JP2020120349A - On-vehicle communication device, power supply communication system, computer program, and power supply communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an in-vehicle communication device, a power supply communication system, a computer program and a power supply communication method which can be expected to stably perform wireless communication between a power supply device and an in-vehicle communication device. An in-vehicle communication device according to the present embodiment is an in-vehicle communication device that performs wireless communication with a power supply device that supplies power to a vehicle, and wireless communication is performed using a communication channel determined by the power supply device. A detection unit that detects the communication status with the power supply device, a notification unit that notifies the power supply device according to the communication status detected by the detection unit, and a wireless communication unit in response to the notification of the notification unit. It is provided with a change unit that changes the communication channel used for communication. [Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

The present invention relates to an in-vehicle communication device, a power supply communication system, a computer program, and a power supply communication method that perform wireless communication with a power supply device that supplies power to a vehicle.

Plug-in hybrid vehicles that use both an electric motor and an engine, and electric vehicles that are not equipped with an engine and that are driven by an electric motor are becoming popular. Vehicles such as plug-in hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles are equipped with a battery for storing electric power for driving an electric motor, and power supply to the battery is performed by an external power supply device. Various information is exchanged between the power supply device and the vehicle when power is supplied. In recent years, a wireless power feeding system has been developed in which power feeding is performed without contact between a power feeding device and a vehicle by a power feeding cable and power feeding is performed without contact. In the wireless power feeding system, since the charging device and the vehicle are not connected via the power feeding cable, various information necessary for power feeding is exchanged between the power feeding device and the vehicle by wireless communication.

Patent Document 1 proposes a wireless power supply device for a vehicle, which aims to correctly guide the vehicle to a target stop position where the power receiving coil of the vehicle is close to the power transmitting coil of the parking lot. The vehicle wireless power supply device includes a plurality of light emitting units arranged corresponding to the wheel stop regions. The wireless power supply device for a vehicle detects a wheel interval in the width direction of a vehicle to which power is to be supplied, and controls some light emitting units and other light emitting units to have different light emitting states according to the detection result.

JP, 2011-106216, A

While wireless power supply is being performed from the power supply device to the vehicle, it is necessary to maintain wireless communication between the power supply device and the in-vehicle communication device in order to exchange various information. However, if wireless communication cannot be stably performed due to congestion of communication channels, for example, wireless communication between the power supply device and the in-vehicle communication device may be disconnected, and wireless power supply from the power supply device to the vehicle may be interrupted. There is.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle communication device and power supply communication that can be expected to stably perform wireless communication between the power supply device and the in-vehicle communication device. A system, a computer program, and a power supply communication method are provided.

An in-vehicle communication device according to this aspect is an in-vehicle communication device that performs wireless communication with a power supply device that supplies power to a vehicle, and performs wireless communication using a communication channel determined by the power supply device. And a notification unit that notifies the power supply device according to the communication status detected by the detection unit, and a notification from the notification unit, or the notification is received. And a changing unit that changes the communication channel used for wireless communication according to the transmission from the power supply device.

The present application can be realized not only as an in-vehicle communication device including such a characteristic processing unit, but also as a power supply communication method including such characteristic processing as steps, and executing the steps on a computer. It can also be realized as a computer program for performing. Further, it can be realized as a semiconductor integrated circuit that realizes a part or all of the in-vehicle communication device, or can be realized as another device or system including the in-vehicle communication device.

Based on the above, it can be expected that stable wireless communication between the power supply device and the in-vehicle communication device is performed.

It is a schematic diagram for explaining the outline of the power feeding communication system according to the present embodiment. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an outline of a procedure of power supply processing performed in the power supply communication system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a charging communication ECU according to the present embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electric power feeder which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for explaining a communication channel changing process performed in the power feeding communication system according to the present embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for explaining a communication channel changing process performed in the power feeding communication system according to the present embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for explaining a communication channel changing process performed in the power feeding communication system according to the present embodiment. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of communication channel change processing performed by the charging communication ECU according to the present embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the communication channel change process which the electric power feeder which concerns on this Embodiment performs. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of communication channel change processing performed by the charging communication ECU according to the present embodiment.

[Description of Embodiments of the Present Invention]
First, embodiments of the present invention will be listed and described. Further, at least a part of the embodiments described below may be arbitrarily combined.

(1) The in-vehicle communication device according to this aspect is an in-vehicle communication device that performs wireless communication with a power supply device that supplies power to a vehicle, and performs wireless communication using a communication channel determined by the power supply device, A detection unit that detects the communication status with the power supply apparatus, a notification unit that notifies the power supply apparatus according to the communication status detected by the detection unit, and a notification from the notification unit, or the notification And a changing unit that changes the communication channel used for wireless communication according to the transmission from the power supply device that has received.

In this aspect, wireless communication is performed between the power supply device that supplies power to the vehicle and the vehicle-mounted communication device mounted on the vehicle. The vehicle-mounted communication device performs wireless communication using the communication channel determined by the power feeding device, and the communication status of wireless communication with the power feeding device on this communication channel, for example, reception radio field intensity, S/N ratio or communication channel congestion degree. Etc. are detected. The in-vehicle communication device notifies the power supply device according to the detected communication status, for example, when wireless communication with the power supply device is unstable. The in-vehicle communication device changes the communication channel used for wireless communication in response to the notification to the power feeding device or in response to the transmission of some information from the power feeding device which receives the notification. Accordingly, the communication channel used for wireless communication between the power feeding device and the in-vehicle communication device can be changed according to the communication status detected by the in-vehicle communication device. For example, by changing from a communication channel in which wireless communication is unstable to a more stable communication channel, it can be expected that the power feeding device and the in-vehicle communication device perform wireless communication stably.

(2) It is preferable that the notification of the notification unit includes information designating a communication channel to be changed by the change unit.

In this aspect, the notification from the vehicle-mounted communication device to the power supply device includes information designating the communication channel to be changed. As a result, the power feeding device can change to the communication channel designated by the in-vehicle communication device, and the same communication channel is changed between the in-vehicle communication device and the power feeding device.

