JP2011015521A - System and method for charge control of electric vehicle, server, and smart meter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the charging cost of an electric vehicle by taking electricity charges at various time zones into consideration, respectively.SOLUTION: The charge control system of the electric vehicle 10 is constituted of a server 100 comprising a scheduler 110 for generating the information of a time zone row by sorting the time zones up to the arrival of the desired time of charge completion in the ascending order of electricity charges, and storing the sorted information in a memory 101, and a schedule notification part 111 which transmits the information of the time zone row to an address of a consumer as charge start scheduled time information 225, and the smart meter 200 having a charge management part 210 which detects the arrival of a start time and an end time for the time zones indicated by the charge start scheduled time information 225 received form the server 100 in order from the one with the earliest arrival time, and transmits a charge start command matching the start time and a charge end command matching the end time to a charging device 300.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric vehicle charging control system, an electric vehicle charging control method, a server, and a smart meter. Specifically, the charging cost of an electric vehicle is reduced in consideration of electric charges for various time zones. Related to technology.

  In recent years, the introduction of electric vehicles has been promoted toward a low-carbon society. Overseas, smart meters that automate the meter reading of watt-hour meters are being introduced. When such a smart meter is introduced, meter reading can be performed at fine intervals, for example, every 30 minutes, and the power company can also acquire detailed data such as the amount of electricity used and the usage time of consumers. In addition, if you introduce a time-based rate system that varies the electricity rate depending on the season, day of the week, time of day, etc., for example, increase the electricity rate during peak demand hours such as noon and evening, and demand in other time zones. For example, the demand amount of the consumer, demand time, and eventually the profit of the electric power company can be controlled to some extent by the electric power company.

  By the way, a technique for controlling the charging and operation of an electric device has been proposed by paying attention to the current electricity billing system according to day and night. For example, an “electric vehicle charging control device” (see Patent Document 1) that determines a charging start time so that a plurality of cars can be charged in a cheap time zone (midnight) has been proposed. In addition, a technique for operating an electric device such as a washing machine at night when the electricity bill is low (see Patent Document 2) has been proposed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-80071 JP-A-6-165374

  For example, when charging an electric vehicle, it is necessary to consider the charging time zone if the electric charge is to be the lowest. However, as in the current rate system, the electricity rate is fixed and changes only in two categories, day and night, and in the conventional technology, the charge start time should be determined in order to charge in the lowest time zone = midnight. It is not possible to cope with the situation where a fee system according to time of day, time of day, or time zone that changes in real time is introduced. On the other hand, even if the customer himself / herself always asks the electric power company, etc., to grasp the charge according to the time zone that changes finely and performs the charging operation, including the time such as when going to bed at night, going out, traveling, It is very difficult to perform the charging operation efficiently in consideration of the time zone when the electricity price is the lowest. In addition, the conventional technology cannot cope with the situation where charging is performed at the lowest electricity price in consideration of various time-based charges after completion of charging until the time desired by the customer.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a main object thereof is to provide a technique for reducing the charging cost of an electric vehicle in consideration of various electric charges for different time zones.

  The electric vehicle charging control system of the present invention that solves the above problems includes a server and a smart meter. That is, the server is a storage unit for storing a time-based charge table storing information on electricity charges for each time zone, and a customer database storing the electric power consumer identification information and various customer information in association with each other, From a communication unit that communicates with another device via a network, from the input unit or from another terminal via the communication unit, the identification information of the customer specified by the customer and information on the desired charging completion time of the electric vehicle Receiving, reading the electricity rate information for each time zone up to the desired charging completion time from the rate table for each time zone, and sorting the read time zones in ascending order of the electricity rate to generate time zone column information , A scheduler unit that stores the information in the storage unit in association with the customer identification information, and reads out the time zone string information and the customer identification information associated with the information from the storage unit, and identifies the customer identification information The searches the address of the customer of the smart meter from the customer database to the key, and a schedule notification unit that transmits addressed to the address information of the time zone column as scheduled charging start time information.

  The smart meter receives the scheduled charging start time information from the communication unit that communicates with other devices via a network, a clock function unit that manages date and time information, and the server via the communication unit. In the storage unit, the clock function unit detects the arrival of the start time and the end time in order from the earliest arrival time among the time zones indicated by the scheduled charging start time information, and charges the electric vehicle A charging management unit that transmits a charging start instruction in accordance with the start time and a charge end instruction in accordance with the end time to the charging device to be performed via the communication unit.

  The electric vehicle charging control method of the present invention is characterized in that the server and the smart meter execute the following processing. That is, the server includes a storage unit for storing a charge table for each time zone that stores information on electricity charges for each time zone, and a customer database that stores the identification information of power consumers and various customer information in association with each other. A communication unit that communicates with other devices via a network, and the identification information of the customer specified by the consumer and the information on the desired charging completion time of the electric vehicle from the input unit or the communication unit The information on the electricity charges for each time zone up to the desired charging completion time is read from the charge table for each time zone, and the time zones read here are sorted in ascending order of the electricity bill to obtain a time zone string. And processing to store in the storage unit in association with the identification information of the customer, read out the information of the time zone string and the identification information of the customer associated with the information from the storage unit, the consumer Identification Broadcast to search the address of the customer of the smart meter from the customer database to the key, to perform the processing to be sent addressed to the address information of the time zone column as scheduled charging start time information.

  In addition, the smart meter includes a communication unit that communicates with another device via a network, and a clock function unit that manages date and time information. From the server via the communication unit, the charging start scheduled time information Are stored in the storage unit, the arrival of the start time and the end time is detected by the clock function unit in order from the earliest arrival time among the time zones indicated by the scheduled charging start time information, and the electric vehicle A process of transmitting a charging start instruction in accordance with the start time and a charge end instruction in accordance with the end time to the charging device that performs charging to the battery via the communication unit is executed.

  Further, the server of the present invention is a server device that configures the electric vehicle charging control system together with the smart meter, and includes a time zone fee table storing information on electricity rates by time zone, identification information of power consumers, A storage unit that stores a customer database that stores various customer information in association with each other, a communication unit that communicates with other devices via a network, identification information of the customer specified by the customer, and the electric vehicle The information on the desired charging completion time is received from the input unit or from another terminal via the communication unit, and the electricity rate information for each time period until the desired charging completion time is read from the charge table for each time period and read here Sorting each time zone in ascending order of electricity charges to generate time zone string information, associating it with the consumer identification information and storing it in a storage unit, and the time zone string Information and customer identification information associated with the information are read from the storage unit, the customer database is searched for the address of the customer's smart meter using the customer identification information as a key, and the information on the time zone column is charged. A schedule notifying unit that transmits to the address as the scheduled start time information.

  In addition, the smart meter of the present invention is an automatic metering device for electric energy that constitutes the electric vehicle charging control system together with the server, a communication unit that communicates with other devices via a network, and a clock function that manages date and time information Unit and a server via the communication unit, the charging start scheduled time information indicating the start and end times of electric vehicle charging for each time zone is received and stored in the storage unit, and the charging start scheduled time information indicates Starting from the earliest arrival time in each time zone, the clock function unit detects the arrival of the start time and the end time, and starts charging in accordance with the start time for the charging device that charges the electric vehicle A charge management unit that transmits an instruction and a charge end instruction in accordance with the end time via the communication unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the charging cost of an electric vehicle in consideration of various electric charges for different time zones.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the electric vehicle charging control system of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a data structure of the application information of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a data structure of the customer database of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a data structure of the charge table classified by time zone of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a data structure of the service provision database of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a memory | storage data structure in the smart meter of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the process flow example 1 of the electric vehicle charging control method of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the processing flow example 2 of the electric vehicle charging control method of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the process flow example 3 of the electric vehicle charging control method of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the process flow example 4 of the electric vehicle charging control method of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a scheduling concept of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the process flow example 5 of the electric vehicle charging control method of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the process flow example 6 of the electric vehicle charging control method of this embodiment.

