JP7531342B2 - Vehicle charging system, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle charging system, an information processing method, and a program.

A vehicle charging system is known in which a charging device, a vehicle, an intermediate device, and a server are associated with one another to charge the vehicle (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The vehicle charging system of Patent Document 1 is configured to determine, by a processor included in the vehicle, whether or not a battery connection module is connected to the charging device, to transmit a permission request to the server in response to the battery connection module being coupled to the charging device, and to enable the charging device to charge at least one rechargeable battery in response to receiving charging permission corresponding to the permission request from the server.

JP 2019-176726 A

However, the vehicle charging system described in Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration the control of the total output power value of multiple charging devices when these charging devices are operated in conjunction with each other.

The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to provide a vehicle charging system etc. that can efficiently control multiple medium-speed chargers when they are in operation.

A vehicle charging system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a plurality of medium-speed chargers that charge storage batteries mounted on vehicles, and a control device communicatively connected to the plurality of medium-speed chargers, the control device including a control unit that controls the output power value of each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers, and the control unit controls the output power value of each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers so that the total value of the power values output from each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value depending on the number of vehicles connected to each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers.

An information processing method according to one aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute a process of acquiring the number of vehicles connected to each of a plurality of medium-speed chargers, deriving an output power value for each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers based on the acquired number of vehicles so that the sum of the power values output from each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, and outputting the derived output power values to the plurality of medium-speed chargers.

A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute a process of acquiring the number of vehicles connected to each of a plurality of medium-speed chargers, deriving an output power value for each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers based on the acquired number of vehicles so that the total value of the power values output from each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, and outputting the derived output power values to the plurality of medium-speed chargers.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a vehicle charging system or the like that efficiently controls multiple medium-speed chargers when the multiple medium-speed chargers are in operation.

1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating locations related to a vehicle charging system according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of a vehicle charging system. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control device and the like included in the vehicle charging system. FIG. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the data layout of a user master table. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a data layout of a charging station master table; 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the data layout of a usage history table by a user. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating functional units included in a control unit of the control device. FIG. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram (time chart) explaining output power values when charging a plurality of vehicles. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an output power value table. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure performed by a control unit of the control device. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of a vehicle charging system according to a second embodiment (user classification). FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram (time chart) explaining output power values when charging a plurality of vehicles. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an output power value table based on a ratio. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure performed by a control unit of the control device. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram (time chart) illustrating output power values when charging a plurality of vehicles according to a third embodiment (correction of the estimated charging completion time). 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure performed by a control unit of the control device. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of a vehicle charging system according to a fourth embodiment (configuration of a medium-speed charger). 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a medium-speed charger and the like included in a vehicle charging system.

The present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments. A vehicle charging system S according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments. Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a location related to a vehicle charging system according to the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview of a vehicle charging system S according to the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control device 1 and the like included in the vehicle charging system S. The vehicle charging system S includes a plurality of medium-speed chargers 2, a control device 1 that controls the output power values of the plurality of medium-speed chargers 2, and an external server 3 that is communicably connected to the control device 1 and stores and manages information related to the usage history of the medium-speed chargers 2 output (transmitted) from the control device 1.

The medium-speed chargers 2 and the control device 1 included in the vehicle charging system S constitute a charging station, which is installed, for example, in the parking lot of an apartment complex or other collective housing complex, or in the parking lot of a hotel or large retail store. The charging station is equipped with multiple parking spaces that are divided for parking the vehicles to be charged, and multiple medium-speed chargers 2 that are provided corresponding to the parking spaces. A vehicle C that enters the charging station from the entrance/exit of the charging station enters a vacant parking space or a parking space for a medium-speed charger 2 that has been reserved in advance.

As shown in FIG. 1, a gate unit G including an ETC roadside device G1 and an imaging device G2 is provided at the entrance/exit of the charging station. The gate unit G has a communication function and is composed of a microcomputer with a memory and an MPU, and acquires information about a vehicle C entering or exiting the charging station, and outputs (transmits) the information to the control device 1. The information about the vehicle C is, for example, the ETC card number, ETC on-board unit management number, and vehicle number acquired by the ETC roadside device G1, and an image of the vehicle number (number plate) of the vehicle C captured by the imaging device G2. The gate unit G acquires an image of the vehicle number (number plate) and the ETC card number, etc. for each vehicle C passing through the entrance/exit of the charging station, associates these, and outputs them to the control device 1.

When a vehicle C that has entered a charging station is connected to one of the medium-speed chargers 2, the medium-speed charger 2 outputs (transmits) an image of the vehicle number (number plate) of the vehicle C captured by an imaging unit 24 installed in the medium-speed charger 2 to the control device 1. The control device 1 may be configured to recognize the presence of the vehicle C for which charging is to begin based on the image output from the medium-speed charger 2.

The control device 1 regularly or periodically acquires meter readings from the smart meter M, for example, every minute. When acquiring meter readings from the smart meter M, the control device 1 acquires, for example, a one-minute power reception value via route B connecting the control device 1 and the smart meter M. Alternatively, the control device 1 may acquire service pulses via a communication line connected to a pulse terminal of the smart meter M, and calculate the amount of power by counting the acquired service pulses. By using service pulses, it is possible to perform measurements faster than one minute. The control device 1 determines the output power value of each of the medium-speed chargers 2 so that the output power value output from each of the multiple medium-speed chargers 2 does not exceed a predetermined threshold determined based on, for example, the contracted power or the power capacity (upper limit value that may be used) allocated to the medium-speed charger 2 within the contracted power. The control device 1 controls the output power value of each of the medium-speed chargers 2 by outputting a control signal generated based on the determined output power value to each medium-speed charger 2. Based on a control signal related to an output power value output from the control device 1, the multiple medium-speed chargers 2 supply power to a vehicle C, such as an electric vehicle, connected to the device at that output power value, and charge the storage battery C2 of the vehicle C. When controlling the medium-speed chargers 2, the control device 1 identifies the user of the medium-speed charger 2 or the vehicle C using the medium-speed charger 2 based on information including the ETC card number etc. obtained from the gate unit G and information including the vehicle number of the vehicle C obtained from the medium-speed charger 2, and outputs (transmits) information related to the user's usage history etc. to the external server 3.

The external server 3 performs billing processing for the charging by the user based on the information acquired from the control device 1, and transmits the billing amount, which is the result of the billing processing, to, for example, a payment server KS of a credit company that handles settlements related to ETC cards. Furthermore, based on the information acquired from the control device 1, the external server 3 transmits, for example, the scheduled time of charging completion (scheduled charging completion time) derived (estimated) at the start of charging, or, when charging is completed, the charging completion date and time and the amount of charging energy, to the mobile terminal KT associated with the user.

The vehicle C is capable of being charged from an external power source, such as an electric vehicle (EV) or a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV). The vehicle C is equipped with a storage battery C2, which is a secondary battery such as a lithium battery, a power receiving unit C3 that receives power supplied from the medium-speed charger 2 and controls charging to the storage battery C2, and an ETC on-board unit C1. The power receiving unit C3 of the vehicle C and the medium-speed charger 2 communicate with each other, for example, using the CHAdeMO system, and the medium-speed charger 2 obtains information about the medium-speed charger 2, such as the charging rate (SOC: State Of Charge) and battery capacity of the storage battery C2, from the power receiving unit C3. An ETC card is inserted in the ETC on-board unit C1, and when the vehicle C enters the charging station, the ETC roadside unit G1 included in the gate unit G reads information about the ETC card and the ETC on-board unit C1 (ETC card number, ETC on-board unit management number). By providing the ETC roadside unit G1 in this way in the gate unit G, it is possible to eliminate the need to implement (provide) the relatively expensive ETC roadside unit G1 in each medium-speed charger 2, and to suppress increases in the manufacturing costs of the medium-speed charger 2. Therefore, by using the imaging device G2 in the gate unit G and the relatively inexpensive imaging unit 24 implemented in the medium-speed charger 2 to identify the vehicle C using the medium-speed charger 2 and linking it to a system (billing system) that processes billing for the use of the medium-speed charger 2, the costs of the entire system can be suppressed.

