Abstract:
The present invention provides a charge control method for a vehicle that can increase efficiency in the use of limited power. The charge control method, includes: determining, by charge control device, a charging capability of a charger selected in accordance with charge request information transmitted from the vehicle among a plurality of chargers positioned in an area corresponding to the vehicle; and controlling the charger to charge the vehicle with the amount of requested power corresponding to the charge request information in accordance with the charging capability.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0079742 field on Aug. 27, 2009 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-0016159 filed on Feb. 23, 2010, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a method of charging an electric vehicle, in particular, charge control method and device for a vehicle which can control charging of battery of a vehicle, using various information transmitted from a telematics device of the vehicle. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Recently, as a variety of eco-friendly technologies have been applied to the automobile industry to reduce emission of pollutants, technologies not using an oil-based substance of the related art, such as gasoline and whale oil, but various eco-friendly substances, for example electricity or solar heat, have been developed. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, hybrid vehicles simultaneously using electricity, and gasoline or whale oil, or electric vehicles using only electricity have been developed and produced. 
         [0007]    As people who use hybrid vehicles or electric vehicles increase, power consumption is temporarily increased at certain time and places (or, roads) where the vehicles can run, by the drivers who charge their vehicles. 
         [0008]    However, technologies and systems that can efficiently distribute limited power to places requiring charge are not sufficiently considered in the present national power system. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]    A charge control method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: by charge control device, determining a charging capability of a charger selected in accordance with charge request information transmitted from the vehicle among a plurality of chargers positioned in an area corresponding to the vehicle; and controlling the charger to charge the vehicle with the amount of requested power corresponding to the charge request information in accordance with the charging capability. 
         [0010]    A charge control method for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention includes: by the vehicle, estimating the amount of power demand for charging a battery from the result of monitoring the remaining amount of electricity in the battery; transmitting charge request information including the estimated amount of power demand and the position information of the vehicle to a charge control device; receiving charge reservation information corresponding to the charge request information from the charge control device; and performing authentication by being connected with a charger corresponding to the charge reservation information among a plurality of chargers positioned in a area where the vehicle is positioned and charging the battery by receiving electricity from the charger in accordance with the authentication result. 
         [0011]    A charge control device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a determining unit that determines a charging capability of a charger selected among a plurality of chargers in an area in accordance with charge request information transmitted from the vehicle; and a control unit that controls the charger to charge the vehicle with the amount of requested power corresponding to the charge request information in accordance with the charging capability by the determining unit. 
         [0012]    According to the charge control method and the charge control device for the method of the present invention, it is possible to efficiently and conveniently charge an electric vehicle by using geographic information and various vehicle-related information provided from the vehicle, and efficiently provide limited amount of power to a desired place and time. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0013]    A brief description is provided for each figure to help more fully understand the drawings cited in the detailed description of the present invention: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a charge system for a vehicle including a charge control device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of a determining unit of a power management block according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of a determining unit of a power management block according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating a charge control operation of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, using the charge control system of a vehicle shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 5 and 6  are detailed flowcharts of a step of determining charge possibility; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating a charge control operation of a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention, using the charge system for a vehicle shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0020]    In order to fully understand benefits in the operation of the present invention and objects to be achieved by exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings illustrating the exemplary embodiments of the present invention and the contents described in the accompanying drawings should be referred. 
         [0021]    Hereinafter, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings to help understand the present invention. The same reference numerals designate the same component in the drawings. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a charge control system for a vehicle including a charge control device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a charge system  10  for a vehicle according to the present invention may include a vehicle  100 , a charge control device  200 , a charger  300 , and a power supplier  400 . 
         [0024]    In this configuration, the vehicle  100 , the charge control device  200 , and the charger  300  may be connected through a communication network  510  and communicate predetermined data with each other. 
         [0025]    Further, the charger  300  and the power supplier  400  may be connected through a power network  520 , for example, a smart grid power network, and the power supplier  400  may be controlled by the charge control device  200  to supply predetermined power to the charger through the power network  520 . 
         [0026]    The vehicle  100  may be a vehicle including a battery (not shown) therein for charging, such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. In the vehicle  100 , the battery is charged by the charger  300  and the charged electricity can be used as driving energy. 
         [0027]    The vehicle  100  may include a monitoring block  110 , a position/path-measuring block  120 , and a charge demand-estimating block  130 . 
