JP2018064431A - Power control unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power control unit capable of continuing an autonomous operation for a longer time.SOLUTION: An operation control unit (21) makes a charge and discharge device (1) continue an autonomous operation and notifies a user of the possibility of a power failure while the charge and discharge device (1) is under an autonomous operation state and when the residual capacity of a storage battery installed on an electric vehicle (2) is not more than a predetermined reference value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a power control apparatus that charges or discharges an electric vehicle or the like.

  In recent years, electric vehicles driven by electric power have begun to spread in place of vehicles using an internal combustion engine that has a large environmental load due to exhaust gas. An electric vehicle is equipped with a large-capacity storage battery (battery) for storing electric power used during traveling. Therefore, conventionally, as a new method of using electric vehicles, the power in the storage battery of the electric vehicle is supplied to each load (equipment) in the home at the time of a power failure, and the electric power of the commercial power system is used during a time when power demand is high. It has been proposed to supply power to each load in the home from an electric vehicle in an assisting manner.

  In many cases, a so-called charging / discharging device having both charging and discharging functions is used for charging an electric vehicle and supplying (discharging) electric power from the electric vehicle to the home. The charging / discharging device can supply the electric power in the storage battery of the electric vehicle to each load in the home at the time of a power failure by operating independently.

  In Patent Document 1, as an example of a conventional charging / discharging device, when reception of a message including discharge permission and discharge stop for an in-vehicle battery is interrupted, the power supply operation to devices outside the vehicle is stopped, and other messages A power supply system is disclosed that continues to supply power to devices outside the vehicle even when reception is interrupted. According to Patent Document 1, even if a message that does not require power supply to be stopped is lost due to communication interruption or the like, the power stored in the in-vehicle battery can be used as a power source for devices outside the vehicle.

JP 2014-106378 A (published May 30, 2013)

  However, the power supply device disclosed in Patent Document 1 still has a problem that the self-sustaining operation cannot be continued for a long time.

  The charging / discharging device communicates with an electric vehicle connected to the charging / discharging device by CAN (Controller Area Network) communication. The electric vehicle corresponding to V2H (Vehicle to Home) transmits the battery remaining capacity and the lower limit discharge remaining battery capacity of the storage battery to the charging / discharging device by CAN communication. In the charging / discharging device, a discharge end capacity that is a reference when the discharge of the storage battery is ended may be set in advance. The charge / discharge device stops the self-sustained operation when the battery remaining value reaches the discharge lower limit battery remaining value or less during the self-sustaining operation or the battery remaining capacity reaches the discharge end capacity or less. Thereby, it can prevent that a storage battery is discharged more than necessary.

  Some electric vehicles can still discharge the storage battery even if the remaining battery capacity of the storage battery is less than or equal to the lower limit battery remaining capacity. When a conventional charging / discharging device is autonomously operated using such an electric vehicle, the autonomous operation is stopped when the remaining battery capacity reaches or falls below the lower limit battery remaining capacity even though the electric vehicle can still be discharged. As a result, a power failure occurs in the room. As a result, the user in the room is confused because the self-sustained operation is suddenly stopped and the room is blacked out.

  Since the self-sustained operation is used when the home is in a power outage at the time of a disaster or a planned power outage, it is desirable to allow the charge / discharge device to continue the self-sustained operation as long as possible. Conventionally, there is a need for a technique that allows a self-sustaining operation to be continued by a charge / discharge device for as long as possible.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. And the objective is to implement | achieve the electric power control apparatus which can continue a self-sustained operation for a longer time.

  A power control device according to aspect 1 of the present invention is a power control device that charges or discharges a storage battery mounted on a vehicle, the receiving unit receiving a battery remaining value of the storage battery from the vehicle, and the power control. When the device is in a self-sustained operation and the battery remaining value is equal to or less than a predetermined reference value, the power control device includes an operation control unit that continues the self-sustained operation.

  According to the above configuration, the power control device continues the self-sustained operation without stopping when the power control device is performing the self-sustained operation and the battery remaining value is equal to or less than the predetermined reference value. Thereby, the power control apparatus can continue the independent operation for a longer time.

  In the power control device according to aspect 2 of the present invention, in the aspect 1, the receiving unit further receives a discharge lower limit battery remaining value of the storage battery from the vehicle, and the reference value is the discharge lower limit battery remaining value. It is characterized by being.

  According to said structure, the electric power control apparatus can continue a self-sustained operation for a long time.

  In the power control device according to aspect 3 of the present invention, in the above aspect 1, a discharge end value that is a reference for terminating the discharge of the storage battery is preset in the power control device, and the reference value is the discharge It is an end value.

  According to said structure, the electric power control apparatus can continue a self-sustained operation for a long time.

  The power control apparatus according to aspect 4 of the present invention is the power control apparatus according to any one of the aspects 1 to 3, wherein the remaining battery value is equal to or less than the reference value, and the operation control unit performs the independent operation on the power control apparatus. When it continues, it is characterized by providing the notification part which notifies a user that a power failure may generate | occur | produce.

  According to said structure, the user can grasp | ascertain that a power failure may occur before the time when a power failure actually occurs.

  In the power control apparatus according to aspect 5 of the present invention, in the aspect 1, the receiving unit receives a discharge lower limit battery remaining value of the storage battery from the vehicle, and is a discharge end value that is a reference for terminating the discharge of the storage battery. Is set in advance in the power control device, the reference value is the discharge end value, the operation control unit is the power control device is in the independent operation, and the remaining battery value is When it is below the discharge lower limit battery remaining value, the power control device stops the self-sustained operation.

  According to said structure, the electric power control apparatus can stop a self-sustained operation as needed based on the information received from the vehicle, continuing a self-sustained operation for a long time.

  In the power control device according to aspect 6 of the present invention, in the above aspect 1, when the battery remaining value is equal to or less than a value obtained by adding a predetermined margin value to the discharge lower limit battery remaining value, a power failure may occur. It is characterized by having a notification unit for notifying the user of the existence.

  According to said structure, the user can grasp | ascertain that a power failure may occur before the time when a power failure actually occurs.

  The power control device according to aspect 7 of the present invention includes a setting unit that sets a discharge lower limit value that indicates a lower limit of discharge of the storage battery, which is associated with the self-sustained operation, in any of the above aspects 1 to 6. The operation control unit is characterized in that the power control device stops the self-sustained operation when the power control device is in the self-sustaining operation and the remaining battery value is equal to or lower than the discharge lower limit value. .

  According to said structure, the electric power control apparatus can stop a self-sustained operation as needed based on the discharge lower limit set in relation to a self-sustained operation, continuing self-sustained operation for a long time.

  In the power control device according to aspect 8 of the present invention, in the above aspect 7, if the remaining battery value is equal to or less than a value obtained by adding a predetermined margin value to the discharge lower limit value, a power failure may occur. It is characterized in that a notification unit for notifying the user is provided.

  According to said structure, the user can grasp | ascertain that a power failure may occur before the time when a power failure actually occurs.

  A power control device according to aspect 9 of the present invention is the power control device according to any one of the above aspects 4, 6, and 8, wherein a power distribution board including a light emitting unit is connected to the power control device, and the notification unit includes The light emitting unit emits light.

  According to said structure, the user can grasp | ascertain that a power failure may occur through light emission of a light emission part.

  A power control device according to an aspect 10 of the present invention is the power control device according to any one of the above aspects 4, 6, and 8, wherein a power distribution board including a sound generation unit is connected to the power control device, and the notification unit Is characterized in that sound is generated by the sound generator.

  According to said structure, the user can grasp | ascertain that a power failure may generate | occur | produce through the sound which generate | occur | produces in a sound generation part.