The medium-speed charger 2 is, for example, a charger with an input voltage of AC three-phase 200V or AC single-phase 200V and a rated output power of DC 30KW, and when charging with the rated output power, the time required for charging to full charge or to complete charging to 80% of the battery capacity is about 2 hours. The medium-speed charger 2 is a charger that is positioned between the normal speed charger and the rapid charger, with the time required for charging being about 1/4 of that of a normal speed charger and about 4 times that of a rapid charger. The normal speed charger is a charger with an input voltage of AC single-phase 100V or 200V and a rated output power of AC 3KW. The rapid charger is a charger with an input voltage of AC three-phase 200V and a rated output power of DC 50KW. The input voltage of the medium-speed charger 2 is AC three-phase 200V or AC single-phase 200V, which is a specification for Japan, and in foreign countries such as Europe or the United States, a commercial power source with an input voltage other than these may be used. The medium-speed charger 2 includes a PCS 22 (power conditioner: power conversion device) that converts AC power from a commercial power source into DC power, a control unit 21 that controls the PCS 22, a connection unit 23 for connecting to the vehicle C, and an imaging unit 24. An input voltage such as AC three-phase 200V input to the medium-speed charger 2 is supplied (applied) from a high-voltage power receiving equipment K provided upstream of the smart meter M. The high-voltage power receiving equipment K includes a transformer, transforms a voltage of 6KV (6000V) input to the high-voltage power receiving equipment K to 200V, and supplies the voltage to each medium-speed charger 2. In the illustration of this embodiment, the transformer is provided in the high-voltage power receiving equipment K corresponding to high voltage (6KV), but is not limited to this. The transformer may be provided in a special high-voltage power receiving equipment corresponding to a special high voltage such as 20KV, 60KV, or 140KV. In other words, the vehicle charging system S can also be applied to a facility using a special high-voltage power receiving equipment that receives power at a special high voltage such as 20KV.

The connection unit 23 includes a connector for connecting to the vehicle C, and a charging cable with the connector at its tip. The power converted to direct current by the PCS 22 is supplied to the vehicle C via the connection unit 23, charging the storage battery C2. The charging cable includes a power line for charging and a communication line for communicating control signals. Alternatively, the charging cable may communicate by PLC (Power Line Communication) using a power line.

The control unit 21 has a communication function with the control device 1 and is composed of a microcomputer with a memory and an MPU. The control unit 21 acquires (receives) information (control signal) related to the output power value output (transmitted) from the control device 1, and controls the power to be charged from the PCS 22 to the vehicle C at that output power value. The control unit 21 transmits information related to the storage battery C2, such as the charging rate and battery capacity of the storage battery C2, acquired from the vehicle C (power receiving section C3), to the control device 1.

The imaging unit 24 is, for example, a COMS camera, and captures video or still images of the vehicle C connected to the medium-speed charger 2. The captured image includes the license plate of the vehicle C, and the vehicle number of the vehicle C can be identified based on the image.

The control unit 21 of the medium-speed charger 2 communicates steadily or periodically with the control device 1, and transmits to the control device 1 information relating to the charging state including the start and completion of charging, information relating to the charging rate of the storage battery C2, information relating to the connection state between the connector of the connection part 23 and the vehicle C, and information such as an image including the license plate of the vehicle C. Based on this information transmitted from the control unit 21 of the medium-speed charger 2, the control device 1 can grasp the state of the vehicle C relative to the medium-speed charger 2, such as whether the vehicle C has entered or left the parking space corresponding to the medium-speed charger 2 (entering/leaving state) and whether the connector of the connection part 23 has been connected to the vehicle C (connected state).

The control device 1 is a computer with communication capabilities, including a control unit 11, a memory unit 12, a route B communication unit 13, a wireless communication unit 14, and a charger communication unit 15. As described above, the control device 1 determines the output power value of each medium-speed charger 2 so as not to exceed a predetermined threshold determined based on the contracted power or the power capacity (upper limit value that may be used) of the contracted power allocated to the medium-speed charger 2, and controls the medium-speed charger 2 at the output power value. Furthermore, the control device 1 functions as a relay device that outputs (transmits) information acquired from the medium-speed charger 2 to an external server 3 or a smart meter M, etc.

The control unit 11 has a processing device equipped with a timekeeping function, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro-Processing Unit), and GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and performs various information processing, control processing, etc. related to the control device 1 by reading and executing programs stored in the memory unit 12.

The storage unit 12 includes a volatile storage area such as a static random access memory (SRAM), a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or a flash memory, and a non-volatile storage area such as an EEPROM or a hard disk. Programs and data referenced during processing are stored in advance in the storage unit 12. The programs stored in the storage unit 12 may be programs read from a recording medium (not shown) that is readable by the control device 1. Alternatively, the programs may be downloaded from an external computer (not shown) connected to a communication network (not shown) and stored in the storage unit 12.

The B route communication unit 13 is a data communication unit for BEMS or HEMS as defined by the standard of the smart meter M. The control unit 11 of the control device 1 communicates with the smart meter M via the B route communication unit 13, and acquires meter reading values from the smart meter M, for example, every minute. In this embodiment, the meter reading values are acquired via the B route, but this is not limited thereto, and the control unit 11 of the control device 1 may acquire service pulses via a communication line connected to a pulse terminal of the smart meter M.

The wireless communication unit 14 is a communication module for wirelessly communicating with the external server 3 and the gate unit G via the external network N, and is, for example, a short-range wireless communication module such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark), or a wide-range wireless communication module such as 4G or 5G. The control device 1 communicates with the external server 3 via the wireless communication unit 14, but is not limited to this, and may have a wired communication unit such as Ethernet (registered trademark) and communicate with the external server 3 via the wired communication unit.

The charger communication unit 15 is a communication module for communicating with multiple medium-speed chargers 2, for example, via a serial cable or a coaxial cable, and may use a communication protocol for industrial equipment, such as Modbus. Each of the multiple medium-speed chargers 2 is assigned a charger number for uniquely identifying the medium-speed charger 2, and the control unit 11 of the control device 1 may communicate with each medium-speed charger 2 via the charger communication unit 15 using the charger number.

In this embodiment, the control device 1 is provided with individual communication units corresponding to the connection destinations of the control device 1, but this is not limited to the above. It may be provided with a single communication unit corresponding to multiple protocols for communicating with the connection destinations, that is, the smart meter M, the external server 3, and the medium-speed charger 2, or an integrated communication I/F, and communicate using a protocol corresponding to each communication destination via the single communication unit, etc.

The external server 3 is a server device such as a cloud server connected to an external network N such as the Internet, and similar to the control device 1, includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a communication unit 33. The external server 3 functions as a database server that performs user management such as registering or deleting users of the medium-speed charger 2 (charging station), and managing the history of usage by users.

Furthermore, the external server 3 functions as an accounting server that performs billing processing for the use of the medium-speed charger 2. The billing processing may be performed by a process that derives the amount based on the amount of charged power (a pay-as-you-go system). The external server 3 transmits the billing amount, which is the result of the billing processing, to the payment server KS. As exemplified in this embodiment, when the user is identified based on the information of the ETC card, the payment server KS is a server managed by a credit company or the like that settles the fee charged via the ETC card.

Furthermore, the external server 3 functions as an application server that accepts sign-ins from users, displays a page (My Page) dedicated to that user, and provides information (service application) such as the estimated time when charging is complete or a notification of charging completion to the user via email or the like. These server functions are not limited to being implemented by a single external server 3, and may be distributed among multiple servers according to the individual server functions.

The mobile terminal KT is, for example, a personal computer, a tablet PC, or a smartphone, and has a control unit, a memory unit, and a communication unit (not shown) similar to the control device 1. The mobile terminal KT may be a mobile terminal KT corresponding to a telephone number or email address associated with an ETC card. The mobile terminal KT and the external server 3 are connected to be able to communicate with each other, for example, via an external network N, and the mobile terminal KT displays information transmitted from the external server 3 on a display unit such as a display of the mobile terminal itself.

Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the data layout of a user master table. Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the data layout of a charging station master table. Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the data layout of a user usage history table. The external server 3 functions as a database server that saves and manages user information, and various tables contained in the database are stored in the storage unit 32 of the external server 3. The various tables contained in the database include, for example, a user master table, a charging station master table, and a usage history table, and are configured by database management software such as an RDBMS (Relational DataBase Management System) implemented in the external server 3.

The types of items (metadata) managed in the user master table include, for example, user ID, password, contract holder name, email address, ETC card number, ETC onboard unit management number, vehicle number, and user classification.

The user ID field stores an identification number for identifying the user. The password field stores the password used to sign in to the external server 3. The subscriber name field stores the name of the subscriber who has signed up to use the vehicle charging system S. When billing is performed using an ETC card as in this embodiment, the subscriber name corresponds to the owner or administrator of the ETC card. The email address field stores an email address used when sending information from the external server 3 to the user's mobile terminal KT.

The ETC card number field stores the ETC card number of the corresponding contract holder (user). The ETC card number is used for billing and usage fee invoices. The ETC vehicle unit management number field stores the ETC vehicle unit management number of the corresponding contract holder (user). The vehicle number field stores the vehicle number of the corresponding contract holder (user).

The user category field stores a category indicating the user's priority. Details of the user category are described below.

Item types (metadata) managed in the charging station master table include, for example, station ID, location, owner name, and number of chargers.

The station ID field stores an identification number for uniquely identifying each charging station. The vehicle charging system S is expected to manage multiple charging stations, and by assigning a station ID to each charging station, the operating status of multiple charging stations can be centrally managed.