(3) A receiving unit that receives a communication channel change request from the power supply device, and a communication channel used for wireless communication when the receiving unit receives the change request, to the communication channel specified by the change request. It is preferable to include a second changing unit for changing.

In this aspect, when the communication channel change request is received from the power supply device, the in-vehicle communication device changes to the communication channel designated by the change request. Thereby, for example, when the power supply device is wirelessly communicating with a plurality of in-vehicle communication devices and the communication channel is changed according to the notification from any of the in-vehicle communication devices, the power is supplied to the other in-vehicle communication devices. The device may send a change request to cause the communication channel to be changed.

(4) It is preferable that the notification unit repeats the notification when the power supply device rejects the change of the communication channel according to the notification of the notification unit.

In this aspect, the power supply device can reject the change of the communication channel according to the notification from the in-vehicle communication device. When the power supply device refuses to change the communication channel, the in-vehicle communication device repeatedly notifies the power supply device. Accordingly, when the cause of the power supply device rejecting the change of the communication channel is resolved, the communication channel can be changed promptly.

(5) The power feeding communication system according to the present aspect is a power feeding communication system that includes a power feeding device that feeds power to a vehicle and an in-vehicle communication device that is mounted on the vehicle and performs wireless communication between the power feeding devices. The in-vehicle communication device performs wireless communication using the communication channel determined by the power supply device, and detects the communication status with the power supply device, and sends the power supply device to the power supply device according to the communication status detected by the detection unit. And a changing unit that changes the communication channel used for wireless communication according to the notification of the notification unit, or according to the transmission from the power supply device that has received the notification, The power feeding device includes a receiving unit that receives a notification from the in-vehicle communication device, and a changing unit that changes a communication channel used for wireless communication according to the notification received by the receiving unit.

In this aspect, similarly to the aspect (1), it can be expected that the power feeding device and the in-vehicle communication device perform stable wireless communication.

(6) The power supply device includes a transmission unit that transmits a communication channel change request to an in-vehicle communication device that is different from the in-vehicle communication device that is the transmission source of the notification received by the receiving unit. A receiving unit that receives a request for changing the communication channel from the power supply device; and, when the receiving unit receives the change request, change the communication channel used for wireless communication to the communication channel specified by the change request. It is preferable to have two change parts.

In this aspect, similarly to the aspect (3), when the power feeding device changes the communication channel in response to the notification from any of the onboard communication devices, the power feeding device requests the other onboard communication device to change. It can be sent to cause a change in the communication channel.

(7) The computer program according to the present aspect performs wireless communication with a computer that wirelessly communicates with a power supply device that supplies power to a vehicle, using a communication channel determined by the power supply device to communicate with the power supply device. A communication channel used for wireless communication by detecting the communication status and notifying the power supply apparatus according to the issued communication status, according to the notification, or according to the transmission from the power supply apparatus that has received the notification. To execute the process of changing.

In this aspect, similarly to the aspect (1), it can be expected that the power feeding device and the in-vehicle communication device perform stable wireless communication.

(8) The power supply communication method according to the present aspect uses an in-vehicle communication device that wirelessly communicates with a power supply device that supplies power to a vehicle, and performs wireless communication using a communication channel determined by the power supply device. The communication status with the power supply apparatus is detected, and the power supply apparatus is notified according to the communication status that has been output, and according to the notification, or according to the transmission from the power supply apparatus that has received the notification, wireless communication is performed. Change the communication channel used for communication.

In this aspect, similarly to the aspect (1), it can be expected that the power feeding device and the in-vehicle communication device perform stable wireless communication.

[Details of the embodiment of the present invention]
A specific example of the power feeding communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to these exemplifications, and is shown by the scope of the claims, and is intended to include meanings equivalent to the scope of the claims and all modifications within the scope.

<System overview>
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the outline of the power feeding communication system according to the present embodiment. The power feeding communication system according to the present embodiment is a system for wirelessly feeding power to a battery 2 mounted on a vehicle 1 such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle from a power feeding device 6 installed at a power feeding station or the like. .. The vehicle 1 is wirelessly transmitted from a charging control ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 3 that controls charging of the battery 2, a charging communication ECU 4 that wirelessly communicates with the power feeding device 6, and a power transmission coil 7 of the power feeding device 6. The power receiving coil 5 and the like for receiving electric power are mounted.

The power receiving coil 5 is arranged, for example, in the bottom portion of the vehicle 1. The charging communication ECU 4 transmits/receives information such as a frequency, a power amount, a power feeding start timing, a power feeding end timing, a power transmission time or a power feeding efficiency regarding power to be wirelessly transmitted to/from the power feeding device 6 by wireless communication. In addition, the charging communication ECU 4 may transmit/receive information for payment of consideration for power supply, for example, information on a credit card of a driver of the vehicle 1 to/from the power supply device 6. The charging communication ECU 4 gives the information received from the power supply device 6 to the charging control ECU 3. Further, the charging communication ECU 4 wirelessly transmits the information for transmission given from the charging control ECU 3 to the power supply device 6. For wireless communication performed between the charging communication ECU 4 and the power supply device 6, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) standard (Wi-Fi standard such as IEEE802.11a, IEEE802.11b, IEEE802.11g or IEEE802.11n) is used. ) Can be adopted.

The charging control ECU 3 performs a control process necessary for charging the battery 2 using the electric power received by the power receiving coil 5, based on the information obtained from the power feeding device 6 via the charging communication ECU 4. For example, the charge control ECU 3 controls the voltage value and the current value of the electric power supplied to the battery 2 for charging. Further, the charge control ECU 3 calculates the charging rate of the battery 2 and gives a command to stop power transmission to the power supply device 6 when the battery 2 reaches the full charge. The wireless power supply between the vehicle 1 and the power supply device 6 is performed in accordance with the ISO15118 standard, for example.