  The power control device according to aspect 11 of the present invention is the power control device according to any one of the above aspects 4, 6, and 8, wherein the power control device is connected to a plurality of loads connected to a commercial power system. The power control device includes a supply unit that supplies power to the plurality of loads by discharging the storage battery during the independent operation, and the notification unit supplies the supply of the power to the plurality of loads. The supply unit is stopped for a certain time, and then the supply of the power to the plurality of loads is restarted by the supply unit.

  According to said structure, a power failure generate | occur | produces for a fixed time in the building where a some load is arrange | positioned. The user can recognize that the building has been out of power for a certain period of time, and as a result, can grasp that the building may be out of power again in the future.

  The power control apparatus according to aspect 12 of the present invention is characterized in that, in the aspect 11, the notification unit causes the supply unit to instantaneously stop the supply of the power to the plurality of loads.

  According to said structure, a power failure occurs instantaneously in the building where a some load is arrange | positioned. The user can grasp that a power failure may occur again in the building by visually recognizing that the lighting fixtures arranged in the building periodically flicker.

  The power control apparatus according to aspect 13 of the present invention is characterized in that, in any of the above aspects 4, 6, and 8, the notification unit transmits an e-mail to the user.

  According to said structure, the user can grasp | ascertain that a power failure may generate | occur | produce by confirming the received email.

  The power control device according to aspect 14 of the present invention is the power control device according to any one of the above aspects 4, 6, and 8, wherein the power control device is connected to an external device, and the notification unit is configured to transmit the user through the external device. It is characterized by notifying.

  According to said structure, the user can grasp | ascertain that a power failure may generate | occur | produce through an external device.

  The power control apparatus according to aspect 15 of the present invention is the power control apparatus according to any one of the aspects 1 to 14, wherein the power control apparatus is connected to a plurality of loads connected to a commercial power system. Includes a supply unit that supplies power to the plurality of loads by discharging the storage battery during the independent operation, and the supply unit has the battery residual value equal to or lower than the reference value and the operation. When the control unit causes the power control device to continue the self-sustained operation, the control unit supplies the power having a lower voltage to the plurality of loads.

  According to said structure, the inside of the building where a some load is arrange | positioned can be saved.

  The power control device according to aspect 16 of the present invention is the power control device according to any one of the above aspects 1 to 15, wherein the power control device is connected to a plurality of loads connected to a commercial power system. Includes a supply unit that supplies power to the plurality of loads by discharging the storage battery during the independent operation, and the supply unit has the battery residual value equal to or lower than the reference value and the operation. When the control unit causes the power control device to continue the self-sustained operation, the one-phase power supply is stopped.

  According to said structure, the inside of the building where a some load is arrange | positioned can be saved.

  The power control device according to aspect 17 of the present invention is the power control device according to any one of the above aspects 1 to 16, wherein the power control device is connected to an external device that controls operation of a plurality of devices, and the battery residual value is If the operation control unit causes the power control device to continue the autonomous operation, the external device stops the operation of at least one of the plurality of devices that are being operated. A stop portion is further provided.

  According to said structure, the inside of the building where a some apparatus is arrange | positioned can be saved.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to realize a power control device capable of continuing a self-sustaining operation for a longer time.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the charging / discharging apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process at the time of the charging / discharging apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention drive | operates. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the other process at the time of the charging / discharging apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention drive | operates. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the other process at the time of the charging / discharging apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention drive | operates.

(Configuration of charging / discharging device 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a charge / discharge device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the charging / discharging device 1 (power control device) includes a startup battery 11, a power supply circuit 12, an input device 13, an input unit 14, a control circuit 15, a transformer 16, a charging / discharging circuit 17 (receiving unit, A supply unit, a stop unit), a charge / discharge cable 18 (cable), a charge / discharge connector 19 (connector), a communication unit 20, an operation control unit 21, a setting unit 22, a notification unit 23, and a power saving unit 24.

  The charging / discharging device 1 charges a storage battery (not shown) mounted on the electric vehicle 2 (vehicle) from the commercial power system 4 and supplies power to each load 35 in the building 3 from the storage battery of the electric vehicle 2. Used for both. Usually, the charging / discharging device 1 is installed outside the building 3 (in a garage or the like). In the present embodiment, the charging / discharging device 1 is a device that can charge / discharge the electric vehicle 2 and is compatible with, for example, the CHAdeMO (registered trademark) standard. Similarly, the electric vehicle 2 is an electric vehicle corresponding to the CHAdeMO standard, for example.

  The building 3 is a building used for a person to perform various activities such as life or labor inside, such as a house, a store, an office building, or a factory. In the building 3, a distribution board 31, a plurality of loads 35, a plurality of devices 36 (loads), a HEMS (Home Energy Management System) 37, and a hub 38 are arranged. The distribution board 31 is equipped with the circuit breaker 32, LED (Light Emission Diode) 33 (light emission part), and the buzzer 34 (sound generation part).

  In the building 3, commercial AC power having a specified voltage (100 V / 200 V) is supplied from the commercial power system 4. This AC power is supplied to each load 35 and each device 36 in the building 3 through the distribution board 31 in the building 3. Each load 35 and device 36 operate using supplied AC power (or DC power converted therefrom).

  The circuit breaker 32 is provided on the bus in the distribution board 31. The circuit breaker 32 distributes the electric power supplied from the commercial power system 4 by switching between conduction and non-conduction of wiring (for example, three-phase three-wire, single-phase three-wire, or single-phase single-wire) constituting the bus. It is used to control whether to supply to the secondary side (downstream) of the panel 31. The circuit breaker 32 may be a circuit breaker that can be manually switched on (on) or opened (off) by a user operation, or may be switched on (on) or opened (off) by receiving a current or voltage supply. It may be a circuit breaker that operates to automatically switch. Accordingly, the circuit breaker 32 can be, for example, a main circuit breaker, an earth leakage breaker, an electromagnetic contactor, or an electromagnetic switch (combination of an electromagnetic contactor and an overcurrent relay).

  The LED 33 and the buzzer 34 are connected to the charge / discharge device 1 through a control line. The charging / discharging device 1 can control the lighting of the LED 33 and the sound generation of the buzzer 34. Details of these controls will be described later.

  The plurality of loads 35 are various loads that are not controlled by the HEMS 37, and are, for example, lighting fixtures. The plurality of devices 36 are various devices that are controlled by the HEMS 37, such as an air conditioner, a refrigerator, and an IH cooking heater. Since the device 36 consumes electric power in the same manner as the load 35, it can be said that it is a kind of load.

  Each device 36 and the HEMS 37 are connected to a hub 38 via a communication line. The charging / discharging device 1 is connected to the hub 38 via another communication line.

  The HEMS 37 manages energy consumption in the building 3 by controlling the plurality of devices 36.

  The hub 38 relays communication between the HEMS 37, each device 36, and the HEMS 37, and communication between the charge / discharge device 1 and the HEMS 37.

  Communication between the HEMS 37 and each device 36 and communication between the HEMS 37 and the charging / discharging device 1 are performed according to a predetermined protocol. Examples of the predetermined protocol include a protocol called ECHONET Lite (registered trademark) or ECHONET (registered trademark). In this case, the charging / discharging device 1 and each device 36 are devices corresponding to the ECHONET Lite standard or the ECHONET standard. Of course, the predetermined protocol may be a protocol other than ECHONET Lite and ECHONET. The plurality of loads 35 are not devices corresponding to the ECHONET Lite standard or the ECHONET standard, and do not communicate with the HEMS 37.

  The plurality of loads 35, the plurality of devices 36, the HEMS 37, and the hub 38 are all connected to the secondary side (downstream) of the distribution board 31 via an AC power line. At the time of a non-power failure, all of the plurality of loads 35, the plurality of devices 36, the HEMS 37, and the hub 38 can operate using commercial AC power supplied from the commercial power system 4. During a power failure, the plurality of loads 35, the plurality of devices 36, the HEMS 37, and the hub 38 can operate using AC power supplied from the charging / discharging device 1.

