JP5659907B2 - Charging stand guidance system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a charging stand guidance system for guiding a vehicle equipped with a vehicle battery to a charging stand.

  A vehicle equipped with a vehicle battery may use a charging station in which a plurality of charging stations are installed in a specific space when charging the vehicle battery. When using such a charging station, since there are a plurality of charging stations, there is a problem that the overall usage status cannot be grasped. For example, it is possible to check the availability of the charging station based on whether or not the vehicle is parked in the parking space of the charging station, but if the charging station is wide or spreads across multiple floors, There is a problem that it is difficult to grasp the whole of the vehicle, and it is difficult to check while driving.

  A technique for solving such a problem is described in Patent Document 1. In the technique described in Patent Literature 1, a charging guide device that displays information such as an empty state of a charging station and a remaining charging time of each charging station is disclosed.

JP 2010-161912 A

  In the technique described in Patent Document 1 described above, since a charging guide device such as a so-called electronic signboard is used, an unspecified number of vehicle drivers can be visually recognized. Therefore, the same information is provided to a plurality of drivers. As a result, even when there are a plurality of empty charging stations, there is a possibility that a plurality of vehicles will rush into the same empty charging station because the empty charging stations are not individually assigned to the driver.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a charging stand guidance system that can assign charging stations individually and can guide a vehicle to the assigned charging stands. And

  The present invention employs the following technical means in order to achieve the aforementioned object.

In the invention according to claim 1, a plurality of charging stations (20) installed in the charging station (11) and charging electric power to a vehicle battery mounted on the vehicle (30), and an operating state of the charging station are controlled. A charging stand guidance system (10) including a guidance device (40) for guiding a vehicle to a charging stand and an in-vehicle device (31) mounted on the vehicle and having an information output unit (35),
In-vehicle devices
Vehicle-mounted communication means (36) for communicating with the guide device;
Position detection means (32) for detecting the current position of the vehicle;
Route search means (37) for searching a guide route from the current position to the destination;
Vehicle-mounted storage means (33) in which charging conditions acceptable when charging the vehicle battery are stored;
Wherein the vehicle control means for controlling the information output from the information output unit (37), a
The guidance device
Guidance communication means (41) for communicating with the in-vehicle device;
Operating state acquisition means (43) for acquiring the operating state of the charging station;
A position acquisition means (41) for acquiring the current position of the vehicle detected by the position detection means via the guidance communication means in response to a request for transmission of the current position of the vehicle to the in-vehicle device by the guidance communication means ;
Condition acquisition means (41) for acquiring the charging condition;
Determination means for determining whether or not the vehicle is within a predetermined range based on the current position of the vehicle acquired by the position acquisition means after confirming the connection between the guide communication means and the vehicle-mounted communication means in a predetermined detection area ( 41),
When it is determined that the vehicle is within the predetermined range, the charging station that satisfies the charging condition is selected based on the operating state of the charging station, and the station guide information indicating the position of the selected charging station is transmitted to the in-vehicle device. Guidance control means (45) for controlling the guidance communication means to
The determination means acquires the current position of the vehicle again by the position acquisition means when it is determined that the vehicle is not within the predetermined range after confirming the connection between the guidance communication means and the in-vehicle communication means in the predetermined detection area. To determine whether the vehicle is within a predetermined range,
The guidance control means controls the charging station selected to prohibit charging other vehicles other than the vehicle that transmitted the station guidance information,
The in-vehicle control means is a charging stand guidance system that controls the route searching means using the stand guidance information received by the in-vehicle communication means so that the position of the charging stand becomes a destination.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the vehicle is within the predetermined range, the guidance control means selects the charging station that satisfies the charging condition based on the operating state of the charging station. The predetermined range is a range including, for example, a charging station where a plurality of charging stations are installed and the vicinity thereof. This is because if the vehicle is within such a predetermined range, the vehicle is likely to be looking for a charging station. The selected charging station is a charging station that satisfies charging conditions based on the operating state of the charging station. The operating state is, for example, a state where another vehicle is currently being charged (used), a state where charging is reserved, an empty state, or the like. The charging conditions are, for example, a condition of charging up to a predetermined amount within a predetermined time, a condition of charging cost, and the like. Since the charging station that satisfies such charging conditions is automatically selected by the guidance control means, the driver (user) does not have to select one charging station from a plurality of charging stations.

  The vehicle-mounted control means controls the route search means so that the position of the charging station that satisfies the charging conditions becomes the destination. Therefore, the driver can easily reach the selected charging station even if the charging station has a plurality of charging stations, based on information from the information output unit. Therefore, it is not necessary to search for a charging stand, and convenience can be improved.

  Further, the guidance control means controls the charging stand so as to prohibit charging other vehicles other than the vehicle that has transmitted the stand guidance information at the selected charging stand. Therefore, the charging station is individually assigned to the vehicle that has received the station guide information. As a result, other vehicles cannot use the charging stand, so that it is possible to prevent a plurality of vehicles from rushing to the same charging stand. Thereby, the convenience of the charging station can be improved. Thus, in the charging station guidance system of the present invention, a charging station can be assigned individually, and a system capable of guiding the vehicle to the assigned charging station can be realized.

In a second aspect of the present invention, the predetermined detection area is a range of a road that covers the entrance of the charging station and reaches the entrance, and the predetermined range is in the charging station .

Furthermore, in the invention according to claim 3, the in- vehicle device further includes an operation switch capable of operating whether or not to start guidance of the charging station,
When the operation switch is operated so as to refuse the guidance start, the guidance control means cancels the process for prohibiting charging to vehicles other than the vehicle that has transmitted the stand guidance information .

  Furthermore, the invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the guidance control means selects at least one charging station close to the charging condition when there is no charging station that satisfies the charging condition.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when there is no charging station that satisfies the charging condition, at least one charging station that is close to the charging condition is selected. Therefore, even if the charging conditions are not satisfied, a charging station that is close to the charging conditions is guided. In addition, this allows the user to determine whether or not to charge at a charging station that does not satisfy the charging conditions.