--- System configuration ---
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a network configuration diagram including an electric vehicle charging control system 10 of the present embodiment. An electric vehicle charging control system 10 (hereinafter, system 10) illustrated in FIG. 1 is a computer system that reduces the charging cost of the electric vehicle 1 in consideration of various electric charges for different time zones.

  In the present embodiment, the system 10 includes a server 100 and a smart meter 200 as an example. The server 100 is a server device managed by an electric power company, and via a network 15 such as a WAN, the smart meter 200, the customer terminal 400, and the hourly fee system 500 (hourly) provided in the facility of the electric power consumer. It is possible to envisage a device that is connected to be communicable with a server device that manages the charge table data for each band.

  Among these, the smart meter 200 is an automatic metering device for the amount of electric power used installed in the facility of the customer, and is connected to the server 100 via the network 15 so as to be communicable. Although not specifically described, the smart meter 200 is naturally connected as an automatic meter-reading device for the amount of power used, and is electrically connected to a distribution board (= charge device 300) of a customer facility, and measures the amount of power used. And a function of periodically performing measurement value automatic transmission to the server 100 ("automatic meter reading device function" in FIG. 1). Further, the smart meter 200 is a device that obtains charging start time information from the server 100 and controls the distribution board 300 that is a charging device of the electric vehicle 1 in accordance with this information.

  On the other hand, the customer terminal 400 is a computer terminal used by the customer, and is a terminal for notifying the server 100 of a desired charging completion time for the electric vehicle 1 = a desired charging completion time.

  In addition, the hourly fee system 500 manages hourly fee table data for the corresponding electric power company, and notifies the server 100 of the updated contents every time the hourly fee table update process occurs. It is a server device.

  Next, the configuration of each device included in the network 15 will be described. The server 100 is a server device that constitutes the system 10. The server 100 includes a storage unit 101, a RAM 103, a control unit 104 such as a CPU, and a communication unit 107 connected to each other by a BUS. The storage unit 101 stores at least an hourly charge table 125 storing information on electricity charges by time period, and a customer database 126 storing the identification information of electric power consumers and various customer information in association with each other. Has been.

  The server 100 is executed by the control unit 104 by reading the program 102 stored in the storage unit 101 such as a hard disk drive into a volatile memory such as the RAM 103. Further, the server 100 may include an input unit 105 such as various keyboards and buttons generally provided in a computer device, and an output unit 106 such as a display as necessary.

  Further, the server 100 includes a communication unit 107 such as a NIC (Network Interface Card) for exchanging data with other devices, the smart meter 200, the customer terminal 400, the hourly fee system 500, and the network 15. It is possible to communicate via.

  Next, functional units that the server 100 configures and holds in the storage unit 101 based on the program 102 will be described. The server 100 receives from the input unit 105 or the customer terminal 400 via the communication unit 107 the identification information of the customer specified by the customer and information on the desired charging completion time of the electric vehicle 1. Then, the electricity rate information for each time zone until the desired charging completion time is read from the time zone charge table 125, and the read time zones are sorted in ascending order of the electricity rate to generate time zone column information. And a scheduler unit 110 that stores the information in the storage unit 101 in association with the customer identification information.

  Further, the server 100 reads out the information of the time zone string and the identification information of the customer associated therewith from the storage unit 101, and uses the customer identification information as a key to read out the customer smart meter from the customer database 126. For example, the IP address 200 includes a schedule notification unit 111 that searches for an IP address and transmits the information on the time zone string to the IP address as charging start scheduled time information.

  Note that the storage unit 101 of the server 100 may store information on the maximum battery capacity of the battery 4 of the electric vehicle 1 of the corresponding consumer as various customer information of the power consumer in the customer database 126.

  In this case, the scheduler unit 110 of the server 100 receives the identification information of the customer specified by the customer and information on the desired charging completion time of the electric vehicle 1 from the input unit 105 or via the communication unit 107. Received from the customer terminal 400, the information on the maximum battery capacity in the battery 4 of the electric vehicle 1 of the consumer is read from the customer database 126, and the electricity rate information of each time zone until the desired charging completion time is the time zone. Read from the separate charge table 126, sort the read time zones in ascending order of the electricity bill, and multiply the duration of each time zone by the amount of power supplied to the customer in the order of the smaller electricity bill. The amount of charge is calculated, and the time zone when the total amount of charge in each time zone reaches the maximum battery capacity is specified as the last time zone. Generates time zone information column from the time zone of the power rate minimum to strip the last time, it is preferred to that stored in the storage unit 101 in association with the customer identification information.

  In addition, the scheduler unit 110 of the server 100 receives an update notification of the hourly rate table 125 from the other device that manages the information of the electricity rate by hour = the hourly fee system 500, and the update notification is received. In accordance with the change contents to be shown, the information on the electricity rate in the corresponding time zone is updated in the time zone price list 125 of the storage unit 101, and the customer whose update time zone is included in the time zone column is stored in the memory. The information of the time zone string is regenerated based on the updated time zone fee table 125 for the customer specified by the unit 101 and stored in the storage unit 101 in association with the consumer identification information. You may do that.

  In this case, the schedule notification unit 111 of the server 100 reads out information on the regenerated time zone string and customer identification information associated with the information from the storage unit 101, and uses the customer identification information as a key for the customer. It is preferable to search the IP address of the smart meter 200 of the customer from the database 126 and transmit the regenerated information of the time zone string to the IP address as the scheduled charging start time information.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the server 100 generates the scheduled charging start time information has been shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this form. The database 126 may be held and the charging start scheduled time information may be generated.

  On the other hand, as described above, the smart meter 200 is an automatic metering device for the amount of electric power used installed in a customer's facility, and is connected to the server 100 via the network 15 so as to be communicable. . Although not specifically described, the smart meter 200 is naturally connected as an automatic meter-reading device for power consumption, and is electrically connected to a distribution board 300 or the like of a customer facility to measure power consumption and measurement to the server 100. It has a function to perform automatic value transmission periodically. The smart meter 200 is a device that obtains the scheduled charging start time information 225 from the server 100 and controls the distribution board 300 that is a charging device of the electric vehicle 1 according to this information.

  Therefore, the smart meter 200 includes a control unit 204 such as a CPU, a storage unit 201, a RAM 203, a communication unit 207, and a clock function unit 208 that manages date and time information, which are connected to each other by a BUS. In the storage unit 201, scheduled charging start time information 225 is stored. Such a smart meter 200 is executed by the control unit 204 by reading the program 202 stored in the storage unit 201, which is a nonvolatile storage device, into a volatile memory such as the RAM 203. The smart meter 200 may include an input unit 205 such as various keyboards and buttons generally provided in a computer device, and an output unit 206 such as a display as necessary. The communication unit 207 is a NIC (Network Interface Card) that exchanges data with the server 100, and can communicate with the server 100 via a network.

  Next, functional units that the smart meter 200 configures and holds in the storage unit 201 based on, for example, the program 202 will be described. The smart meter 200 receives the scheduled charging start time information 225 from the server 100 via the communication unit 207, stores it in the storage unit 201, and includes each time zone indicated by the scheduled charging start time information 225. In order from the earliest arrival time, the clock function unit 208 detects the arrival of the start time and the end time, and the distribution panel 300 that is a charging device for charging the electric vehicle 1 is adjusted to the start time. A charge management unit 210 that transmits a charge start instruction and a charge end instruction in accordance with the end time via the communication unit 207 is provided.