         [0028]    The vehicle-monitoring block  110  may be a battery monitor that can monitor the remaining amount of electricity in the charged battery of the vehicle  100 . 
         [0029]    The vehicle-monitoring block  110  can inform the driver that it is required to charge the battery of the vehicle  100  traveling, if it is necessary. 
         [0030]    For example, the vehicle-monitoring unit  110  regularly monitors the remaining amount of electricity of the battery and outputs the result, and can inform the driver with a informing means, such as a warning light, that the remaining amount of electricity of the monitored battery comes close to a critical level (e.g. the minimum amount of electricity required to drive the vehicle). 
         [0031]    The position/path-measuring block  120  may be a telematics device, such as a GPS (Global Positioning System) or a navigation device equipped in the vehicle  100 . 
         [0032]    The position/path-measuring block  120  measures the current position, traveling path, and destination information of the vehicle  100  traveling, and informs the measured result to the driver or transmits it to the charge control device  200  through the communication network  510 . 
         [0033]    The charge demand-estimating block  130  can estimate and output the amount of electricity for charging the battery, that is the amount of charge demand, in accordance with the monitored result outputted from the vehicle-monitoring block  110 . 
         [0034]    The charge demand-estimating block  130  can estimate the amount of charge demand on the basis of the vehicle information, for example, the weight and output of the vehicle. 
         [0035]    When the battery requires to be charged, the vehicle  100  can transmit charge request information, for example charge request information including the estimated amount of charge demand, vehicle position information, or vehicle traveling path information to the charge control device  200  through the communication network  510 . 
         [0036]    Further, the vehicle  100  can transmit charge request information to the charger  300  by being connected to a specific charger, for example, the charger  300  selected by the driver. The charger  300  can transmit the charge request information transmitted from the vehicle  100  to the charge control device  200  through the communication network  510 . 
         [0037]    The charge control device  200  can control one of a plurality of charges in the area where the vehicle  100  is located to charge the vehicle  100 , on the basis of the charge request information transmitted from the vehicle  100  or the charger  300 . 
         [0038]    For example, the charge control device  200  can divide the district to manage into a plurality of areas and select one area corresponding to the position information, for example the position information of the vehicle  100  or the position information of the charger  300 , included in the charge request information transmitted through the communication network  510 . 
         [0039]    Further, it can detect and select the charger  300  from the chargers in the selected area or control the charger  300  selected by the vehicle  100  to charge the vehicle  100 . 
         [0040]    The charge control device  200  can divide the desired district into a plurality of areas, using a digital map or network information, and manages the divided areas as geographic information. Position information of the chargers can be included in the divided areas. 
         [0041]    The charge control device  200  can include a power management block  210  and a charge management block  220 . 
         [0042]    The power management block  210  can include a determining unit  211  and a control unit  213 . 
         [0043]    The determining unit  211  of the power management block  210  can determined a charging capability of a corresponding charger  300 , on the basis of the received charge request information. The charging capability corresponds to whether the charger  300  can perform charging or not. 
         [0044]    The control unit  213  of the power management block  210  can generate a control signal in accordance with the result determined by the determining unit  211 . The generated control signal can be outputted to the charge management block  220  or the power supplier  400  to control the charging operation of the charger  300 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the determining unit of the power management block according to an embodiment of the present invention and  FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a determining unit of a power management block according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the determining unit  211  of the power management block  210  can include an assigned-to-charger power monitor  231  and a comparing unit  233 . 
         [0047]    The assigned-to-charger power monitor  231  can output the amount of power P 1  assigned to the charger  300  of the area corresponding to the position information PI included in the charge request information transmitted through the communication network  510 , for example, the position information of the vehicle  100  or the charger  300 . 
         [0048]    The comparing unit  233  can compare the request amount of power P 2  included in the charge request information, that is, the amount of charge demand estimated by the charge demand-estimating block  130  of the vehicle  100  with the amount of assigned power P 1  of the charge outputted from the assigned-to-charger power monitor  231 , and then output the compared result CS. 
         [0049]    The determining unit  213  of the power management block  210  can generate a control signal in accordance with the compared result CS outputted from the comparing unit  233  of the determining unit  211  and can output the generated control signal to the charge management block  220  (described below) or the power supplier  400 . 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the determining unit  211 ′ of the power management block  210  can include an each-area-available power calculating unit  235  and a comparing unit  233 . 