Furthermore, in the invention according to claim 5, each of the plurality of charging stations includes notification means (24) for notifying information to the outside,
The guidance control means controls the information indicating that it has been selected by the notification means of the selected charging station.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the information indicating the selection is notified by the notification means of the selected charging station. Since the other vehicle cannot be charged when selected, the driver of the other vehicle can recognize that it is not available (reserved) even if it is an empty charging station by the notification means. Also, the user can confirm whether or not the selected charging station is correct by the notification means.

  Furthermore, the invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the guide device is mounted on any one charging stand.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, since the guide device is mounted on any one charging stand, a space for installing the guide device separately is not required, and the configuration can be simplified.

Furthermore, in the invention according to claim 7 , the guidance control means guide communication so as to transmit guidance impossibility information indicating that there is no charging station to be selected to the in-vehicle device when there is no charging station that satisfies the charging condition. Control means,
The vehicle-mounted control means controls the information output unit so as to output the guidance impossibility information received by the vehicle-mounted communication means.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when there is no charging station that satisfies the charging condition, the information output unit is controlled by the in-vehicle control means so as to display the guidance impossible information. As a result, the user can quickly recognize that there is no charging station that satisfies the charging conditions.
Furthermore, in the invention according to claim 8, a plurality of charging stations (20) installed in the charging station (11) for charging the vehicle battery mounted on the vehicle (30), and the operating state of the charging station are controlled. And a charging station guidance system (10) including a guidance device (40) for guiding the vehicle to the charging station,
The guidance device
Guidance communication means (41) for communicating with an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle;
Operating state acquisition means (43) for acquiring the operating state of the charging station;
Position acquisition means (41) for acquiring the current position of the vehicle detected by the in-vehicle device via the guidance communication means in response to a request for transmission of the current position of the vehicle to the in-vehicle device by the guidance communication means;
Condition acquisition means (41) for acquiring a charging condition acceptable when charging the vehicle battery from the in-vehicle device;
After confirming the connection between the guidance communication means and the in-vehicle device in a predetermined detection area, the determination means (41) determines whether the vehicle is within the predetermined range based on the current position of the vehicle acquired by the position acquisition means. )When,
When it is determined that the vehicle is within the predetermined range, the charging station that satisfies the charging condition is selected based on the operating state of the charging station, and the station guide information indicating the position of the selected charging station is transmitted to the in-vehicle device. Guidance control means (45) for controlling the guidance communication means to
The determination means acquires the current position of the vehicle again by the position acquisition means when it is determined that the vehicle is not within the predetermined range after confirming the connection between the guidance communication means and the in-vehicle device in the predetermined detection area. To determine whether the vehicle is within a predetermined range,
The guidance control means controls the charging station selected so as to prohibit charging to vehicles other than the vehicle that transmitted the station guidance information.

  In addition, the code | symbol in the bracket | parenthesis of each above-mentioned means is an example which shows a corresponding relationship with the specific means as described in embodiment mentioned later.

1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a charging stand guidance system 10. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a charging stand guidance system 10. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a charging stand guidance process. It is a figure which shows an example of the image displayed on the vehicle-mounted display part.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a simplified electrical configuration of a charging station guide system 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the charging stand guidance system 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the charging station guidance system 10 is used in a charging station (charging station) 11 where a plurality of charging stations 20 are installed. The charging stand 20 is a device for supplying electric power to a vehicle battery (not shown) mounted on a vehicle 30 such as a plug-in hybrid vehicle and an electric vehicle to charge the vehicle battery. The charging station guidance system 10 is a system that guides the vehicle 30 to the charging station 20 that can be charged at the charging station 11. The charging stand guidance system 10 includes a plurality of charging stands 20, a charging stand guidance device (guidance device) 40 that controls the operating state of the charging stand 20, and a navigation device (on-vehicle device) 31 mounted on the vehicle 30. Consists of including.

  First, the navigation device 31 will be described. The navigation device 31 is a route guidance device that guides a route to a destination set by a vehicle occupant (user). When the vehicle occupant operates the navigation device 31, the navigation device 31 executes, for example, a route search process for searching for a route to the destination, a route guidance process for guiding the route to the destination, and the like. The navigation device 31 includes a position detector 32, a map information storage unit 33, an operation switch 34, an in-vehicle display unit 35, an in-vehicle communication unit 36, and an in-vehicle control unit 37.

  The in-vehicle control unit 37 is an in-vehicle control unit that controls each unit of the navigation device 31, and although not illustrated, a central processing unit (abbreviated as CPU), ROM (Read-Only Memory: abbreviated ROM) , A microcomputer having a RAM (Random Access Memory: abbreviated RAM), and an input / output (abbreviated I / O) port, and an electrically erasable programmable ROM (Electronically Erasable) for storing predetermined data in a rewritable manner and Programmable Read Only Memory (abbreviated as EEPROM). The ROM stores an execution program for executing various processes, setting information for executing each execution program, and the like. The in-vehicle control unit 37 is electrically connected to the position detector 32, the map information storage unit 33, the operation switch 34, the in-vehicle display unit 35, and the in-vehicle communication unit 36. The in-vehicle control unit 37 executes various functions when the CPU executes the execution program written in the ROM.

  The position detector 32 is position detection means for detecting the current position of the vehicle 30. The position detector 32 includes a geomagnetic sensor (not shown) for detecting the absolute azimuth of the vehicle 30, a gyroscope 32a for detecting the relative azimuth of the vehicle 30, and a distance sensor (see FIG. And a GPS receiver 32b for a global positioning system (abbreviated as GPS) that measures the position of the vehicle 30 based on radio waves from a satellite. The in-vehicle control unit 37 executes a current point detection process that sequentially determines the current position of the vehicle 30 based on, for example, a signal from the position detector 32.

  The map information storage unit 33 is storage means for storing map data including road data, background data, and character data as network data. The road data includes, for example, road inclination information indicating the road inclination and road height information indicating the road height. As a storage medium for storing the map data, for example, a hard disk, a flash memory, an optical disk (DVD-ROM or the like) can be used. The in-vehicle control unit 37 can also acquire map data from an external server by the in-vehicle communication unit 36 and store it in the map information storage unit 33. The in-vehicle control unit 37 can implement various navigation functions such as a map display around the vehicle 30, a scale change of the display map, route guidance, etc., using the map data stored (stored) in the map information storage unit 33. it can.