The power feeding device 6 is a device that is installed in a power feeding station provided as a commercial facility along a road, for example, and performs wireless power feeding to the vehicle 1. The power supply device 6 is a device for wirelessly transmitting power to the vehicle 1 by, for example, an electromagnetic induction method or a magnetic resonance method. The power supply device 6 wirelessly transmits electric power from the power transmission coil 7 arranged in a predetermined space such as a road or a parking lot to the power reception coil 5 of the vehicle 1 parked in the predetermined space. At this time, it is preferable that the power transmission coil 7 and the power reception coil 5 have a positional relationship in which they are close to each other and face each other. When the power feeding device 6 has, for example, a sensor that detects the position of the vehicle 1 or the position of the power receiving coil 5, the power feeding device 6 may transmit information that notifies an appropriate positional relationship to the vehicle 1. In the present embodiment, the power supply device 6 can simultaneously perform wireless power supply to a plurality of vehicles 1, and includes a plurality of power transmission coils 7.

In the present embodiment, power supply device 6 is a device that has both the function of controlling wireless power supply to battery 2 of vehicle 1 and the function of performing wireless communication with charging communication ECU 4 of vehicle 1. However, the power supply device 6 may be a device realized by cooperation of a plurality of devices such as a device having a wireless power supply control function and a device having a wireless communication function. When the power feeding device 6 performs wireless power feeding to the plurality of vehicles 1, the power feeding device 6 performs wireless communication with each of the plurality of vehicle-mounted communication devices mounted on the plurality of vehicles 1 and is required for wireless power feeding. Exchange various information.

When the battery 2 of the vehicle 1 is supplied with electric power, for example, the user of the vehicle 1 selects any one of a plurality of reachable power supply stations or the like and drives the vehicle 1 to the selected power supply station or the like. After reaching the power feeding station or the like, the user can park the vehicle 1 at a place where any one of the power transmission coils 7 is installed and start wireless power feeding from the power feeding device 6 to the vehicle 1. At this time, various information exchanges are performed by wireless communication between the power supply device 6 and the charging communication ECU 4 of the vehicle 1, and after the predetermined procedure processing is completed without problems, wireless power supply from the power supply device 6 to the vehicle 1 is started. It

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the outline of the procedure of the power feeding process performed in the power feeding communication system according to the present embodiment. In the power feeding communication system according to the present embodiment, a predetermined procedure process is performed between power feeding device 6 and charging communication ECU 4 of vehicle 1 before starting wireless power feeding from power feeding device 6 to vehicle 1. The charging communication ECU 4 performs a process of scanning (detecting) an AP (access point) of the wireless LAN (step S1). For example, a user who desires wireless power feeding drives the vehicle 1, visits a power feeding station, parks the vehicle 1 at a predetermined position where the power transmission coil 7 of the power feeding device 6 is arranged, and operates the operation unit provided on the vehicle 1. Operate and give an instruction to start wireless power feeding. At this time, among the APs scanned by the charging communication ECU 4, the AP corresponding to the power supply device 6 is selected as the partner of the power supply process.

The charging communication ECU 4 given a start instruction from the user establishes a communication session by a communication protocol such as TCP/TLS (Transmission Control Protocol/Transport Layer Security) in order to enable wireless communication with the power supply device 6. Is performed (step S2). After the communication is established, the charging communication ECU 4 performs a communication setup process for exchanging information such as a session ID in order to perform communication according to the wireless power supply standard (step S3). After that, the charging communication ECU 4 performs a process of confirming a service related to wireless power feeding with the power feeding device 6 (step S4). This is a process of confirming whether or not the wireless power supply service that can be provided by the power supply device 6 and the service requested by the vehicle 1 match. The service includes, for example, a wireless power feeding method or a fee payment method.

After the confirmation of the service related to wireless power feeding is completed, the charging communication ECU 4 performs a process of aligning the power receiving coil 5 of the vehicle 1 and the power transmitting coil 7 of the power feeding device 6 (step S5). The alignment process is performed using, for example, a sensor mounted on the vehicle 1 and/or a sensor provided near the location of the power transmission coil 7 of the power feeding device 6. For example, a magnetic sensor or an optical sensor is used as the sensor. The charging communication ECU 4 and the power supply device 6 grasp the positional relationship between the power receiving coil 5 and the power transmitting coil 7 by transmitting and receiving the detection results of these sensors by wireless communication, and guide the vehicle 1 to have an appropriate positional relationship. be able to.

After confirming that the power receiving coil 5 and the power transmitting coil 7 are in the proper positional relationship, the charging communication ECU 4 confirms the parameters related to the wireless power feeding (step S6). In this step, the charging communication ECU 4 confirms parameters such as the power value and frequency to be transmitted and received, and gives these parameter information to the charging control ECU 3. After that, the charging communication ECU 4 performs wireless power feeding with the power feeding device 6 (step S7). When the battery 2 of the vehicle 1 has reached full charge by wireless power feeding, the charging communication ECU 4 ends wireless power feeding (step S8). After that, the charging communication ECU 4 disconnects the wireless communication with the power supply device 6 (step S9), and ends the power supply process.

In the power feeding communication system according to the present embodiment, the power feeding device 6 and the charging communication ECU 4 can transmit and receive a radio signal having a frequency of, for example, the 2.4 GHz band or the 5 GHz band, and have a mutual bandwidth in each frequency band. Communication can be performed using a plurality of communication channels that do not interfere with each other. For example, when the frequency is in the 2.4 GHz band, channels 1, 6, 11 are an example of combinations of channels used. Which frequency band and communication channel is used is set by the power supply device 6, and the charging communication ECU 4 of the vehicle 1 uses the frequency band and communication channel according to the setting of the power supply device 6 to perform wireless communication with the power supply device 6. I do.