The location item (field) stores the address of the corresponding charging station.
The owner name item (field) stores the corporate name of the owner or manager of the corresponding charging station. The charger number item (field) stores the number of medium-speed chargers 2 installed in the corresponding charging station. In addition to the number of medium-speed chargers 2, the charging station master table may also include items related to facility management information such as the model or installation date and time of the medium-speed charger 2.

Item types (metadata) managed in the usage history table include, for example, user ID, station ID, charger number, ETC onboard unit management number, vehicle number, captured image, charging start date and time, charging completion date and time, charging rate at the start of charging, charging energy amount, and usage fee.

The user ID item (field) stores the user ID of the user who used the medium-speed charger 2, and the usage history table is normalized by the user ID. When using the medium-speed charger 2, the user is identified by the ETC card number, and the user ID can be identified by referencing the user master table based on the identified ETC card number. The usage history table may include an ETC card number item in addition to the user ID item. The station ID stores the station ID of the charging station that includes the medium-speed charger 2 used by the user, and the usage history table is normalized by the station ID.

The charger number item (field) stores the charger number of the medium-speed charger 2 used by the user. By saving and managing the charger numbers of the medium-speed chargers 2 used by the user, the operation rates of each charger number at each charging station can be centrally managed by the external server 3 and used as reference information for the maintenance management of these medium-speed chargers 2.

The ETC on-board unit management number field stores the ETC on-board unit management number of the ETC on-board unit C1 installed in the user's vehicle C. The vehicle number field stores the vehicle number of the user's vehicle C.

The captured image field stores images of the user's vehicle C. The images include images captured by the imaging device G2 of the gate unit G and images captured by the imaging unit 24 of the medium-speed charger 2.

The item (field) for charging start date and time stores the date and time when charging started at the medium-speed charger 2 used by the user. The item (field) for charging completion date and time stores the date and time when charging completed at the medium-speed charger 2 used by the user. The item (field) for charging rate at the start of charging stores the charging rate of the storage battery C2 at the start of charging in the user's vehicle C.

The amount of charging energy used by the medium-speed charger 2 by the user is stored in the charging energy amount field. The usage fee field stores the usage fee calculated using a predetermined formula based on the amount of charging energy. The control unit 31 of the external server 3 may derive the usage fee to be charged to the user on a pay-as-you-go basis by multiplying the amount of charging energy (KWh) by a predetermined unit price (price for 1 KWh).

The control unit 31 of the external server 3 adds a record to the usage history table based on the information acquired from the control device 1 via the communication unit. In response to a request from the control device 1, the control unit 31 of the external server 3 searches the user master table, the charging station master table, or the usage history table, and transmits the search results to the control device 1.

Figure 7 is a functional block diagram illustrating functional units included in the control unit 11 of the control device 1. Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram (time chart) explaining the output power value when charging multiple vehicles C. Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an output power value table. The control unit 11 of the control device 1 functions as an acquisition unit 111, an output power value determination unit 112, a planned charging completion time derivation unit 113, a usage history aggregation unit 114, and an output unit 115 by executing a program stored in the memory unit 12.

The acquisition unit 111 acquires various information output from the smart meter M, gate unit G, medium-speed charger 2, and external server 3 connected to the control device 1. The acquisition unit 111 acquires meter reading values from the smart meter M via route B, etc. The acquisition unit 111 further acquires from the gate unit G the ETC card number, ETC on-board unit management number, and vehicle number acquired by the ETC roadside device G1, and an image of the vehicle number (number plate) of vehicle C captured by the imaging device G2.

The acquisition unit 111 further acquires from each medium-speed charger 2 information on the charging state including the start and completion of charging, information on the charging rate and battery capacity of the storage battery C2, information on the connection state between the connector of the connection unit 23 and the vehicle C, the amount of charged electricity (charging energy amount), and information such as an image including the license plate of the vehicle C. The acquisition unit 111 further acquires information on the user associated with the ETC card number from the external server 3.

The acquisition unit 111 compares the image of the vehicle number output from the gate unit G with the image of the vehicle number output from the medium-speed charger 2, and compares the vehicle numbers contained in these images. If these vehicle numbers are the same, the acquisition unit 111 transmits to the external server 3 a request (a user introduction request) including the ETC card number associated with (corresponding to) the image of the vehicle number output from the gate unit G, thereby acquiring information about the user associated with the ETC card number from the external server 3.

If the acquisition unit 111 is unable to acquire information about a user corresponding to the ETC card number acquired from the gate unit G from the external server 3, it may output alert information indicating that the medium-speed charger 2 cannot be used with that ETC card number to the medium-speed charger 2 or the external server 3 via the output unit 115. If the acquisition unit 111 is unable to acquire information about a user corresponding to the ETC card number from the external server 3, it is assumed that the ETC card number has not been registered (subscribed) to the vehicle charging system S, and by performing an authentication system function through communication between the control device 1 and the external server 3, appropriate operation based on user registration can be achieved.

Based on the charging state of each medium-speed charger 2 acquired by the acquisition unit 111, the output power value determination unit 112 identifies the number of medium-speed chargers 2 currently being charged, i.e., the number of vehicles C being charged. Based on the total number of identified vehicles C being charged and vehicles C newly connected to the medium-speed charger 2, the output power value determination unit 112 determines the output power value of each medium-speed charger 2 that will be used for charging from now on, based on the total number of vehicles C being charged identified and vehicles C newly connected to the medium-speed charger 2. For example, if there are three vehicles C being charged, and one new vehicle C that will start charging is connected to any medium-speed charger 2, the total number of medium-speed chargers 2 that will be used for charging from now on (total number of vehicles C to be charged) will be four. Based on this total number (four), the output power value determination unit 112 determines the output power value of each medium-speed charger 2 that will be used for charging.

The output power value determination unit 112 uses a predetermined threshold value stored in the memory unit 12 when determining the output power value. The predetermined threshold value may be determined, for example, based on the contract power based on a contract between the owner of the charging station and the power company. For example, if the contract power is 110 kW, the predetermined threshold value may be a value that is less than the contract power, for example, 100 kW. Or, the predetermined threshold value may be determined based on the power capacity (upper limit value that may be used) allocated to the medium-speed charger 2 out of the contract power. For example, if the contract power is 220 kW and half of the contract power, 110 kW, is allocated to the medium-speed charger 2 as the power capacity (upper limit value that may be used), the predetermined threshold value may be a value that is less than the allocated power capacity, for example, 100 kW. Or, the predetermined threshold value may be determined, for example, based on the transformer capacity of the transformer provided in the high-voltage power receiving equipment K or the extra-high-voltage power receiving equipment, so as to be less than the transformer capacity of the transformer. As described above, the transformer converts, for example, a voltage of 6 KV input (applied) to the high-voltage power receiving equipment K, or a voltage of 20 KV input to the extra-high-voltage power receiving equipment, to 200 V for supply to the multiple medium-speed chargers 2, and the transformer capacity is determined in advance based on the equipment specifications. By determining a predetermined threshold based on the transformer capacity, it is possible to prevent the power consumed by the multiple medium-speed chargers 2 from exceeding the transformer capacity. The predetermined threshold can be changed according to an operation by the owner or manager of the charging station. The output power value determination unit 112 receives a change request (threshold change information) by an operation by the owner or manager of the charging station via the acquisition unit 111, and changes the predetermined threshold based on the change request (threshold change information).

The output power value determination unit 112 may use the output power value table illustrated in this embodiment when determining the output power value. The output power value table is stored in the memory unit 12 of the control device 1, and is a lookup table showing the output power value to be determined for the number of vehicles C connected to each medium-speed charger 2, i.e., the number of vehicles C being charged. In the illustrated embodiment, the table includes information showing the total value of the output power value for each number of vehicles, i.e., the value obtained by multiplying the output power value by the number of connected vehicles (output power value x number of connected vehicles). For example, if the contracted power or the power capacity (upper limit value that may be used) allocated to the medium-speed charger 2 within the contracted power is 110 kW, the predetermined threshold is 100 kW, the number of medium-speed chargers 2 is 5, and the rated maximum power value of the medium-speed charger 2 is 30 kW, charging can be performed using the rated maximum power value if the number of connected vehicles (the number of vehicles C being charged) is 3 or less. If there are four or more medium-speed chargers 2, the predetermined threshold will be exceeded if all four medium-speed chargers 2 are charged using the rated maximum power value. Therefore, the output power value determination unit 112 determines the output power value by dividing the predetermined threshold by the number of connected vehicles (the number of vehicles C being charged). The output power value determination unit 112 determines the output power value steadily or periodically based on information on the charging state that is steadily or periodically output from the acquisition unit 111. The output unit 115 outputs the output power value determined by the output power value determination unit 112 or a control signal generated based on the output power value to each medium-speed charger 2. The predetermined threshold is set to a value smaller than the value obtained by multiplying the rated maximum power value by the number of all medium-speed chargers 2 connected to the control device 1 (predetermined threshold<rated maximum power value×number of all medium-speed chargers 2 connected to the control device 1). In the illustrated embodiment, the total number of medium-speed chargers 2 connected to the control device 1 is five, the rated maximum power value is 30 kW, and the value obtained by multiplying the rated maximum power value by the number of medium-speed chargers 2 is 150 kW (30 kW x 5). In contrast, the predetermined threshold is 110 kW, which is a value smaller than 150 kW, which is the value obtained by multiplying the rated maximum power value by the number of medium-speed chargers 2. By setting the predetermined threshold to a value smaller than the value obtained by multiplying the rated maximum power value by the number of medium-speed chargers 2 connected to the control device 1 in this way, it is possible to reduce the burden on the supply side (the supplier that supplies power to users using the medium-speed chargers 2) due to an increase in contract power or an increase in the number of transformers, etc., and to promote the spread of the vehicle charging system S.

