Charging system, computer-readable storage medium, and vehicle position management method

Abstract

This disclosure provides a charging system, a computer-readable storage medium, and a vehicle location management method. The charging system of the present invention connects a charging cable extending from a charging device to a vehicle that is a target vehicle for charging, where multiple vehicles are waiting in a charging area, thereby charging the target vehicle. The system includes: an arm mechanism that grasps the charging cable extending from the charging device and connects it to the target vehicle; a control unit that instructs the target vehicle on the charging position of the connected charging cable; and a parking position adjustment instruction provided by the control unit to one of the target vehicle and a charging partition sliding mechanism that moves vehicles parked in the charging area with a first interval wider than a second interval, wherein the first interval is the interval between the target vehicle and a vehicle adjacent to it on the side where a charging port is provided, and the second interval is the interval between the target vehicle and a vehicle adjacent to it on the side where no charging port is provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a charging system, a vehicle location management program for the charging system, and a vehicle location management method. For example, it relates to a charging system having an arm mechanism that automatically inserts and removes a charging plug relative to the charging port of a vehicle, a vehicle location management program for the charging system, and a vehicle location management method. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, the use of electric vehicles, including plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, has been expanding. Furthermore, autonomous driving technology for automobiles is improving. Therefore, a valet parking system is proposed, which involves parking the vehicle in a parking lot located at a different location from the passenger lift, and then moving the vehicle between the parking lot and the lift using unmanned autonomous driving. Since charging is required for electric vehicles, a technology for charging within the parking lot is proposed. An example of this technology is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-102220.

[0003] The automated valet parking system described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-102220 includes: a step of initiating automated valet parking; a step of determining whether charging of the electric vehicle is required; a step of setting the wireless charging parking space as a first target location if charging is required; a step of transmitting the first target location and a guide route from the infrastructure to the vehicle; a step of setting the empty parking space as a second target location if charging of the electric vehicle is completed; and a step of transmitting the second target location and the guide route. Summary of the Invention

[0004] When the arm mechanism inserts the charging plug into the vehicle's charging port, space is needed between parked vehicles for operating the arm mechanism. On the other hand, the size of the parking area is limited, creating a strong desire to accommodate more vehicles within this limited space. However, the technology described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-102220 suffers from insufficient parking efficiency within a parking area equipped with charging functionality.

[0005] This invention was made to solve such a problem, and its purpose is to increase the number of parking spaces per unit area of ​​a parking area with charging function.

[0006] One aspect of the charging system according to the present invention involves connecting a charging cable extending from a charging device to a vehicle that is a target vehicle for charging, where multiple vehicles are waiting in a charging area, thereby charging the target vehicle. The charging system includes: an arm mechanism that grasps the charging cable extending from the charging device and connects the charging cable to the target vehicle; and a control unit that instructs the target vehicle on the charging position where the charging cable is connected. The control unit provides a parking position adjustment instruction to one of the target vehicle and a charging partition sliding mechanism that moves vehicles parked in the charging area with a first interval wider than a second interval. The first interval is the interval between the target vehicle and a vehicle adjacent to it on the side where a charging port is located, and the second interval is the interval between the target vehicle and a vehicle adjacent to it on the side where no charging port is located.

[0007] One embodiment of the computer-readable storage medium storing a vehicle position management program for a charging system, as described in this invention, is that the vehicle position management program is executed by a control unit in the charging system. The charging system connects a charging cable extending from a charging device to a vehicle that is a target vehicle for charging, where multiple vehicles are waiting in a charging area, thereby charging the target vehicle. The control unit instructs the parking position of the target vehicle. The vehicle position management program of the charging system implements arm mechanism control processing for grasping the charging cable extending from the charging device and connecting the charging cable to the target vehicle, and position control processing for instructing the target vehicle on the charging position where the charging cable is connected. In the position control processing, a parking position adjustment instruction is given to one of the target vehicle and a charging partition sliding mechanism that moves vehicles parked in the charging area such that a first interval is wider than a second interval. The first interval is the interval between the target vehicle and a vehicle adjacent to it on the side where a charging port is located, and the second interval is the interval between the target vehicle and a vehicle adjacent to it on the side where no charging port is located.