  The charge management unit 210 of the smart meter 200 is configured such that when the plug 2 of the distribution board 300 serving as a charging device is connected to the charging outlet 3 of the electric vehicle 1, the distribution board 300 passes through the plug 2. It is also possible to receive information on the remaining battery level of the battery 4 of the electric vehicle 1 detected from the distribution board 300 and notify the server 100 of the remaining battery level information together with consumer identification information. In this case, the distribution board 300 is connected to the sensor line 6 connected to the output end of the battery 4 when the plug 2 is connected to the charging outlet 3 of the electric vehicle 1. The output value (voltage or current) of the battery 4 of the electric vehicle 1 is measured by the predetermined sensor 308 via the outlet 3 and the plug 2. Then, the communication unit 307 notifies the smart meter 200 of the output value measured here or the ratio of the output value to the predetermined reference value as the remaining battery level. The communication unit 307 has various data processing functions (programs, arithmetic devices, etc.) in advance.

  In this case, the scheduler unit 110 of the server 100 receives the identification information of the customer specified by the customer and information on the desired charging completion time of the electric vehicle 1 from the input unit 105 or via the communication unit 107. Received from the consumer terminal 400 and received information on the remaining battery level notified from the smart meter 200 about the customer, and information on the maximum battery capacity in the battery 4 of the consumer's electric vehicle 1 is received from the customer database 126. From the charge table 125 for each time period until the charge completion desired time is read from the charge table for each time period, and the read time periods are sorted in ascending order of the electric charge, The amount of charge in each time slot is calculated by multiplying the duration of each time slot in turn by the amount of power supplied to the customer. The time period when the total reaches the required charge amount obtained by subtracting the remaining battery amount from the maximum battery capacity is specified as the final time period, and the time period from the minimum time period of the electric charge to the final time period It is preferable that the information of the band is generated and stored in the storage unit 101 in association with the customer identification information.

  Further, the charge management unit 210 of the smart meter 200 detects the distribution board 300 detected via the plug 2 from the distribution board 300 in which the plug 2 is connected to the charging outlet 3 of the electric vehicle 1. Information on the remaining amount of battery in the battery 4 of the electric vehicle 1 is received from the distribution board 300, and when the information on the remaining amount of battery exceeds a predetermined reference value, an instruction to end charging is sent via the communication unit 207. It may be transmitted to the distribution board 300.

  In addition, the charge management unit 210 of the smart meter 200 notifies the distribution board 300 that a state where the plug 2 of the distribution board 300 is connected to the charging outlet 3 of the electric vehicle 1 is detected. The time when the notification is received may be notified to the server 100 together with the identification information of the customer as the plug insertion time. For this reason, the distribution board 300 detects whether or not the plug 2 is connected to the charging outlet 3 of the electric vehicle 1 and can be energized by the predetermined sensor 308, and the communication unit 307 detects the detection result smartly. It is transmitted to the meter 200.

  In this case, the scheduler unit 110 of the server 100 receives the plug insertion time information notified of the customer from the smart meter 200, and each time slot from the plug insertion time to the desired charging completion time. It is preferable to read out the electricity bill information from the charge table by time zone 125 and sort the read time zones in ascending order of the electricity bill.

  In addition, the charging management unit 210 of the smart meter 200 receives the regenerated scheduled charging start time information 225 from the server 100 via the communication unit 207, and the regenerated scheduled charging start time information. 225, the charging start scheduled time information stored so far in the storage unit 201 is updated, and starting from the earliest arrival time in each time zone indicated by the updated charging start scheduled time information 225 The clock function unit 208 detects the arrival of the time and the end time, and instructs the distribution board 300 that charges the electric vehicle 1 to start the charge according to the start time and the charge end instruction according to the end time. Is preferably transmitted via the communication unit 207.

  The charging start instruction and the charging end instruction sent from the smart meter 200 to the distribution board 300 are received by the communication unit 307 of the distribution board 300 and given to the distribution panel switch 305 from the communication unit 307. This is an on / off switching instruction. In this case, the charging start instruction is an ON command to the distribution board switch 305 provided in the distribution board 300, and the charging end instruction is an OFF command to the distribution board switch 305 provided in the distribution board 300. Become. When the distribution board switch 305 is turned on, a current from the system power supply 30 is supplied to the plug 2 through the distribution board 300, and the charging outlet 3 of the electric vehicle 1 to which the plug 2 is connected is connected to the outlet 2. Current flows in. The current flowing into the charging outlet 3 is converted into a direct current via the AC-DC converter 5 of the electric vehicle 1 and then supplied to the battery 4. That is, charging is performed. On the other hand, when the distribution board switch 305 is turned off, the current from the system power supply 30 is cut off, and the charging of the battery 4 of the electric vehicle 1 is stopped.

  Each of the units 110 to 111 in the server 100 constituting the system 10 and the charge management unit 210 in the smart meter 200 described so far may be realized as hardware, or a memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) in each device. It may be realized as a program stored in an appropriate storage unit. In this case, a control unit such as a CPU of each device reads the corresponding program from the storage unit in accordance with the program execution and executes it.

--- Data structure example ---
Next, a data structure example such as a database used by the server 100 and the smart meter 200 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a data structure example of the application information 40 according to the present embodiment. The application information 40 is service application data transmitted from the customer terminal 400 of the consumer who is the owner of the electric vehicle 1 to the server 100 that provides the electric vehicle charging control service. It can also be said that the server 100 is necessary information when the electric vehicle charging control is performed. This application information 40 includes, for example, information such as a customer's name, address, vehicle type information of the owned electric vehicle 1, and a login password.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the customer database 126 of this embodiment. The customer database 126 is a database that stores customer identification information and various customer information in association with each other based on the application information 40 and the like. The customer database 126 is a collection of records in which data such as a customer name, a customer address, an electric vehicle ID, vehicle type information, a maximum battery capacity, a login password, and meter information is associated with the customer ID as a key. It has become. The customer ID can be assumed to be extracted from the existing customer management system or the like using the customer name and address of the application information 40 as a key in the electric power company, but for each customer based on the application information 40 A unique number can be assumed. Each data of the customer name, customer address, vehicle type information, and login password is transferred from the application information 40. On the other hand, the electric vehicle ID can be assumed to be uniquely assigned for each vehicle type information included in the application information 40.

  In addition, the maximum battery capacity is, for example, that the server 100 has data such as a performance list of each electric vehicle in the storage unit 101 in advance, and the maximum battery of the corresponding electric vehicle 1 using the vehicle type information of the application information 40 as a key. It can be assumed that capacity information is extracted from the performance list data and set. Alternatively, it can be assumed that the server 100 transmits a request for the maximum battery capacity using the vehicle type information of the application information 40 as a key to a server of the automobile company, and obtains a response from the server of the automobile company. Alternatively, the administrator of the server 100 that has recognized the vehicle type of the electric vehicle 1 based on the vehicle type information inquires the vehicle company about the maximum battery capacity of the corresponding vehicle type, acquires the corresponding information, and inputs it through the input unit 105 It can also be assumed.