In the time chart (FIG. 8) shown in this embodiment, the horizontal axis indicates time and the vertical axis indicates the output power value, showing the change over time in the output power value of multiple medium-speed chargers 2 installed in the charging station. As shown in the time chart, the output power value determination unit 112 determines the output power value of the medium-speed charger 2 according to the number of vehicles C to be charged simultaneously, and controls the medium-speed charger 2.

The output power value determination unit 112, for example, refers to an output power value table and determines the output power value so that the total value of the output power values of the medium-speed charger 2 during charging is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. If the total value of the output power values of the medium-speed charger 2 during charging is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold even when the rated maximum power value is used, the output power value determination unit 112 determines the rated maximum power value as the output power value. Therefore, in such a case, since charging is performed using the rated maximum power value, the time required to complete charging can be reduced.

When the total output power value of the medium-speed charger 2 during charging exceeds a predetermined threshold value when the rated maximum power value is used, the output power value determination unit 112 determines the output power value, for example, by dividing the predetermined threshold value by the number of connected vehicles (the number of vehicles C being charged). Therefore, in such a case, the time required to complete charging can be minimized without exceeding the predetermined threshold value.

The output power value determination unit 112 may receive a change request (threshold change information) by an operation of the owner or manager of the charging station, and when the predetermined threshold is changed based on the change request (threshold change information), change the output power value table according to the changed predetermined threshold. When the medium-speed charger 2 charges the vehicle C with a constant voltage (constant DC voltage), the output power value determination unit 112 may determine an output current value according to the constant voltage.

The estimated charging completion time derivation unit 113 derives the estimated charging completion time based on the output power value determined by the output power value determination unit 112 and the charging rate at the start of charging in the vehicle C connected to the medium-speed charger 2. The medium-speed charger 2 and vehicle C communicate with each other, for example, using the CHAdeMO system, and the medium-speed charger 2 acquires the charging rate and battery capacity of the storage battery C2 of the vehicle C and outputs these charging rates and battery capacities to the control device 1. The acquisition unit 111 acquires these charging rates and battery capacities and outputs them to the estimated charging completion time derivation unit 113. The estimated charging completion time derivation unit 113 calculates the required charging time based on the output power value, charging rate, and battery capacity using a predetermined formula determined by a charging method such as the CHAdeMO system, and derives the estimated charging completion time from the time at the start of charging and the required charging time.

The output unit 115 associates the expected charging completion time derived by the expected charging completion time derivation unit 113 with the user ID or ETC card number of the user output from the acquisition unit 111, and outputs the associated information to the external server 3. Based on the information output from the output unit 115, the external server 3 transmits information relating to the expected charging completion time to, for example, the email address of the user identified by referring to the user master table.

The usage history aggregation unit 114 associates the charger number, charging start date and time, charging completion date and time, charging rate at the start of charging, charging energy amount, and image of the vehicle C for each medium-speed charger 2 output from the acquisition unit 111 with the user's user ID or ETC card number, and aggregates information related to the usage history of the user. The output unit 115 outputs (transmits) the information related to the usage history aggregated by the usage history aggregation unit 114 to the external server 3.

Based on this information output from the output unit 115, the external server 3 transmits information indicating that charging is complete to, for example, the email address of the user identified by referring to the user master table. Based on this information output from the output unit 115, the external server 3 performs processing to, for example, add or update a record in the usage history table.

The output unit 115 outputs the information acquired from the output power value determination unit 112, the estimated charging completion time derivation unit 113, and the usage history aggregation unit 114 to the connection destination (external server 3, medium-speed charger 2) corresponding to the information via the wireless communication unit 14 or the charger communication unit 15.

In this embodiment, these functional units are performed by the control unit 11 of the control device 1, but this is not limited to the above. Any of these functional units may be performed by the control unit 21 of the medium-speed charger 2, and the medium-speed charger 2 (control unit 21) and the control device 1 (control unit 11) may work together to perform linked or distributed processing to perform this series of processing. Alternatively, the medium-speed charger 2 (control unit 21), the control device 1 (control unit 11), and the external server 3 may share and work together to perform this processing. Alternatively, the control device 1 may function as a gateway that transmits various information acquired from the medium-speed charger 2 and the gate unit G to the external server 3, acquires a series of processing results calculated or otherwise performed by the external server 3, and controls the medium-speed charger 2 based on the processing results.

Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure performed by the control unit 11 of the control device 1. The control unit 11 of the control device 1 communicates with each medium-speed charger 2 and gate unit G, for example, constantly or periodically, and starts the processing of the flowchart.

The control unit 11 of the control device 1 acquires information about the vehicle C from the gate unit G (S101). The control unit 11 of the control device 1 acquires from the gate unit G (ETC roadside device G1, imaging device G2) the ETC card number, ETC on-board unit management number, and vehicle number of the vehicle C that has passed through the gate unit G and entered the charging station, as well as an image of the vehicle number (number plate) of the vehicle C captured by the imaging device G2.

The control unit 11 of the control device 1 acquires an image of the vehicle C from the medium-speed charger 2 (S102). The control unit 11 of the control device 1 acquires an image of the vehicle C captured by the imaging unit 24 provided in the medium-speed charger 2 from the medium-speed charger 2.

The control unit 11 of the control device 1 identifies the medium-speed charger 2 to which the vehicle C is connected and the user of the medium-speed charger 2 (S103). Based on communication with the medium-speed charger 2, the control unit 11 of the control device 1 identifies the address or charger number of the medium-speed charger 2 that is the source of the captured image.

The image of vehicle C captured by the imaging unit 24 provided in the medium-speed charger 2 includes the license plate of the vehicle C, and the control unit 11 compares the license plate of vehicle C included in the image captured by the imaging unit 24 of the medium-speed charger 2 with the image captured by the imaging device G2 of the gate unit G, and identifies vehicle C based on the identity of these license plates. When comparing license plates, the control unit 11 of the control device 1 may recognize numbers on the license plate, for example, using pattern matching or a convolutional neural network (CNN).

Images captured by the imaging device G2 of the gate unit G are associated with an ETC card number, etc. The control unit 11 of the control device 1 may identify the associated ETC card number and transmit a request including the ETC card number to the external server 3 to obtain information about the user associated with the ETC card number (such as a user ID) from the external server 3.

The control unit 11 of the control device 1 derives the output power value of the medium-speed charger 2 (S104). The control unit 11 of the control device 1 has already acquired the charging state of each medium-speed charger 2 connected to the control device itself, and stores the charging state of each of these medium-speed chargers 2, for example, in the memory unit 12 of the control device 1. The control unit 11 of the control device 1 specifies the number of medium-speed chargers 2 that will be charged simultaneously from now on by adding the number of medium-speed chargers 2 that are currently charging (the number of vehicles C that are currently being charged) to the number of medium-speed chargers 2 that will start charging this time based on the charging state. The control unit 11 of the control device 1 derives the output power value for each of these medium-speed chargers 2 based on the specified number of medium-speed chargers 2, for example, by referring to the output power value table stored in the memory unit 12. As described above, the output power value table specifies the output power value based on the number of medium-speed chargers 2 so that the total value of the output power values for each medium-speed charger 2 does not exceed a predetermined threshold.

The control unit 11 of the control device 1 outputs a control signal to the medium-speed charger 2 based on the derived output power value (S105). The control unit 11 of the control device 1 generates a control signal based on the output power value derived, for example, by referring to an output power value table, and outputs the generated control signal to the medium-speed charger 2. The medium-speed charger 2 that is connected to the vehicle C and charges the vehicle C determines an output power value based on the control signal output from the control device 1, and charges the vehicle C connected to the device at the output power value.

The control unit 11 of the control device 1 derives the expected time of charging completion based on the output power value and the charging rate (S106). The control unit 11 of the control device 1 acquires the charging rate and battery capacity of the storage battery C2 of the vehicle C from each of the medium-speed chargers 2 that charge the vehicle C, calculates the required charging time based on the charging rate and the derived output power value using a predetermined formula determined by the charging method, such as the CHAdeMO method, and derives the expected time of charging completion based on the time when charging started and the required charging time.