         [0051]    The each-area-available power calculating unit  235  can estimate and output the amount of available power P 3  of the area corresponding to the position information PI included in the charge request information received through the communication network  510 . 
         [0052]    For example, the each-area-available power calculating unit  235  can estimate the amount of available power P 3  from the amount of assigned power AP and the amount of used power UP of the area corresponding to the position information PI. 
         [0053]    The comparing unit  233  can compare the estimated amount of available power P 3  with the requested amount of requested power P 2  and output the compared result CS. 
         [0054]    The determining unit  213  can generate a control signal in accordance with the compared result CS outputted from the comparing unit  233  and can output the generated control signal to the charge management block  220  or the power supplier  400 . 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIG. 1  again, the charge management block  220  of the charge control device  200  may include a search unit  221  and a management unit  223 . 
         [0056]    When the vehicle  100  transmits charge request information through the communication network  510 , the search unit  221  detects and selects an optimal charger  300  in accordance with the position information of the vehicle  100  and then outputs it to the management unit  223 . 
         [0057]    For example, the search unit  221  can extract one area corresponding to the position information of the vehicle  100  from the areas, and then search and select the charger  300  closest to the current position of the vehicle  100  from the chargers  300  in the extracted area. 
         [0058]    The information about the charger  300  selected by the search unit  221 , for example, the location information of the charger  300  can be outputted to the management unit  223 . 
         [0059]    Further, when the vehicle  100  transmits the charge request information through the charger  300 , the search unit  221  may extract the location information of the charger  300  and output it to the management unit  223 . 
         [0060]    The management unit  223  can transmit a charge start command or perform a charge reservation to the charger  300 , in response to the charger information transmitted from the search unit  221  and the control signal transmitted from the power management unit  210 . 
         [0061]    For example, the management unit  223  can perform charge reservation to the charger  300  corresponding to the charger information transmitted from the search unit  221  where the vehicle  100  does not reach the charger  300  yet, that is, when the charge request information is transmitted from the vehicle  100  through the communication network  510 . 
         [0062]    The management unit  223  can transmit charge demand information to the charger  300  and the charge demand information can include the vehicle ID information and the requested-power amount information. 
         [0063]    Further, the management unit  223  can transmit the charge reservation information including the position information of the charger  300  to the vehicle  100  and the driver can switch to the charger  300  corresponding to the transmitted charge reservation to charge it. 
         [0064]    Meanwhile, the management unit  223  can transmit a charge start command to the charge  300  corresponding to the charger information transmitted from the search unit  221  when the vehicle  100  reaches the charger  300 , that is, the charge request information is transmitted from the charger  300  through the communication network  510 . 
         [0065]    The charger  300  can charge the vehicle  100  with the amount of requested power in accordance with the charge start command transmitted from the charge management block  220  of the charge control device  200 , or perform charge reservation in accordance with the charge demand information transmitted from the charge management block  220  and then charge with the requested amount of power when the vehicle  100  reaches the charger  300 . 
         [0066]    The charger  300  stores the charge demand information, such that it can authenticate the vehicle  100 , using the stored charge demand information when the vehicle  100  reaches the charger, and then charge the vehicle  100 . 
         [0067]    The power supplier  400  may be a transformer substation or a power plant in the district managed by the charge control device  200 , and can supply the charger  300  with predetermined power in response to the control signal transmitted from the charge control device  200 . 
         [0068]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating a charge control operation of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, using the charge control system shown in  FIG. 1 , and  FIGS. 5 and 6  are detailed flowcharts of a step of determining charge possibility. 
         [0069]    Hereinafter, the charge control operation when charge request information is transmitted from the vehicle  100  to the charge control device  200  through the communication network  510  is described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 6 . 
         [0070]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the vehicle-monitoring block  110  of the vehicle  100  traveling can monitor the remaining amount of electricity in the battery and inform the result to the driver (S 10 ). 
         [0071]    When the driver recognizes that charge is required, from the monitored result, the charge demand-estimating block  130  of the vehicle  100  can estimate the required amount of charge demand power (S 20 ). 
         [0072]    Thereafter, it can generate charge request information from the position information and path information of the vehicle outputted from the position/path-measuring block  120  of the vehicle  100  and the amount of charge demand power estimated from the charge demand-estimating block  130 , and transmit the generated charge request information to the charge control device  200  through the communication network  510  (S 30 ). 