  The operation switch 34 is configured by, for example, a touch switch or a mechanical switch integrated with the in-vehicle display unit 35, and is used for various inputs. A signal input by the operation switch 34 is given to the in-vehicle control unit 37. For example, the position of the destination can be input using the operation switch 34. In addition, the user (including the driver) can also perform an operation of changing the scale of the map displayed on the in-vehicle display unit 35 and an operation of displaying a travel locus using the operation switch 34.

  The in-vehicle display unit 35 is an information output unit that outputs information to the outside, and specifically, a display unit that visually notifies the user of the information. The vehicle-mounted display part 35 is comprised, for example with a liquid crystal display, and displays various information on a screen. The in-vehicle display unit 35 corresponds to the current position of the vehicle 30 and displays a road map around the vehicle 30 generated by the own vehicle mark displaying the traveling direction and the map data input from the map information storage unit 33. Can be displayed. Further, when a destination is set, a guidance route from the current point to the destination can be displayed on the road map in an overlapping manner.

  The in-vehicle communication unit 36 is an in-vehicle communication unit that communicates with the charging stand guidance device 40. The in-vehicle communication unit 36 performs communication connection when the charging stand guidance device 40 is within a predetermined range from the vehicle 30. The in-vehicle communication unit 36 has transmitted a control signal including an SSID (Service Set ID) for identifying a wireless network such as a wireless LAN (local area network) to which the in-vehicle communication unit 36 belongs, and has received a signal in response to the control signal Whether or not the charging station guiding device 40 that is the connection target device exists in the transmission area of the in-vehicle communication unit 36 is detected. The in-vehicle communication unit 36 communicates with the charging station guiding device 40 through a wireless network, for example. The in-vehicle communication unit 36 receives information distributed from an information communication center that transmits road traffic information such as traffic jams and traffic regulations in real time via beacons laid on the road and FM broadcast stations in various locations. It is a device that transmits information from the vehicle 30 side to the outside as needed. The received information is processed by the in-vehicle control unit 37. For example, traffic jam information, regulation information, and the like are superimposed on the road map displayed on the in-vehicle display unit 35.

  Next, the process of the vehicle-mounted control part 37 is demonstrated. The in-vehicle control unit 37 executes, for example, a current position detection process, a route search process, a route guidance process, and a charging condition setting process by executing a program written in the ROM while the CPU uses the temporary storage function of the RAM. To do. Therefore, the vehicle-mounted control unit 37 also has a function as route search means.

  The current location detection process is a process of sequentially determining the current location of the vehicle 30 based on a signal input from the position detector 32. Note that the geomagnetic sensor, gyroscope 32a, distance sensor, and GPS receiver 32b constituting the position detector 32 have errors of different properties, so that the current point is sequentially detected while complementing the signals from each. To do. That is, the current location (coordinates) of the vehicle 30 is determined by hybrid navigation that combines radio wave navigation using GPS and self-contained navigation using a geomagnetic sensor, gyroscope 32a, and distance sensor. Depending on the accuracy of each sensor, the position detector 32 may be configured as a part of the above-described ones, and a steering rotation sensor (not shown), a vehicle speed sensor for each rolling wheel, or the like may be used. In the current location detection process, the traveling direction (traveling direction) is determined in addition to the current location.

  The route search process is a process that is executed when the user inputs the destination position using the operation switch 34 or the like. The in-vehicle control unit 37 automatically selects an optimum route from the current point to the destination, forms a guide route, and displays the route on the in-vehicle display unit 35. As such a method for automatically setting an optimum guide route, for example, a method such as the Dijkstra method is known.

  The route guidance process is performed after the route search process and guides the route to the destination to the user. In the route guidance process, when approaching an intersection that turns right or left, a process of enlarging and displaying the intersection is executed.

  The charging condition setting process is a process of controlling the input charging condition to be stored in the RAM as the in-vehicle storage means when the user inputs a desired charging condition using the operation switch 34 or the like. The charging condition is an acceptable condition when charging the vehicle battery. The charging condition includes, for example, a condition that the battery is charged to a predetermined amount within a predetermined time, a condition of charging cost, and the like. Such a charging condition is stored in the RAM as an initial setting at the time of product shipment or the like, for example, a condition for selecting the charging station 20 with the fastest charging speed when the user has not input the operation switch 34. Yes.

  Next, the charging stand guidance device 40 will be described. The charging stand guidance device 40 can communicate with the navigation device 31 and the charging stand 20. When the vehicle 30 enters a predetermined range, for example, the charging station 11, the charging stand guidance device 40 selects the charging stand 20 that satisfies the charging condition of the vehicle 30 and guides the vehicle 30 to the selected charging stand 20. It is a device that transmits stand guidance information to the navigation device 31 so as to (guide). The charging station guidance device 40 includes a charging communication unit 41, a charging display unit 42, a charging station communication unit 43, a charging storage unit 44, and a charging control unit 45. In addition, the charging stand guidance device 40 is mounted on any one of the plurality of charging stands 20. In other words, the charging stand guidance device 40 is incorporated in any one of the plurality of charging stands 20.

  The charging communication unit 41 is a guide communication unit that communicates with the navigation device 31. The charging communication unit 41 also has a function as a position acquisition unit that acquires the position of the vehicle 30 by communicating with the navigation device 31. The charging communication unit 41 has transmitted a control signal including an SSID (Service Set ID) for identifying a wireless network to which the charging communication unit 41 belongs and has received a signal in response to the control signal. Whether or not the navigation device 31 that is the connection target device exists in the transmission area of the charging communication unit 41 (in the region indicated by the broken line in FIG. 2) is detected. Therefore, the charging communication unit 41 has a function as a determination unit that determines whether or not the vehicle 30 is within a predetermined range based on the acquired position of the vehicle 30. The charging communication unit 41 communicates with the navigation device 31 through, for example, a wireless network. Further, the charging communication unit 41 functions as a condition acquisition unit that communicates with the navigation device 31 and acquires the charging conditions stored in the navigation device 31. Charging communication unit 41 is electrically connected to charging control unit 45, transmits information given from charging control unit 45 to navigation device 31, and gives information sent from navigation device 31 to charging control unit 45.