  The meter information is, for example, the IP address of the smart meter 200 in the network 15. For example, the server 100 includes a list of IP addresses of the smart meters 200 of each customer in the storage unit 101 in advance. It can be assumed that the IP address of the smart meter 200 of the corresponding customer is extracted from the list and set using the customer name and customer address of the application information 40 as a key. Alternatively, the server 100 manages an IP address request using the customer name, customer address, etc. of the application information 40 as a key, for the management system of the smart meter 200 (= the electric power company manages the management of the smart meter 200) It is also possible to assume that an answer is obtained from the management system and set.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the hourly fee table 125 according to this embodiment. This hourly rate table 125 is a table that stores information on electricity rates by hour. In the example shown here, it is a table corresponding to a charge system in which the electricity charge changes for each time zone having a width of 3 hours. Of course, this is just an example, and the width of the time zone may be anything corresponding to the charge system determined by the power company.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the service providing database 127 of this embodiment. The service providing database 127 is a database that mainly stores the scheduled charging start time information 225 that is information generated by the server 100 for the electric vehicle charging control. The service providing database 127 is a record in which data such as a plug insertion time, scheduled charging start time information 225, and a desired charging completion time are associated with, for example, a customer ID and password common to those in the customer database 126. It is an aggregate of. The plug insertion time is data transmitted from the charge management unit 210 of the smart meter 200.

  The plug insertion time data is received from the distribution board 300 as a notification that an energized state where the plug 2 of the distribution board 300 is connected to the charging outlet 3 of the electric vehicle 1 is detected. The charge management unit 210 of the smart meter 200 notifies the server 100 together with the customer identification information as the plug insertion time as the time when the notification is received. Meanwhile, the scheduler unit 110 of the server 100 stores the plug insertion time information notified from the smart meter 200 in the corresponding record of the service providing database 127 based on the customer identification information = customer ID. It is.

  The scheduled charging start time information 225 is information generated by the scheduler unit 110 and stored in the service providing database 127. The desired charging completion time is, for example, information on the desired charging completion time of the electric vehicle 1 designated by the customer, which has been transmitted from the customer terminal 400 or received an input by the input unit 105.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a storage data structure in the smart meter 200 of the present embodiment. The data shown in this figure is an example of data stored in the storage unit 201 of the smart meter 200. For example, with a meter ID 222 for uniquely identifying the smart meter itself as a key, a customer ID 223 indicating a customer who is a user of the installation facility of the smart meter 200 (with the customer database 126 and the service providing database 127) Common), plug insertion time 224, scheduled charging start time information 225, and battery remaining amount information 226.

  The plug insertion time 224 is received from the distribution board 300 when the smart device has received a notification to the effect that it has detected that the plug 2 of the distribution board 300 is connected to the charging outlet 3 of the electric vehicle 1. Data set by the charge management unit 210 of the meter 200. The scheduled charging start time information 225 is received by the smart meter 200 from the server 100 and stored. The battery remaining amount information 226 is stored in the distribution board 300 when the charge management unit 210 of the smart meter 200 connects the plug 2 of the distribution board 300 to the charging outlet 3 of the electric vehicle 1. Is received from the distribution board 300 and stored in the battery 4 information of the battery 4 of the electric vehicle 1 detected through the plug 2.

--- Example of processing procedure 1 ---
Hereinafter, the actual procedure of the electric vehicle charging control method according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Various operations corresponding to the electric vehicle charging control method described below are realized by a program that is read out and executed in the RAM of the server 100 or the smart meter 200 constituting the system 10. And this program is comprised from the code | cord | chord for performing the various operation | movement demonstrated below.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow example 1 of the electric vehicle charging control method according to the present embodiment. Here, it is assumed that the application information 40 is transmitted (s100) from the customer terminal 400 of the customer who is the owner of the electric vehicle 1 to the server 100 that provides the electric vehicle charging control service. . In this case, the server 100 receives the application information 40 sent from the customer terminal 400, generates a new record in the customer database 126, and registers the data included in the application information 40 (s101).

  In response to this, the server 100 stores the customer information and smart meter information in the existing customer management system and smart meter management system using, for example, the name and address of the customer included in the application information 40 as a key. Make an inquiry. In response to this inquiry, the customer management system and the smart meter management system identify the record including the name, address, etc. of the consumer in the data in the storage device, and store the data included in the record in the server 100. return.

  On the other hand, the server 100 receives the data from the management system (s102) and registers the customer in the new record generated in the customer database 126 (s103). The data received from the management system includes, for example, a customer ID and meter information (IP address). In addition, the information acquisition and setting of the electric vehicle ID and the maximum battery capacity are as described in the description of the data structure example.

  Subsequently, the server 100 reads the program constituting the charge management unit 210 from the storage unit 101 and distributes it to the meter information = IP address stored in the customer database 126 in the step s103 (s104). In this case, of course, it is assumed that the server 100 includes a program that configures the charge management unit 210 in the storage unit 101 in advance.

  On the other hand, the smart meter 200 receives the distribution of the program from the server 100, temporarily stores it in its own RAM 203 or storage unit 201 (s105), and the CPU 204 executes an installation process in the storage unit 201. When this installation process is completed, the smart meter 200 returns an installation completion notification to the server 100 (s106).

  On the other hand, the server 100 receives the installation completion notification from the smart meter 200, determines that all registration processes related to the customer are completed, and transmits a service start notification to the customer terminal 400 (s107). The customer terminal 400 receives the service start notification and displays it on the display or the like (s108), and the process ends.

--- Processing procedure example 2 ---
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow example 2 of the electric vehicle charging control method according to the present embodiment. Next, generation and notification processing of scheduled charging start time information will be mainly described. For example, in the consumer electric vehicle 1, it is assumed that the plug 2 of the distribution board 300 is connected to the charging outlet 3. At this time, the distribution board 300 detects whether or not the plug 2 is connected to the charging outlet 3 of the electric vehicle 1 and the energization is possible by using a predetermined sensor 308 (for example, a sensor for detecting energization). The communication unit 307 transmits the detection result to the smart meter 200. Further, the distribution board 300 is connected to the charging outlet 3 connected to the output line of the battery 4 when the plug 2 is connected to the charging outlet 3 of the electric vehicle 1. The output value (voltage or current) of the battery 4 of the electric vehicle 1 is measured by the predetermined sensor 308 through the plug 3 and the plug 2. Then, the communication unit 307 notifies the smart meter 200 of the output value measured here or the ratio of the output value to the predetermined reference value as the remaining battery level.

  On the other hand, the charge management unit 210 of the smart meter 200 notifies the distribution board 300 that a state where the plug 2 of the distribution board 300 is connected to the charging outlet 3 of the electric vehicle 1 is detected. And the information on the remaining battery level in the battery 4 of the electric vehicle 1 is received, and the date and time when the notification of the energized state is received is set as the plug insertion time, and is stored in the storage unit 201 together with the remaining battery level information. (S200). In addition, the charging management unit 210 notifies the server 100 of information on the plug insertion time and the battery remaining amount together with the customer ID as identification information of the customer (s201).

  On the other hand, the scheduler unit 110 of the server 100 receives the plug insertion time and battery remaining amount information notified from the smart meter 200 together with the customer ID, and stores the information in the service providing database 127 of the storage unit 101 ( s202).

  Here, it is assumed that the consumer desires to complete the charging of the electric vehicle 1 within a few days from now. At this time, the customer terminal 400 accesses the server 100 to instruct a request for setting a desired charging completion time. The customer terminal 400 receives the customer's instruction with an input unit such as a keyboard or a mouse, and transmits it to the server 100 via the network 15 (s203).

  The server 100 receives the request for setting the desired charging completion time from the customer terminal 400, and in response to this, reads out the data of the setting screen for the desired charging completion time from the storage unit 101 and sends it back (s204). The customer terminal 400 receives this setting screen data and displays it on an output unit such as a display, and accepts the input of the desired charging completion time from the customer at the input unit. The customer terminal 400 receives an input of the desired charging completion time from the customer at the input unit and transmits it to the server 100 (s205).