However, in the power feeding communication system according to the present embodiment, a process of changing the communication channel is performed when the wireless communication between the power feeding device 6 and the charging communication ECU 4 is unstable due to factors such as congestion of the communication channel. Be seen. The charging communication ECU 4 detects information related to communication status such as radio field intensity, S/N ratio, or congestion degree of communication channel in wireless communication with the power supply device 6. For example, when the radio field intensity is lower than the threshold value, the S/N ratio is lower than the threshold value, or the congestion degree is higher than the threshold value, the charging communication ECU 4 notifies the power supply device 6 of the change of the communication channel. This notification includes, for example, information designating the changed communication channel, and the power supply device 6 and the charging communication ECU 4 change the communication channel according to this notification.

This communication channel changing process is performed, for example, between steps S2 and S3 of the flowchart shown in FIG. When the communication channel changing process is performed, the power supply device 6 and the charging communication ECU 4 need to perform the communication establishing process of step S2 again on the new communication channel.

<Device configuration>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of charging communication ECU 4 according to the present embodiment. The charging communication ECU 4 according to the present embodiment is configured to include a processing unit (processor) 41, a storage unit (storage) 42, a wireless communication unit (transceiver) 43, an in-vehicle communication unit (transceiver) 44, and the like. The processing unit 41 is configured using an arithmetic processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit). The processing unit 41 reads and executes the program 42a stored in the storage unit 42 to perform a process of performing wireless communication for exchanging information regarding wireless power supply with the power supply device 6 and changing a communication channel. Perform processing, etc.

The storage unit 42 is configured using a nonvolatile memory element such as a flash memory or an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). The storage unit 42 stores various programs executed by the processing unit 41 and various data necessary for the processing of the processing unit 41. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 42 stores the program 42a executed by the processing unit 41. The program 42a may be written in the storage unit 42, for example, at a manufacturing stage of the charging communication ECU 4, or the charging communication ECU 4 may obtain by communication what is distributed by a remote server device, for example, a memory. The charging communication ECU 4 may read the program 42a recorded in the recording medium 99 such as a card or an optical disc and store it in the storage unit 42. Alternatively, for example, the writing device may read the program 42a recorded in the recording medium 99 and charge communication. It may be written in the storage unit 42 of the ECU 4. The program 42a may be provided in the form of distribution via a network, or may be provided in the form recorded on the recording medium 99.

The wireless communication unit 43 performs wireless communication with the power supply device 6 according to a wireless LAN communication protocol, for example. The wireless communication unit 43 can be configured using an IC (Integrated Circuit) of a wireless transceiver. The wireless communication unit 43 performs wireless transmission to the power feeding device 6 by outputting a signal obtained by modulating the transmission data provided from the processing unit 41 to the antenna. Further, the wireless communication unit 43 gives the processing unit 41 data obtained by demodulating the signal received by the antenna. In addition, in the present embodiment, the wireless communication unit 43 has a communication status detection unit 43a. The communication status detection unit 43a detects the radio field intensity of the wireless signal received from the power supply device 6, the S/N ratio, and the congestion degree of the communication channel. Alternatively, the communication status detection unit 43a may detect information necessary for calculating the values indicating these communication statuses, and the processing unit 41 may calculate these values.

The in-vehicle communication unit 44 performs wired communication according to the CAN communication protocol, for example. The in-vehicle communication unit 44 can be configured using an IC of a so-called CAN transceiver. The in-vehicle communication unit 44 is connected to other vehicle-mounted devices such as the charging control ECU 3 via a communication line such as a CAN bus arranged in the vehicle 1, and communicates with these other vehicle-mounted devices according to the CAN communication protocol. I do. The in-vehicle communication unit 44 converts the data for transmission given from the processing unit 41 into an electric signal according to the CAN communication protocol and outputs the electric signal to the communication line, thereby transmitting the data to other in-vehicle devices. Further, the in-vehicle communication unit 44 receives data from another vehicle-mounted device by sampling and acquiring the potential of the communication line, and gives the received data to the processing unit 41.

Further, in the charging communication ECU 4 according to the present embodiment, the processing unit 41 reads out and executes the program 42a stored in the storage unit 42, so that the power feeding communication processing unit 41a, the communication status determination unit 41b, and the communication status notification unit 41c. The change request reception processing unit 41d, the communication channel changing unit 41e, and the like are implemented in the processing unit 41 as software functional blocks. The power supply communication processing unit 41a performs a process of transmitting and receiving various information necessary for power supply of the battery 2 of the vehicle 1 to and from the power supply device 6, and relays communication between the power supply device 6 and the charging control ECU 3. In addition, the power feeding communication processing unit 41a performs the power feeding processing illustrated in FIG. 2 by exchanging information with the power feeding device 6 by wireless communication.

Whether the communication status determination unit 41b is stable in wireless communication with the power supply device 6 based on the communication status such as the radio field intensity, the S/N ratio, and the congestion degree detected by the communication status detection unit 43a of the wireless communication unit 43. A process for determining whether or not to perform is performed. The communication status determination unit 41b determines that the wireless communication with the power supply device 6 is unstable when, for example, the radio field intensity is lower than the threshold value, the S/N ratio is lower than the threshold value, or the congestion degree is higher than the threshold value. judge. The communication status determination unit 41b determines that the wireless communication with the power supply device 6 is stable when, for example, the radio field intensity is higher than the threshold value, the S/N ratio is higher than the threshold value, and the congestion degree is lower than the threshold value. To do.

When the communication status notification unit 41c determines that the wireless communication with the power supply apparatus 6 is unstable, the communication status notification unit 41c notifies the power supply apparatus 6 to that effect and requests the communication channel change. I do. In the present embodiment, the communication status notification unit 41c selects a communication channel different from the communication channel used in the current wireless communication, and includes information specifying the selected communication channel in the notification message to supply the power. Send to 6. The communication channel to be changed is, for example, a communication channel in which it is estimated that the most stable wireless communication can be performed by checking the communication status of all communication channels available in the communication status detection unit 43a ( For example, a communication channel having a high radio field intensity, a high S/N ratio or a low congestion degree) is selected.