  The charging station communication unit 43 is a charging station communication unit that communicates with the plurality of charging stations 20. The charging station communication unit 43 is electrically connected to the charging control unit 45, transmits information given from the charging control unit 45 to the charging stand 20, and gives information sent from the charging stand 20 to the charging control unit 45. . The charging station communication unit 43 also has a function as an operating state acquisition unit that acquires the usage state (operating state) of the charging station 20. The usage state of the charging station 20 includes various information on the charging station 20. The usage state includes information such as a state where another vehicle is currently being charged (in use), a state where charging is reserved, and a free state. The usage state also includes information such as a scheduled charging start time at the time of reservation and a charging end time during charging. The usage state also includes information such as the charging capability of each charging station 20 and the position in the charging station 11.

  The charge display unit 42 is display means for visually informing the user of information. The charge display unit 42 is electrically connected to the charge control unit 45 and displays information output from the charge control unit 45 to the charge display unit 42. The charge display part 42 is comprised, for example with a liquid crystal display, and displays various information on a screen. The charging display unit 42 displays, for example, the usage state of the charging stand 20, various setting information, the communication state with the navigation device 31, and the like.

  The charging storage unit 44 stores map data including passage data, background data, and character data in the charging station 11 as network data. As a storage medium for storing the map data, for example, a hard disk, a flash memory, an optical disk (DVD-ROM or the like) can be used.

  The charging control unit 45 is a guidance control unit that controls each unit of the charging stand guidance device 40. The electrical configuration is the same as that of the vehicle-mounted control unit 37 described above, and although not illustrated, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, And a microcomputer having an I / O port and a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM. The ROM stores an execution program for executing various processes, setting information for executing each execution program, and the like. The charging control unit 45 is electrically connected to the charging display unit 42, the charging storage unit 44, the charging stand communication unit 43, and the charging communication unit 41. The charge control unit 45 executes various functions as the CPU executes the execution program written in the ROM.

  Next, the charging stand 20 will be described. The charging station 20 is for charging the vehicle battery, and is disposed in each of a plurality of parking spaces of the charging station 11. The parking space of the charging station 11 may have not only a parking space where the charging stand 20 is installed, but also a parking space where the charging stand 20 is not installed like a so-called parking lot. Such a charging station 11 includes a parking space for visiting a facility, such as a shopping center, and a parking space provided with the charging stand 20 so that the charging station 20 can be charged when in the facility. It is a place where it is installed.

  In FIG. 1, a configuration in which the charging station guide system 10 includes two charging stations 20 is illustrated, but as illustrated in FIG. 2, the configuration is not limited to two but includes a number other than two. It is good. The charging stand 20 includes a stand communication unit 21, a stand control unit 22, a charging unit 23, and a stand display unit 24. Since each charging stand 20 has the same configuration except for the charging capability of the charging unit 23, only one charging stand 20 will be described, and the other charging stands 20 will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. To do.

  The stand communication unit 21 is configured to be communicable with the charging stand guiding device 40 and transmits / receives information to / from the charging stand guiding device 40. The stand communication unit 21 is electrically connected to the stand control unit 22, transmits information given from the stand control unit 22 to the charging stand guidance device 40, and sends information transmitted from the charging stand guidance device 40 to the stand control unit. 22

  The stand display unit 24 is a display unit that visually notifies the user of information. The stand display unit 24 is electrically connected to the stand control unit 22 and displays information output from the stand control unit 22 to the stand display unit 24. The stand display unit 24 is configured by a liquid crystal display, for example, and displays various types of information on the screen. The stand display unit 24 can display, for example, a charging time, charging power, a charging speed, a charging fee, and the like on the charging stand 20 as a usage state. Furthermore, when the charging station 20 is reserved for use, information indicating that the charging station 20 has been reserved can be displayed.

  The charging unit 23 supplies power to the vehicle battery. The charging unit 23 is electrically connected to the stand control unit 22 and controlled by the stand control unit 22. A charging power line (not shown) is connected to the charging unit 23. The charging power line is connected to a charging cable (not shown) extending from the main body of the charging stand 20 to the outside. A charging connector (not shown) is attached to the tip of the charging cable. The charging unit 23 can communicate with the vehicle 30 side via a power line in the charging cable when connected to the vehicle 30. Charging unit 23 provides information received from vehicle 30 to stand control unit 22.

  The vehicle 30 is provided with an insertion port (not shown) for a charging connector. By connecting the charging connector of the charging stand 20 to this insertion port, it is possible to charge the vehicle battery via an in-vehicle charger (not shown) mounted on the vehicle 30. When charging the vehicle battery, AC power is supplied from the charging power line to the connector, and the on-vehicle charger / discharger converts the supplied AC power into DC power to charge the vehicle battery. Further, the supply of electric power from the charging unit 23 to the vehicle battery may be based on such a contact type or may be based on a non-contact type using electromagnetic induction.

  The stand control unit 22 is a stand control unit that controls each part of the charging stand 20, and the electrical configuration is the same as that of the vehicle-mounted control unit 37 described above, and although not illustrated, a CPU, ROM, RAM, and I A microcomputer having an / O port and a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM are included. The ROM stores an execution program for executing various processes, setting information for executing each execution program, and the like. The stand control unit 22 is electrically connected to the charging unit 23, the stand display unit 24, and the stand communication unit 21. The stand control unit 22 executes various functions when the CPU executes the execution program written in the ROM.

  The plurality of charging stations 20 installed in the charging station 11 have, for example, three types (rapid type, medium speed type, low speed type) of charging capability of the charging unit 23. Therefore, when the rapid charging station 20 is used, the vehicle battery can be charged to a predetermined amount in a short time. The quick type charging stand 20 often has a higher charging fee than the medium speed type and the low speed type.

  Next, control by the charging stand guidance system 10 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the charging station guidance process of the stand controller 22, the charging controller 45, and the in-vehicle controller 37. The charging station guidance process is a process of guiding the vehicle 30 to the charging station 20 that satisfies the charging conditions in the vicinity of the charging station 11. The flow shown in FIG. 3 is executed when each of the devices 20, 31, and 40 is powered on.