The control unit 11 of the control device 1 outputs the derived expected charging completion time to the external server 3 (S107). The control unit 11 of the control device 1 associates the derived expected charging completion time with the ETC card number or the user ID, and outputs (transmits) it to the external server 3. Based on the expected charging completion time and the user ID, etc. acquired (received) from the control device 1, the external server 3 transmits information related to the expected charging completion time to the mobile terminal KT of the user of the user ID by email, etc.

The control unit 11 of the control device 1 determines whether charging is complete (S108). The control unit 11 of the control device 1 determines whether charging in the medium-speed charger 2 is complete based on the information on the charging state output from each medium-speed charger 2. If charging is not complete (S108: NO), the control unit 11 of the control device 1 performs a loop process to execute the process of S108 again.

When charging is completed (S108: YES), the control unit 11 of the control device 1 outputs information regarding the usage history of the medium-speed charger 2 to the external server 3 (S109). The control unit 11 of the control device 1 acquires information regarding the usage history of the medium-speed charger 2, including the charging completion date and time, the amount of charging energy, etc., from the medium-speed charger 2, associates the information regarding the usage history with the user ID, etc., and outputs (transmits) it to the external server 3. Based on the information regarding the usage history, including the charging completion date and time, etc. acquired (received) from the control device 1, and the user ID, etc., the external server 3 transmits information regarding the charging completion date and time, the amount of charging energy, and billing based on the amount of charging energy to the mobile terminal KT of the user of the user ID by email, etc.

After executing the process of S109, the control unit 11 of the control device 1 ends the series of processes in this flowchart. Alternatively, the control unit 11 of the control device 1 may perform a loop process in which the process from S101 is executed again after executing the process of S109. The control unit 11 of the control device 1 may perform the processes from S102 to S109 by generating multiple processes according to the number of medium-speed chargers 2 included in the charging station (for example, the same number of processes as the number of medium-speed chargers 2), and processing these multiple processes in parallel.

In this embodiment, the series of processes in the flowchart are performed by the control unit 11 of the control device 1, but this is not limited to the above. In the series of processes, the medium-speed charger 2 (control unit 21) and the control device 1 (control unit 11) may cooperate to perform linked or distributed processing. Alternatively, the medium-speed charger 2 (control unit 21), the control device 1 (control unit 11) and the external server 3 may cooperate to perform the processes. Alternatively, the control device 1 may transmit various information acquired from the medium-speed charger 2 and the gate unit G to the external server 3, acquire a series of processing results calculated or otherwise performed by the external server 3, and function as a gateway to control the medium-speed charger 2 based on the processing results.

According to this embodiment, the control device 1 of the vehicle charging system S controls the output power value of each of the multiple medium-speed chargers 2 based on the number of vehicles C connected to each medium-speed charger 2 included in the vehicle charging system S so that the total value of the output power value of the power output from each medium-speed charger 2 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold value may be stored in a predetermined storage area such as the storage unit 12 of the control device 1, or may be acquired from an external server 3 or a smart meter M communicably connected to the control device 1. The control device 1 controls the output power value of each medium-speed charger 2 so that the output power value is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold, i.e., the maximum output power value that is allowable for the vehicle charging system S. Therefore, for example, even if vehicles C are connected to all medium-speed chargers 2 and charging is performed on these vehicles C, the integrity of the vehicle charging system S can be ensured by setting the total value of the output power value of each of all medium-speed chargers 2 to be equal to or less than the predetermined threshold.

According to this embodiment, the predetermined threshold is a value specified based on the contract power permitted for operating the multiple medium-speed chargers 2 included in the vehicle charging system S, so that the operation of the vehicle charging system S can be guaranteed in compliance with the contract power determined by the power consumer, who is the manager of the vehicle charging system S, and the power company. In specifying the predetermined threshold, for example, the value of 90% of the contract power or the power capacity (upper limit value that may be used) allocated to the medium-speed charger 2 within the contract power, that is, a value multiplied by a coefficient of 0.9, may be set as the predetermined threshold. In this way, by multiplying the contract power by a coefficient less than 1, a safety factor (0.1) can be obtained by subtracting the coefficient from 1 (0.1=1-0.9: the coefficient is 0.9), and the total value of the output power value can be more effectively prevented from exceeding the contract power. Furthermore, the control device 1 accepts a change request (threshold change information) by the operation of the owner or manager of the charging station, and changes the predetermined threshold based on the change request (threshold change information). Therefore, for example, when the contracted power is changed or depending on the operation rate or operation state of the vehicle charging system S, the specified threshold value can be flexibly changed, thereby improving the availability of the vehicle charging system S.

According to this embodiment, the control device 1 controls the output current value of each of the multiple medium-speed chargers 2, thereby controlling the output power value of each of the multiple medium-speed chargers 2 so that the total value of the power values output from each of the multiple medium-speed chargers 2 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. Therefore, for example, while keeping the output voltage value from each of the medium-speed chargers 2 constant, the control device 1 can efficiently control the output power value of each of the multiple medium-speed chargers 2 by controlling the output current value of each of the multiple medium-speed chargers 2.

According to this embodiment, when the number of vehicles C connected to each of the multiple medium-speed chargers 2 is multiplied by the rated maximum power value, the control device 1 controls the output power value of the medium-speed charger 2 to which the vehicle C is connected to the rated maximum power value if the value is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, and when the value is greater than the predetermined threshold value, the control device 1 controls the output power value of the medium-speed charger 2 to which the vehicle C is connected to be less than the rated maximum power value. Therefore, when the number of vehicles C connected to each of the multiple medium-speed chargers 2, i.e., the number of vehicles C charged by the vehicle charging system S per unit time, is relatively small, and the number of vehicles C connected to the medium-speed charger 2 (vehicles C being charged) multiplied by the rated maximum power value of the medium-speed charger 2 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, the medium-speed charger 2 charges the vehicle C at the rated maximum power value. This allows the charging time of the vehicle C to be shortened. When the number of vehicles C connected to each of the multiple medium-speed chargers 2, i.e., the number of vehicles C charged by the vehicle charging system S per unit time, is relatively large, and the value obtained by multiplying the number of vehicles C connected to the medium-speed chargers 2 (vehicles C being charged) by the rated maximum power value of the medium-speed charger 2 is greater than a predetermined threshold, the medium-speed charger 2 charges the vehicle C with an output power value that is smaller than the rated maximum power value. This makes it possible to efficiently control the output power value of each of the multiple medium-speed chargers 2 so that the total power value is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold.

According to this embodiment, the control device 1 derives the expected charging completion time of the vehicle C being charged by the medium-speed charger 2 based on the acquired charging rate, battery capacity, and output power value of the medium-speed charger 2, and outputs the derived expected charging completion time to the mobile terminal KT of the user of the medium-speed charger 2, for example, via an external server 3. Therefore, the convenience of the vehicle charging system S for the user can be improved.

According to this embodiment, the medium-speed charger 2 uses a three-phase 200V commercial power source and has a rated maximum power value of 20kW to 30kW, which is the maximum power value, and can be introduced relatively easily compared to a quick charger with a rated maximum power value of about 50kW. A quick charger is a charger for emergency charging that can charge about 80% of a vehicle-mounted battery (storage battery) in 30 minutes, and is relatively expensive. That is, conventional quick chargers are relatively expensive, and therefore, they are not widely used because it is difficult to install them in collective housing such as apartments. In addition, there is a normal quick charger that is cheaper than the quick charger, but the normal quick charger is a charger for home charging that can charge about 80% of a vehicle-mounted battery (storage battery C2) in 10 hours. At present, the mainstream of chargers are either quick chargers or normal quick chargers, and in commercial facilities such as buildings, hotels, and shopping centers, and collective housing such as apartments, there are many cases where one of the chargers has to be adopted. In these commercial facilities or apartment buildings, it is expected that a specific user will not monopolize a charger, but that multiple users will share each charger, and concerns about the long charging time required for normal fast chargers and the high installation costs, increased contract power, and additional related equipment (transformer capacity of high-voltage power receiving equipment) for quick chargers are issues when introducing these chargers. In response to this, the use of the vehicle charging system S of this embodiment is expected to promote the introduction of medium-speed chargers 2, which can charge in a shorter time than normal fast chargers and are cheaper than quick chargers, and to popularize chargers (medium-speed chargers 2) with high usability, particularly in an operation mode where sharing is expected. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of sharing, if multiple medium-speed chargers 2 capable of charging about 80% of the vehicle-mounted battery (storage battery C2) in a charging time of about 2 to 4 hours are installed and rated charging (charging using the rated maximum power value) is performed using all of these medium-speed chargers 2, there is a concern that the burden on the supply side (the supplier that supplies power to users using the medium-speed chargers) will increase due to an increase in contract power and the addition of related equipment (transformer capacity of high-voltage power receiving equipment). In contrast, by using the vehicle charging system of this embodiment, the control device controls the output power value so that the total value of the power value output from each of the multiple medium-speed chargers is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, making it possible to provide an effective and low-cost charging infrastructure.