  The charging / discharging device 1 is connected to the secondary side (downstream) of the distribution board 31 in the building 3 via an AC power line. The charging / discharging device 1, the load 35, and the device 36 are connected in parallel to the circuit breaker 32 in the distribution board 31.

  The start-up battery 11 is a battery that outputs DC power of a specified voltage (for example, 12 V) that can start up the charge / discharge device 1.

  The power supply circuit 12 generates electric power necessary for the operation of the charging / discharging device 1 using the input electric power.

  The input device 13 is a device used for a user to operate the charging / discharging device 1 or inputting information to the charging / discharging device 1. For example, it is implemented as various buttons or switches. As the input device 13, a start button and a stop button are assumed. The input device 13 may be a touch panel. In this case, the start button and stop button drawn on the touch panel may be used in place of the start button and stop button provided in the main body of the charge / discharge device 1. Further, when an indoor monitor with a touch panel function connected to the charging / discharging device 1 is arranged in the building 3, a start button and a stop button drawn on the indoor monitor are provided in the main body of the charging / discharging device 1. It can be substituted for start button and stop button.

  The start button is a kind of button for controlling the operation of the charging / discharging device 1, and more specifically, is a button for starting the operation. If the user presses the start button while the charging / discharging device 1 is stopped, the charging / discharging device 1 starts a set type of operation (charging operation, independent operation, or grid interconnection operation).

  The stop button is a kind of button for controlling the operation of the charging / discharging device 1, and more specifically, is a button for causing the charging / discharging device 1 to stop the current operation. If the user presses the stop button, the charging / discharging device 1 stops the operation currently being executed, and then shifts to a standby state.

  The input unit 14 receives various inputs (operations) by the user to the input device 13.

  The control circuit 15 comprehensively controls the operation (charging, discharging) of the charging / discharging device 1. In the present embodiment, an operation control unit 21, a setting unit 22, a notification unit 23, and a power saving unit 24 are provided in the control circuit 15.

  The transformer 16 converts the supplied AC power into AC power having another specified voltage. Note that the charging / discharging device 1 may have a configuration in which the charging / discharging circuit 17 has an insulating portion from the AC power line, and the insulating portion functions as a transformer. In this case, the transformer 16 is not necessary for the charge / discharge device 1.

  The charging / discharging circuit 17 charges a storage battery of the electric vehicle 2 by performing a prescribed procedure (charging sequence or discharging sequence) between the charging / discharging device 1 and the electric vehicle 2, or a storage battery of the electric vehicle 2. Electric power is supplied into the building 3 by discharging the electric power stored in the building 3. The charge / discharge circuit 17 executes, for example, a charge sequence or a discharge sequence corresponding to the CHAdeMO standard. Details of the charge sequence and the discharge sequence will be described later.

  The charge / discharge cable 18 is a cable that can charge and discharge the electric vehicle 2 and that is compatible with, for example, the CHAdeMO standard. As shown in FIG. 1, one end of the charge / discharge cable 18 is connected to the main body of the charge / discharge device 1. The charge / discharge cable 18 includes a power line 18a and a signal line 18b. In the figure, only one power line 18a and one signal line 18b are shown for the sake of simplicity, but in reality, there are two power lines 18a (positive power line and negative electrode line) in the charge / discharge cable 18. Power lines) and a plurality of signal lines 18b. Two of the plurality of signal lines 18b are signal lines capable of bidirectional communication for transmitting / receiving various signals between the charge / discharge circuit 17 and the electric vehicle 2 by CAN (Controller Area Network) communication. It is. The rest is for transmitting a specific signal such as a charge start signal, a charge permission signal, or a charge prohibition signal from the charge / discharge circuit 17 to the electric vehicle 2 or from the electric vehicle 2 to the charge / discharge circuit 17. This is a signal line (control line) capable of only one-way communication.

  In the charge / discharge cable 18, a connection confirmation line (not shown) for confirming physical connection (fitting) between the charge / discharge connector 19 and the electric vehicle 2 is further provided. When the charge / discharge connector 19 is correctly connected to the electric vehicle 2, the connection confirmation line is conductive. On the other hand, when the charge / discharge connector 19 is not correctly connected to the electric vehicle 2, the connection confirmation line is not conductive.

  The charging / discharging connector 19 is a connector that can charge / discharge the electric vehicle 2 and is compatible with, for example, the CHAdeMO standard. As shown in FIG. 1, the charge / discharge connector 19 is attached to the other end of the charge / discharge cable 18. The charge / discharge connector 19 is connected to a charge / discharge port provided in the electric vehicle 2. When the charging / discharging connector 19 is connected to the charging / discharging port and a prescribed procedure (charging sequence or discharging sequence) between the charging / discharging device 1 and the electric vehicle 2 is completed, the storage battery of the electric vehicle 2 using the charging / discharging device 1 Can be charged, or the electric power stored in the storage battery of the electric vehicle 2 can be supplied into the building 3 at the time of a power failure.

  Hereinafter, charging or discharging of a storage battery mounted on the electric vehicle 2 may be simply referred to as charging or discharging of the electric vehicle 2.

  The charging / discharging connector 19 is provided with a locking mechanism, and the charging / discharging connector 19 is locked to the electric vehicle 2 by this locking mechanism for ensuring safety when the electric vehicle 2 is charged or discharged from the electric vehicle 2. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the charge / discharge connector 19 from being accidentally detached from the electric vehicle 2 during charging or discharging of the electric vehicle 2.

  The operation control unit 21 controls the operation of the charge / discharge device 1. The setting unit 22 sets various parameters related to the operation of the charge / discharge device 1. For example, the setting unit 22 sets the operation mode of the charge / discharge device 1. The notification unit 23 notifies the user that there is a possibility that a power outage will occur in the building 3 (that is, there is a possibility that the independent operation will stop). The power saving unit 24 saves power in the building 3.

  The charging / discharging device 1 may further include a display panel and a display unit (not shown). The display panel is a device for displaying various types of information, and is realized as, for example, a liquid crystal display panel. The display unit displays the information on the display panel by outputting various information for display to the display panel.

  What can be charged and discharged by the charging / discharging device 1 is not limited to the electric vehicle 2, and various types of vehicles (hybrid vehicles, vehicles) in which a storage battery for driving is mounted and the electric power in the storage battery can be converted into driving force. Plug-in hybrid vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, etc.).

  The charging / discharging device 1 can perform various operations related to charging or discharging of the electric vehicle 2 (charging operation, independent operation, grid interconnection operation, reservation operation, etc.). Below, the outline | summary of each driving | operation which the charging / discharging apparatus 1 can perform is demonstrated.

(Charging operation)
The charging operation is an operation mode when the charging / discharging device 1 charges the storage battery of the electric vehicle 2. During the charging operation, AC power is supplied from the building 3 to the transformer 16 of the charging / discharging device 1. The transformer 16 converts the supplied AC power into AC power having other specified voltage, and supplies the converted AC power to the charge / discharge circuit 17. The charge / discharge circuit 17 converts the AC power supplied from the transformer 16 into DC power having a specified voltage (for example, 400 V) suitable for charging the electric vehicle 2, and connects the converted DC power to the electric vehicle 2. The power is supplied to the electric vehicle 2 through the power line 18 a and the charge / discharge connector 19 in the charge / discharge cable 18. Thereby, the storage battery in the electric vehicle 2 is charged.

(Charging sequence)
When the operation mode is a charge operation, the charge / discharge circuit 17 executes a charge sequence based on the CHAdeMO standard for rapid charging of an electric vehicle or the like. The charging sequence means a process for charging the electric vehicle 2. Below, the flow of the charge sequence performed between the charging / discharging circuit 17 and the electric vehicle 2 is demonstrated. The charging sequence basically includes a plurality of different processing procedures starting with transmission of a charging start signal and ending with release (release) of the connector lock. However, as will be described later, in this embodiment, the charging sequence may end while the lock of the charge / discharge connector 19 is maintained.