  When the flow is started, in step S11, the in-vehicle control unit 37 detects whether the charging station guiding device 40 is present in the transmission area of the in-vehicle communication unit 36. If detected, the process proceeds to step S12. The process of step S11 is repeated until it is detected.

  In step S12, since the vehicle-mounted control part 37 detected the charging stand induction device 40, it outputs a connection request to the charging stand induction device 40, and waits for a command from the charging stand induction device 40. For example, the position of the first position P1 of the vehicle 30 shown in FIG. 2 is a position detected by entering the transmission area. Such a transmission area (detection area) preferably covers a road that covers the entrance of the charging station 11 and reaches the entrance. As a result, the connection process between the navigation device 31 and the charging stand guidance device 40 is performed on the road before the vehicle 30 enters the charging station 11 so that communication is possible. Then, the subsequent charging station guidance process can be advanced at an early stage.

  In step S21, since the charging control unit 45 has received the connection request from the navigation device 31, it determines whether or not the connection can be permitted. If it is determined that the connection is permitted, the process proceeds to step S22. Ends this flow. The case where the connection is impossible is, for example, the case where the navigation device 31 is a device that does not support the charging station guidance process or the case where the communication strength is weak.

  In step S22, since the charging control unit 45 has permitted the connection, the charging control unit 45 performs a connection process with the navigation device 31, and proceeds to step S23. In step S <b> 23, the charging control unit 45 requests the navigation device 31 to transmit the position state of the current position and the current traveling direction (direction) information, and waits for a command from the navigation device 31.

  In step S <b> 13, since the vehicle-mounted control unit 37 is requested to transmit the position / orientation information from the charging stand guidance device 40, it acquires information from the position detector 32 and transmits the position / orientation information to the charging station guidance device 40. And it waits until the command from the charging stand guidance device 40 comes.

  In step S24, when receiving the position / orientation information from the navigation device 31, the charging control unit 45 determines whether or not the vehicle has entered the charging station 11 (positioned in the charging station 11) based on the received information. If it is determined that the vehicle has entered, the process proceeds to step S25. If it is determined that the vehicle has not entered, the process returns to step S23 to request the navigation device 31 for position / orientation information again. For example, the second position P <b> 2 of the vehicle 30 shown in FIG. 2 is a position at which the vehicle 30 enters the charging station 11. Moreover, in step S24, when it is going to enter into the charging station 11, you may judge that it entered. In the case of approaching, for example, there is one road that continues in the charging station 11, and the vehicle 30 is located in a path that leads to the charging station 11 even if it is outside the charging station 11 depending on the traveling direction of the vehicle 30. .

  In step S25, since the navigation device 31 (vehicle 30) is located in the charging station 11 and is highly likely to be charged, the charging control unit 45 requests the navigation device 31 to transmit the charging conditions, and the navigation is performed. Wait until a command from the device 31 is received.

  In step S <b> 14, the vehicle-mounted control unit 37 is requested to transmit the charging condition from the charging stand guidance device 40, and therefore reads the charging condition from the RAM, transmits the charging condition to the charging stand guidance device 40, and the charging stand guidance device 40. Wait until the command from comes.

  In step S <b> 26, when receiving the charging condition from the navigation device 31, the charging control unit 45 requests the charging station 20 to transmit the usage state in order to select the charging station 20 that satisfies the charging condition. Wait until the command from comes.

  In step S31, since each of the stand control units 22 is requested to transmit the usage state from the charging stand guidance device 40, the usage status is transmitted to the charging stand guidance device 40 until a command from the charging stand guidance device 40 is received. stand by.

  In step S <b> 27, when receiving the usage state from each charging station 20, the charging control unit 45 selects the charging station 20 that satisfies the charging condition based on the usage state, and determines the parking lot corresponding to the selected charging station 20. Then, the process proceeds to step S28. In this flow, it is assumed that the charging control unit 45 selects the charging station C shown in FIG.

  In step S28, the charging control unit 45 transmits parking location information (stand guide information) indicating the determined parking location to the navigation device 31, and proceeds to step S29. Here, the parking location information includes map information of the charging station 11, parking position information, route guidance information in the charging station 11, and the like.

  In step S29, the charging control unit 45 transmits the reservation information indicating the selection to the selected charging station 20, and proceeds to step S210. Here, the charging control unit 45 transmits the reservation information to the charging station 20 so as to perform control for prohibiting charging to vehicles other than the vehicle 30 that transmitted the parking location information in step S28. In step S <b> 210, the charging control unit 45 disconnects from the navigation device 31 and ends the stand guidance process of the charging control unit 45.

  In step S15, since the vehicle-mounted control unit 37 has received the parking location information from the charging stand guidance device 40, the vehicle-mounted control unit 37 performs control to display the parking location information on the vehicle-mounted display unit 35, and proceeds to step S16. In step S16, the vehicle-mounted control part 37 starts a route guidance process to a parking position based on parking location information, and moves to step S17. While the route guidance process is being performed, communication with the charging station guidance device 40 may be performed, GPS correction information (SMES) may be received from the charging station guidance device 40, and route guidance may be assisted. In step S <b> 17, the in-vehicle control unit 37 disconnects the connection with the charging stand guidance device 40 and ends the stand guidance process of the in-vehicle control unit 37.

  In step S32, since the stand control unit 22 has received the reservation information from the charging stand guidance device 40, the stand control unit 22 controls to display the reservation information on the stand display unit 24, and proceeds to step S33. The stand display unit 24 displays identification information for identifying the reserved vehicle 30 to prohibit charging (parking) of other vehicles, for example, a reservation number, or authentication information (for example, a password) for starting charging. Display information requesting input. Further, the reserved charging station 20 is in use of the charging station C so that other vehicles cannot be reserved during the process of step S31 in the charging station guidance process in another navigation device (another vehicle). To the charging stand guiding device 40. This prevents so-called double reservation.