         [0073]    The charge management block  220  of the charge control device  200  can detect and select the charger  300  closest to the vehicle  100  from the chargers in the district corresponding to the current position of the vehicle  100 , in accordance with the charge request information transmitted from the charge management block  220  (S 40 ). 
         [0074]    Further, the power management block  210  can determine charge possibility of the charger  300  selected by the charge management block  220  in accordance with the charge request information transmitted from the power management block  210  (S 50 ). 
         [0075]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  5 , the determining unit  211  of the power management block  210  can include an assigned-to-charger power monitor  231  and a comparing unit  233 . 
         [0076]    The assigned-to-charger power monitor  231  can monitor and output the amount of power P 1  assigned to the detected charger  300 . 
         [0077]    The comparing unit  233  can compare the amount of assigned power P 1  of the charger  300  with the amount of request power P 2  according to the charge request information, and output the compared result CS (S 51 ). 
         [0078]    The control unit  213  can generate and output a control signal in accordance with the compared result CS outputted from the comparing unit  233 . 
         [0079]    For example, when the amount of assigned power P 1  is larger than the amount of request power P 2 , as a result of the comparison in the comparing unit  233 , the control unit  213  generates a control signal in accordance with the compared result CS outputted from the comparing unit  233  and can output the control signal to the management unit  223  of the charge management block  220 . 
         [0080]    The management unit  223  can transmit charge request information to the detected charger  300  in response to the control signal outputted from the control unit  213 . Further, it can perform charge reservation by transmitting charge reservation information including the position information of the charger  300  to the vehicle  100  (S 60 ). 
         [0081]    The charge demand information can include vehicle ID information or requested-power amount information included in the charge request information transmitted from the vehicle  100 . 
         [0082]    For example, when the amount of assigned power P 1  is smaller than or the same as the amount of request power P 2 , as a result of the comparison in the comparing unit  233 , the control unit  213  generates a control signal in accordance with the compared result CS outputted from the comparing unit  233  and can output the control signal to the power supplier  400 . 
         [0083]    The management unit  400  can supply additional power to the detected charger  300  in response to the control signal outputted from the control unit  213  (S 90 ). 
         [0084]    In this configuration, the amount of additional power supplied from the power supplier  400  to the charger  300  may be the same as the amount of requested power P 2  from the vehicle  100 . 
         [0085]    When the supply of additional power from the power supplier  400  to the charger  300  is finished, the management unit  223  of the charge management block  220  can transmit charge demand information to the charger  300 . Further, it can perform charge reservation by transmitting charge reservation information including the position information of the charger  300  to the vehicle  100  (S 60 ). 
         [0086]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  3 , and  6 , the determining unit  211  of the power management block  210  can include an each-area-available power calculating unit  235  and a comparing unit  233 . 
         [0087]    The each-area-available power calculating unit  235  can calculate surplus power at the area where the detected charger  300  is positioned, that is, the amount of available power (S 53 ). 
         [0088]    For example, the each-area-available power calculating unit  235  receives the amount of each area-assigned power AP and the amount of each area-used power UP, and can calculate the amount of area-available power P 3  from the above amounts of power. The amount of area-available power P 3  can be calculated by subtracting the amount of each area-used power UP from the amount of each area-assigned power AP. 
         [0089]    The comparing unit  233  can compare the estimated amount of available power P 3  with the amount of requested power P 2  and output the compared result CS (S 55 ). 
         [0090]    The control unit  213  can generate and output a control signal in accordance with the compared result CS outputted from the comparing block  233 . 
         [0091]    For example, when the amount of available power P 3  is larger than the amount of request power P 2 , as a result of the comparison in the comparing unit  233 , the control unit  213  generates a control signal in accordance with the compared result CS outputted from the comparing unit  233  and can output the generated control signal to the management unit  223  of the charge management block  220 . 
         [0092]    The management unit  223  can transmit charge request information to the detected charger  300  in response to the control signal outputted from the control unit  213 . Further, it can perform charge reservation by transmitting charge reservation information including the position information of the charger  300  to the vehicle  100  (S 60 ). 
         [0093]    The charge demand information can include vehicle ID information or requested-power amount information included in the charge request information transmitted from the vehicle  100 . 
         [0094]    For example, when the amount of available power P 3  is smaller than or the same as the amount of request power P 2 , as a result of the comparison in the comparing unit  233 , the control unit  213  generates a control signal in accordance with the compared result CS outputted from the comparing unit  233  and can output the generated control signal to the power supplier  400 . 