  After the start of the charging sequence, first, the charging / discharging circuit 17 transmits a charging start signal to the electric vehicle 2 through a dedicated signal line 18b for transmitting the charging start. When the electric vehicle 2 receives the charging start signal, the electric vehicle 2 recognizes that the charging operation by the charging / discharging device 1 has started, and transmits parameters such as the maximum voltage and capacity of the storage battery via the CAN communication signal line 18b. To the charge / discharge circuit 17.

  Based on the parameters received from the electric vehicle 2, the charge / discharge circuit 17 confirms whether or not the electric vehicle 2 is an electric vehicle 2 that can be charged by the charge / discharge device 1. If confirmed, the charging / discharging circuit 17 transmits parameters such as the maximum output voltage and the maximum output current of the charging / discharging device 1 to the electric vehicle 2 by CAN communication. The electric vehicle 2 determines whether or not there is compatibility with the electric vehicle 2 based on the received parameters. If there is no problem, the electric vehicle 2 transmits a charging permission signal to the charging / discharging device 1 through a dedicated signal line 18b for transmitting permission of charging. To do.

  When the charging / discharging device 1 receives the charging start signal, the charging / discharging device 1 understands that the electric vehicle 2 permits charging, locks the charging / discharging connector 19, and then supplies an electric current to the electric vehicle 2. Test for abnormalities such as short circuit or ground fault. If there is no abnormality, the charging / discharging circuit 17 transmits a charging start signal to the electric vehicle 2 through a dedicated signal line 18b for notifying that all preparations on the charging / discharging device 1 side have been completed. This completes preparation for charging. Thereafter, charging of the storage battery by the control on the charging / discharging device 1 side is started. Specifically, the charging / discharging device 1 receives an upper limit value (charge current upper limit value) of a chargeable current value from the electric vehicle 2, and outputs a current to the electric vehicle 2 within the range of the charge current upper limit value. Control the value.

(Independent operation)
Independent operation is an operation mode in which the charging / discharging device 1 extracts DC power from the storage battery of the electric vehicle 2 and converts it into AC power and supplies it to the building 3 at the time of a power failure. When a power failure occurs, AC power is no longer supplied from the commercial power system 4 into the building 3. The charging / discharging device 1 takes out the electric power stored in the storage battery in the electric vehicle 2 in order to supply electric power to the building 3 from an electric power supply source other than the commercial power system 4 at the time of a power failure, and uses this as an AC for the building 3 It can be converted into electric power and supplied to the building 3. During the self-sustaining operation of the charging / discharging device 1, the circuit breaker 32 in the distribution board 31 has a role of electrically disconnecting the charging / discharging device 1 from the commercial power system 4 (preventing contact).

  The charging / discharging device 1 starts the self-sustained operation by driving the power supply circuit 12 using the power of the starting battery 11 in the charging / discharging device 1. Then, when the electric power taken out from the storage battery is converted into AC power and started to be supplied to the power system in the building 3, the self-sustained operation is continued by driving the power supply circuit 12 with the AC power. This eliminates the need for power supply from the startup battery 11. Furthermore, the charging / discharging device 1 can also charge the start-up battery 11 using the output of the self-sustaining operation.

  During the self-sustained operation, the charge / discharge circuit 17 extracts DC power of a specified voltage (for example, 400 V) from the storage battery in the electric vehicle 2 through the charge / discharge cable 18. The charge / discharge circuit 17 converts the DC power extracted from the electric vehicle 2 into AC power having a predetermined voltage and supplies the AC power to the transformer 16. The transformer 16 converts the supplied AC power into AC power having a specified voltage (for example, 100 V or 200 V) that can be used in the building 3, and passes through a power line for AC power that connects the transformer 16 and the distribution board 31. To the secondary side of the distribution board 31 in the building 3. The AC power thus supplied from the charging / discharging device 1 to the building 3 is supplied to each load 35 and each device 36 via the secondary side of the distribution board 31. Each load 35 and each device 36 operate using AC power supplied from the charging / discharging device 1.

(System interconnection operation)
The charging / discharging device 1 can also convert the electric power stored in the storage battery of the electric vehicle 2 into the specified AC power and supply it to the building where the distribution board 31 is provided even when there is no power failure. At this time, AC power is supplied from both the commercial power system 4 and the charging / discharging device 1 to the secondary side of the distribution board 31. The operation state of the charging / discharging device 1 when the supply of AC power in this manner is performed on the building 3 is particularly referred to as grid interconnection operation (or power supply operation).

(Discharge sequence)
When the operation mode is independent operation or grid interconnection operation, the charge / discharge circuit 17 executes a discharge sequence based on the CHAdeMO standard. The discharge sequence means a process for discharging the electric vehicle 2. The flow of the discharge sequence is basically the same as the flow of the charge sequence except that charging is changed to discharging. Therefore, description of the details is omitted.

(Reserved driving)
The charge / discharge device 1 can immediately start the charge operation or the grid interconnection operation when receiving an operation start instruction from the user. On the other hand, when a predetermined start condition preset in the charge / discharge device 1 is satisfied, the charge / discharge circuit 17 starts a charge sequence or a discharge sequence, and the charge / discharge device 1 has a predetermined preset. The charging operation or the grid interconnection operation for causing the charging / discharging circuit 17 to stop the charging sequence or the discharging sequence can also be executed when the end condition is satisfied. The operation mode in which the start and end of the charge sequence or the discharge sequence are controlled based on the establishment of such a start condition and an end condition is hereinafter referred to as a reserved operation.

  For example, since the user causes the charging / discharging device 1 to execute the reserved operation, the user can set the charging / discharging device 1 in advance with a time period for executing the reserved operation. When there is this setting, the charging / discharging device 1 automatically executes a specified type of operation (charging operation or grid interconnection operation) in the set time zone.

  By performing such a reserved operation, the user of the charging / discharging device 1 enjoys the following benefits. For example, the user can use the fully charged electric vehicle 2 immediately after getting up by causing the charging / discharging device 1 to execute a reserved operation of the electric vehicle 2 at midnight while sleeping. Therefore, the user does not need to wait until the electric vehicle 2 is fully charged after getting up.

  Further, depending on the contents of the power contract, the following advantages can be obtained by the reserved operation. That is, the user causes the charging / discharging device 1 to charge the electric vehicle 2 at midnight, which is a time zone where the electricity rate is cheap, while the grid charging operation is performed on the charging / discharging device 1 in the daytime where the electricity rate is high. Can be executed. Thereby, the household electricity bill which a user bears can be reduced.

  The mode of reserved driving is not limited to that based on the time zone setting described above. In addition, for example, when the charging / discharging device 1 includes a plurality of charging / discharging cables 18 and charging / discharging connectors 19 and a plurality of different electric vehicles 2 can be connected to the charging / discharging device 1 for charging through the charging / discharging devices 1 The mode in which the apparatus 1 sets the order for charging each electric vehicle 2 and sequentially charges the electric vehicles 2 that have arrived at the charging order is also included in the category of reserved operation. In this aspect, the arrival of the charging order set for an electric vehicle 2 corresponds to the establishment of a start condition for starting a reserved operation.

  The charging / discharging device 1 according to the present embodiment can continue the self-sustaining operation for a longer time than the conventional technology. A specific method for realizing this will be described in detail below.

(Processing flow during operation)
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process flow when the charge / discharge device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is operated.