  In step S33, the stand control unit 22 stops the vehicle 30 at the reserved parking position, determines whether or not the charging connector is connected, and if connected, proceeds to step S34 until it is connected. The process of step S33 is repeated. In step S33, processing is limited to only specific users who have reserved the use of the charging unit 23 according to the reservation information. In step S33, for example, the process of step S32 is repeated until the charging unit 23 is used by a specific user. The determination as to whether or not a specific user is permitted to use the charging unit 23 may be performed based on, for example, input of authentication information. The vehicle ID is acquired from the vehicle 30 by wireless communication, power line communication, or the like. May be performed based on whether or not the vehicle ID corresponds to a specific user permitted to use the charging unit 23.

  In step S34, since charging has been started, the stand control unit 22 performs control so that the reservation information is not displayed on the stand display unit 24, and the stand guide process of the stand control unit 22 ends.

  By such a charging station guidance process, the vehicle 30 equipped with the navigation device 31 is assigned with the charging station 20 that satisfies the charging conditions individually, and the parking lot corresponding to the allocated charging station 20, that is, a chargeable vacancy. You will be guided to the parking lot.

  The charging station guidance process shown in FIG. 3 is an example, and the processing content of some steps may differ from FIG. 3 depending on conditions such as user settings. For example, when the charging control unit 45 determines the parking lot in step S27 and there is no charging station 20 that satisfies the charging condition, the charging station 20 may be selected so as to select the charging station 20 closest to the charging condition. Good. Further, in the process of determining the parking lot by the charging control unit 45, when there are a plurality of charging stations 20 that satisfy the charging condition, the processing is performed so as to select the charging station 20 (parking position) closest to the current position of the vehicle 30 May be.

  Further, in the process of determining the parking lot by the charging control unit 45, the charging condition is a condition that “the charging amount is required until the amount of charge reaches the home”, and the charging station 20 that satisfies such charging conditions. If the current charge remaining amount is equal to or greater than the required charge amount, the low-speed charging stand 20 may be selected. Further, in the process of determining the parking lot by the charging control unit 45, the charging condition is a condition of “charging to the amount of charge necessary to reach the set destination”, and charging that satisfies such charging condition If there are a plurality of stands 20 and the current shortage amount is large, processing may be performed so that the rapid charging stand 20 is selected. If the charging control unit 45 determines the parking lot and there is no charging station 20 that satisfies the charging condition, the information indicating that there is no charging stand 20 is changed to the parking lot information in step S28 and navigation is performed. You may control to transmit to the apparatus 31. FIG.

  In step S14, the charging condition to be transmitted may be input with the operation switch 34 or the like after a request is received from the charging stand guidance device 40. As a result, when the user enters the charging station 11, the user inputs the type of the charging station 20 as a charging condition in response to an inquiry as to whether he / she wants to charge quickly or slowly. Can be determined according to Further, when entering the charging station 11, the charging condition can be determined by inputting the charging time as a charging condition in response to an inquiry about how many hours the parking is scheduled.

  Moreover, when parking lot information is displayed on the vehicle-mounted display part 35 in step S15, you may make it display the screen which confirms with a user whether the guidance start to the displayed parking lot is possible. In this case, when the user operates the operation switch 34 to perform an operation for starting guidance, control is performed so that guidance is started in step S16. In addition, when an operation for refusing the start of guidance is performed and when there is no guidance start operation after a predetermined time has passed, reservation information is stored in the charging station 20 via the charging station guidance device 40 as in step S34. You may control to hide (cancel reservation). Thus, the user can be prevented from automatically starting the guidance to the charging stand 20 when not charging. Further, even after the start of the guidance in step S16, when the user performs a reservation canceling operation with the operation switch 34, the same reservation canceling process as described above may be performed so as to cancel the reservation.

  Moreover, the vehicle-mounted control part 37 memorize | stores only map information among the parking lot information of the facility visited once, and when it visits again to the facility visited once, it is to the charging stand guidance device 40, parking position among parking lot information. You may control to request only information. Specifically, in step S14, when the map information indicating the charging station 11 is stored in the map information storage unit 33, the vehicle-mounted control unit 37 sets transmission rejection information for rejecting transmission of the map information, When charging conditions are transmitted, the charging conditions are transmitted to the charging stand guidance device 40. In response to this processing, in step S28, when the charging control unit 45 receives the transmission refusal information, when transmitting the parking location information, the charging control unit 45 transmits the parking location information and the like without transmitting the map information. If the transmission refusal information is not received, the map information and the parking position information are transmitted when the parking location information is transmitted. And in step S15, the vehicle-mounted control part 37 controls the map information storage part 33 so that map information may be memorize | stored, when map information is contained in parking place information. Since the map information is not stored in the map information storage unit 33 in the facility visited for the first time, the transmission of the map information is requested to the charging station guidance device 40. Since it is stored in the storage unit 33, it is possible to request the charging station guidance device 40 to refuse transmission of map information.

  Next, the image displayed on the vehicle-mounted display part 35 in step S15 and step S16 is demonstrated. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed on the in-vehicle display unit 35. As shown in FIG. 4, parking location information is displayed on the in-vehicle display unit 35, specifically, map information of the charging station 11, parking position information (indicated by “G” in FIG. 4), and charging The route guidance information in the station 11 is displayed. Thereby, even if the charging station 11 is very large, the user can reach the reserved parking position smoothly.

  As described above, in the charging station guidance system 10 according to the present embodiment, the charging control unit 45 satisfies the charging condition based on the usage state of the charging station 20 when the vehicle 30 is within the predetermined range. 20 is selected. The predetermined range is a range including, for example, the charging station 11 where a plurality of charging stations 20 are installed and the vicinity thereof. This is because the vehicle 30 is likely to be searching for the charging station 20 when it is within such a predetermined range. The selected charging station 20 is a charging station 20 that satisfies charging conditions based on the usage state of the charging station 20. When the charging station 20 that satisfies the charging conditions enters the charging station 11 by the charging control unit 45, the charging station 20 is automatically selected, so that the driver (user) can himself / herself from the plurality of charging stations 20. There is no need to select one charging stand 20.

