阅读说明：本技术 车辆的充电管理装置及其充电管理方法 (Vehicle charging management device and charging management method thereof ) 是由 朴永栽 于 2020-10-20 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供了一种用于车辆的充电管理装置及其充电管理方法。充电管理装置包括基于用户使用无线充电道路的模式构建的用户DB。电力网状态识别装置识别无线充电道路的电力网状态,电池状态识别装置识别车辆的电池状态。然后,控制器参考用户配置文件、无线充电道路的电力网状态以及车辆的电池状态来生成充电计划,并且基于所生成的充电计划调整电池充电。(The invention provides a charging management device for a vehicle and a charging management method thereof. The charging management device includes a user DB constructed based on a pattern in which the user uses the wireless charging road. The power grid state recognition device recognizes a power grid state of the wireless charging road, and the battery state recognition device recognizes a battery state of the vehicle. Then, the controller generates a charging plan with reference to the user profile, the power grid status of the wireless charging road, and the battery status of the vehicle, and adjusts the battery charging based on the generated charging plan.)

1. A charge management device for a vehicle, comprising:

a user database constructed based on a pattern of users using the wireless charging road;

a power grid state identification device configured to identify a power grid state of a wireless charging road;

a battery state identification device configured to identify a battery state of the vehicle; and

a controller configured to generate a charging plan with reference to the user profile, the power grid status of the wireless charging road, and the battery status of the vehicle, and adjust the battery charging based on the generated charging plan.

2. The charge management device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the power grid state of the wireless charging road includes information on a power supply state of a power grid and information on a price of electricity for each time interval.

3. The charge management device for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to generate the charging plan in order of time intervals in which the electricity prices are low to high, based on the information on the state of power supply of the power grid and the information on the electricity prices of each time interval.

4. The charge management device for the vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to generate the charge plan excluding the time interval in which the power supply state is less than the reference level, based on the information on the power supply state of the power grid and the information on the electricity price for each time interval.

5. The charging management device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the power grid status recognition device is configured to receive information on the power grid status from an infrastructure located on a wireless charging road.

6. The charge management apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to: in response to receiving the changed power grid status information from the infrastructure, a charging plan is again generated based on the changed power grid status information before the vehicle reaches the destination.

7. The charge management apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to: in response to determining that the power supply status of the power grid becomes less than the reference level, the charging plan is generated again based on at least one of a remaining distance to the destination, a battery status, or a location of a road segment where the power supply status of the power grid is greater than or equal to the reference level.

8. The charge management device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to request a navigation device to provide lane or route guidance according to a charge plan when the charge plan is generated.

9. The charge management apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the battery state of the vehicle includes information on a remaining amount of battery and information on a necessary amount of electric power required until the vehicle reaches a destination.

10. The charge management device for a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising:

a running environment management device configured to obtain and manage a usage pattern of the wireless charging road while the vehicle is running.

11. The charge management device for a vehicle according to claim 10, wherein the usage pattern of the wireless charging road includes information on a usage time interval and an average usage time of the wireless charging road.

12. The charge management device for a vehicle according to claim 11, further comprising:

a user database management device configured to construct and manage a user database based on week data generated based on information on a usage time interval and an average usage time of the wireless charging road for each day of the week, and update the user database with an average value of the week data over a certain period of time.

13. The charge management apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the user database management apparatus is configured to update the user database based on the charge plan when the vehicle reaches the destination.

14. A charge management method for a vehicle, comprising:

identifying, by the controller, a usage pattern of the wireless charging roadway from a user database;

identifying, by a controller, a power grid status of a wireless charging roadway;

identifying, by a controller, a battery status of a vehicle;

generating, by the controller, a charging plan with reference to the usage pattern of the wireless charging road, the power grid status of the wireless charging road, and the battery status of the vehicle, and adjusting the battery charging based on the generated charging plan.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the power grid status of the wireless charging road includes information on a power supply status of a power grid and information on a price of electricity per time interval.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein adjusting battery charging comprises:

the charging schedule is generated by the controller in order of time intervals in which the electricity prices are low to high, based on the information on the power supply state of the power grid and the information on the electricity prices of each time interval.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein adjusting battery charging comprises:

generating, by the controller, a charging plan that does not include a time interval in which the power supply state is less than the reference level, based on the information on the power supply state of the power grid and the information on the electricity price for each time interval.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein adjusting battery charging further comprises:

in response to receiving the changed power grid status information from the infrastructure located on the wireless charging roadway, a charging plan is generated again by the controller based on the changed power grid status information before the vehicle reaches the destination.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein regenerating a charging plan comprises:

in response to determining that the power supply status of the power grid becomes less than the reference level, the charging plan is generated again by the controller based on at least one of a remaining distance to the destination, a battery status, or a location of a section of the power grid where the power supply status is greater than or equal to the reference level.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

when a charging plan is generated, a controller requests a navigation device to provide lane or route guidance according to the charging plan.

21. The method according to claim 14, wherein the battery state of the vehicle includes information on a remaining amount of battery and information on a necessary amount of power required until the vehicle reaches a destination.

22. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

obtaining and managing information on a usage time interval and an average usage time of the wireless charging road by the controller while the vehicle is traveling;

generating, by a controller, week data of usage patterns of a wireless charging road for each day of a week;

building, by the controller, a user database based on the week data;

the user database is updated by the controller with an average of the weekly data over a period of time.

23. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

when the vehicle reaches the destination, the user database is updated by the controller based on the charging schedule.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a charge management device for a vehicle and a charge management method thereof, and more particularly, to a charge management device and a charge management method thereof that maintain an amount of power level required for vehicle operation in a wireless charging road environment capable of charging a vehicle while the vehicle is traveling, to increase user convenience.

Background

An electric vehicle charges its battery and is driven by the electric power of the charged battery. Since running of the electric vehicle may cause a problem when the battery power is insufficient, an infrastructure for receiving charging power in a case where the power is insufficient while running should be developed. Thus, when a charging station is provided on the route of the road, the electric vehicle can charge the battery at the charging station located on the electric vehicle travel path.

In recent years, along with the construction of infrastructure on roads, a technology of charging an electric vehicle while the electric vehicle is traveling on a road has been developed. However, various changes may occur when electric power is used in a wireless charging environment of an electric vehicle. In particular, due to the growth of the electric vehicle market, a shortage of electric power is expected to occur. Therefore, there is a need for a method for efficiently regulating power requirements in a wireless charging environment.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention provides a charge management apparatus for a vehicle and a charge management method thereof for managing such that an amount of power required for vehicle operation is maintained in a wireless charging road environment capable of charging a vehicle while the vehicle is traveling, to increase user convenience.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a charge management apparatus for a vehicle and a charge management method thereof for generating a charge plan having the lowest charge rate with reference to power supply conditions in a wireless charging road environment and a price of electricity per time interval and managing battery charging to save charge costs. The technical problems to be solved by the inventive concept are not limited to the above-described problems, and any other technical problems not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains from the following description.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a charge management apparatus for a vehicle may include: a user Database (DB) constructed based on a pattern in which users use wireless charging roads, a power grid state recognition device, a battery state recognition device, and a controller; the power grid state identification device is configured to identify a power grid state of a wireless charging road; the battery state identifying device is configured to identify a battery state of a vehicle; the controller is configured to generate a charging plan with reference to a user profile, a power grid status of the wireless charging road, and a battery status of the vehicle, and adjust battery charging based on the generated charging plan.

The power grid status of the wireless charging road may include information on a power supply status of the power grid and information on a price of electricity per time interval. The controller may be configured to generate the charging schedule in order of time intervals in which the electricity prices are low to high, based on the information on the power supply state of the power grid and the information on the electricity prices of each time interval. The controller may be configured to generate the charging plan excluding a time interval in which the power supply state is less than the reference level, based on the information on the power supply state of the power grid and the information on the power rate for each time interval.

The power grid status identification device may be configured to receive information about the power grid status from an infrastructure located on the wireless charging roadway. The controller may be configured to generate the charging plan again based on the changed power grid status information when the changed power grid status information is received from the infrastructure before the vehicle reaches the destination. The controller may be configured to generate the charging plan again based on at least one of a remaining distance to the destination, a battery status, or a position of a section of the power grid where the power supply status of the power grid is greater than or equal to the reference level when the power supply status of the power grid becomes less than the reference level. The controller may be configured to request the navigation device to provide lane or route guidance according to a charging plan when the charging plan is generated.