(Embodiment 2)
11 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of a vehicle charging system S according to a second embodiment (user classification). The vehicle charging system S of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the ratio of output power values is varied based on the user classification of a user who is registered when using the vehicle charging system S.

As shown in the user master table (Figure 4), the user classification stores a value indicating the priority of a registered user (user ID). In this embodiment, the user classification is defined as a first classification (premium user) and a second classification (normal user), and the priority of the first classification (premium user) is higher than that of the second classification (normal user). In this embodiment, there are two types of user classifications, but this is not limited to this and there may be three or more types of user classifications.

As shown in the figure in this embodiment, of the five medium-speed chargers 2, four of the medium-speed chargers 2 are connected to and charging vehicles C of users in the second category (normal users). One medium-speed charger 2 is connected to and charging a vehicle C of a user in the first category (premium user). In this case, the vehicle C in the first category is charged with a higher output power value than the vehicle C in the second category.

Figure 12 is an explanatory diagram (time chart) explaining the output power value when charging multiple vehicles C. Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an output power value table based on a ratio. As in the first embodiment, the acquisition unit 111 acquires information output from the medium-speed charger 2. The acquisition unit 111 communicates with the external server 3, acquires the user classification of the user (user ID) corresponding to the ETC card number, and outputs information about the user including the user classification to the output power value determination unit 112.

As in the first embodiment, the output power value determination unit 112 determines the output power value based on the information output from the medium-speed charger 2 acquired by the acquisition unit 111. When determining the output power value, the output power value determination unit 112 identifies the user category of the user of each medium-speed charger 2, and distinguishes between a medium-speed charger 2 to which a vehicle C of a user in the first category (vehicle C in the first category) is connected and a medium-speed charger 2 to which a vehicle C of a user in the second category (vehicle C in the second category) is connected.

The output power value determination unit 112 determines the output power value to the medium-speed charger 2 to which the vehicle C of the user in the first category is connected and the output power value to the medium-speed charger 2 to which the vehicle C of the user in the second category is connected. When determining these output power values, the output power value determination unit 112 may use the ratio-based output power value table illustrated in this embodiment. The ratio-based output power value table is stored in the memory unit 12 of the control device 1 and is a look-up table showing the output power value determined based on the number of vehicles C in the first category and the number of vehicles C in the second category. When vehicles C in the first category and vehicles C in the second category are mixed and charged simultaneously, the output power value of the medium-speed charger 2 that charges the vehicles C in the first category is set to be greater than the output power value of the medium-speed charger 2 that charges the vehicles C in the second category.

Even when the first and second category vehicles C are mixed, the output power value determination unit 112 may set the output power value of the medium-speed charger 2 that charges the first category vehicle C to be greater than the output power value of the medium-speed charger 2 that charges the second category vehicle C based on the ratio only when the value obtained by multiplying the total number of connected vehicles C (the total number of vehicles C in the first and second categories) by the rated maximum power value exceeds a predetermined threshold. In other words, even when the first category vehicle C and the second category vehicle C are mixed, if the value obtained by multiplying the total number of connected vehicles C (the total number of vehicles C in the first and second categories) by the rated maximum power value is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, the output power value determination unit 112 may control the output power value of the medium-speed charger 2 to which the first and second category vehicles C are connected to the rated maximum power value, as in the first embodiment. In this case, the output power value of the medium-speed charger 2 that charges a vehicle C in the first category and the output power value of the medium-speed charger 2 that charges a vehicle C in the second category are both the rated maximum power value.

The ratio of the output power values of the vehicles C in the first category is set to be greater than the ratio of the output power values of the vehicles C in the second category. By defining these ratios, for example, using an output power value table, the output power value determination unit 112 can determine the ratio of the output power values for receiving power from the vehicles C in the first category and the vehicles C in the second category, based on the number of vehicles C in the first category and the number of vehicles C in the second category connected to each medium-speed charger 2. In the illustrations of this embodiment, the values (ratios) defined in the ratio-based output power value table are actual values as output power values, but are not limited to this. The values (ratios) defined in the ratio-based output power value table may be determined, for example, by a coefficient of 1 or less that is multiplied by the rated maximum power value (e.g., 30 kW) of the medium-speed charger 2.

In the time chart (FIG. 12) shown in this embodiment, the horizontal axis indicates time, and the vertical axis indicates output power value, as in the first embodiment, showing the time progression of the output power value of multiple medium-speed chargers 2 installed in the charging station. As shown in the time chart, when charging of four second-category vehicles C begins, the output power value is determined, as in the first embodiment, by dividing a predetermined threshold by the number of vehicles C being charged (25 kW = 100/4).

When charging of the fifth vehicle C in the first category is started, the medium-speed charger 2 to which the first category vehicle C is connected receives power at an output power value based on the rated maximum power value. The output power value of the medium-speed charger 2 to which the second category vehicle C is connected is determined by subtracting the output power value of the first category vehicle C (rated maximum power value: 30 kW) from a predetermined threshold (70 kW = 100 - 30), and dividing this value by the number of vehicles C in the second category (17 kW ≒ 70/4). Therefore, the output power value of the medium-speed charger 2 to which the second category vehicle C is connected is determined to be a value smaller than the predetermined threshold divided by the number of vehicles C (vehicles C in the first category and vehicles C in the second category) being charged (20 kW = 100/5). In this way, by preferentially charging the first category vehicle C with the larger output power value, the time required to complete charging the first category vehicle C can be reduced, and the satisfaction of users in the first category can be improved.

Figure 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure by the control unit 11 of the control device 1. The control unit 11 of the control device 1 communicates with each medium-speed charger 2 and gate unit G, for example, steadily or periodically, and starts the processing of the flowchart. The control unit 11 of the control device 1 acquires information about the vehicle C from the gate unit G (S201). The control unit 11 of the control device 1 acquires a captured image of the vehicle C from the medium-speed charger 2 (S202). The control unit 11 of the device performs the processing from S201 to S202, similar to the processing from S101 to S102 in the first embodiment.

The control unit 11 of the control device 1 identifies the medium-speed charger 2 to which the vehicle C is connected and the user of the medium-speed charger 2 (S203). As in process S103 of embodiment 1, the control unit 11 of the control device 1 communicates with the external server 3 to identify the user of the medium-speed charger 2. When identifying the user, the control unit 11 of the control device 1 obtains, from the external server 3, the user ID of the user as well as information regarding the user classification indicating the priority of the user.

The control unit 11 of the control device 1 derives the output power value of the medium-speed charger 2 based on the ratio according to the user classification (S204). As in process S104 of embodiment 1, the control unit 11 of the control device 1 derives the output power value of these medium-speed chargers 2 according to the number of medium-speed chargers 2 that will perform charging thereafter. Furthermore, the control unit 11 of the control device 1, for example, refers to an output power value table based on the ratio stored in the storage unit 12, and derives an output power value according to the ratio according to the user classification. The user classification includes, for example, a first classification and a second classification that has a lower priority than the first classification, and the output power value of the medium-speed charger 2 to which the vehicle C of a user in the second classification is connected is set to be smaller than the output power value of the medium-speed charger 2 to which the vehicle C of a user in the first classification is connected.

The control unit 11 of the control device 1 outputs a control signal to the medium-speed charger 2 based on the derived output power value (S205). The control unit 11 of the control device 1 derives the expected charging completion time based on the output power value and the charging rate (S206). The control unit 11 of the control device 1 outputs the derived expected charging completion time to the external server 3 (S207). The control unit 11 of the control device 1 determines whether charging is completed (S208). The control unit 11 of the control device 1 outputs information related to the usage history of the medium-speed charger 2 to the external server 3 (S209). The control unit 11 of the control device 1 performs the processes from S205 to S209 in the same manner as the processes from S105 to S109 in the first embodiment.

According to this embodiment, the control device 1 acquires information on each of the users of the multiple medium-speed chargers 2 from the external server 3 via the communication unit. The acquired information includes the classification of the user, and the control device 1 controls the output power value of each of the multiple medium-speed chargers 2 according to the ratio derived based on the classification. Therefore, when multiple medium-speed chargers 2 are used to charge multiple vehicles C, the output power value of each medium-speed charger 2 used by each user is controlled according to the ratio derived based on the classification of the user of each medium-speed charger 2, so that the output power value of the medium-speed charger 2 can be made different according to the classification of the user. In addition, the control device 1 controls the output power value of each of the multiple medium-speed chargers 2 by making the ratio of the output power value of the medium-speed charger 2 to which the vehicle C of the user of the first classification is connected larger than the ratio of the user of the second classification, which has a lower priority than the first classification. Therefore, charging with a larger output power value is provided to users with high priority (users of the first classification) than to users with low priority (users of the second classification), and the charging time of the high-priority user (user of the first classification) can be shortened.

