authentication. The case where it performs is demonstrated. First, the user parks the vehicle 40 at a predetermined location on the power supply stand 2 and sets an authentication card in the authentication device 42 (step S100). Then, the vehicle 40 once gets off the vehicle 40, and the power cable 50 is connected to the power receiving device 41 of the vehicle 40 and the power feeding device 11 of the power feeding terminal 10 (step S110). Then, the detection unit 15 of the power supply terminal 10 detects the connection of the power cable 50 and notifies the power supply device control unit 12 (step S120).

  When the connection of the power cable 50 is detected by the detection unit 15, the power supply device control unit 12 instructs the authentication device 42 to start authentication via the first communication unit 13 and the third communication unit 43 and performs an authentication process. This is performed (step S130). In this authentication process S130, when the authentication device 42 receives an authentication start command from the power supply device control unit 12, the authentication device 42 reads the user information from the authentication card, and performs the third communication unit 43, the first communication unit 13, and the fourth communication unit. This user information is transmitted to the determination / control unit 24 of the management system 20 via the communication unit 21. Then, the determination / control unit 24 checks the user information registered in the user database 22 to determine whether or not the user is qualified to receive power supply, and the result is stored in the history database 23. Is transmitted to the power supply apparatus control unit 12 via the fourth communication unit 21 and the second communication unit 14. For example, by setting the usage fee in a prepaid manner and storing the amount in the user database 22, it is possible to check whether there is sufficient balance in the user authentication process, By using a post-payment method such as a card and storing in the user database 22 whether or not the user is a debt payer, whether or not the user is unable to pay in this user authentication. By checking the above, it can be determined whether or not the user is capable of paying the amount of power used. In this case, when there is no payment capability, the determination / control unit 24 is configured not to authenticate the user.

  Then, the power supply device control unit 12 determines whether to start power supply based on the authentication result transmitted from the determination / control unit 24 (step S140). If the user is authenticated, the power supply device 11 is controlled to start power supply to the power reception device 41 via the power cable 50 (S150). On the other hand, if the user has not been authenticated, the fact is displayed on the display (not shown) of the power supply terminal 10, for example, and the power supply process is terminated (step S190).

  In this way, after power supply is started and power is used, the user removes the power cable 50 from the power supply device 11. Then, the detection unit 15 detects that the power cable 50 has been removed from the power supply device 11, and notifies the power supply device control unit 12 (step S160). Then, when the removal of the power cable 50 is detected, the power feeding device control unit 12 reads the power usage amount from the power feeding device 11, and notifies the end of power supply and the power usage amount in the second communication unit 14 and the fourth communication. The data is transmitted to the determination / control unit 24 via the unit 21 (step S170), and the determination / control unit 24 stores the information in the history database 23 (step S180). In addition, in step S <b> 170, the power supply device control unit 12 controls the power supply device 11 and ends the power supply to the power receiving device 41.

  As described above, the power supply system 1 according to the first embodiment is configured to detect that the power supply cable 50 is connected to and disconnected from the power supply apparatus 11 of the power supply terminal 10 and start and end the power supply. In addition, since the user authentication process is also executed by this operation, the user can start or end the power supply by only one operation (operation for connecting the power cable 50). it can. At this time, since the vehicle 40, the power supply terminal 10, and the management system 20 are configured to be able to transmit and receive information by communication, the authentication device 42 can be mounted on the vehicle 40 as shown in the present embodiment. It is not necessary to consider the waterproofness of the device, and the entire system can be configured simply. In the communication between the vehicle 40 and the power supply terminal 10, as shown in the present embodiment, when the power line carrier method is used, a cable for communication other than the power cable 50 is not required. The connection operation can be facilitated, and the system configuration can be simplified.