[0008] One aspect of the vehicle position management method for the charging system involved in this invention is a vehicle position control method in a charging system in which a charging cable extending from a charging device is connected to a vehicle that is a target vehicle for charging, where multiple vehicles are waiting in a charging area, thereby charging the target vehicle. In the vehicle position control method, a parking position adjustment instruction is given to one of the target vehicle for charging and a charging partition sliding mechanism that moves a vehicle parked in the charging area, such that a first interval is wider than a second interval. The first interval is the interval between the target vehicle for charging and the vehicle adjacent to it on the side where the charging port is located, and the second interval is the interval between the target vehicle for charging and the vehicle adjacent to it on the side where the charging port is not located. Within the area having the first interval, an arm mechanism is actuated to connect the charging cable to one of the charging partition sliding mechanisms that moves the target vehicle for charging and the vehicle parked in the charging area.

[0009] The charging system, vehicle position management program, and vehicle position management method involved in this invention make the first interval on the side where the charging port exists, which requires the operating space of the arm mechanism, wider than the second interval between vehicles on the side where the charging port does not exist.

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the number of vehicles that can be parked in a limited area while ensuring the operating space of the boom mechanism.

[0011] The above and other objects, features and advantages of this disclosure will be more fully understood from the detailed description given below and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only, and should not be regarded as limitations on this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of the charging system according to Embodiment 1.

[0013] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the parking area in the charging system according to Embodiment 1.

[0014] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the charging system according to Embodiment 1.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the charging position adjustment process of the charging system according to Embodiment 1.

[0016] Figure 5 This is a block diagram of the charging system according to Embodiment 2.

[0017] Figure 6This is a schematic diagram of the parking area in the charging system according to Embodiment 2.

[0018] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the charging position adjustment process of the charging system according to Embodiment 2.

[0019] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating the charging schedule generation process of the charging system according to Embodiment 3.

[0020] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating the charging schedule generation process of the charging system according to Embodiment 4. Detailed Implementation

[0021] For clarity of explanation, the following descriptions and figures have been appropriately omitted and simplified. Furthermore, the elements described in the figures as functional blocks implementing various processes can be constructed in hardware by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory, and other circuitry, and implemented in software by programs loaded into memory. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be implemented in various forms, solely by hardware, solely by software, or by a combination of hardware and software, and are not limited to any arbitrary method. Additionally, in the figures, the same symbols are used to denote the same elements, and repeated descriptions are omitted as necessary.

[0022] Furthermore, the aforementioned programs can be stored and provided to a computer using various types of non-transitory computer-readable media. Non-transitory computer-readable media include various types of physical recording media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic recording media (e.g., floppy disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical recording media (e.g., magneto-optical disks), CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD-Rs, CD-R / Ws, and semiconductor memories (e.g., mask ROMs, PROMs (Programmable ROMs), EPROMs (Erasable PROMs), flash ROMs, and RAMs (Random Access Memory)). Additionally, programs can also be provided to a computer using various types of temporary computer-readable media. Examples of temporary computer-readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. Temporary computer-readable media can provide programs to a computer via wired communication channels such as wires and optical fibers, or via wireless communication channels.

[0023] Implementation Method 1

[0024] In the charging system described below, charging of vehicles such as electric vehicles is performed by inserting a charging plug located at the end of a charging cable into the vehicle using an arm mechanism. Here, the vehicle targeted for charging in the charging system includes not only passenger cars but also vehicles capable of autonomous movement without human intervention. Furthermore, the vehicle targeted for charging is positioned within the area managed by the charging system, i.e., the parking area, and moves according to the instructions of the charging system.

[0025] exist Figure 1 The diagram shows a block diagram of the charging system 1 according to Embodiment 1. Additionally, in... Figure 1 The diagram of the parking area, which is set as a managed object by the system, is omitted in the text. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the charging system 1 according to Embodiment 1 includes a control unit (e.g., a management device 10) and a vehicle communication unit 11. Furthermore, in Figure 1 The diagram shows the vehicle that is the object of management of the charging system 1, and the arm mechanism (e.g., charging port operating arms A1 to Am, where m represents the number of charging port operating arms) that is the object of control of the charging system 1. Furthermore, it is only necessary to have at least one vehicle that is the object of management of the charging system 1, and it is not necessarily required to have multiple vehicles.