(Embodiment 3)
15 is an explanatory diagram (time chart) for explaining the output power value when charging a plurality of vehicles C according to the third embodiment (correction of the estimated charging completion time). As in the first embodiment, the output power value determination unit 112 determines the output power value based on information output from the medium-speed charger 2 acquired by the acquisition unit 111. As in the first embodiment, the estimated charging completion time derivation unit 113 calculates the required charging time based on the output power value, the charging rate, and the battery capacity, and derives the estimated charging completion time from the charging start time and the required charging time.

Furthermore, when the output power value used to derive the expected charging completion time is changed due to, for example, a change in the number of vehicles C being charged, the expected charging completion time derivation unit 113 recalculates the expected charging completion time based on the changed output power value and the charging rate at the time of the change, and corrects the expected charging completion time. That is, the expected charging completion time derivation unit 113 recalculates the charging time required to complete charging based on the changed output power value, the charging rate at the time of the change, and the battery capacity, and rederives the expected charging completion time based on the time when the output power value was changed and the required charging time. The expected charging completion time corrected (re-derived) by the expected charging completion time derivation unit 113 is output to the external server 3 by the output unit 115. As in the first embodiment, the external server 3 transmits information regarding the expected charging completion time to, for example, the email address of the user identified by referring to the user master table based on the information output from the output unit 115.

Figure 16 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure performed by the control unit 11 of the control device 1. The control unit 11 of the control device 1 communicates with each medium-speed charger 2 and gate unit G, for example, constantly or periodically, and starts the processing of the flowchart.

The control unit 11 of the control device 1 acquires information about the vehicle C from the gate unit G (S301). The control unit 11 of the control device 1 acquires a captured image of the vehicle C from the medium-speed charger 2 (S302). The control unit 11 of the control device 1 identifies the medium-speed charger 2 to which the vehicle C is connected and the user of the medium-speed charger 2 (S303). The control unit 11 of the control device 1 derives the output power value of the medium-speed charger 2 (S304). The control unit 11 of the control device 1 stores the derived output power value in the storage unit 12. The control unit 11 of the control device 1 outputs a control signal to the medium-speed charger 2 based on the derived output power value (S305). The control unit 11 of the control device 1 performs the processes from S301 to S305 in the same manner as the processes from S101 to S105 in the first embodiment.

The control unit 11 of the control device 1 determines whether the output power value is the result of the initial derivation (S306). The control unit 11 of the control device 1 stores in the memory unit 12 of the control device 1 the output power value at the time when each medium-speed charger 2 connected to the control device starts charging as the output power value based on the initial derivation (the output power value derived first). The control unit 11 of the control device 1 determines whether the output power value output in S304 is the result of the initial derivation by referring to the memory unit 12.

If the output power value is the value derived for the first time (S306: YES), the control unit 11 of the control device 1 derives the expected charging completion time based on the output power value and the charging rate (S307). The control unit 11 of the control device 1 outputs the derived expected charging completion time to the external server 3 (S308). The control unit 11 of the control device 1 performs the processes from S307 to S308, similar to the processes from S106 to S107 in the first embodiment.

If the output power value is not the first derivation (S306: NO), the control unit 11 of the control device 1 determines whether the output power value derived this time is the same as the output power value derived last time (S3061). The control unit 11 of the control device 1 determines whether the output power value derived this time is the same as the output power value derived last time stored in the memory unit 12.

If the output power value derived this time is not the same as the output power value derived last time (S3061: NO), i.e., if the output power value derived this time is different from the output power value derived last time, the control unit 11 of the control device 1 derives the expected charging completion time based on the output power value derived this time and the charging rate (S3062). The control unit 11 of the control device 1 obtains the charging rate of the storage battery C2 of the vehicle C currently being charged by the medium-speed charger 2 from the control unit 21 of the medium-speed charger 2, and derives the expected charging completion time based on the obtained current charging rate and the output power value derived this time.

The control unit 11 of the control device 1 outputs the corrected expected charging completion time to the external server 3 (S3063). The control unit 11 of the control device 1 outputs the corrected expected charging completion time to the external server 3 in the same manner as in the processing of S308.

After the process of S308, if the output power value derived this time is the same as the output power value derived last time (S3061: YES), or after the process of S3063, the control unit 11 of the control device 1 determines whether charging is completed (S309). The control unit 11 of the control device 1 performs the process of S309 in the same manner as the process of S108 in the first embodiment.

If charging is not complete (S309: NO), the control unit 11 of the control device 1 performs loop processing to execute the processing from S304 again. If charging is complete (S309: YES), the control unit 11 of the control device 1 outputs information regarding the usage history of the medium-speed charger 2 to the external server 3 (S310). The control unit 11 of the control device 1 performs the processing of S310 in the same manner as the processing of S109 in the first embodiment.

According to this embodiment, after the control device 1 derives the expected charging completion time and outputs it to the user, if the output power value of the medium-speed charger 2 used to derive the expected charging completion time is changed due to, for example, a change in the number of vehicles C being charged by the vehicle charging system S, the control device 1 outputs the expected charging completion time corrected based on the changed output power value to the user again via the external server 3, etc. Therefore, the expected charging completion time can be corrected in accordance with the output power value that changes depending on the number of vehicles C being charged by the vehicle charging system S, and the corrected expected charging completion time can be output, thereby improving the convenience for users of the vehicle charging system S.

(Embodiment 4)
Fig. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of a vehicle charging system S according to embodiment 4 (configuration of a medium-speed charger 2). Fig. 18 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a medium-speed charger 2 and the like included in the vehicle charging system S. As in embodiment 1, a plurality of medium-speed chargers 2 are connected to a control device 1, and based on a control signal related to an output power value output from the control device 1, supply power to a vehicle C such as an electric vehicle connected to the charger at the output power value, thereby charging a storage battery C2 of the vehicle C.

A single medium-speed charger 2 is configured to be able to charge, for example, four vehicles C simultaneously, and is provided with a plurality of PCSs 22, connection units 23, and image capture units 24 corresponding to each of the plurality of connected vehicles C. As in the first embodiment, each of the plurality of PCSs 22 and image capture units 24 is connected to the control unit 21 so as to be able to communicate with each other, for example, via an internal bus.

Power lines (branch power lines) branched from a power line connected to a commercial power source are connected to the multiple PCSs 22. When charging the vehicles C connected to each of these PCSs 22, the medium-speed charger 2 communicates with the control device 1 to obtain output power values for each PCS 22 from the control device 1, and controls the output power values supplied from each PCS 22 to the vehicles C based on the output power values.

Each medium-speed charger 2 included in the charging station is assigned a charger number to uniquely identify the medium-speed charger 2. Furthermore, when a single medium-speed charger 2 has multiple PCSs 22 and connection units 23 as in this embodiment, the connection status or charging status of each PCS 22 and connection unit 23 may be managed by a number obtained by adding a branch number to the charger number (1 (charger number) - 1 (branch number) to 4 (branch number)) corresponding to the PCSs 22 and connection units 23.

For each connection portion 23, the medium-speed charger 2 is provided with the same number of imaging units 24 as the number of connection portions 23 (four in this embodiment). The housing that forms the outer shell of the medium-speed charger 2 is, for example, rectangular in plan view, and each imaging unit 24 is provided at a corner of the rectangular housing. By providing each imaging unit 24 at a corner of the rectangular housing, it is possible to accurately capture an image including the license plate number of vehicle C connected to the medium-speed charger 2 via the connection portion 23.

The medium-speed charger 2 can determine which of the connection parts 23 the vehicle C is parked in based on whether the license plate of the vehicle C is included in the image captured by each imaging part 24, whether the vehicle C is connected to each connection part 23, or whether both of these events have been confirmed. When the vehicle C is parked in a parking space corresponding to a connection part 23, the medium-speed charger 2 may output (transmit) this information to the control device 1, and thereby obtain (receive) from the control device 1 the power output value for charging the vehicle C.

According to this embodiment, a single medium-speed charger 2 has multiple connection parts 23, for example, four, so that the installation area of the medium-speed charger 2 included in the vehicle charging system S can be reduced, thereby saving space.

In this embodiment and other embodiments, the charger connected to the control device 1 is a medium-speed charger 2, but this is not limited to this. The chargers connected to the control device 1 and constituting the charging station may be a mixture of medium-speed chargers 2 and rapid chargers, or the multiple chargers connected to the control device 1 may be configured to consist of only rapid chargers. When a mixture of medium-speed chargers 2 and rapid chargers are connected to the control device 1, the control device 1 may prioritize the rapid charger over the medium-speed charger 2 and derive the output power value of each charger. With such a configuration, the availability of the vehicle charging system S can be improved.

The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered limiting. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not by the meaning described above, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims.