The change request reception processing unit 41d performs a process of receiving a communication channel change request transmitted from the power supply device 6. In the power supply communication system according to the present embodiment, when the power supply device 6 changes the communication channel in response to the notification from the charging communication ECU 4 of the vehicle 1, another vehicle 1 that is already in wireless communication with the power supply device 6 is in communication. A request for changing the communication channel is transmitted from charging device 6 to charging communication ECU 4. The change request includes information designating the communication channel to be changed. The change request reception processing unit 41d receives the change request from the power supply device 6 and gives the communication channel information included in the change request to the communication channel change unit 41e.

The communication channel changing unit 41e receives a response from the power feeding device 6 to change the communication channel in response to the notification transmitted by the communication status notifying unit 41c, or when the change request reception processing unit 41d causes the power feeding device 6 to change. When a request for changing the communication channel is received from, the communication channel used for wireless communication with the power supply device 6 is changed. The communication channel changing unit 41e changes the setting of the communication channel used for wireless communication and causes the power supply communication processing unit 41a to perform the processing from the stage before the communication is established, thereby changing the communication channel of the wireless communication.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of power supply device 6 according to the present exemplary embodiment. The power supply device 6 according to the present embodiment is configured to include a processing unit (processor) 61, a storage unit (storage) 62, a wireless communication unit (transceiver) 63, a power supply control unit 64, and the like. The processing unit 61 is configured using an arithmetic processing device such as a CPU or MPU. The processing unit 61 reads out and executes the program 62a stored in the storage unit 62 to perform a process of transmitting and receiving information regarding wireless power feeding to and from the charging communication ECU 4 of the vehicle 1 by wireless communication, and a communication channel. And the like.

The storage unit 62 is configured by using a non-volatile memory element such as a flash memory or an EEPROM. The storage unit 62 stores various programs executed by the processing unit 61 and various data necessary for the processing of the processing unit 61. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 62 stores the program 62a executed by the processing unit 61. The program 62a may be written in the storage unit 62, for example, at the manufacturing stage of the power feeding device 6, or the power feeding device 6 may obtain what is distributed by a remote server device or the like by communication, or, for example, a memory. The power supply device 6 may read the program 62a recorded in the recording medium 98 such as a card or an optical disc and store it in the storage unit 62. For example, the program 62a recorded in the recording medium 98 may be read by the writing device and read in the power supply device. 6 may be written in the storage unit 62. The program 62a may be provided in the form of distribution via a network, or may be provided in the form recorded on the recording medium 98.

The wireless communication unit 63 performs wireless communication with the charging communication ECU 4 in accordance with a wireless LAN communication protocol, for example. The wireless communication unit 63 can be configured using an IC of a wireless transceiver. The wireless communication unit 63 uses any one of the available communication channels to perform wireless communication with the plurality of charging communication ECUs 4. The wireless communication unit 63 performs wireless transmission to the charging communication ECU 4 by outputting a signal obtained by modulating the transmission data provided from the processing unit 61 to the antenna. In addition, the wireless communication unit 63 provides the processing unit 61 with data obtained by demodulating the signal received by the antenna.

The power feeding control unit 64 controls power transmission to the vehicle 1 by the power transmission coil 7 according to a command given from the processing unit 61. The processing unit 61 determines, for example, the power amount and frequency of the power to be transmitted based on the information transmitted and received by wireless communication with the charging communication ECU 4, and notifies the power supply control unit 64 of these values. The power feeding control unit 64 controls the power amount and frequency of the power transmitted from the power transmission coil 7 based on the value notified from the processing unit 61.

Further, in the power supply device 6 according to the present embodiment, the processing unit 61 reads and executes the program 62a stored in the storage unit 62, so that the power supply processing unit 61a, the notification reception processing unit 61b, and the change request transmission processing unit 61c. The communication channel changing unit 61d and the like are implemented in the processing unit 61 as software functional blocks. The power feeding processing unit 61a performs a process of transmitting and receiving various information necessary for wireless power feeding to the vehicle 1 to and from the charging communication ECU 4, and also gives a command to the power feeding control unit 64 to send power from the power transmission coil 7 to the vehicle 1. The process of controlling the wireless power supply of is performed. In addition, the power supply processing unit 61a performs the processing illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 2 by exchanging information with the charging communication ECU 4 by wireless communication.

The notification reception processing unit 61b performs a process of receiving a notification indicating that the wireless communication transmitted from the charging communication ECU 4 of the vehicle 1 is unstable. The notification from the charging communication ECU 4 requests a change in the communication channel, and the notification reception processing unit 61b sends a response to the effect that the communication channel will be changed when the communication channel can be changed. Send to. When the communication channel cannot be changed, the notification reception processing unit 61b transmits a response to the effect that the change of the communication channel is rejected to the charging communication ECU 4. Further, in the present embodiment, the notification from the charging communication ECU 4 includes the information about the communication channel to be changed, and the notification reception processing unit 61b acquires the information about the communication channel from the received notification and performs the change request transmission process. It is given to the unit 61c and the communication channel changing unit 61d.

When the communication channel is changed, the change request transmission processing unit 61c performs a process of transmitting a communication channel change request to the charging communication ECU 4 of the other vehicle 1 that was wirelessly communicating at that time. At this time, the change request transmission processing unit 61c transmits the change request by including the information about the communication channel given from the notification reception processing unit 61b. That is, the change request transmitted from the power supply device 6 to the charging communication ECU 4 includes information designating the communication channel to be changed.

The communication channel changing unit 61d performs a process of changing the communication channel used for wireless communication with the charging communication ECU 4 based on the information about the communication channel given from the notification reception processing unit 61b. The communication channel changing unit 61d changes the setting of the communication channel used for wireless communication, and causes the power supply processing unit 61a to perform the processing from the stage prior to the establishment of communication, thereby changing the communication channel of wireless communication.

<Communication channel change processing>
5 to 7 are schematic diagrams for explaining the communication channel changing process performed in the power feeding communication system according to the present embodiment. In the illustrated example, it is assumed that the power supply device 6 and the charging communication ECU 4 can use a plurality of communication channels whose bandwidths do not interfere with each other, and perform wireless communication on the communication channel 1 as an initial state. It is assumed that the power feeding device 6 is provided with three power transmission coils 7 and is capable of simultaneously performing wireless power feeding to three vehicles 1. The power supply device 6 can perform wireless communication with at least three charging communication ECUs 4, but needs to perform wireless communication using a common communication channel.