  The server 100 receives data on the desired charging completion time from the customer terminal 400 and stores it in the service providing database 127 of the storage unit 101 (s206). Following this, the scheduler unit 110 of the server 100 generates the time period string information = the scheduled charging start time information 225 and stores it in the service provision database 127 of the storage unit 101 in association with the customer ID. (S207). Details of the process for generating the scheduled charging start time information 225 will be described later.

  In addition, the schedule notifying unit 111 of the server 100 reads the time zone information = charge start scheduled time information 225 and the customer ID corresponding to the information from the service providing database 127 of the storage unit 101, and the customer ID The customer database 126 is searched for the IP address of the customer's smart meter 200 using as a key, and the scheduled charging start time information 225 is transmitted to the IP address (s208).

  Meanwhile, the charging management unit 210 of the smart meter 200 receives the scheduled charging start time information 225 from the server 100 via the communication unit 207 and stores it in the storage unit 201 (s209). Subsequent processing in the smart meter 200 that has received the scheduled charging start time information 225 from the server 100 will be described later.

--- Processing procedure example 3 ---
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow example 3 of the electric vehicle charging control method according to the present embodiment. Next, a process in which the server 100 acquires the hourly fee table 125 will be described. In this case, the hourly fee system 500 periodically transmits the data of the hourly fee table 125 stored in its storage unit to the server 100, for example (s250). The hourly fee system 500 may detect when the hourly fee table 125 is updated and transmit the data of the hourly fee table 125 to the server 100.

  Meanwhile, the scheduler unit 110 of the server 100 receives the data of the hourly fee table 125 from the hourly fee system 500 and stores it in the storage unit 101 (s251). In addition, when the server 100 receives the update notification of the hourly fee table 125 from the hourly fee system 500, the server 100 charges according to the hour of the storage unit 101 according to the change contents indicated by the update notification. In table 125, the information on the electricity bill for the corresponding time zone may be updated.

--- Processing procedure example 4 ---
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow example 4 of the electric vehicle charging control method according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a scheduling concept example according to the present embodiment. Next, the step s207 (generation of charging start scheduled time information) in the processing flow example 2 will be described. In this case, the scheduler unit 110 of the server 100 from the plug insertion time for the consumer (obtained from the smart meter 200 in step s202) to the desired charge completion time (obtained from the customer terminal 400 in step s206). The electricity rate information of each time zone is read from the hourly rate table 125, and the read time zones are sorted in ascending order of the electricity rate (s300).

  In the “electricity rate information for each time zone from plug insertion time to desired charging completion time” illustrated in FIG. It can be seen that 16 time zones from 1 to 16 were included between the plug insertion time and the desired charging completion time. In the time zone fee table 125 illustrated in FIG. 1 to 8 corresponds to a one-day cycle. If the time from the plug insertion time to the desired charging completion time is longer than one day, the time zone No. 1 to 8 are repeatedly used. Therefore, in order to distinguish the time zone that appears repeatedly, here, the time zone No. For the time zones from 1 to 8, the time zone No is incremented by one. In addition, in the “result sorted in ascending order of the electricity bill” illustrated in FIG. As a result of sorting the 16 time zones from 1 to 16 in ascending order of electricity charges, the time zone No. 8, 16, 1, 9, 7, 15, 2, 10, 6, 14, 3, 5, 11, 13, 4, and 12 are shown.

  Subsequently, the scheduler unit 110 of the server 100 determines the duration of each time zone (in this embodiment, “3 hours”) and the amount of electric power supplied to the customer (eg, with the customer) The charge amount is calculated by multiplying by a predetermined value that is predetermined by the contract and held in the storage unit 101) (s301). In the example of the present embodiment, the time zone No. The charge amount is calculated in the order of 8, 16, 1, 9, 7, 15, 2,. The scheduler unit 110 firstly sets the time zone number. 8 is calculated, and the calculated value is compared with the required charge amount. It is determined whether the calculated value for 8 is equal to the charged amount (s302). If the calculated value = charge amount satisfies the required charge amount (s302: Yes), the scheduler unit 110 shifts the process to step s303.

  On the other hand, the required charge amount is set to the time zone No. 8 is equal to the calculated value = charge amount is not satisfied (s302: No), the scheduler unit 110 then sets the time zone No. 16 is calculated, and the time zone No. 16 is calculated. Steps s301 to s302 are repeatedly executed until the required amount of charge can be satisfied with the total value. The required charge amount is calculated by the scheduler unit 110 by reading out information on the maximum battery capacity in the battery 4 of the consumer's electric vehicle 1 and information on the remaining battery capacity from the customer database 126, and determining the maximum battery capacity. This is a value calculated by subtracting the remaining battery amount from.

  On the other hand, when the required charge amount can be satisfied with the total value (s302: Yes), the scheduler unit 110 specifies the time zone at the time when the required charge amount is satisfied with the total value as the final time zone ( s303). In the “result sorted in ascending order of electricity charges” illustrated in FIG. 11, as a result of the execution of step s303, the time zone No. 8, 16, 1, 9, 7, 15, 2, 10, 6, 14. 7 shows the situation where the required charge amount can be satisfied. That is, the “last time zone” in this case is the time zone No. 7 time zone.

  The scheduler unit 110 is configured such that the electricity bill minimum time zone = time zone No. 8 to last time zone = time zone No. 7 (time zone No. 8, 16, 1, 9, 7) is generated (s304), and charging is started in the service provision database 127 of the storage unit 101 in association with the customer ID. Stored as the scheduled time information 225 (s305). Note that, as in the “actual charging schedule” illustrated in FIG. 11, the scheduler unit 110 has the minimum electricity bill time zone = time zone number. 8 to last time zone = time zone No. It is preferable that the time zone string up to 7 is rearranged in the order of the arrival time from the lowest order of the electric charges, and the result of the rearrangement is stored in the service providing database 127 as the scheduled charging start time information 225.

  Subsequently, the schedule notifying unit 111 of the server 100 reads out the charging start scheduled time information 225 as information of the time zone string and the customer ID corresponding to the information from the service providing database 127 of the storage unit 101, and the customer ID The customer database 126 is searched for the IP address of the customer's smart meter 200 using the key as a key, and the scheduled charging start time information 225 is transmitted to the IP address (s306).

  In the above example, in step s300, the electricity rate information for each time period from the plug insertion time to the desired charge completion time for the customer is read from the time-based charge table 125, Although the example of sorting the time zones in ascending order of the electricity charges is shown, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the electricity fee information for each time zone from the current time point to the desired charging completion time is obtained from the hourly fee table 125. It is also possible to read out and sort the read time zones in ascending order of electricity charges.

  Further, instead of sorting the time zones in ascending order of electricity charges, for example, the time zones may be sorted in the order in which a large amount of power is generated by a power generation method with a low environmental load or power generation cost. In this case, the server 100 holds data on the environmental load or power generation cost for the power supplied in each time zone in the hourly rate table 125.

  Similarly, in the above example, in the step s302, the calculated or total charge amount is compared with the required charge amount, and an example in which the calculated value or the total value satisfies the required charge amount is shown. For example, the information on the maximum battery capacity in the battery 4 of the electric vehicle 1 of the consumer is read from the customer database 126, and the maximum battery capacity is compared with the calculated or total charge amount. May be determined whether the calculated value or the total value satisfies.

  Alternatively, the scheduler unit 110 does not execute the steps s301 to s303, and only sets information in which each time zone from the current time point to the desired charging completion time is sorted in ascending order of the electric charge. It may be transmitted to the smart meter 200 as 225. In smart meter 200, in order from the earliest time zone included in the scheduled charging start time information 225 to the earliest, only charge start and charge end notification processing corresponding to the corresponding time zone is executed on distribution board 300. This is because (when the battery 4 of the electric vehicle 1 is fully charged, the distribution board 300 or the electric vehicle 1 itself detects this and ends the charging).