  Moreover, the vehicle-mounted control part 37 performs a route search process so that the position of the charging station 20 that satisfies the charging condition becomes the destination. Therefore, the driver can easily reach the selected charging station 20 even when the charging station 11 has a plurality of charging stations 20 by visually checking the in-vehicle display unit 35. Therefore, it is not necessary to search around the charging stand 20, and convenience can be improved.

  Furthermore, the charging control unit 45 controls the charging stand 20 so as to prohibit charging to vehicles other than the vehicle 30 that has transmitted the parking location information at the selected charging stand 20. Accordingly, the charging station 20 is individually assigned to the vehicle 30 that has received the parking location information. As a result, other vehicles cannot use the charging stand 20, and therefore it is possible to prevent a plurality of vehicles from rushing to the same charging stand 20. Thereby, the convenience of the charging stand 20 can be improved. Thus, in the charging station guidance system 10 of this embodiment, the charging station 20 can be allocated individually, and the system which can guide the vehicle 30 to the allocated charging station 20 is realizable.

  In this embodiment, a charging guide device such as a so-called electronic signboard is not used. When such a charging guide device is used, it is necessary to install a plurality of charging guide devices depending on the scale of the charging station 11, leading to an increase in installation cost. However, in the charging station guidance system 10 of this embodiment, since the navigation apparatus 31 already mounted in the vehicle 30 can be used, installation cost can be reduced.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, when there are a plurality of charging stations 20 that satisfy the charging condition, it may be controlled to select one charging station 20 closest to the position of the vehicle 30. In this case, the user can use the nearest charging stand 20. Therefore, the travel time to the charging stand 20 can be shortened.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, you may control to select the charging stand 20 which satisfies charging conditions based on the utilization state and charging speed of the charging stand 20. FIG. As a result, even when there are charging stations 20 with different charging speeds, when charging in a short time is desired, the charging station 20 with a high charging speed is selected. Therefore, it is possible to guide the charging station 20 in accordance with the user's wishes.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when there is no charging station 20 that satisfies the charging condition, processing may be performed so that at least one charging station 20 close to the charging condition is selected. In this case, even if the charging condition is not satisfied, the charging station 20 close to the charging condition is guided. Thus, the user can determine whether or not to charge at the charging station 20 that does not satisfy the charging condition.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the information which shows having been selected is alert | reported outside by the stand display part 24 which is the alerting | reporting means of the selected charging stand 20. FIG. Since the other vehicle cannot be charged when selected, the driver of the other vehicle can recognize that the vehicle is not available (reserved) even if it is an empty charging station 20 by the stand display unit 24. The stand display unit 24 allows the user to check whether the selected charging stand 20 is correct.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, since the charging stand induction | guidance | derivation apparatus 40 is mounted in any one charging stand 20, the space which installs the charging stand induction | guidance | derivation apparatus 40 separately is not required, and a structure can be simplified. it can.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the vehicle 30 is in the charging station 11, the vehicle-mounted control unit 37 stores map information indicating the charging station 11 in the map information storage unit 33 that is vehicle-mounted storage means. The in-vehicle communication unit 36 is controlled to transmit transmission rejection information that rejects transmission of map information. Thereby, when transmitting the parking location information, the charging control unit 45 controls the charging communication unit 41 which is a guide communication unit so as to transmit the position information to the navigation device 31 without transmitting the map information. On the other hand, if the charging control unit 45 has not received the transmission refusal information, the charging control unit 45 causes the charging communication unit 41 to transmit the map information and the position information to the navigation device 31 when transmitting the parking location information. I have control. And when the map information is included in the parking location information, the in-vehicle control unit 37 controls the map information storage unit 33 so as to store the map information.

  Therefore, since the map information is transmitted at the charging station 11 visited for the first time, the map information stored in the map information storage unit 33 can be used from the next time by storing the map information. Although the position information of the charging station 20 is changed every time, the map information is unlikely to be changed. Therefore, when the map information is already stored in the map information storage unit 33, the stored map information can be used. In addition, since map information has a relatively large amount of information, transmission / reception of information having a large amount of information can be avoided. Therefore, transmission / reception of information can be performed at higher speed.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, when there is no charging station 20 that satisfies the charging condition, the in-vehicle display unit 35 is controlled by the in-vehicle control unit 37 so as to display guidance impossibility information indicating that there is no charging station 20 to guide. The As a result, the user can quickly recognize that there is no charging station 20 that satisfies the charging conditions.

(Other embodiments)
The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  In the first embodiment described above, whether or not the vehicle 30 is within the predetermined range uses the SSID for identifying the wireless network, but is not limited to the determination means having such a configuration. Even in the case of a wireless network using other wireless communication standards such as Bluetooth, the SSID may be used and within a predetermined range when passing through an ETC (registered trademark) gate installed at the entrance of the charging station 11. It may be determined that the vehicle is within a predetermined range when the user obtains a parking ticket at the entrance of the charging station 11. In such a case, the ETC gate may function as the charging stand guidance device 40, and may be configured to transmit parking location information from the ETC gate to the navigation device 31. In addition to the guidance to the navigation device 31, map information and parking position information may be written (printed) on the parking ticket as auxiliary information, or a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark). The map information and the parking position information may be provided, and the map information and the parking position information may be transmitted to a portable information terminal device such as a mobile phone device. For transmission to the portable information terminal device, various communication methods such as infrared communication and wireless communication using a non-contact IC card technology method such as FeliCa (registered trademark) can be used.

  In the first embodiment described above, the stand display unit 24 is realized by a liquid crystal display, but is not limited to such a configuration, and is realized by a lighting means such as a rotating lamp (patlight: registered trademark). Also good.

  In the first embodiment described above, the charging station guidance device 40 is installed in the charging station 11. However, the charging station guidance device 40 is not limited to the charging station 11 and is installed in a remote place. May be. The charging station guidance device 40 at a remote location is configured to communicate with the charging station 20 and the navigation device 31 via, for example, the Internet network. Accordingly, the charging station 20 may be centrally managed from a remote place.

  In the first embodiment described above, the information output unit is realized by the in-vehicle display unit 35 that displays a map. However, the information output unit is not limited to such a display unit. For example, parking location information without displaying a map. The information of a parking number may be output as, and the structure which outputs information with an audio | voice may be sufficient.