  By the way, when the power cable 50 is removed from the power supply device 11, it can be detected by the detection unit 15 and the supply of power can be stopped, but when the power cable 50 is cut off for some reason, The energized state of the power cable 50 is maintained as it is. Therefore, the power supply system 1 according to the present embodiment incorporates a process for detecting that the power cable 50 is disconnected. This process will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the user is authenticated and power feeding is started, the determination / control unit 24 of the management system 20 executes a cable monitoring process shown in FIG. In this cable monitoring process, a confirmation signal and a response signal are transmitted and received between the determination / control unit 24 and the third communication unit 43 of the vehicle 40 to detect whether the power cable 50 is connected in a normal state. To do. Specifically, a confirmation signal is transmitted from the determination / control unit 24 to the third communication unit 43 via the fourth communication unit 21, the second communication unit 14, and the first communication unit 13. It waits for the response signal to be sent back along the reverse path within a predetermined time (step S200). Then, it is determined whether or not a response signal is sent back from the third communication unit 43 within a predetermined time (step S200). If the response signal is sent back, step S200 is repeatedly executed with a predetermined time interval. On the other hand, if the response signal is not sent back within a predetermined time, for example, the power cable 50 may be disconnected, so the determination / control unit 24 records this state in the history database 23 and Then, the power feeding device control unit 12 is notified of the end of power feeding, and the power feeding device control unit 12 that has received this notification controls the power feeding device 11 to finish power feeding to the power receiving device 41 (step S220). Further, the determination / control unit 24 activates the alarm device 62 of the alarm facility 60 via the fourth communication unit 21 and the fifth communication unit 61, and issues an alarm to the user or the like (step S230). This alarm is configured, for example, to sound a buzzer or turn on a lamp.

  When the user is authenticated in step S150 shown in FIG. 3 and power supply is started, the above confirmation signal and response signal are transmitted and received to confirm that the power cable 50 is normal and confirmed. It may be configured to start energization sometimes. When power supply is terminated in step S220 described above, the power supply device control unit 12 reads the power usage fee from the power supply device 11 and transmits it to the determination / control unit 24. The determination / control unit 24 uses this information. Is recorded in the history database 23. If the usage fee is postpaid, the user will be charged based on this information at a later date.

  As described above, when the load 44 of the vehicle 40 is supplied with power, the confirmation signal and the response signal are transmitted and received between the determination control unit 24 and the third communication unit 43. 50 abnormalities (particularly, the disconnection of the power cable 50) can be detected, whereby the power feeding by the power feeding device 11 can be stopped and the safety can be improved. Further, if the alarm facility 60 is configured to issue an alarm in such a situation, the safety can be further improved.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the user authentication process and the cable monitoring process are executed by the determination / control unit 24 installed in the management system 20 has been described. However, these processes are executed by the power supply terminal 10. A case where such a configuration is configured is shown in FIG. 5 as a second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the determination / control unit 12 ′ of the power supply terminal 10 is obtained by mounting the function of the determination / control unit 24 on the power supply apparatus control unit 12 in the first embodiment. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted.

  In the second embodiment, when the detection unit 15 detects the connection of the power cable 50, the determination / control unit 12 ′ communicates via the first communication unit 13 and the third communication unit 43 to perform authentication. 42, user information is read from the authentication card. Then, the user information of the corresponding user is read from the user database 22 of the management system 20 via the second communication unit 14 and the fourth communication unit 21, and collated with the user information read by the authentication device 42. I do. Then, when the user is authenticated, the power feeding device 11 is controlled to start energization of the power receiving device 41, and when the user is not authenticated, the process ends. Similarly to the first embodiment, the determination / control unit 12 ′ transmits / receives a confirmation signal and a response signal to / from the third communication unit 43 via the first communication unit 13, and monitors the power cable 50. When the response signal is not received within a predetermined time, the fact is recorded in the history database 23 of the management system 20 and an alarm is issued to the user or the like by the alarm device 62 of the alarm facility 60. .