--- Processing procedure example 5 ---
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow example 5 of the electric vehicle charging control method according to the present embodiment. Next, a description will be given of a response process when a change occurs in the hourly fee table 125. In this case, the scheduler unit 110 of the server 100 includes an update notification of the hourly rate table 125 (eg, the time zone number to be changed and the data of the changed electricity rate) from the hourly fee system 500. ) And the information on the electricity bill in the corresponding time zone is updated in the hourly rate chart 125 of the storage unit 101 according to the change content indicated by the update notification (s350).

  In addition, the scheduler unit 110 identifies a customer who includes the time zone to be updated in the time zone column, that is, the charging start scheduled time information 225, in the service provision database 127 of the storage unit 101 (s351). For example, the time zone to be updated is the time zone No. 8, the scheduler unit 110 sets the time zone number. 8 is used as a key to search the charging start scheduled time information 225 of each customer, and the time zone No. 8 is searched. The customer ID of the customer including 8 in the scheduled charging start time information 225 is specified.

  Next, the scheduler unit 110 regenerates the scheduled charging start time information 225 for the identified consumer based on the updated price list for each time zone 125 and associates it with the consumer ID of the consumer. The service is stored in the service provision database 127 of the storage unit 101 (s352).

  In this case, the schedule notifying unit 111 of the server 100 reads the regenerated scheduled charging start time information 225 and the customer ID of the customer associated therewith from the service providing database 127 of the storage unit 101, and the customer ID As a key, the customer database 126 is searched for the IP address of the smart meter 200 of the customer (s353). In addition, the schedule notifying unit 111 transmits the regenerated scheduled charging start time information 225 to the IP address (s354).

  On the other hand, the charging management unit 210 of the smart meter 200 receives the regenerated scheduled charging start time information 225 from the server 100 via the communication unit 207, and the regenerated scheduled charging start time information. By 225, the charging start scheduled time information stored so far in the storage unit 201 is updated (s355). In addition, the charge management unit 210 detects the arrival of the start time and the end time in order from the earliest arrival time among the time zones indicated by the updated charge start scheduled time information 225, and the clock function unit 208 detects the arrival time. A charge start instruction that matches the start time and a charge end instruction that matches the end time are transmitted to the distribution board 300 that charges the electric vehicle 1 via the communication unit 207 (s356).

  If such processing is executed, the charging control for the electric vehicle 1 is efficiently and reliably executed even in a situation where the so-called real pricing is applied, in which the hourly charge table 125 is updated in real time. it can.

--- Example of processing procedure 6 ---
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow example 6 of the electric vehicle charging control method according to the present embodiment. Next, processing in the smart meter 200 that has received the charge start scheduled time information 225 will be mainly described. In this case, the schedule notification unit 111 of the server 100 transmits the scheduled charging start time information 225 to the smart meter 200 (s400).

  Meanwhile, the charge management unit 210 of the smart meter 200 receives the scheduled charging start time information 225 from the server 100 via the communication unit 207 and stores it in the storage unit 201 (s401). In addition, the charge management unit 210 detects the arrival of the start time and the end time in order from the earliest arrival time among the time zones indicated by the scheduled charge start time information 225 by the clock function unit 208. In the above example, the scheduled charging start time information 225 includes the time zone No. 8, 16, 9, 7 information is included, and the arrival time of the earliest time = the earliest arrival time of the time zone No. 1 time zone. Speaking in the order of arrival time, the time zone is the time zone number. The order is 1, 7, 8, 9, 16.

  Therefore, the charge management unit 210 first sets the time zone No. to the distribution board 300 that charges the electric vehicle 1. 1 is transmitted to the distribution board 300 via the communication unit 207 (s402).

  On the other hand, the communication unit 307 of the distribution board 300 receives the charging start instruction from the smart meter 200 and instructs the distribution board switch 305 to switch on (s403). The distribution board switch 305 is turned on in response to this instruction, and the current from the system power supply 30 is supplied to the plug 2 via the distribution board 300, and the electric vehicle 1 to which the plug 2 is connected is charged. The current flows into the power outlet 3. The current flowing into the charging outlet 3 is converted into a direct current via the AC-DC converter 5 of the electric vehicle 1 and then supplied to the battery 4. That is, charging is performed.

  In addition, the distribution board 300 transmits information on the remaining battery level in the battery 4 of the electric vehicle 1 detected through the plug 2 to the smart meter 200 (s404). The charge management unit 210 of the smart meter 200 receives the information on the remaining battery level from the distribution board 300 (s405), and the information on the remaining battery level does not exceed a predetermined reference value (s406: No). , The time zone No. 1 is determined by the clock function unit 208, and if the end time (= 4: 00) has not yet arrived (s407: No), the process returns to step s405, Continue receiving battery level information.

  On the other hand, the remaining battery information does not exceed the predetermined reference value (s406: No), and the time zone No. 1 has arrived (= 4: 00) (s407: Yes), the charge management unit 210 returns the process to step s402, and sends the time zone No. 1 to the distribution board 300. 1 is transmitted through the communication unit 207 in accordance with the end time of 1 (= 4: 00).

  Thereafter, the charging management unit 210 is configured to display the time zone No. The time zone No. 7 start time (= 19: 00) is detected by the clock function unit 208, and a charging start instruction according to the detected time is transmitted to the distribution board 300 via the communication unit 207 (s402). The communication unit 307 of the distribution board 300 receives the charging start instruction from the smart meter 200 and instructs the distribution board switch 305 to switch on (s403). In addition, the distribution board 300 transmits information on the remaining battery level in the battery 4 of the electric vehicle 1 detected through the plug 2 to the smart meter 200 (s404). The charge management unit 210 of the smart meter 200 receives the information on the remaining battery level from the distribution board 300 (s405), and the information on the remaining battery level does not exceed a predetermined reference value (s406: No). Then, the processing after step s407 is repeated.

  On the other hand, when the information on the remaining battery level exceeds a predetermined reference value, that is, when the battery is fully charged (s406: Yes), the charge management unit 210 of the smart meter 200 notifies the distribution board 300 of a charge end instruction (s408). ). The communication unit 307 of the distribution board 300 receives the charging end instruction, instructs the distribution field switch 305 to switch off (s409), and ends the process.

  In the above example, the distribution board 300 transmits information on the remaining battery level in the battery 4 of the electric vehicle 1 detected via the plug 2 to the smart meter 200, and in response to the information, the smart meter 200. The charge management unit 210 determines that full charge has been reached, and notifies the distribution board 300 of a charge end instruction. In addition to this example, for example, the electric vehicle 1 itself senses the battery remaining amount (for example, output voltage value) in the battery 4 with a predetermined sensor (for example, a voltmeter connected to the output terminal of the battery 4). It is determined by a vehicle-mounted computer or the like whether a predetermined standard (output voltage value at full charge) has been reached, and when it is determined that the battery is fully charged, the electrical connection with the distribution board 300 is determined by a predetermined switch (of course, the power distribution). It may be possible to terminate charging by shutting off between the panel 300 and the AC-DC converter 5 or between the AC-DC converter 5 and the battery 4.

  Further, not only an example in which all smart meters 200 of each customer are directly connected to the network 15 such as a WAN, but also, for example, an outdoor server (for example, a power pole or the like) provided for each predetermined area. On the other hand, only the smart meter 200 of a certain consumer A is directly connected, and the smart meters 200 of other consumers in the predetermined area are connected in series starting from the smart meter 200 of the consumer A. An example can be assumed. In this case, the data sent from the server 100 to the smart meter 200 of the consumer A is naturally transmitted directly to the smart meter 200 of the consumer A via the outdoor server.