The battery state of the vehicle may include information on the remaining amount of battery and information on the necessary amount of power required until the vehicle reaches the destination. The charge management device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include a running environment management device configured to obtain and manage a usage pattern of the wireless charging road while the vehicle is running. The usage pattern of the wireless charging link may include information on the usage time interval and the average usage time of the wireless charging link.

Further, the charging management apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include a user DB management apparatus configured to construct and manage a user DB based on week data generated based on information on a usage time interval and an average usage time of the wireless charging road for each day of a week, and update the user DB with an average of the week data over a certain period of time. When the vehicle reaches the destination, the user DB management means may be configured to update the user DB based on the charging plan.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a charge management method for a vehicle may include: identifying a usage pattern of the wireless charging road from the user DB; identifying a power grid state of a wireless charging road; identifying a battery state of the vehicle; a charging plan is generated with reference to a usage pattern of the wireless charging road, a power grid state of the wireless charging road, and a battery state of the vehicle, and battery charging is adjusted based on the generated charging plan.

Drawings

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a wireless charging roadway environment according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a charge management apparatus for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3 is a schematic view illustrating an operation of a charge management apparatus for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

fig. 4, 5 and 6 are flowcharts illustrating operation flows of a charge management method for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

It should be understood that the term "vehicle" or "vehicular" or other similar terms as used herein generally includes motor vehicles, such as passenger automobiles including Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), buses, vans, various commercial vehicles, watercraft including various boats, ships, aircraft, and the like, and includes hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen powered vehicles, and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuels derived from non-petroleum sources). As referred to herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle having two or more power sources, such as both gasoline-powered and electric-powered vehicles.

While the exemplary embodiments are described as using multiple units to perform the exemplary processes, it should be understood that the exemplary processes may also be performed by one or more modules. Additionally, it should be understood that the term controller/control unit refers to a hardware device that includes a memory and a processor, and is specifically programmed to perform the processes described herein. The memory is configured to store modules that the processor is specifically configured to execute to perform one or more processes described further below.

Furthermore, the control logic of the present invention may be embodied as a non-transitory computer readable medium on a computer readable medium containing executable program instructions executed by a processor, controller/control unit, or the like. Examples of computer readable media include, but are not limited to, ROM, RAM, Compact Disc (CD) -ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, flash drive, smart card, and optical data storage. The computer readable recording medium CAN also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable medium is stored and executed in a distributed fashion, for example, by a telematics server or a Controller Area Network (CAN).

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, values, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, values, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Unless specifically stated or otherwise apparent from the context, the term "about" as used herein is understood to be within the normal tolerance of the art, e.g., within an average of 2 standard deviations. "about" can be understood to be within 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05%, or 0.01% of the stated value. Unless otherwise clear from the context, all numbers provided herein are modified by the term "about".

Some exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to exemplary drawings. When a reference numeral is added to a component of each drawing, it should be noted that the same or equivalent component is denoted by the same reference numeral even if it is displayed on other drawings. Furthermore, in describing exemplary embodiments of the present invention, detailed descriptions of well-known features or functions are excluded so as to not unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention.

In describing components according to embodiments of the present invention, terms such as first, second, "A", "B", "a", "B", and the like may be used. These terms are only intended to distinguish one component from another component, and do not limit the nature, order, or sequence of the constituent components. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. These terms, as defined in a general dictionary, should be interpreted as having the same meaning as the contextual meaning of the related art and should not be interpreted as having an ideal or excessively formal meaning unless explicitly defined as having an ideal or excessively formal meaning in this application.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a wireless charging roadway environment according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 1, a wireless charging road 1 for supplying power for wireless charging to a running vehicle may be implemented on a road on which the vehicle is running. Specifically, the wireless charging road 1 may be provided on one lane of the road. As an example, the wireless charging road 1 may be disposed on the outermost lane among the road lanes. Of course, the position where the wireless charging road 1 is provided is not limited thereto, and the wireless charging road may be provided in various ways according to implementation forms.

At least one infrastructure for providing the status information of the power grid to the vehicle may be installed on the wireless charging road 1. Thus, the infrastructure may provide the status information of the power grid to the target vehicle based on the request of the vehicle. Herein, the state information of the power grid may include information on a power supply state of the power grid, information on a price of electricity per time interval, and the like.