         [0095]    The management unit  400  can supply additional power to the corresponding area in response to the control signal outputted from the control unit  213  (S 90 ). 
         [0096]    In this configuration, the amount of additional power supplied from the power supplier  400  to the corresponding area may be the same as the amount of requested power P 2  from the vehicle  100 . 
         [0097]    When the supply of additional power from the power supplier  400  to the corresponding area is finished, the management unit  223  of the charge management block  220  can transmit charge demand information to the charger  300 . Further, it can perform charge reservation by transmitting charge reservation information including the position information of the charger  300  to the vehicle  100  (S 60 ). 
         [0098]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3  again, when charge reservation for the vehicle  100  is completed by the management unit  223 , the driver can drive to a designated charger, that is, the detected charger  300 , on the basis of the charge reservation transmitted from the charge control device  200 , and connect the vehicle  100  to the charger  300 . 
         [0099]    The charger  300 , as described above, stores charge demand information including the ID information of the vehicle  100  and the amount of request power, and can authenticate the vehicle, using the charge demand information stored in the vehicle  100  when the vehicle  100  reaches the charger (S 70 ). 
         [0100]    Thereafter, when the vehicle is authenticated, the charger  300  starts charging to charge the vehicle  100  with the amount of requested power P 2  according to the charge demand information (S 80 ). 
         [0101]    Further, when the charger  300  finishes charging the vehicle  100 , the charger  300  can transmit the charging result to the charge control device  200  and the charge control device  200  can store the result. The stored charging result can be periodically updated. 
         [0102]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating a charge control operation of a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention, using the charge system for a vehicle shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0103]    Hereinafter, a charge control operation when the vehicle  100  connects with a specific charger  300  and then transmits charge request information to the charge control device  200  through the charger  300  is described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , and  5 . 
         [0104]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , when the driver connects with a specific charger that he/she sees in driving, for example, the charger  300  among a plurality of chargers in an area and requests charging (S 110 ), the charger  300  can transmit the charge request information transmitted from the vehicle  100  and its position information to the charge control device  200  (S 120 ). 
         [0105]    The power management block  210  of the charge control device  200  can determine whether charging is possible, in accordance with the charge request information and the charger position information transmitted from the charger  300  (S 130 ). 
         [0106]    For example, the determining unit  211  of the power management block  210 , as described above with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 5 , can determine whether charging is possible, by comparing the amount of assigned power P 1  assigned to the charger  300  with the amount of requested power P 2  from the vehicle  100 . 
         [0107]    Further, the determining unit  211  of the power management block  210 , as described above with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 6 , can determine whether charging is possible, by calculating the amount of available power P 3  in the area where the charger  300  is positioned with the amount of request power P 2 . 
         [0108]    When it is determined that the charger  300  can perform charging by the determining unit  211  of the power management block  210 , the control unit  213  can output a control signal generated by the charging capability to the management unit  223  of the charge management block  220 . 
         [0109]    The management unit  223  transmits a charge start command to the charger  300  in response to the control signal and the charger  300  can charge the vehicle  100  with the amount of request power P 2  in accordance with the charge start command (S 140 ). 
         [0110]    Meanwhile, when it is determined that the charger  300  cannot perform charging by the determining unit  211  of the power management block  210 , the control unit  213  can output a control signal generated by the charging capability to the power supplier  400 . 
         [0111]    The power supplier  400  can supply additional power to the charger  300  or the area where the charger  300  is positioned, in response to the control signal (S 150 ). 
         [0112]    In this configuration, the amount of additional power supplied from the power supplier  400  may be the same as the amount of requested power P 2  from the vehicle  100 . 
         [0113]    When additional power supply to the charger  300  or the area is finished, the management unit  223  of the charge management block  220  transmits a charge start command to the charger  300  and the charger  300  can charge the vehicle  100  with the amount of requested power P 2  in accordance with the charge start command (S 140 ). 
         [0114]    Further, when the charger  300  finishes charging the vehicle  100 , the charger  300  can transmit the charging result to the charge control device  200  and the charge control device  200  can store the result. The stored charging result can be periodically updated. 
         [0115]    Although the present invention was described with reference to an embodiment shown in the figure, it is not limited thereto and can be modified in various equivalent embodiments by those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the actual technical protection scope of the present invention must be determined by the spirit of the appended claims.