  On the other hand, each data sent to the smart meter 200 of the consumer other than the consumer A is sent via the outdoor server as a data group for the consumer group (= all consumers other than the consumer A located in the predetermined area). Is transmitted to the smart meter 200 of the customer A once. The smart meter 200 of the customer A holds only the IP address of the smart meter 200 of the adjacent customer B in the storage unit 201 and transmits the data group to the IP address of the customer B. The smart meter 200 of the customer B receives the data group, acquires only data associated with its customer ID, and transmits the other data group to the smart meter 200 of the adjacent customer C ( Of course, the smart meter 200 of the customer B holds only the IP address of the smart meter 200 of the customer C in the storage unit). Further, the smart meter 200 of the customer C receives the data group, acquires only data associated with its customer ID, and transmits the other data group to the smart meter 200 of the adjacent customer D. To do. In this way, necessary data is transmitted from the server 100 to the smart meter 200 of each customer located in the predetermined area. On the other hand, when data is transmitted from the smart meter 200 of each consumer to the server 100, for example, the smart meter 200 of the consumer C is addressed to the IP address of the consumer B and is associated with its own customer ID. Send. The smart meter 200 of the customer B receives the data, and transmits data associated with its own customer ID to the smart meter 200 of the consumer A adjacent to the data. The smart meter 200 of the customer A transmits the data of the customers C and B together with the data associated with the customer ID to the server 100 via the outdoor server. If such a data transmission method is adopted, the traffic amount in the network 15 between the server 100 and the smart meter 200 can be reduced, and the communication cost is reduced. Since the communication cost can be considered as one of the charging costs of the electric vehicle, the reduction of the communication cost eventually leads to a reduction in the charging cost of the electric vehicle.

  The electric vehicle charging control system of the present embodiment may have the following configuration. That is, the storage unit of the server may store information on the maximum battery capacity in the electric vehicle of the corresponding consumer as various customer information of the power consumer in the customer database.

  In this case, the scheduler unit of the server receives the identification information of the customer specified by the customer and the information on the desired charging completion time of the electric vehicle from the input unit or from another terminal via the communication unit, The information on the maximum battery capacity in the electric vehicle of the customer is read from the customer database, the electricity rate information for each time zone until the desired charging completion time is read from the rate table for each time zone, and each time zone read here is read Sort in ascending order of electricity charges, calculate the amount of charge by multiplying the duration of each time period and the amount of power supplied to customers in the order of the time of the lowest electricity charge, and total the amount of charge in each time period Specifies the time zone at which the maximum battery capacity is reached as the final time zone, and generates information on the time zone string from the minimum time zone to the final time zone, Serial in association with customer identification information stored in the storage unit, and it is preferred to.

  In the electric vehicle charging control system, the charging management unit of the smart meter may detect the electric power detected by the charging device via the plug when the charging device plug is connected to the charging outlet of the electric vehicle. Information on the remaining battery level in the automobile may be received from the charging device, and the information on the remaining battery level may be notified to the server together with the identification information of the customer.

  In this case, the scheduler unit of the server receives the identification information of the customer specified by the customer and the information on the desired charging completion time of the electric vehicle from the input unit or from another terminal via the communication unit, The information on the remaining battery level notified about the consumer from the smart meter is received, the information on the maximum battery capacity in the consumer's electric vehicle is read from the customer database, and the electricity in each time zone until the charge completion desired time is read The charge information is read from the charge table for each time zone, and the read time zones are sorted in ascending order of the electricity rate, and the duration of each time zone and the amount of power supplied to the customer are ordered in the order of the lowest electricity rate. To calculate the charge amount, and the total charge amount in each time period satisfies the required charge amount obtained by subtracting the remaining battery amount from the maximum battery capacity. A time zone at the time of reaching the final time zone is specified as a last time zone, information on a time zone string from the time zone with the lowest electricity rate to the last time zone is generated, and stored in association with the identification information of the consumer It is preferable that the data is stored in the unit.

  Further, in the electric vehicle charging control system, the charge management unit of the smart meter may be configured to detect the electric vehicle detected by the charging device via the plug from a charging device connected to a charging outlet of the electric vehicle. Information on the remaining battery level may be received from the charging device, and when the remaining battery level information exceeds a predetermined reference value, a charging end instruction may be transmitted to the charging device via the communication unit.

  In the electric vehicle charging control system, the charging management unit of the smart meter notifies the charging device that an energized state in which the plug of the charging device is connected to the charging outlet of the electric vehicle is detected. The time of receiving and receiving this notification may be notified to the server together with the identification information of the customer as the plug insertion time.

  In this case, the scheduler unit of the server receives the plug insertion time information notified of the customer from the smart meter, and the electricity charges for each time period from the plug insertion time to the desired charging completion time It is preferable to read the information from the charge table by time zone and sort the read time zones in ascending order of the electricity charge.

  Further, in the electric vehicle charging control system, the scheduler unit of the server receives an update notification of the hourly rate table from another device that manages information on the electric fee for each time zone, and the change indicated by the update notification According to the contents, the information on the electricity rate in the corresponding time zone is updated in the price list according to the time zone of the storage unit, and the consumer including the time zone subject to update in the time zone column is specified in the storage unit Then, the information of the time zone string may be regenerated for the consumer based on the updated price list for each time zone, and stored in the storage unit in association with the identification information of the customer.

  In this case, the schedule notification unit of the server reads information on the regenerated time zone string and customer identification information associated with the information from the storage unit, and uses the customer identification information as a key for demand from the customer database. It is preferable to search the address of the smart meter in the house and transmit the regenerated information of the time zone string to the address as the scheduled charging start time information.

  Also, at this time, the charge management unit of the smart meter receives the regenerated scheduled start time information from the server via the communication unit, and the Update the scheduled charging start time information stored so far in the storage unit, and the arrival of the start time and end time in order from the earliest arrival time among the time zones indicated by the updated scheduled charging start time information Is detected by the clock function unit, and a charging start instruction in accordance with the start time and a charge end instruction in accordance with the end time are transmitted via the communication unit to a charging device that charges the electric vehicle. This is preferable.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the charging cost of the electric vehicle can be reduced in consideration of various electric charges for each time zone.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described concretely based on the embodiment, it is not limited to this and can be variously changed in the range which does not deviate from the summary.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electric vehicle 2 Plug 3 Charging outlet 4 Battery 5 AC-DC converter 10 Electric vehicle charging control system 15 Network (WAN)
30 System power supply 100 Server 101, 201 Storage unit 102, 202 Program 103, 203 RAM
104, 204 Control unit (CPU)
105, 205 Input unit (keyboard, mouse, etc.)
106,206 Output unit (display, speaker, etc.)
107, 207, 307 Communication unit 110 Scheduler unit 111 Schedule notification unit 125 Charge table by time zone 126 Customer database 127 Service provision database 200 Smart meter 208 Clock function unit 210 Charge management unit 225 Charge start scheduled time information 300 Distribution board (charging apparatus)
305 Distribution panel switch 305 Sensor 400 Customer terminal 500 Fee system according to time zone

Claims (9)