The example shown in FIG. 5 is a case where a new vehicle 1 visits power supply while the vehicle 1 that is performing wireless power supply at the power supply station does not exist. The charging communication ECU 4 of the vehicle 1 detects the presence of the power feeding device 6 that is a partner of wireless communication by receiving the beacon signal that the power feeding device 6 periodically transmits, and establishes the communication channel 1 with the power feeding device 6. Start the used wireless communication. Here, the charging communication ECU 4 is not stable in the communication state with the power feeding device 6, for example, the radio field intensity of the wireless signal from the power feeding device 6 is weaker than the threshold value, the S/N ratio is lower than the threshold value, or the communication channel When it is determined that the congestion degree is higher than the threshold value or the like, a notification that communication is not stable is transmitted to the power supply device 6. At this time, the charging communication ECU 4 checks the communication status of the communication channels other than the current communication channel 1, and transmits the notification including the information specifying the communication channel whose communication status is stable as the communication channel to be changed. In this example, it is assumed that the notification specifying the communication channel 6 is transmitted from the charging communication ECU 4 to the power supply device 6.

The power supply device 6 that has received the notification from the charging communication ECU 4 determines whether or not the communication channel can be changed to the communication channel 6 designated by the notification. In the present embodiment, power supply device 6 determines whether or not the communication channel can be changed based on the number of charging communication ECUs 4 of other vehicles 1 that are performing wireless communication at that time. In this example, since there is no other vehicle 1, the power supply device 6 determines that the communication channel can be changed, and transmits a response to the effect that the communication channel is changed to the charging communication ECU 4. After that, the charging communication ECU 4 and the power supply device 6 change the communication channel used for wireless communication from the communication channel 1 to the communication channel 6, and start wireless communication using the communication channel 6.

The example shown in FIG. 6 is a case where a new vehicle 1 visits power supply while one vehicle 1 is performing wireless power supply at the power supply station. Similar to the example shown in FIG. 5, the charging communication ECU 4 of the new vehicle 1 starts wireless communication with the power supply device 6 using the communication channel 1 and determines that the communication status is not stable. A notification including information specifying the communication channel 6 is transmitted from the ECU 4 to the power supply device 6. The power supply device 6 that has received the notification from the charging communication ECU 4 determines whether or not the communication channel can be changed. In the present embodiment, power supply device 6 determines that the number of other charging communication ECUs 4 that are wirelessly communicating at that time is one or less, and determines that the number of other charging communication ECUs 4 is two or more. Is determined to be impossible.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, since there is one other charging communication ECU 4 that is already performing wireless communication on the communication channel 1, the power supply device 6 determines that the communication channel can be changed. The power feeding device 6 transmits a response to the effect that the communication channel is changed to the charging communication ECU 4 that is the transmission source of the notification, and communicates with another charging communication ECU 4 the communication channel used for wireless communication from the communication channel 1. A change request for changing to channel 6 is transmitted. After that, the two charging communication ECUs 4 and the power supply device 6 change the communication channel used for wireless communication from the communication channel 1 to the communication channel 6, and start wireless communication using the communication channel 6.

The example shown in FIG. 7 is a case where a new vehicle 1 visits power supply while two vehicles 1 are performing wireless power supply at the power supply station. The charging communication ECU 4 of the new vehicle 1 starts wireless communication with the power feeding device 6 using the communication channel 1, and determines from the charging communication ECU 4 that the communication status is not stable to the power feeding device 6 to connect the communication channel 6 to the power feeding device 6. A notification containing the specified information is sent. In the example shown in FIG. 7, since there are two other charging communication ECUs 4 that are already performing wireless communication on the communication channel 1, the power supply device 6 determines that the communication channel cannot be changed. The power supply device 6 transmits a response to the effect that the change of the communication channel is rejected to the charging communication ECU 4 that is the transmission source of the notification. The charging communication ECU 4 that has received the response of the change refusal from the power supply device 6 continuously transmits the notification requesting the change to the communication channel 6 to the power supply device 6 continuously while continuing the wireless communication using the communication channel 1. .. The notification of the charging communication ECU 4 is transmitted until the communication status in the communication channel 1 becomes stable or the communication channel 6 is changed.

In this example, when the power supply device 6 determines whether or not the communication channel can be changed, the power supply device 6 makes a determination based on the number of charging communication ECUs 4 of another vehicle 1 that is already performing wireless communication. However, this determination method is an example, and the determination of changeability may be performed based on another determination criterion.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of communication channel change processing performed by charging communication ECU 4 according to the present embodiment. The processing unit 41 of the charging communication ECU 4 according to the present embodiment causes the communication status detecting unit 43a of the wireless communication unit 43 to detect the communication status such as the radio field intensity, the S/N ratio, or the congestion degree (step S11). Get the detection result. The communication status determination unit 41b of the processing unit 41 determines whether or not the wireless communication with the power supply device 6 is stable, based on the detection result of the communication status detection unit 43a (step S12). Here, the communication status determination unit 41b determines that the wireless communication is stable, for example, when the radio field intensity is higher than the threshold value, the S/N ratio is higher than the threshold value, and the congestion degree is lower than the threshold value, For example, when the radio field intensity is weaker than the threshold value, the S/N ratio is lower than the threshold value, or the congestion degree is higher than the threshold value, it is determined that the wireless communication is not stable. When it is determined that the wireless communication is stable (S12: YES), the processing unit 41 ends the process without changing the communication channel.

When it is determined that the wireless communication is not stable (S12: NO), the processing unit 41 determines the communication channel to be changed by checking the communication status of the unused communication channel (step S13). The communication status notification unit 41c of the processing unit 41 transmits a notification including information regarding the determined communication channel to the power supply device 6 (step S14). The processing unit 41 determines whether or not the response from the power supply device 6 to the notification has been received (step S15). When the response has not been received (S15: NO), the processing unit 41 waits until the response is received.