  In the first embodiment described above, the in-vehicle device is realized by the navigation device 31, but is not limited to the navigation device 31 installed in the vehicle 30, and is a portable information terminal device such as a mobile phone and a notebook. It may be realized with a personal computer.

10 ... Charging station guidance system 11 ... Charging station (charging station)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Charging stand 21 ... Stand communication part 22 ... Stand control part 23 ... Charging part 24 ... Stand display part (notification means)
30 ... Vehicle 31 ... Navigation device (on-vehicle device)
32. Position detector (position detecting means)
32a ... Gyroscope 32b ... GPS receiver 33 ... Map information storage unit (vehicle-mounted storage means)
34 ... Operation switch 35 ... In-vehicle display unit (information output unit)
36 ... In-vehicle communication unit (in-vehicle communication means)
37 ... On-vehicle control unit (on-vehicle control means, route search means)
40. Charging stand guidance device (guidance device)
41. Charging communication unit (guide communication means, position acquisition means, condition acquisition means, determination means)
42 ... Charge display unit 43 ... Charging stand communication unit (operating state acquisition means)
44 ... Charge storage unit 45 ... Charge control unit (guidance control means, determination means)

Claims (8)

A plurality of charging stations (20) installed in the charging station (11) for charging electric power to a vehicle battery mounted on the vehicle (30), an operating state of the charging station is controlled, and the vehicle is used as the charging station. A charging stand guidance system (10) including a guidance device (40) for guiding and an in-vehicle device (31) mounted on the vehicle and having an information output unit (35),
The in-vehicle device is
Vehicle-mounted communication means (36) for communicating with the guide device;
Position detecting means (32) for detecting the current position of the vehicle;
Route search means (37) for searching for a guide route from the current position to the destination;
Vehicle-mounted storage means (33) in which charging conditions acceptable when charging the vehicle battery are stored;
Wherein the in-vehicle control means (37) for controlling the information output from the information output unit,
The guide device includes:
Guidance communication means (41) for communicating with the in-vehicle device;
Operating state acquisition means (43) for acquiring the operating state of the charging station;
A position for acquiring the current position of the vehicle detected by the position detection means via the guidance communication means in response to a request for transmission of the current position of the vehicle to the in-vehicle device by the guidance communication means. Acquisition means (41);
Condition acquisition means (41) for acquiring the charging condition;
Whether the vehicle is within a predetermined range based on the current position of the vehicle acquired by the position acquisition unit after confirming the connection between the guide communication unit and the in-vehicle communication unit in a predetermined detection area Determining means (41) for determining
When it is determined that the vehicle is within the predetermined range, the charging station that satisfies the charging condition is selected based on the operating state of the charging station, and the position of the selected charging station is indicated. Guidance control means (45) for controlling the guidance communication means to transmit stand guidance information to the in-vehicle device,
The determination means, after confirming the connection between the guide communication means and the in-vehicle communication means in a predetermined detection area, if it is determined that the vehicle is not within the predetermined range, the position acquisition means Reacquiring the current position of the vehicle to determine whether the vehicle is within the predetermined range;
The guidance control means controls the selected charging stand so as to prohibit charging to a vehicle other than the vehicle that has transmitted the stand guidance information,
The in-vehicle control means controls the route searching means by using the stand guidance information received by the in-vehicle communication means so that the position of the charging station becomes a destination. . The predetermined detection area is an area of a road that covers the entrance of the charging station and reaches the entrance,
The charging station guide system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined range is in the charging station. The in-vehicle device further includes an operation switch that can be operated to determine whether guidance of the charging station can be started,
When the operation switch is operated so as to refuse the guidance start, the guidance control means cancels the process of prohibiting charging other vehicles than the vehicle that has transmitted the stand guidance information. The charging stand guidance system according to claim 1 or 2. Said guidance control means, when there is no the charging station which satisfies the charging condition, any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that at least one selecting said charging station close to the charge condition The charging station guidance system described in 1. Each of the plurality of charging stations includes notification means (24) for notifying information to the outside,
The said guidance control means is controlled so that the information which shows the said selection is alert | reported by the said alerting | reporting means of the said selected charging stand, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Charging station guidance system.   The charging station guide system according to claim 1, wherein the guide device is mounted on any one of the charging stations. Said guidance control means, when there is no the charging station which satisfies the charging condition, controls the guiding communication means to transmit the guidance prohibition information indicating that there is no said charging station to said selected said vehicle unit And
The charging station according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the in-vehicle control unit controls the information output unit so as to output the guidance impossibility information received by the in-vehicle communication unit. Guidance system. A plurality of charging stations (20) installed in the charging station (11) for charging electric power to a vehicle battery mounted on the vehicle (30), an operating state of the charging station is controlled, and the vehicle is used as the charging station. A charging station guidance system (10) including a guidance device (40) for guiding,
The guide device includes:
Guidance communication means (41) for communicating with an in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle;
Operating state acquisition means (43) for acquiring the operating state of the charging station;
Position acquisition means for acquiring the current position of the vehicle detected by the in-vehicle device via the guidance communication means in response to a request for transmission of the current position of the vehicle to the in-vehicle device by the guidance communication means. (41)
Condition acquisition means (41) for acquiring, from the in-vehicle device, an acceptable charging condition when charging the vehicle battery;
After confirming the connection between the guide communication means and the in-vehicle device in a predetermined detection area, based on the current position of the vehicle acquired by the position acquisition means, it is determined whether or not the vehicle is within a predetermined range. A judging means (41) for judging;
When it is determined that the vehicle is within the predetermined range, the charging station that satisfies the charging condition is selected based on the operating state of the charging station, and the position of the selected charging station is indicated. Guidance control means (45) for controlling the guidance communication means to transmit stand guidance information to the in-vehicle device,
The determination means, after confirming the connection between the guide communication means and the in-vehicle device in a predetermined detection area, if it is determined that the vehicle is not within the predetermined range, the position acquisition means Reacquiring the current position of the vehicle to determine whether the vehicle is within the predetermined range;
The charging station guidance system, wherein the guidance control means controls the selected charging station so as to prohibit charging to vehicles other than the vehicle that has transmitted the station guidance information.

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