  First, the charging / discharging apparatus 1 performs the starting process for starting the charging / discharging apparatus 1 (S1). When the AC power is supplied from the commercial power system 4 to the charge / discharge device 1, the charge / discharge device 1 drives the power supply circuit 12 using the AC power. When driven, the power supply circuit 12 converts AC power supplied from the commercial power system 4 into AC power of predetermined power (for example, 12V), and uses this AC power to start up the charging / discharging device 1. Run. When the AC power is not supplied from the commercial power system 4 to the charge / discharge device 1, the charge / discharge device 1 drives the power supply circuit 12 using the power supplied from the startup battery 11. When driven, the power supply circuit 12 converts the DC power supplied from the startup battery 11 into AC power having a predetermined voltage (for example, 12V), and executes the startup process of the charging / discharging device 1 using this AC power. To do.

  The charging / discharging device 1 stands by after the startup process is completed. The control circuit 15 determines whether or not the charging / discharging device 1 is disconnected from the commercial power system 4 during standby (S2). For example, when AC power is not supplied from the commercial power system 4 to the charge / discharge device 1, the control circuit 15 determines that the charge / discharge device 1 is disconnected from the commercial power system 4. For example, when AC power is supplied to the charging / discharging device 1 from the commercial power system 4, the control circuit 15 determines that the charging / discharging device 1 is not disconnected from the commercial power system 4.

  When S2 is YES, the setting unit 22 sets the operation mode of the charge / discharge device 1 to self-sustained operation (S3). When S2 is NO, the setting unit 22 sets the operation mode of the charging / discharging device 1 to an operation different from the independent operation (S4). In S4, the setting unit 22 sets, for example, the operation mode to the grid interconnection operation or the charging operation. Whether the grid connection operation or the charging operation is set may be determined in advance by a user instruction to the charge / discharge device 1.

  The power supply circuit 12 may turn off the power supply of the charging / discharging device 1 when a certain time (for example, one minute) has elapsed after the operation mode is set to the independent operation in S3 (after the first S3). Thereby, the charging / discharging apparatus 1 can prevent that the electric power accumulate | stored in the battery 11 for starting is consumed more than necessary. When the power supply of the charging / discharging device 1 is turned off, the processing in FIG. When the start button is pressed by the user while the power of the charging / discharging device 1 is turned off, the charging / discharging device 1 executes an activation process of S1. Thereby, the process of FIG. 2 is resumed.

  After S3 or S4, the input unit 14 detects whether or not the stop button provided in the input device 13 is pressed, and determines whether or not the stop button is pressed based on the result (S5). When S5 is YES, the input unit 14 notifies the control circuit 15 that the stop button has been pressed. Upon receiving this notification, the control circuit 15 causes the charge / discharge circuit 17 to unlock the charge / discharge connector 19 (S6). When the charging / discharging connector 19 is not locked at the time of S6, the charging / discharging circuit 17 may not unlock the charging / discharging connector 19. After S6, the process of FIG. 2 returns to S2.

  As described above, the charging / discharging device 1 unlocks the charging / discharging connector 19 when the user presses the stop button while waiting while the charging / discharging connector 19 is locked. Thereby, since the user can remove the charge / discharge cable 18 from the electric vehicle 2, the user can use the electric vehicle 2.

  When S5 is NO, the input unit 14 detects whether or not the start button provided in the input device 13 is pressed, and determines whether or not the start button is pressed based on the result (S7). When S7 is NO, the process of FIG. 2 returns to S2. Therefore, the charging / discharging device 1 continues to stand by unless the start button is pressed during standby.

(start operation)
When S7 is YES, the operation control unit 21 causes the charge / discharge device 1 to start operation in the set operation mode (S8).

  The operation control unit 21 causes the charge / discharge circuit 17 to start a discharge sequence when the charge / discharge device 1 starts a self-sustained operation or a grid interconnection operation. The charge / discharge circuit 17 sequentially executes a series of processing procedures included in the discharge sequence. When the discharge permission signal is received from the electric vehicle 2, the charge / discharge connector 19 is locked to the electric vehicle 2. Thereafter, the charge / discharge circuit 17 sequentially proceeds with the remaining processing steps included in the discharge sequence. The charging / discharging circuit 17 completes the preparation for discharging when it transmits to the electric vehicle 2 a discharge start signal for telling that all the preparations of the charging / discharging device 1 are completed. Thereby, the charge / discharge circuit 17 is in a state where the electric vehicle 2 can be discharged. Thereafter, the charge / discharge circuit 17 starts discharging (current extraction) of the storage battery of the electric vehicle 2.

  When the charging / discharging connector 19 is already locked at the time of S8, the locking of the charging / discharging connector 19 at S8 is not necessarily required. The charge / discharge circuit 17 may lock the charge / discharge connector 19 again or lock the charge / discharge connector 19 when the processing procedure proceeds to a stage where the charge / discharge connector 19 can be locked after the start of the charge sequence or the discharge sequence. There is no need to perform any additional control (lock maintenance).

(Operation stop by user instruction)
After the operation is started, the input unit 14 detects whether or not the stop button provided in the input device 13 is pressed, and determines whether or not the stop button is pressed based on the result (S9). When S9 is YES, the input unit 14 notifies the control circuit 15 that the stop button has been pressed. Upon receiving this notification, the control circuit 15 stops the operation of the charging / discharging device 1 (S10).

  The control circuit 15 instructs the charge / discharge circuit 17 to stop the discharge of the electric vehicle 2 when the charge / discharge device 1 is in a self-sustained operation or a grid-connected operation. In response to this instruction, the charge / discharge circuit 17 stops the discharge of the electric vehicle 2. The charge / discharge circuit 17 starts a series of termination procedures for terminating the discharge sequence after stopping the discharge. The charge / discharge circuit 17 releases the lock of the charge / discharge connector 19 after proceeding to the end procedure until the charge / discharge connector 19 can be unlocked. Thereafter, the charge / discharge circuit 17 ends the discharge sequence. Thereby, the operation of the charging / discharging device 1 is stopped.

  On the other hand, when S9 is NO, the charge / discharge circuit 17 receives various types of information notified from the electric vehicle 2 through CAN communication through the signal line 18b (S11). In the present embodiment, the charge / discharge circuit 17 receives at least the discharge lower limit battery remaining capacity (discharge lower limit battery remaining value) of the storage battery, the battery remaining capacity (battery remaining value) of the storage battery, and the total battery capacity of the storage battery. In practice, the electric vehicle 2 transmits a charge start signal (or discharge start signal) to the charge / discharge device 1 and then repeatedly notifies the charge / discharge device 1 of these pieces of information every predetermined time (for example, 100 ms). The reception of each information in S11 is intended to receive the latest information notified from the electric vehicle 2.

(Operation stopped)
After S11, the operation control unit 21 determines whether or not the charge / discharge circuit 17 has received a stop instruction for stopping the charging or discharging of the electric vehicle 2 from the electric vehicle 2 (S12). For example, when the remaining battery capacity of the storage battery reaches the discharge limit, the electric vehicle 2 transmits a stop instruction to the charge / discharge device 1. When S12 is YES, the operation control unit 21 stops the operation of the charge / discharge device 1 (S13). Note that the operation control unit 21 also stops the operation of the charge / discharge device 1 in S13 even if some abnormality occurs in the charge / discharge device 1 during the operation.

  In S <b> 13, the operation control unit 21 notifies the charge / discharge circuit 17 to stop the discharge of the electric vehicle 2 when the operation mode is the independent operation or the grid connection operation. Upon receiving this notification, the charging / discharging circuit 17 stops discharging the electric vehicle 2. After stopping the discharge, the charge / discharge circuit 17 starts an end procedure for ending the discharge sequence. However, the charge / discharge circuit 17 maintains the state without releasing the lock of the charge / discharge connector 19 after proceeding to the end procedure until the lock of the charge / discharge connector 19 can be released. If the locking mechanism of the charging / discharging connector 19 is a latch type, power is required at the moment of the locking operation, but power for maintaining the locked state once established is unnecessary. The locking mechanism need not be latched. Thereafter, the charge / discharge circuit 17 ends the discharge sequence while maintaining the lock of the charge / discharge connector 19. Thereby, the self-sustaining operation or the grid interconnection operation of the charge / discharge device 1 is completed.