A storage unit for storing a time table for charging information on electricity charges for each time zone, and a customer database for storing identification information of electric power consumers and various customer information in association with each other;
A communication unit that communicates with other devices via a network;
The consumer's identification information specified by the consumer and the information on the desired charging completion time of the electric vehicle are received from the input unit or from another terminal via the communication unit, and each time zone until the desired charging completion time is received. Electricity rate information is read out from the price list by time zone, each time zone read out here is sorted in ascending order of the electricity rate, time zone information is generated, and the storage unit is associated with the consumer identification information A scheduler part to store in,
The information of the time zone column and the identification information of the customer corresponding to the information are read from the storage unit, the address of the smart meter of the customer is searched from the customer database using the identification information of the customer as a key, and the time zone A server including a schedule notification unit that transmits information on the column to the address as scheduled charging start time information;
A communication unit that communicates with other devices via a network;
A clock function unit for managing date and time information;
The charging start scheduled time information is received from the server via the communication unit and stored in the storage unit, and the start time is sequentially from the earliest arrival time among the time zones indicated by the charging start scheduled time information. And a charging device that detects the arrival of an end time by the clock function unit and charges the electric vehicle, and sends a charge start instruction that matches the start time and a charge end instruction that matches the end time to the communication unit. A smart meter including a charge management unit for transmitting via
An electric vehicle charging control system comprising: The storage unit of the server also stores information on the maximum battery capacity in the electric vehicle of the corresponding customer as various customer information of the electric power consumer in the customer database,
The scheduler unit of the server accepts the identification information of the customer specified by the customer and the information on the desired charging completion time of the electric vehicle from the input unit or from another terminal through the communication unit, Read the information on the maximum battery capacity in the electric vehicle from the customer database, read the electricity rate information for each time zone up to the desired charging completion time from the charge table for each time zone, and read each time zone read here for the electric charge Sort in ascending order, calculate the amount of charge by multiplying the duration of each time period and the amount of power supplied to the customer in the order of the time period with the lowest electricity rate, and the total amount of charge in each time period is the maximum A time zone at the time when the battery capacity is satisfied is specified as a final time zone, information on a time zone string from the time zone with the lowest electricity rate to the final time zone is generated, and the consumer Stored in the storage unit in association with identification information,
The electric vehicle charging control system according to claim 1. The smart meter charge management unit
When the charging plug of the electric vehicle is connected to a predetermined outlet of the charging device, the charging device receives information on the remaining amount of the battery in the electric vehicle detected through the charging plug from the charging device. Notifying the server of the remaining amount information together with the customer identification information,
The scheduler unit of the server receives the identification information of the customer specified by the customer and the information on the desired charging completion time of the electric vehicle from the input unit or from another terminal via the communication unit, and from the smart meter The information on the remaining battery level notified about the consumer is received, the information on the maximum battery capacity in the consumer's electric vehicle is read from the customer database, and the electricity rate information for each time zone until the desired charging completion time is obtained. Read from the charge table by time zone, sort the read time zones in ascending order of electricity charges, and multiply the duration of each time period and the amount of power supplied to customers in the order of the time periods with the lowest electricity charges. To calculate the amount of charge, and the total amount of charge in each time period reaches the required amount of charge obtained by subtracting the remaining battery level from the maximum battery capacity. The time zone at the point is specified as the last time zone, information on the time zone string from the time zone with the lowest electricity bill to the last time zone is generated, and stored in the storage unit in association with the identification information of the consumer To
The electric vehicle charging control system according to claim 2. The smart meter charge management unit
Information on the remaining amount of battery in the electric vehicle detected by the charging device via the charging plug is received from the charging device from the charging device in which the charging plug of the electric vehicle is connected to a predetermined outlet. If the information exceeds a predetermined reference value, a charging end instruction is transmitted to the charging device via the communication unit.
The electric vehicle charging control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The smart meter charge management unit
A notification is received from the charging device that the charging plug of the electric vehicle has been detected as being energized and connected to a predetermined outlet of the charging device, and the time when the notification is received is identified as a plug insertion time. Notify the server with the information,
The scheduler section of the server
Information on plug insertion time notified about the customer from the smart meter is received, and electric rate information for each time zone from the plug insertion time to the desired charging completion time is read from the hourly rate table. , Sort each time zone read here in ascending order of electricity bills,
The electric vehicle charging control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The scheduler section of the server
Receives an update notification for the hourly rate table from another device that manages information on the electricity rate for each time zone, and in the rate table for each time zone of the storage unit according to the change contents indicated by the update notification, the corresponding time The information on the electricity rate of the band is updated, the customer including the time zone subject to the update in the time zone column is specified in the storage unit, and the customer is based on the updated hourly rate table for the customer Regenerating the information of the time zone sequence, and storing it in the storage unit in association with the identification information of the customer,
The schedule notification unit of the server
Read out the regenerated time series information and customer identification information corresponding to the information from the storage unit, search the customer database for the smart meter address of the customer using the customer identification information as a key, and play it The information of the time zone sequence formed is sent to the address as the scheduled charging start time information,
The smart meter charge management unit
The regenerated scheduled charging start time information is received from the server via the communication unit, and the charging start schedule stored so far in the storage unit by the regenerated scheduled charging start time information Update the time information, the arrival of the start time and the end time is detected by the clock function unit in order from the earliest arrival time among the time zones indicated by the updated charging start scheduled time information, A charging start instruction that matches the start time and a charge end instruction that matches the end time are transmitted via the communication unit to the charging device that performs charging.
An electric vehicle charging control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A storage unit for storing a time table for charging information on electricity charges for each time zone, a customer database in which identification information of electric power consumers and various customer information are stored in association with each other, and other devices and networks A server having a communication unit that communicates via
The consumer's identification information specified by the consumer and the information on the desired charging completion time of the electric vehicle are received from the input unit or from another terminal via the communication unit, and each time zone until the desired charging completion time is received. Electricity rate information is read out from the price list by time zone, each time zone read out here is sorted in ascending order of the electricity rate, time zone information is generated, and the storage unit is associated with the consumer identification information Processing to store in
The information of the time zone column and the identification information of the customer corresponding to the information are read from the storage unit, the address of the smart meter of the customer is searched from the customer database using the identification information of the customer as a key, and the time zone Execute processing to send the information of the column to the address as the scheduled charging start time information,
A smart meter having a communication unit that communicates with other devices via a network, and a clock function unit that manages date and time information,
The charging start scheduled time information is received from the server via the communication unit and stored in the storage unit, and the start time is sequentially from the earliest arrival time among the time zones indicated by the charging start scheduled time information. And a charging device that detects the arrival of an end time by the clock function unit and charges the electric vehicle, and sends a charge start instruction that matches the start time and a charge end instruction that matches the end time to the communication unit. Process to send via,
An electric vehicle charging control method. A storage unit for storing a time table for charging information on electricity charges for each time zone, and a customer database for storing identification information of electric power consumers and various customer information in association with each other;
A communication unit that communicates with other devices via a network;
The consumer's identification information specified by the consumer and the information on the desired charging completion time of the electric vehicle are received from the input unit or from another terminal via the communication unit, and each time zone until the desired charging completion time is received. Electricity rate information is read out from the price list by time zone, each time zone read out here is sorted in ascending order of the electricity rate, time zone information is generated, and the storage unit is associated with the consumer identification information A scheduler part to store in,
The information of the time zone column and the identification information of the customer corresponding to the information are read from the storage unit, the address of the smart meter of the customer is searched from the customer database using the identification information of the customer as a key, and the time zone A schedule notification unit for transmitting information on the column to the address as the scheduled charging start time information;
A server comprising: A communication unit that communicates with other devices via a network;
A clock function unit for managing date and time information;
Receiving scheduled charging start time information indicating the start and end times of electric vehicle charging by time zone from the server via the communication unit, storing the information in the storage unit, and each time zone indicated by the scheduled charging start time information In order from the earliest arrival time among them, the clock function unit detects the arrival of the start time and the end time, and with respect to the charging device that charges the electric vehicle, the charging start instruction according to the start time and the A charge management unit that transmits a charge end instruction in accordance with an end time via the communication unit;
A smart meter characterized by comprising:

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