When the response from the power supply device 6 is received (S15: YES), the processing unit 41 determines whether the communication channel can be changed based on the received response (step S16). When the response refusing the change of the communication channel is received from the power supply device 6 and it is determined that the change of the communication channel is impossible (S16: NO), the processing unit 41 returns the process to step S11 and performs the communication. The above process is repeated until the situation becomes stable or the communication channel is changed. When it is determined that the communication channel can be changed (S16: YES), the communication channel changing unit 41e of the processing unit 41 changes the communication channel used for wireless communication with the power feeding device 6 (step S17), and executes the process. finish.

In the present embodiment, charging communication ECU 4 transmits a notification to power supply device 6 in step S14, waits for a response from power supply device 6 that has received this notification, and then changes the communication channel in step S17. It is carried out. However, the charging communication ECU 4 may be configured to change the communication channel without waiting for a response from the power feeding device 6 after transmitting the notification to the power feeding device 6.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the communication channel changing process performed by power supply device 6 according to the present embodiment. The notification reception processing unit 61b of the processing unit 61 of the power supply device 6 according to the present embodiment determines whether a notification regarding the communication status has been received from the charging communication ECU 4 (step S21). When the notification from the charging communication ECU 4 is not received (S21: NO), the notification reception processing unit 61b waits until the notification is received. When the notification is received (S21: YES), the processing unit 61 determines whether or not it is possible to change to the communication channel specified in the notification from the charging communication ECU 4 (step S22). When it is determined that the change is impossible (S22: NO), the processing unit 61 transmits a response to the effect that the change of the communication channel is rejected to the charging communication ECU 4 that is the transmission source of the notification received in step S21. (Step S23), the process ends.

When it is determined that the communication channel can be changed (S22: YES), the processing unit 61 transmits a response indicating that the change is possible to the charging communication ECU 4 that is the transmission source of the notification received in step S21. (Step S24). The change request transmission processing unit 61c of the processing unit 61 determines whether or not there is another vehicle 1 that should request the change of the communication channel (step S25). When another vehicle 1 exists (S25: YES), the change request transmission processing unit 61c, based on the information of the communication channel of the change destination included in the notification received in step S21, the charge communication of the other vehicle 1. A communication channel change request is transmitted to the ECU 4 (step S26), and the process proceeds to step S27. When there is no other vehicle 1 (S25: NO), the change request transmission processing unit 61c advances the process to step S27 without transmitting the change request. After that, the communication channel changing unit 61d of the processing unit 61 changes the communication channel used for wireless communication with the charging communication ECU 4 (step S27), and ends the process.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of communication channel change processing performed by charging communication ECU 4 according to the present embodiment. The change request reception processing unit 41d of the processing unit 41 of the charging communication ECU 4 according to the present embodiment determines whether a communication channel change request has been received from the power supply device 6 (step S31). When the change request has not been received (S31: NO), the change request reception processing unit 41d waits until the change request is received from the power supply device 6. When the change request is received (S31: YES), the communication channel change unit 41e of the processing unit 41 performs wireless communication with the power supply device 6 based on the communication channel information included in the change request received in step S31. The communication channel used is changed (step S32), and the process ends.

<Summary>
In the power supply communication system according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, wireless communication is performed between the power supply device 6 that wirelessly supplies power to the vehicle 1 and the charging communication ECU 4 mounted on the vehicle 1. The charging communication ECU 4 establishes communication on the communication channel determined by the power supply device 6 to perform wireless communication, and communication status of wireless communication with the power supply device 6 on this communication channel, for example, radio wave intensity, S/N ratio or congestion. Detect the degree. The charging communication ECU 4 notifies the power feeding device 6 according to the detected communication state, for example, when it determines that the wireless communication with the power feeding device 6 is unstable, and changes the communication channel used for the wireless communication. To do. Thereby, the communication channel used for wireless communication between the power supply device 6 and the charging communication ECU 4 can be changed according to the communication status detected by the charging communication ECU 4. For example, the power supply device 6 and the charging communication ECU 4 can stably perform wireless communication by changing from a communication channel in which wireless communication is unstable to a more stable communication channel.

Further, in the power feeding communication system according to the present embodiment, the notification transmitted from charging communication ECU 4 to the power feeding device includes information designating the communication channel to be changed. That is, in the power feeding communication system according to the present embodiment, charging communication ECU 4 determines the communication channel to be changed. As a result, the power feeding device 6 can change to the communication channel designated by the charging communication ECU 4, and can change to the same communication channel between the charging communication ECU 4 and the power feeding device 6.

In addition, when the charging communication ECU 4 according to the present embodiment receives a request for changing the communication channel from the power supply device 6, the charging communication ECU 4 changes to the communication channel designated by the change request. Thereby, for example, when the power supply device 6 is wirelessly communicating with the plurality of charging communication ECUs 4 and the communication channel is changed in response to a notification from any one of the charging communication ECUs 4, the charging communication ECUs 4 communicate with other charging communication ECUs 4. The power supply device 6 can transmit a change request to change the communication channel.

Further, the power supply device 6 according to the present embodiment can reject the change of the communication channel according to the notification from the charging communication ECU 4. When the power feeding device 6 refuses to change the communication channel, the charging communication ECU 4 repeatedly notifies the power feeding device 6 until the communication status becomes stable or the communication channel is changed. Thus, when the cause of the power supply device 6 rejecting the change of the communication channel is resolved, the communication channel can be changed promptly.

In the present embodiment, the radio wave intensity, the S/N ratio, and the congestion degree are mentioned as the communication status detected by the charging communication ECU 4, but this is an example, and characteristic values related to communication other than this are detected. Good. Further, the power supply device 6 according to the present embodiment is configured to include a plurality of power transmission coils 7 and can perform wireless power supply to a plurality of vehicles 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the power supply device 6 is 1 The configuration may be such that one power transmission coil 7 is provided and wireless power supply to one vehicle 1 is performed. The procedure of the process between the power supply device 6 and the charging communication ECU 4 shown in FIG. 2 is an example, and may be appropriately changed according to the wireless power supply standard and the like.