  After S13, the process of FIG. 2 returns to S2.

  When S12 is NO, the operation control unit 21 determines whether or not the operation mode of the charge / discharge device 1 is a self-sustained operation (S14). When S14 is NO, the operation control unit 21 determines whether or not the remaining battery capacity of the storage battery is equal to or less than the discharge lower limit battery remaining capacity (predetermined reference value) (S15). When S15 is YES, the operation control unit 21 stops the operation of the charge / discharge device 1 (S13). When S15 is NO, the operation control unit 21 determines whether or not the remaining battery capacity of the storage battery is equal to or less than the discharge end capacity (predetermined reference value) (S16). The discharge end capacity is preset in the charging / discharging device 1 as a capacity that is a reference for ending the discharge of the storage battery. When S16 is YES, the operation control unit 21 stops the operation of the charging / discharging device 1 (S13).

  When S16 is NO, the operation control unit 21 causes the charge / discharge device 1 to continue the current operation (S17). Thereafter, the processing of FIG. 2 returns to S9.

(Continued autonomous operation)
When S14 is YES, that is, when the operation mode of the charging / discharging device 1 is a self-sustained operation, the operation control unit 21 determines whether or not the remaining battery capacity of the storage battery is equal to or lower than the discharge lower limit battery remaining capacity (S18). . When S18 is NO, the operation control unit 21 determines whether or not the remaining battery capacity of the storage battery is equal to or less than the discharge end capacity (S19). When S19 is NO, the operation control unit 21 causes the charge / discharge device 1 to continue the current operation (S17). Thereafter, the processing of FIG. 2 returns to S9.

  If S18 or S19 is YES, the operation control unit 21 causes the charge / discharge device 1 to continue the current operation (S20). After S20, the notification unit 23 notifies the user that a power failure may occur in the building 3 (S21). There are various modes of notification to the user in S21.

(Notification to user)
In S <b> 21, the notification unit 23 causes the LED 33 to emit light, for example, by transmitting a predetermined control signal to the LED 33. The light emission of the LED 33 includes lighting and blinking of the LED 33. The user can grasp that a power failure may occur in the building 3 by visually recognizing the light emission of the LED 33.

  In S21, the notification unit 23 causes the buzzer 34 to generate a sound by transmitting a predetermined control signal to the buzzer 34, for example. The user can grasp that a power outage may occur in the building 3 by listening to the sound of the buzzer 34.

  In S <b> 21, for example, the notification unit 23 causes the charge / discharge circuit 17 to stop supplying AC power to the load 35 and the device 36 in the building 3 for a certain period of time, and then supplies AC power to the load 35 and the device 36. Let it resume. As a result, the building 3 is blacked out for a certain time, and then restored. The user recognizes that the building 3 has been out of power for a certain period of time, and as a result, can grasp that there is a possibility that the power outage will occur again in the building 3 in the future.

  When a power failure occurs in the building 3, the plurality of devices 36 stop operating. When the power of the building 3 is restored, among the plurality of devices 36, some devices 36 that do not automatically resume operation even when power supply is resumed remain stopped. Therefore, the number of devices 36 to be operated is smaller after the building 3 is restored than before the power failure occurs temporarily in the building 3. As a result, since the total amount of power consumed in the building 3 is reduced, the inside of the building 3 can be saved.

  In S <b> 21, for example, the notification unit 23 causes the charging / discharging circuit 17 to instantaneously stop the supply of AC power to the load 35 and the device 36, and thereafter, to supply the AC power to the load 35 and the device 36. 17 to resume. The notification unit 23 causes the charge / discharge circuit 17 to periodically perform such AC power output control. As a result, the building 3 periodically repeats a power failure instantaneously and then quickly recovers. The user can grasp that a power outage may occur in the building 3 in the future by visually recognizing that the lighting fixture flickers periodically.

  In S21, the notification unit 23 transmits an e-mail to the user through the communication unit 20, for example. The user can grasp that a power outage may occur in the building 3 by checking the received electronic mail.

  In S <b> 21, the notification unit 23 notifies the user via the HEMS 37, for example. Specifically, the notification unit 23 uses an instruction signal for instructing notification to the user to the HEMS 37 through the notification unit 23. The notification unit 23 transmits a signal instructing a power saving notification to the user to the HEMS 37. For example, when the charging / discharging device 1 and the HEMS 37 are connected via an ECHONET Lite network, the notification unit 23 transmits an instruction signal by a communication method according to the ECHONET Lite protocol. The charging / discharging device 1 has properties corresponding to power saving operation settings. When notifying the power saving, the notification unit 23 notifies the entire network that the property has changed to a power saving request. Alternatively, the property is set in the charging / discharging device 1, and when the HEMS 37 acquires the content of the property, the HEMS 37 is notified that there is a power saving request. The HEMS 37 collects information about each device 36 in the network in advance according to the ECHONET Lite protocol. The HEMS 37 that has received a power saving request from the charging / discharging device 1 has properties corresponding to power saving operation settings for all devices 36, some devices 36, or specific devices 36 connected in the network. Set. The device 36 in which this property is set operates in the power saving mode. The user can grasp that there is a possibility that a power outage will occur in the building 3 by confirming that at least one of the devices 36 has started to operate in the power saving mode. Note that the notification unit 23 may notify the user by causing the HEMS 37 to stop the operation of a specific device (or one or more devices) instead of operating each device 36 in the power saving mode. In addition, when a controller other than the HEMS 37 is set in the building 3, the notification unit 23 may stop the operation of a specific device (one or a plurality of devices) in this controller instead of the HEMS 37. .

(Power saving in Building 3)
After S21, the power saving unit 24 saves power in the building 3 (S22). There are various modes of power saving. In S <b> 22, the power saving unit 24 instructs the charge / discharge circuit 17 to execute power supply control for power saving in the building 3. In response to this instruction, the charge / discharge circuit 17 reduces the voltage of the AC power supplied to the load 35 and the device 36, for example. As a result, some of the plurality of devices 36 stop operating when the voltage of the supplied AC power is insufficient. As a result, the number of devices 36 operated in the building 3 is reduced, so that power can be forcibly saved in the building 3.

  In response to the instruction from the power saving unit 24, the charge / discharge circuit 17, for example, AC power in one phase (single wire) among the single-phase three wires constituting the power line connecting the charge / discharge device 1 and the distribution board 31. Stop supplying. As a result, the load 35 and the device 36 connected to the phase in which the power supply has been stopped are stopped as a result of the power supply from the charging / discharging device 1 being cut off. Further, the device 36 (for example, an air conditioner) that operates with 200 V electric power also stops the operation. As a result, the number of devices 36 operated in the building 3 is reduced, so that power can be forcibly saved in the building 3.

  Within the building 3, a load 35 and a device 36 such as a lighting device, a television, and a refrigerator, which are desirable for the user to continue operation as much as possible, are provided in one phase (single wire) of the single-phase three wires. It is preferable that they are connected. Furthermore, it is preferable that the load 35 and the device 36 that the user can endure even if the operation is stopped are connected to the other single phase (single wire) of the single-phase three wires. In these cases, the charge / discharge circuit 17 preferably stops the supply of AC power in the other single phase. Thereby, it is not necessary to bother the user after power saving.

  After S22, the process of FIG. 2 returns to S2.

  As described above, the charging / discharging device 1 according to the present embodiment receives the remaining battery capacity of the storage battery from the electric vehicle 2 during operation. The charging / discharging device 1 stops the grid interconnection operation when the charging / discharging device 1 is in the grid interconnection operation and the remaining battery capacity is equal to or less than a predetermined reference value. Thereby, the charging / discharging device 1 prevents the storage battery from being excessively discharged during the grid connection operation. The reference value is, for example, a lower limit battery remaining capacity that the charging / discharging device 1 receives from the electric vehicle 2. The reference value may be a discharge end capacity that is set in the charge / discharge device 1 and ends the discharge of the storage battery.