The vehicle may have a charge management device 100, the charge management device 100 being configured to manage a battery state and charge of the vehicle while the vehicle is traveling. Thus, the charging management device 100 may be configured to receive the status information of the power grid from the infrastructure on the wireless charging road 1 while the vehicle is traveling, and may be configured to generate the charging plan with reference to the received status information of the power grid. Specifically, the charging management device 100 may be configured to generate the charging plan with reference to the pattern in which the user uses the wireless charging road 1. The charge management device 100 may be configured to generate a charging plan for the lowest cost with reference to the power supply state of the power grid and the electricity price per time interval, and may be configured to execute charge control of the vehicle battery based on the generated charging plan.

Herein, the charging management device 100 may be configured to generate the charging plan excluding the time interval in which the power supply state is less than the reference level. The charge management device 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be implemented in a vehicle. Specifically, the charge management device 100 may be configured integrally with a controller in the vehicle, or may be implemented as a separate device to be connected with a control unit of the vehicle through a separate connection device. Herein, the charge management device 100 may be connected to an engine and a motor of a vehicle to operate, and may be connected to a controller configured to operate the engine or the motor.

Thus, a detailed description will be given of the configuration and operation of the charge management device 100 with reference to the exemplary embodiment of fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a charge management apparatus for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a schematic view illustrating an operation of a charge management apparatus for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 2, the charge management device 100 may include: a user DB management device 110, a user DB 120, a travel environment management device 130, a power grid state recognition device 140, a battery state recognition device 150, and a controller 160. The user DB managing means 110 may be configured to construct and store the user DB 120, and manage user profiles stored in the user DB 120. As an example, the user DB management apparatus 110 may be configured to construct the user DB 120 using a user profile for the usage pattern of the wireless charging road 1 of fig. 1.

Herein, the usage pattern of the wireless charging road 1 may include a usage time interval when the user uses the wireless charging road 1 and/or information on daily average usage time of the wireless charging road 1, and the like. Herein, the user DB 120 may be constructed based on week data obtained by recording the usage time interval of the wireless charging road 1 and/or information on the daily average usage time of the wireless charging road 1 every week.

A detailed exemplary embodiment of the user DB 120 will be described with reference to fig. 3. Referring to fig. 3, the user uses the wireless charging link 1 in time intervals of 07:00 to 08:00 and 18:00 to 19:00 on monday, and the daily average usage time of the wireless charging link 1 is 2 hours.

Further, the user uses the wireless charging road 1 in the time intervals of 08:00 to 09:00 and 18:00 to 19:00 on tuesday, and the daily average usage time of the wireless charging road 1 is 2 hours. In addition, the user uses the wireless charging link 1 in time intervals of 08:00 to 09:00 and 18:00 to 19:00 on thursday, and the daily average usage time of the wireless charging link 1 is 2 hours. Further, the user uses the wireless charging link 1 in time intervals of 08:00 to 09:00 and 18:00 to 19:00 on fridays, and the daily average usage time of the wireless charging link 1 is 2 hours.

In addition, the user uses the wireless charging road 1 in the time interval of 13:00 to 14:00 on saturday, and the daily average usage time of the wireless charging road 1 is 1 hour. Further, the user uses the wireless charging road 1 in time intervals of 11:00 to 13:00 and 19:00 to 21:00 on sundays, and the daily average usage time of the wireless charging road 1 is 4 hours. Meanwhile, the user does not use the wireless charging road 1 on wednesday.

The user DB 120 shown in fig. 3 may be updated by data of a corresponding day of the week when the vehicle driving is completed, and may be updated by weekly or monthly week data. The user DB management apparatus 110 may be configured to update information stored in the user DB 120 with week data for a predetermined period of time. As an example, the user DB management apparatus 110 may be configured to update information stored in the user DB 120 with week data recorded every week for one month.

Specifically, the user DB management device 110 may be configured to update the information stored in the user DB 120 with an average value of the week data for a predetermined period of time. When a plurality of users use the vehicle, the user DB management means 110 may be configured to build, store and manage a DB for each user. The running environment management device 130 may be configured to manage the usage pattern of the wireless charging road 1 for the user while the vehicle is running.