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the third communication unit 43 is mounted on the vehicle 40, but the plug of the power cable 50 for connecting the power receiving device 41 to the power feeding device 11 is used. It may be built in. In these embodiments, the communication of the first and third communication units 13 and 43 has been described using power line carrier communication using the power cable 50. For example, the communication is performed by wireless communication. Alternatively, a communication cable that connects the first communication unit 13 and the third communication unit 43 may be used separately from the power cable 50. At this time, when performing the above-described cable monitoring process, it is preferable to bundle the power cable 50 and the communication cable into one cable. With this configuration, when the power cable 50 is cut for some reason, there is a high possibility that the communication cable will also be cut together, which makes it impossible to transmit and receive the confirmation signal and the response signal. Abnormalities can be reliably detected. Further, by integrally configuring the power cable 50 and the communication cable connector, these cables can be connected by a single operation, and the convenience for the user is improved. Alternatively, even when the communication of the first and third communication units 13 and 43 is realized by wireless communication, if the vehicle 40 runs away from the power supply stand 2 with the power cable 50 connected, wireless communication becomes impossible. The power supply by the power feeding device 11 can be stopped.

  By the way, when the power line carrier communication is used for the communication between the power supply terminal 10 and the vehicle 40 as described above, the in-vehicle device 45 such as a car navigation system mounted in the vehicle 40 or a personal computer used in the vehicle 40 is used. 3 Information can be provided via the communication unit 43. For example, the fourth communication unit 21 of the management system 20 can be connected to the Internet 70, and the third communication unit 43, the first communication unit 13, the second communication unit 14, and the fourth communication unit 21 can connect to the Internet from the in-vehicle device 45. With this configuration, map information can be provided to the car navigation system, and music can be provided to the car audio. That is, power can be supplied simply by connecting the power cable 50 to the power supply terminal 10, and the in-vehicle device 45 can be connected to the Internet 70.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electric power supply system which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure which concerns on 1st Example of the said electric power supply system. It is a flowchart which shows the electric power feeding process in the said electric power supply system. It is a flowchart which shows the cable monitoring process in the said electric power supply system. It is a block diagram which shows the structure which concerns on 2nd Example of the said electric power supply system.

Explanation of symbols

1 Power supply system 10 Power supply terminal (power supply means)
11 Power supply device 13 1st communication part (power supply side communication part)
15 Detection unit 24, 12 'Judgment / control unit (management means)
40 Vehicle (loading means)
42 authentication device 43 3rd communication part (load side communication part)
44 Load 50 Power cable (Transmission means)
60 Alarm facilities (alarm means)

Claims (8)

A load that receives power, a power cable that supplies power to the load from the outside, a load-side communication unit that transmits and receives information via transmission means, and authentication information of a user who uses power by the load Load means having an authentication device for transmitting using the side communication unit;
A power supply device connected to the power cable and supplying power to the load; and a power supply unit that transmits and receives information via the transmission unit and includes a power supply side communication unit that receives the authentication information;
A management unit configured to authenticate the user based on the authentication information received by the power-side communication unit;
A power supply system configured to control the power supply device and supply power to the load when the management unit authenticates the user. The power supply means has a detection unit for detecting that the power cable is connected;
The power supply system according to claim 1, wherein the management unit is configured to authenticate the user when the detection unit detects that the power cable is connected.   3. The transmission device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transmission means is the power cable, and the load side communication unit and the power source side communication unit are configured to transmit and receive the information through the power cable by power line carrier communication. The power supply system described.   The power supply system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transmission unit is a communication cable connected to the load side communication unit and the power source side communication unit.   The power supply system according to claim 4, wherein the power cable and the communication cable are bundled and configured by a single cable.   The power supply system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transmission unit is a wireless line, and the load side communication unit and the power supply side communication unit transmit and receive the information by wireless communication. The management means is
The load-side communication that transmits a confirmation signal to the load-side communication unit via the power-source-side communication unit and the transmission unit and receives the confirmation signal when power is supplied to the load by the power supply device A unit is configured to receive a response signal transmitted via the transmission means and the power supply side communication unit,
The power supply device is controlled so as not to supply power to the load when the response signal is not received within a predetermined time after transmitting the confirmation signal. The power supply system according to item. The power supply system according to claim 7, further comprising: an alarm unit that issues an alarm when the management unit does not receive the response signal within a predetermined time from the transmission of the confirmation signal.

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