(Modification 1)
In the power feeding communication system according to the above-described embodiment, the charging communication ECU 4 determines the communication channel to be changed, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the power feeding communication system according to the first modification, the charging communication ECU 4 does not determine the communication channel to be changed, and the notification transmitted from the charging communication ECU 4 to the power feeding device 6 does not include information on the communication channel to be changed. Upon receiving the notification from the charging communication ECU 4, when determining that the communication channel can be changed, the power supply device 6 checks the communication status of one or more communication channels that can be changed and determines the communication channel to be changed. To do. The power supply device 6 transmits the response to the notification from the charging communication ECU 4 including the information about the communication channel to be changed. The charging communication ECU 4 that has received the response from the power supply device 6 changes the communication channel used for wireless communication with the power supply device 6 based on the communication channel information included in the response.

(Modification 2)
In the power feeding communication system according to the above-described embodiment, the charging communication ECU 4 and the power feeding device 6 change the communication channel used for wireless communication, but the frequency may be further changed. In the power feeding communication system according to the second modification, the power feeding device 6 and the charging communication ECU 4 can transmit and receive a radio signal having a frequency of 2.4 GHz band or 5 GHz band, for example. For example, when the power supply device 6 and the charging communication ECU 4 start wireless communication using the frequency 2.4 GHz band and the communication channel 1, and the charging communication ECU 4 detects the communication status and determines that the communication is unstable, By transmitting the notification to the power supply device 6, the charging communication ECU 4 can request a change to wireless communication using any communication channel usable in the frequency 5 GHz band and the frequency 5 GHz band. The power supply device 6 that has received the notification determines whether or not the frequency band and the communication channel designated by the notification can be changed, and if the change is possible, transmits a response to that effect to the charging communication ECU 4, Change the communication channel. The charging communication ECU 4 changes the frequency band and the communication channel after receiving the response from the power supply device 6 that the change is possible.

Note that the frequency band and the communication channel change performed by the power supply communication system according to the modification 2 may be always performed in pairs, for example, or one or both may be changed as necessary. Further, the power supply device 6 may determine the frequency band and the communication channel to be changed, instead of the charging communication ECU 4.

The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above meaning but by the scope of the claims, and is intended to include meanings equivalent to the scope of the claims and all modifications within the scope.

1 vehicle 2 battery 3 charge control ECU
4 Charge communication ECU (in-vehicle communication device)
5 power receiving coil 6 power feeding device 7 power transmitting coil 41 processing unit 41a power feeding communication processing unit 41b communication status determination unit 41c communication status notification unit (notification unit)
41d Change request reception processing unit (reception unit)
41e Communication channel changing unit (changing unit, second changing unit)
42 storage unit 42a program (computer program)
43 wireless communication unit 43a communication status detection unit (detection unit)
44 In-vehicle communication unit 61 Processing unit 61a Power supply processing unit 61b Notification reception processing unit (reception unit)
61c Change request transmission processing unit (transmission unit)
61d Communication channel change unit (change unit)
62 storage unit 62a program 63 wireless communication unit 64 power supply control unit 98,99 recording medium

Claims (8)

An in-vehicle communication device that performs wireless communication with a power supply device that supplies power to a vehicle,
A detection unit that performs wireless communication using the communication channel determined by the power supply device and detects a communication status with the power supply device,
A notification unit that notifies the power supply device according to the communication status detected by the detection unit,
An in-vehicle communication device, comprising: a change unit that changes a communication channel used for wireless communication according to a notification from the notification unit or according to a transmission from the power supply device that receives the notification. The vehicle-mounted communication device according to claim 1, wherein the notification of the notification unit includes information designating a communication channel to be changed by the changing unit. A receiver for receiving a communication channel change request from the power supply device,
And a second changing unit that changes the communication channel used for wireless communication to the communication channel specified by the change request when the receiving unit receives the change request. The in-vehicle communication device described. The in-vehicle communication according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the power supply device refuses to change the communication channel according to the notification of the notification unit, the notification unit repeatedly performs the notification. apparatus. A power supply communication system comprising: a power supply device for supplying power to a vehicle; and an in-vehicle communication device mounted on the vehicle for performing wireless communication between the power supply devices,
The in-vehicle communication device,
A detection unit that performs wireless communication using the communication channel determined by the power supply device and detects a communication status with the power supply device,
A notification unit that notifies the power supply device according to the communication status detected by the detection unit,
A change unit that changes the communication channel used for wireless communication in response to the notification of the notification unit or in response to the transmission from the power supply device that has received the notification,
The power supply device,
A receiver for receiving a notification from the vehicle-mounted communication device,
And a changing unit that changes the communication channel used for wireless communication according to the notification received by the receiving unit. The power supply device has a transmission unit that transmits a communication channel change request to an in-vehicle communication device that is different from the in-vehicle communication device that is the transmission source of the notification received by the reception unit,
The in-vehicle communication device,
A receiver for receiving a communication channel change request from the power supply device,
The power feeding communication according to claim 5, further comprising: a second changing unit that changes the communication channel used for wireless communication to the communication channel specified by the change request when the receiving unit receives the change request. system. A computer that performs wireless communication with a power supply device that supplies power to the vehicle,
Wireless communication is performed using the communication channel determined by the power supply device, and the communication status with the power supply device is detected,
Notify the power supply device according to the communication status issued,
A computer program that executes a process of changing a communication channel used for wireless communication in response to the notification or in response to a transmission from the power supply device that receives the notification. Using an in-vehicle communication device that performs wireless communication with a power supply device that supplies power to the vehicle,
Wireless communication is performed using the communication channel determined by the power supply device, and the communication status with the power supply device is detected,
Notify the power supply device according to the communication status issued,
A power supply communication method for changing a communication channel used for wireless communication in response to the notification or in response to a transmission from the power supply device that has received the notification.

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