Here, the running environment management device 130 may be configured to obtain and manage the day of the week in which the wireless charging road 1 is used, and information on the time zone in which the wireless charging road 1 is used, while the vehicle is running. Further, the running environment management device 130 may be configured to obtain and manage information on the average time of day when the wireless charging road 1 is used. Specifically, the running environment management device 130 may be configured to transmit information on the usage time interval of the wireless charging road 1 and information on the daily average usage time of the wireless charging road 1 in each day of the week to the user DB management device 110.

In addition, the running environment management device 130 may be configured to generate the week data based on the information on the usage time interval of the wireless charging road 1 and the information on the daily average usage time of the wireless charging road 1 in each day of the week, and may be configured to transmit the week data to the user DB management device 110. As an example, when the vehicle reaches the destination and the travel of the vehicle is completed, the travel environment management device 130 may be configured to transmit information on a time section and a use time when the vehicle actually uses the wireless charging road 1 while the vehicle travels, to the user DB management device 110. Thus, the user DB management device 110 may be configured to update the user DB 120 with information on the usage time section and the usage time of the wireless charging road 1, which is received from the travel environment management device 130 upon completion of travel of the vehicle.

Specifically, the user DB management device 110 may be configured to update the average usage time of the wireless charging road 1 for one week at each time interval using the information on the usage time interval and the usage time of the wireless charging road 1. For example, assuming that the usage time of the first time interval in one week is t1 ═ t11, t12, t13, t14, t15, t16, t17], when t1 ═ 1, 0, 1, 0], the average usage time of the first time interval per week may be calculated with reference to the following equation 1.

Equation 1:

the power grid status recognition device 140 may be configured to receive power grid status information from a power grid that manages the power grid status of the wireless charging road 1. In particular, the power grid status identification device 140 may be configured to receive power grid status information from the power grid in real time. Meanwhile, the power grid state identification device 140 may be configured to request the power grid to transmit the power grid state information, and may be configured to receive the power grid state information from the power grid in response to the request.

When the power grid status information changes, the power grid status identification device 140 may be configured to receive the changed power grid status information from the power grid. Herein, the power grid state information may include information on a power supply state of the power grid, information on a power rate per time interval, and the like.

The charging management device 100 may separately include a communication module that supports a communication interface with the power grid. Meanwhile, the charge management device 100 may be configured to transmit and receive signals with the power grid via the communication module of the vehicle without having a separate communication module. Herein, the communication module may include a module for accessing a wireless network or a module for short-range communication.

The wireless internet technology may include: wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), wireless broadband (WiBro), wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), and the like. Further, the short-range communication technology may include: bluetooth, ZigBee, Ultra Wideband (UWB), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), infrared data association (IrDA), and the like.

When the power supply information of the power grid is received, the power grid state identification device 140 may be configured to identify the power supply state of the wireless charging road 1 and the power fee per time interval according to the power supply state in the received power supply information. Specifically, the power grid state recognition device 140 may be configured to transmit information on the power supply state of the wireless charging road 1 and information on the power rate per time interval according to the power supply state to the controller 160.

Meanwhile, in response to determining that the power supply information (i.e., the power supply state and/or the power rate per time interval) is changed while the vehicle is running, the power grid state recognition device 140 may be configured to transmit the changed power supply information to the controller 160. The battery state identifying device 150 may be configured to identify the battery state of the vehicle while the vehicle is traveling. Further, the battery state identifying means 150 may be configured to identify the necessary amount of power required until the vehicle reaches the destination based on the remaining distance to the destination.

Specifically, the battery state recognition device 150 may be configured to interact with a navigation device of the vehicle to operate. In other words, the battery state recognition device 150 may be configured to request the navigation device of the vehicle to provide information on the remaining distance to the destination. The battery state recognition device 150 may be configured to recognize the necessary amount of power required until the vehicle reaches the destination using information on the remaining distance to the destination, which is recognized by a navigation device of the vehicle.

The battery state recognition device 150 may be configured to transmit information about the recognized remaining power amount of the battery and the recognized necessary power amount to the controller 160. The controller 160 may be configured to generate a charging plan while the vehicle is traveling to the destination using the following information: information on the power supply state of the power grid and information on the real-time electricity rate according to the power supply state received from the power grid state recognition device 140; information on the remaining power of the battery and information on the necessary power received from the battery state recognition device 150.