[0026] First, the charging system 1 is a device equipped with an arm mechanism (e.g., charging port operating arms A1 to Am). This arm mechanism grasps the charging plug from a charging device connected to a charging cable containing a charging plug and automatically inserts and removes the charging plug relative to the charging port of a vehicle located within the charging area. Furthermore, the charging system 1 connects a charging cable extending from the charging device to a vehicle that is a target vehicle for charging, where multiple vehicles are waiting in the charging area, thereby charging the target vehicle. Additionally, the charging system 1 uses a control unit (e.g., management device 10) to instruct the target vehicle on the charging position where the charging cable is connected. At this time, the management device 10 provides a parking position adjustment instruction to either the target vehicle or a charging partition sliding mechanism that moves vehicles parked in the charging area with a first interval wider than a second interval. The first interval is the interval between the target vehicle and a vehicle adjacent to it on the side where the charging port is located, and the second interval is the interval between the target vehicle and a vehicle adjacent to it on the side where the charging port is not located. In Embodiment 1, the parking position adjustment instruction is provided to the target vehicle. Furthermore, the management device 10 of the charging system 1 communicates with the vehicle using the vehicle communication unit 11, and provides the vehicle with instructions on the movement path and movement instructions. The vehicle communication unit 11 controls the communication between the management device 10 and the vehicle based on a predetermined communication standard.

[0027] Figure 1 The processing block within the management device 10 shown can also be implemented using dedicated hardware, or it can be implemented by executing a program in the arithmetic unit of a computing device such as a computer. Furthermore, the storage unit within the processing block of the management device 10 is implemented using a computer-accessible storage device.

[0028] The management device 10 includes a vehicle operation management unit 21, a vehicle information storage unit 22, a charging schedule management unit 23, a vehicle location control unit 24, and a charging port operating arm control unit 25. The vehicle operation management unit 21 manages the departure and arrival of vehicles based on requests from users. Furthermore, the vehicle operation management unit 21 communicates with the vehicles using other communication paths (not shown), thereby determining vehicle operation schedules, tracking vehicle travel distances, and monitoring charging rates. The vehicle information storage unit 22 is a database that stores specifications for each managed vehicle, such as the location of the charging port, the specifications of the charging port, and the full charge capacity.

[0029] The charging schedule management unit 23 generates a charging schedule based on the vehicle status, operation schedule, and specifications obtained from the vehicle operation management unit 21 and the vehicle information storage unit 22, in a manner that enables efficient charging of the managed vehicles. Details of the charging schedule generation process will be described later.

[0030] The vehicle position control unit 24, based on the charging schedule generated by the charging schedule management unit 23, assigns parking positions to vehicles entering the parking area, moves the parking positions, and provides movement instructions for the vehicles. The charging port operating arm control unit 25 provides operation instructions to the charging port operating arms A1 to Am to select the charging cable corresponding to the charging schedule generated by the charging schedule management unit 23 and to insert the charging plug into the vehicle's insertion port.

[0031] Here, the structure of the parking area of ​​the charging system 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be described. Figure 2 The diagram shows a schematic representation of the parking area in the charging system according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 As shown, a charging device 30 is provided in the parking area. Furthermore, a charging area is provided corresponding to the charging device 30. Additionally, in Figure 2 In the example shown, multiple (in) are set in the charging area. Figure 2 There are six charging zones (B1 to B6). Figure 2 The example shown depicts vehicles V11 to V16 parked in charging zones B1 to B6, with one vehicle in each zone. Figure 2In the example shown, B1, B3, and B5 are the charging zones for the left charging port, and B2, B4, and B6 are the charging zones for the right charging port.

[0032] Furthermore, in the charging system 1 according to Embodiment 1, when a vehicle is being charged in a charging zone of the charging area, the parking state of the vehicle is controlled such that a first distance W1 between vehicles on the side with a charging port containing a vehicle is greater than a second distance W2 between vehicles on the side without a charging port containing a vehicle. Additionally, in the charging system 1 according to Embodiment 1, a parking position adjustment instruction is given to the vehicle being charged, causing it to move from the uncharged parking area to the charging area, such that the first distance W1 is greater than a third distance W3, which is the distance between adjacent vehicles in the uncharged vehicle parking area.

[0033] In addition, within the parking area managed by charging system 1, there are designated parking areas for uncharged vehicles waiting to be charged and parking areas for charged vehicles waiting to be charged. Vehicles entering the parking area are parked in the uncharged parking area, while vehicles waiting to leave are parked in the charged vehicle parking area.

[0034] In addition, Figure 2 In the example shown, charging cables corresponding to the specifications of the two charging ports are provided on the charging device 30. Figure 2 The example shown illustrates a charging cable with a charging plug corresponding to charging port specification α and a charging cable with a charging plug corresponding to charging port specification β. Furthermore, charging port operating arms A1 and A2 are provided with the charging device 30. Although in Figure 2 The system has set two charging port operating arms corresponding to the charging area, but it is sufficient to set more than one charging port operating arm.