  On the other hand, the charging / discharging device 1 continues without stopping the self-sustaining operation when the charging / discharging device 1 is in the self-sustaining operation and the remaining battery capacity is equal to or less than the reference value. Thereby, the charging / discharging device 1 can continue the self-sustaining operation for a longer time.

(Modification)
The electric vehicle 2 notifies the charging / discharging device 1 of the storage battery charge rate (remaining battery charge value) and discharge lower limit charge rate (discharge lower limit battery remaining value) instead of the remaining battery capacity and the lower discharge battery capacity. Can do. The charging rate is the current charging rate of the storage battery. On the other hand, the discharge lower limit charge rate is a lower limit value of the charge rate of the storage battery. The charging / discharging device 1 can also execute the control of the independent operation based on the result of comparing the charging rate and the discharge lower limit charging rate. In the charging / discharging device 1, a discharge end charge rate (discharge end value) may be set in advance instead of the discharge end capacity. The discharge completion charge rate is a charge rate that is a reference for terminating the discharge of the storage battery. The charging / discharging device 1 can also perform the control of the self-sustaining operation based on the result of comparing the charging rate and the discharging end charging rate.

  Specifically, the charge / discharge circuit 17 receives the charge rate and the discharge lower limit charge rate in S11. In S18, the operation control unit 21 determines whether or not the charging rate is equal to or lower than the discharge lower limit charging rate. If the determination result is YES, the process of FIG. 2 proceeds to S20, whereas if NO, the process proceeds to S19. In S19, the operation control unit 21 determines whether or not the charging rate is equal to or lower than the discharging end charging rate. If this determination result is YES, the process of FIG. 2 proceeds to S20, whereas if NO, the process proceeds to S17.

  As described above, the remaining battery value is a concept that encompasses the remaining battery capacity and the charging rate, and therefore means the current remaining capacity or charging rate of the storage battery. Since the discharge lower limit battery remaining value is a concept including the discharge lower limit battery remaining capacity and the discharge lower limit charge rate, it means the lower limit value of the remaining capacity of the storage battery or the lower limit value of the charge rate. Since the discharge end value is a concept that includes the discharge end capacity and the discharge end charge rate, it means a capacity or a charge rate that is a reference for ending the discharge of the storage battery. Therefore, the determination of continuation of independent operation based on the remaining battery capacity and the discharge lower limit battery remaining capacity or the discharge end capacity is essentially the same as the continuation determination of independent operation based on the charge rate and the lower discharge limit charge rate or the discharge end charge rate. It is. The operation control unit 21 may determine which determination is performed based on the type of information received from the electric vehicle 2.

(Other operation control)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing another processing flow when the charge / discharge device 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is operated. In the example of FIG. 3, when the battery remaining capacity is equal to or lower than the discharge lower limit battery remaining capacity while the charge / discharge apparatus 1 is operating independently, the operation control unit 21 is independent of the charge / discharge apparatus 1 regardless of the set value of the discharge end capacity. Stop operation.

  The processing from S1 to S17 in FIG. 3 is the same as the processing from S1 to S17 in FIG. When S14 is YES, that is, when the operation mode of the charging / discharging device 1 is a self-sustained operation, the operation control unit 21 determines that the battery remaining capacity of the storage battery is a value obtained by adding a predetermined margin value (α) to the discharge lower limit battery remaining capacity. It is determined whether or not the following is true (S31). The margin value is set in the charging / discharging device 1 in advance. The margin value may be, for example, a capacity corresponding to several percent of the discharge lower limit battery remaining capacity.

  When S31 is YES, the notification unit 23 notifies the user that a power failure may occur in the building 3 (S32). Since the notification method in S32 is the same as the notification method in S21, the description thereof is omitted. After S32, the power saving unit 24 may save power in the building 3. Since the power saving method in this case is the same as the power saving method in S22, a description thereof will be omitted. When S31 is NO, the process of FIG. 3 proceeds to S19. Therefore, the user is not notified. Since the process of S19-S22 is the same as the process of S19-S22 of FIG. 2, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  After S32, the operation control unit 21 determines whether or not the remaining battery capacity of the storage battery is equal to or lower than the lower limit battery remaining capacity (S18). When S18 is YES, the operation control unit 21 stops the operation of the charge / discharge device 1 (S13). On the other hand, when S18 is NO, the operation control unit 21 determines whether or not the remaining battery capacity of the storage battery is equal to or less than the discharge end capacity (S19). Since the process of S19-S22 is the same as the process of S19-S22 of FIG. 2, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As described above, the operation control unit 21 causes the charge / discharge device 1 to stop the self-sustained operation when the remaining battery capacity is equal to or lower than the discharge lower limit battery remaining capacity during the self-sustaining operation of the charge / discharge device 1. On the other hand, when the battery remaining capacity is the discharge end capacity during the self-sustaining operation of the charge / discharge device 1, the charge / discharge device 1 is allowed to continue the self-sustained operation. Therefore, the charging / discharging device 1 can stop the independent operation as necessary based on the information received from the electric vehicle 2 while continuing the independent operation for a longer time.

  Further, the notification unit 23 generates a power failure in the building 3 when the remaining battery capacity reaches a value that is higher than the discharge lower limit battery remaining capacity, which is a criterion for stopping the independent operation, by a predetermined margin value. Notify the user that there is a possibility. Therefore, the notification unit 23 can notify the user that there is a possibility that a power outage will soon occur in the building 3 before the time when the power outage actually occurs in the building 3.

(Still other operation control)
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing another processing flow when the charge / discharge device 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is operated. In the example of FIG. 4, the setting unit 22 sets the discharge lower limit capacity (discharge lower limit value) associated with the self-sustained operation in the charge / discharge device 1. The discharge lower limit capacity is a capacity indicating the lower limit of discharge of the storage battery. This setting only needs to be performed in advance at an arbitrary time before the activation process in S1 shown in FIG. 4 is performed. Alternatively, this setting may be performed at an arbitrary time after the start process in S1 shown in FIG. 4 is performed and before the start of operation in S8.

  The setting unit 22 sets the discharge lower limit capacity in the charge / discharge device 1 based on, for example, an input by the user. The setting unit 22 sets, for example, a value input by the user in the charging / discharging device 1 as a discharge lower limit capacity.

  In the charge / discharge device 1, an appropriate discharge lower limit capacity may be prepared in advance for each type of the electric vehicle 2. In this case, the user uses the input device 13 to select the type of the electric vehicle 2. The setting unit 22 sets a discharge lower limit capacity corresponding to the type of the electric vehicle 2 selected by the user in the charge / discharge device 1.

  In the charging / discharging device 1, the discharge lower limit capacity is associated with the independent operation and is not associated with the grid interconnection operation. The operation control unit 21 performs the continuation determination of the independent operation based on the relationship between the remaining battery capacity and the discharge lower limit capacity. On the other hand, the continuation determination of the grid interconnection operation is not performed based on the relationship between the remaining battery capacity and the discharge lower limit capacity.

  The processing from S1 to S17 in FIG. 4 is the same as the processing from S1 to S17 in FIG. When S14 is YES, that is, when the operation mode of the charging / discharging device 1 is a self-sustaining operation, the operation control unit 21 determines that the remaining battery capacity of the storage battery is equal to or less than a value obtained by adding a predetermined margin value (α) to the discharge lower limit capacity. It is determined whether or not (S41). The margin value is set in the charging / discharging device 1 in advance. The margin value may be, for example, a capacity corresponding to several percent of the total capacity of the storage battery.