Herein, the controller 160 may call the user DB 120, may be configured to recognize a charging pattern of the user, and generate a charging plan with reference to the charging pattern of the user, a power supply state, real-time power rate information, a remaining capacity of the battery, and a necessary capacity. Specifically, the controller 160 may be configured to generate a charging plan with the lowest charging fee. In other words, the controller 160 may be configured to generate the charging schedule in order of time intervals of low to high electricity prices in the time intervals of the permitted use of the wireless charging road 1 identified from the user DB 120 so that the amount of charged electricity is not more than the necessary amount of electricity.

For example, assuming that the current remaining capacity of the battery is x and the necessary capacity required to the destination is y, the target charge amount required to travel to the destination may be represented as z ═ x-y. Further, assuming that the rechargeable time interval is T ═ T1, T2, …, tT (where T is 24 hours), the rechargeable time interval identified from the user DB 120 on the corresponding day of the week may be represented as T ═ 0, 1, 0, …, tT.

Further, assuming that the electricity rate per time zone is p ═ p1, p2, …, pT (where T is 24 hours), the electricity rate per time zone identified from the power grid state identification device 140 may be represented as p ═ 100, 150, 300, …, pT. Specifically, when the target charge amount is less than 0, the controller 160 may be configured to calculate the lowest charge rate by applying t and p to equation 2 below, and may be configured to generate a charge plan having the lowest charge rate based on the lowest charge rate.

Equation 2:

in equation 2 above, P represents the lowest charge rate. The minimum charging fee P may be calculated by adding the power rates of time intervals in which the power rates are lower among the rechargeable time intervals. In the above equation 2, the charging plan T ═ T1, T2, …, TT may be generated based on the time interval for calculating the lowest charging fee.

Meanwhile, the controller 160 may be configured to generate such a charging plan: time intervals in which sufficient power cannot be supplied because the power supply state of the power grid is less than the reference level when the charging plan is generated are excluded. As an example, the reference level for determining the power supply status may be determined according to, but not limited to, the amount of power that can be supplied. When generating a charging plan until the vehicle reaches the destination, the controller 160 may be configured to adjust the wireless charging of the vehicle based on the generated charging plan.

When wireless charging is required based on the charging schedule, the controller 160 may allow the vehicle to move to the wireless charging road 1 to perform wireless charging. In addition, when wireless charging is not required based on the charging schedule, the controller 160 may allow the vehicle to leave the wireless charging road 1 and travel. When generating the charging plan, the controller 160 may be configured to request the navigation device to provide lane or route guidance according to the charging plan. Thus, according to the charging plan, the navigation apparatus may guide the vehicle to move to another lane (e.g., a charging lane), or may guide the vehicle along a route. Here, the navigation device may be provided in a vehicle, and may be operated in cooperation with the charge management device 100.

When performing wireless charging based on the charging plan, if changed power supply information is received from the power grid state recognition device 140, the controller 160 may be configured to generate the charging plan again by reflecting the changed power supply information. As an example, when the power supply state of the power grid becomes less than the reference level, the controller 160 may be configured to generate the charging plan again based on at least one of a remaining distance to the destination, a battery state, or a position of a section of which the power supply state is greater than or equal to the reference level.

At this time, the controller 160 may be configured to adjust the wireless charging based on the regenerated charging plan. Specifically, the controller 160 may be configured to request guidance of the vehicle along a lane or route from the navigation apparatus according to the regenerated charging plan. When the vehicle reaches the destination, the controller 160 may be configured to transmit information about the charging schedule to the user DB management apparatus 110. Specifically, the user DB management device 110 may be configured to update the user profile, i.e., the usage pattern of the wireless charging road 1, recorded in the user DB 120 based on the charging plan.

Although not shown in fig. 2, the charge management device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include an interface (not shown) including an input device for receiving a control instruction from a user, an output device for outputting an operation state, an operation result, and the like of the charge management device 100. Herein, the input means may include a key and may further include a soft key implemented on the display. In addition, the input device may further include a mouse, a joystick, a knob, a stylus pen, or the like.

The output device may include a display and may further include a voice output device. Specifically, a touch sensor such as a touch film, a touch sheet, or a touch pad may be provided in a display, which may be used as a touch screen and may be implemented in a form in which an input device and an output device are integrated with each other. The display may include at least one of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a thin film transistor-LCD (TFT-LCD), an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display, a flexible display, a Field Emission Display (FED), or a three-dimensional (3D) display.