S Vehicle charging system C Vehicle C1 ETC vehicle unit C2 Storage battery C3 Power receiving unit KT Mobile terminal N External network 3 External server 31 Control unit 32 Memory unit 33 Communication unit KS Settlement server G Gate unit G1 ETC roadside unit G2 Imaging device K High voltage power receiving equipment M Smart meter 1 Control device 11 Control unit 111 Acquisition unit 112 Output power value determination unit 113 Expected charging completion time derivation unit 114 Usage record aggregation unit 115 Output unit 12 Memory unit 13 Route B communication unit 14 Wireless communication unit 15 Charger communication unit 2 Medium speed charger 21 Control unit 22 PCS
23 Connection section 24 Imaging section

Claims (19)

A plurality of medium-speed chargers for charging storage batteries mounted on the vehicle;
a control device communicatively connected to the plurality of medium-speed chargers;
The control device includes a control unit that controls an output power value of each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers,
The control unit is
controlling an output power value of each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers according to the number of vehicles connected to each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers so that a total value of power values output from each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold;
The plurality of medium-speed chargers are each provided with a rated maximum power value that is a maximum power value that the charger can output,
The control unit is
When a value obtained by multiplying the number of vehicles connected to each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers by the rated maximum power value is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value, an output power value of the medium-speed charger to which the vehicle is connected is controlled to the rated maximum power value;
When a value obtained by multiplying the number of vehicles connected to each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers by the rated maximum power value is greater than the predetermined threshold value, an output power value of the medium-speed charger to which the vehicle is connected is controlled to be less than the rated maximum power value.
Vehicle charging system. A plurality of medium-speed chargers for charging storage batteries mounted on the vehicle;
a control device communicatively connected to the plurality of medium-speed chargers;
The control device includes a control unit that controls an output power value of each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers,
The control unit is
controlling an output power value of each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers according to the number of vehicles connected to each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers so that a total value of power values output from each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold;
The control device includes a communication unit for communicating with an external server,
The control unit is
acquiring information about users of the plurality of medium-speed chargers from the external server via the communication unit;
Deriving a ratio of output power values of each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers based on the user classification included in the acquired information;
The vehicle charging system controls an output power value of each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers based on the derived ratio . The user classification includes a first classification and a second classification having a lower priority than the first classification,
The control unit controls the output power value of each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers by making a ratio of an output power value of the medium-speed chargers to which vehicles of users in the first category are connected larger than a ratio of an output power value of the medium-speed chargers to which vehicles of users in the second category are connected.
The vehicle charging system of claim 2 . A plurality of medium-speed chargers for charging storage batteries mounted on the vehicle;
a control device communicatively connected to the plurality of medium-speed chargers;
The control device includes a control unit that controls an output power value of each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers,
The control unit is
controlling an output power value of each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers according to the number of vehicles connected to each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers so that a total value of power values output from each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold;
The control unit is
Obtaining a charging rate of a storage battery of a vehicle that is charged by the medium-speed charger;
deriving an expected charging completion time of the vehicle being charged by the medium-speed charger based on the acquired charging rate and the output power value of the medium-speed charger;
The vehicle charging system outputs the derived estimated charging completion time . The control unit is
After deriving the estimated charging completion time, if an output power value of the medium-speed charger used to derive the estimated charging completion time is changed, the estimated charging completion time is corrected based on the output power value after the change;
The corrected estimated charging completion time is output.
5. The vehicle charging system of claim 4 . A plurality of medium-speed chargers for charging storage batteries mounted on the vehicle;
a control device communicatively connected to the plurality of medium-speed chargers;
The control device includes a control unit that controls an output power value of each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers,
The control unit is
controlling an output power value of each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers according to the number of vehicles connected to each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers so that a total value of power values output from each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold;
The control unit is
receiving threshold change information regarding a change to the predetermined threshold;
The vehicle charging system changes the predetermined threshold based on the threshold change information . The vehicle charging system according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined threshold value is a value specified based on a contracted power allowed for operating the plurality of medium-speed chargers. The plurality of medium-speed chargers are each provided with a rated maximum power value that is a maximum power value that the charger can output,
The vehicle charging system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the predetermined threshold is a value smaller than a value obtained by multiplying the rated maximum power value by the number of medium-speed chargers connected to the control device. 9. The vehicle charging system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls an output current value of each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers, thereby controlling an output power value of each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers so that a total value of power values output from each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value . The commercial power supply input to the medium-speed charger is three-phase 200V or single-phase 200V,
The vehicle charging system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a rated maximum power value that is a maximum power value that the medium-speed charger can output is 20 kW to 30 kW. One medium-speed charger among the plurality of medium-speed chargers includes a plurality of connection units connected to a plurality of vehicles;
The vehicle charging system according to claim 1 , wherein the one medium-speed charger outputs electric power to a plurality of vehicles via the plurality of connection units under control of the control unit. On the computer,
Obtain the number of vehicles connected to each of the multiple medium-speed chargers;
deriving an output power value of each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers based on the acquired number of vehicles such that a total value of the power values output from each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold;
outputting the derived output power value to the plurality of medium-speed chargers;
The plurality of medium-speed chargers are each provided with a rated maximum power value that is a maximum power value that the charger can output,
When a value obtained by multiplying the number of vehicles connected to each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers by the rated maximum power value is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value, an output power value of the medium-speed charger to which the vehicle is connected is controlled to the rated maximum power value;
When a value obtained by multiplying the number of vehicles connected to each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers by the rated maximum power value is greater than the predetermined threshold value, an output power value of the medium-speed charger to which the vehicle is connected is controlled to be less than the rated maximum power value.
An information processing method for executing a process. On the computer,
Obtain the number of vehicles connected to each of the multiple medium-speed chargers;
deriving an output power value of each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers based on the acquired number of vehicles such that a total value of the power values output from each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold;
outputting the derived output power value to the plurality of medium-speed chargers;
The computer includes a communication unit for communicating with an external server,
acquiring information about users of the plurality of medium-speed chargers from the external server via the communication unit;
Deriving a ratio of output power values of each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers based on the user classification included in the acquired information;
Based on the derived ratio, an output power value of each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers is controlled.
An information processing method for executing a process. On the computer,
Obtain the number of vehicles connected to each of the multiple medium-speed chargers;
deriving an output power value of each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers based on the acquired number of vehicles such that a total value of the power values output from each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold;
outputting the derived output power value to the plurality of medium-speed chargers;
Obtaining a charging rate of a storage battery of a vehicle that is charged by the medium-speed charger;
deriving an expected charging completion time of the vehicle being charged by the medium-speed charger based on the acquired charging rate and the output power value of the medium-speed charger;
The derived charge completion time is output.
An information processing method for executing a process. On the computer,
Obtain the number of vehicles connected to each of the multiple medium-speed chargers;
deriving an output power value of each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers based on the acquired number of vehicles such that a total value of the power values output from each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold;
outputting the derived output power value to the plurality of medium-speed chargers;
receiving threshold change information regarding a change to the predetermined threshold;
The predetermined threshold is changed based on the threshold change information.
An information processing method for executing a process. On the computer,
Obtain the number of vehicles connected to each of the multiple medium-speed chargers;
deriving an output power value of each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers based on the acquired number of vehicles such that a total value of the power values output from each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold;
outputting the derived output power value to the plurality of medium-speed chargers;
The plurality of medium-speed chargers are each provided with a rated maximum power value that is a maximum power value that the charger can output,
When a value obtained by multiplying the number of vehicles connected to each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers by the rated maximum power value is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value, an output power value of the medium-speed charger to which the vehicle is connected is controlled to the rated maximum power value;
When a value obtained by multiplying the number of vehicles connected to each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers by the rated maximum power value is greater than the predetermined threshold value, an output power value of the medium-speed charger to which the vehicle is connected is controlled to be less than the rated maximum power value.
A program that executes a process. On the computer,
Obtain the number of vehicles connected to each of the multiple medium-speed chargers;
deriving an output power value of each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers based on the acquired number of vehicles such that a total value of the power values output from each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold;
outputting the derived output power value to the plurality of medium-speed chargers;
The computer includes a communication unit for communicating with an external server,
acquiring information about users of the plurality of medium-speed chargers from the external server via the communication unit;
Deriving a ratio of output power values of each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers based on the user classification included in the acquired information;
Based on the derived ratio, an output power value of each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers is controlled.
A program that executes a process. On the computer,
Obtain the number of vehicles connected to each of the multiple medium-speed chargers;
deriving an output power value of each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers based on the acquired number of vehicles such that a total value of the power values output from each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold;
outputting the derived output power value to the plurality of medium-speed chargers;
Obtaining a charging rate of a storage battery of a vehicle that is charged by the medium-speed charger;
deriving an expected charging completion time of the vehicle being charged by the medium-speed charger based on the acquired charging rate and the output power value of the medium-speed charger;
The derived charge completion time is output.
A program that executes a process. On the computer,
Obtain the number of vehicles connected to each of the multiple medium-speed chargers;
deriving an output power value of each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers based on the acquired number of vehicles such that a total value of the power values output from each of the plurality of medium-speed chargers is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold;
outputting the derived output power value to the plurality of medium-speed chargers;
receiving threshold change information regarding a change to the predetermined threshold;
The predetermined threshold is changed based on the threshold change information.
A program that executes a process.

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