  When S41 is YES, the notification unit 23 notifies the user that a power failure may occur in the building 3 (S42). Since the notification method in S42 is the same as the notification method in S21, the description thereof is omitted. After S42, the power saving unit 24 may save power in the building 3. Since the power saving method in this case is the same as the power saving method in S22, a description thereof will be omitted. When S41 is NO, the process of FIG. 3 proceeds to S18. That is, notification to the user is not performed. Since the process of S18-S22 is the same as the process of S18-S22 of FIG. 2, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  After S42, the operation control unit 21 determines whether or not the remaining battery capacity of the storage battery is equal to or lower than the discharge lower limit capacity (S43). When S43 is YES, the operation control unit 21 stops the operation of the charge / discharge device 1 (S13). On the other hand, when S43 is NO, the operation control unit 21 determines whether or not the remaining battery capacity of the storage battery is equal to or lower than the discharge lower limit battery remaining capacity (S18). Since the process of S18-S22 is the same as the process of S18-S22 of FIG. 2, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As described above, the operation control unit 21 causes the charge / discharge device 1 to stop the self-sustained operation when the remaining battery capacity is equal to or lower than the lower limit discharge capacity during the self-sustained operation of the charge / discharge device 1. On the other hand, when the battery remaining capacity is not equal to or less than the battery remaining capacity or the discharge lower limit battery remaining capacity during the self-sustaining operation of the charging / discharging device 1, the charging / discharging device 1 is allowed to continue without stopping the self-sustaining operation. Thereby, the charging / discharging device 1 can stop the independent operation as needed based on the discharge lower limit capacity set in association with the independent operation while continuing the independent operation for a longer time.

  Further, the notification unit 23 may cause a power failure in the building 3 when the remaining battery capacity reaches a value that is higher by a predetermined margin value than the discharge lower limit capacity that is a criterion for stopping the independent operation. Notify the user that there is As a result, the notification unit 23 can notify the user that there is a possibility that a power outage will soon occur in the building 3 before the time when the power outage actually occurs in the building 3.

(Modification)
The setting unit 22 may set a discharge lower limit charge rate (discharge lower limit value) in the charge / discharge device 1 instead of the discharge lower limit capacity. The discharge lower limit charge rate is a charge rate indicating the lower limit of the discharge of the storage battery, which is associated with the independent operation. The charging / discharging device 1 can also execute the control of the independent operation based on the result of comparing the charging rate and the discharge lower limit charging rate. Thus, since the discharge lower limit is a concept that encompasses the discharge lower limit capacity and the discharge lower limit charge rate, it means the lower limit value of the remaining capacity of the storage battery or the lower limit value of the charge rate. Therefore, the determination of continuation of the independent operation based on the remaining battery capacity and the discharge lower limit capacity is essentially the same as the continuation determination of the independent operation based on the charge rate and the discharge lower limit charge rate. The operation control unit 21 may determine which determination is performed based on the type of information received from the electric vehicle 2.

[Example of software implementation]
The control blocks (particularly, the operation control unit 21, the setting unit 22, the notification unit 23, and the power saving unit 24) of the charge / discharge device 1 are all logic circuits (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like. It may be realized by software, or may be realized by software using a CPU (Central Processing Unit). In the latter case, the charge / discharge device 1 includes a CPU that executes instructions of a program that is software for realizing each function, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which the program and various data are recorded so as to be readable by a computer (or CPU). Alternatively, a storage device (these are referred to as “recording media”), a RAM (Random Access Memory) that expands the program, and the like are provided. And the objective of this invention is achieved when a computer (or CPU) reads the said program from the said recording medium and runs it. As the recording medium, a “non-temporary tangible medium” such as a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit, or the like can be used. The program may be supplied to the computer via an arbitrary transmission medium (such as a communication network or a broadcast wave) that can transmit the program. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program is embodied by electronic transmission.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. A new technical feature can also be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment.

  The charging / discharging device 1 may be a device that is different from the CHAdeMO standard and is compatible with other standards (such as the COMBO standard) for charging or discharging the storage battery of the electric vehicle 2. In this case, the charge / discharge cable 18 and the charge / discharge connector 19 are cables and connectors corresponding to the other standards. Further, the charge / discharge circuit 17 executes a charge sequence (or a discharge sequence) corresponding to the other standard.

  The operation control of the charging / discharging device 1 disclosed in each embodiment is similarly applied to the charging / discharging device 1 that executes the reserved operation. The operation control of the charging / discharging device 1 disclosed in each embodiment also applies to the charging / discharging device 1 that executes the operation based on an instruction received from an external device (for example, HEMS or a host device) connected to the charging / discharging device 1. The same applies.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Charging / discharging apparatus (power control apparatus), 2 Electric vehicle (vehicle), 3 Building, 4 Commercial power system, 11 Starting battery, 12 Power supply circuit, 13 Input device, 14 Input part, 15 Control circuit, 16 Transformer, 17 Charging / discharging circuit (power control unit), 18 charging / discharging cable (cable), 18a power line, 18b signal line, 19 charging / discharging connector (connector), 21 operation control unit, 22 setting unit, 23 notification unit, 24 power saving unit, 31 Distribution board, 32 Circuit breaker, 33 LED (light emitting part), 34 Buzzer (sound generating part), 35 Load, 36 Equipment, 37 HEMS (External device), 38 Hub

Claims (11)

A power control device for charging or discharging a storage battery mounted on a vehicle,
A receiving unit for receiving the remaining battery value of the storage battery from the vehicle;
The power control device is provided with an operation control unit that causes the power control device to continue the self-sustained operation when the power control device is operating independently and the remaining battery value is equal to or less than a predetermined reference value. Power control device. The receiving unit further receives a discharge lower limit battery residual value of the storage battery from the vehicle,
The power control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reference value is the discharge lower limit battery remaining value. A discharge end value, which is a reference for terminating the discharge of the storage battery, is preset in the power control device,
The power control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reference value is the discharge end value.   A notification unit for notifying a user that a power failure may occur when the remaining battery value is equal to or less than the reference value and the operation control unit causes the power control device to continue the independent operation; The power control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: The receiving unit receives the discharge lower limit battery residual value of the storage battery from the vehicle,
A discharge end value, which is a reference for terminating the discharge of the storage battery, is preset in the power control device,
The reference value is the discharge end value,
The operation control unit causes the power control device to stop the independent operation when the power control device is in the independent operation and the remaining battery value is equal to or less than the discharge lower limit battery remaining value. The power control apparatus according to claim 1.   When the battery remaining value is equal to or less than a value obtained by adding a predetermined margin value to the discharge lower limit battery remaining value, a notification unit is provided for notifying a user that a power failure may occur. The power control apparatus according to claim 5. A setting unit for setting a discharge lower limit value indicating a lower limit of the discharge of the storage battery, which is associated with the autonomous operation;
The operation control unit causes the power control device to stop the independent operation when the power control device is in the independent operation and the remaining battery value is equal to or lower than the discharge lower limit value. The power control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   When the battery remaining value is equal to or less than a value obtained by adding a predetermined margin value to the discharge lower limit value, a notification unit is provided for notifying a user that a power failure may occur. Item 8. The power control apparatus according to Item 7. The power control device is connected to a plurality of loads connected to the commercial power system,
The power control device includes a supply unit that supplies power to the plurality of loads by discharging the storage battery during the autonomous operation.
The notification unit causes the supply unit to stop supplying the power to the plurality of loads for a certain period of time, and then causes the supply unit to resume supplying the power to the plurality of loads. Item 9. The power control apparatus according to any one of Items 4, 6, and 8. The power control device is connected to an external device,
The power control apparatus according to any one of claims 4, 6, and 8, wherein the notification unit notifies the user through the external device. The power control device is connected to a plurality of loads connected to the commercial power system,
The power control device includes a supply unit that supplies power to the plurality of loads by discharging the storage battery during the autonomous operation.
The supply unit stops one-phase power supply when the remaining battery value is equal to or less than the reference value and the operation control unit causes the power control device to continue the independent operation. The power control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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