The charge management device 100 for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, which performs the above-described operations, may be implemented in the form of a separate hardware device, and may be driven in the form of at least one processor included in another hardware device (e.g., a microprocessor). The operation flow of the charge management device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention having the above-described configuration will be described in detail.

Fig. 4 to 6 are flowcharts illustrating an operation flow of a charge control method for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 4, when the vehicle starts to travel at step S110, the charge management device 100 of fig. 2 may be configured to call or access a user DB 120 constructed for a corresponding user and may be configured to recognize a user profile at step S120. Herein, the user profile may include usage patterns of the wireless charging road 1 of fig. 1, for example, information such as usage time intervals and average usage time.

Further, in step S130, the charging management device 100 may be configured to recognize the power grid state, i.e., the power supply state and the information on the price of electricity for each time interval, from the power grid. Further, in step S140, the charge management device 100 may be configured to recognize the battery state of the vehicle. In step S140, the charge management device 100 may be configured to recognize the remaining battery capacity of the vehicle, the necessary capacity to the destination, and the like.

In step S150, the charging management device 100 may be configured to match the information (i.e., the usage pattern of the wireless charging road 1, the power grid status, and the battery status) identified in steps S120 to S140 to generate a charging plan. A description will be given of a detailed operation flow of step S150 with reference to fig. 5.

Referring to fig. 5, in step S210, the charging management device 100 may be configured to match the usage time section and the usage time of the wireless charging road 1 identified in steps S120 to S140, the necessary amount of electricity, and the electricity price per time section for each time section. In step S220, the charging management device 100 may be configured to generate the charging plan with the lowest cost in the order of time intervals of the low to high electricity prices from the result of the matching in step S210.

In this process, the charge management device 100 may be configured to generate the charge plan excluding the time interval in which the power supply state is less than the reference level. At step S160, when the vehicle reaches the destination, the charge management device 100 may be configured to adjust the battery charge based on the charge plan generated at step S150. Meanwhile, at step S170, when a change in the power grid state occurs before the vehicle reaches the destination, the charge management device 100 may be configured to perform steps S130 to S160 again to generate a charge plan again according to the changed power grid state and adjust the battery charge based on the regenerated charge plan.

Herein, in the case where the electricity rate of the wireless charging road 1 changes or the power supply state of the power grid changes, the charging management device 100 may be configured to generate the charging plan again. As an example, when the power supply state of the power grid becomes less than the reference level, the charging management device 100 may be configured to generate the charging plan again based on at least one of the remaining distance to the destination, the battery state, or the position of the section of which the power supply state is greater than or equal to the reference level.

At this time, the charge management device 100 may be configured to request the connected navigation device to guide the vehicle to move the lane or guide the vehicle along the route according to the changed charge plan. When the vehicle arrives at the destination at step S180, the charging management device 100 may be configured to update the user DB 120 based on the information on the use of the wireless charging road 1 at step S190.

A description will be given of a detailed operation flow of step S190 with reference to fig. 6. Referring to fig. 6, the charging management device 100 may be configured to access or call the user DB 120 at step S310. In step S320, the charge management device 100 may be configured to identify the usage time interval and the usage time of the wireless charging road 1 based on the charging plan generated while the vehicle is traveling. In step S330, the charging management device 100 may be configured to update the data recorded in the user DB 120 based on the information identified in step S320.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the charge management device may be configured to manage such that an amount of power level required for vehicle operation is maintained in a wireless charging road environment that is capable of charging a vehicle while the vehicle is traveling, thereby increasing user convenience. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the charging management apparatus may be configured to generate a charging plan in which: a charging plan having the lowest charging fee is generated with reference to a power supply condition and a price of electricity per time interval in a wireless charging road environment, thereby saving the charging fee.

In the foregoing, although the present invention has been described with reference to the exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as claimed in the appended claims.

Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided to illustrate the spirit and scope of the present invention, not to limit them, and thus the spirit and scope of the present invention is not limited by the exemplary embodiments. The scope of the present invention should be construed based on the appended claims, and all technical ideas within the scope equivalent to the claims should be included in the scope of the present invention.