[0035] In addition, such as Figure 2 As shown, in the charging system 1 according to Embodiment 1, in the charging area, the sides of the charging ports of vehicles parked in odd-numbered charging zones are arranged opposite each other. Furthermore, in the charging system 1 according to Embodiment 1, by parking vehicles offset from the center in each charging zone, the first distance W1 between vehicles with sides opposite each other (where charging ports are present) is greater than the second distance W2 between vehicles with sides opposite each other (where charging ports are absent). Additionally, the first distance W1 in the charging area is greater than the third distance W3, which is the interval between vehicles in the parking area of ​​uncharged vehicles.

[0036] The charging system 1 moves vehicles parked in the non-charging vehicle parking area to designated parking area zones, and moves vehicles that have completed charging in the charging area to the charging vehicle parking area via passages located to the left and right of the charging area. Furthermore, in the charging system 1 according to Embodiment 1, when charging a vehicle, the parking zone and parking method are adjusted based on the location of the vehicle's charging port. In other words, in the charging system 1 according to Embodiment 1, the movement instruction given to the vehicle being charged becomes a parking position adjustment instruction.

[0037] Next, the operation of the charging system 12 according to Embodiment 1 will be described. Therefore, in Figure 3 The diagram shows a flowchart illustrating the operation of the charging system 1 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 3 As shown, in the charging system 1 according to Embodiment 1, various processes are initiated based on the presence of vehicles in the parking area (step S1). In the charging system 1 according to Embodiment 1, firstly, a charging schedule generation process is performed based on information about the vehicles already parked (step S2). Then, based on the charging schedule generated in step S2, a charging position adjustment process is performed whereby the management device 10 determines the specific charging zone for the target vehicle and the parking direction of the vehicle during charging (step S3). This charging position designation process in step S3 is performed, for example, by the vehicle position control unit 24. Details of this charging position designation process will be described later.

[0038] Furthermore, in the charging system 1 according to Embodiment 1, the charging target vehicle is charged using the charging zone determined in the charging position designation process in step S3 (step S4). When the charging ends, the charging system 1 moves the vehicle from the charging area to the charged parking vehicle area (step S5), and removes the vehicle parked in the charged parking vehicle area according to the user's request (step S6).

[0039] Here, the charging position adjustment process is explained in detail. Figure 4 The diagram shows a flowchart illustrating the charging position adjustment process of the charging system 1 according to Embodiment 1. Although regarding... Figure 4 The charging position adjustment process shown is illustrated as an example of what is implemented in the vehicle position control unit 24, but it can also be implemented using, for example, the charging schedule management unit 23. Figure 4 As shown, in the charging position adjustment process, firstly, the vehicle position control unit 24 confirms the position of the charging port of the vehicle newly entering the parking area by referring to the vehicle information stored in the vehicle information storage unit 22 (step S10).

[0040] Furthermore, when the charging port of the vehicle to be charged is on the right, it is determined whether the charging zone assigned to the vehicle according to the charging schedule is a charging zone for the right charging port (step S11). Then, in step S12, if the assigned charging zone is a charging zone for the right charging port, the vehicle position control unit 24 indicates the vehicle to park forward in the direction indicated by the assigned charging zone (step S12). On the other hand, if the assigned charging zone is a charging zone for the left charging port, in step S12, the vehicle position control unit 24 indicates the vehicle to park backward in the direction indicated by the assigned charging zone (step S13).

[0041] Furthermore, when the charging port of the vehicle to be charged is on the left, it is determined whether the charging zone assigned to the vehicle according to the charging schedule is a charging zone for the left charging port (step S14). Then, in step S15, if the assigned charging zone is a charging zone for the left charging port, the vehicle position control unit 24 indicates the vehicle to park in the direction of the assigned charging zone (step S15). On the other hand, in step S15, if the assigned charging zone is a charging zone for the right charging port, the vehicle position control unit 24 indicates the vehicle to park in the direction of the assigned charging zone (step S16).

[0042] Furthermore, when the charging port of the vehicle to be charged is in front, regardless of whether the charging zone designated for the vehicle according to the charging schedule is the charging zone for the left charging port or the charging zone for the right charging port, the vehicle is parked in the direction indicated by the designated charging zone (step S17). Moreover, the vehicle position control unit 24 instructs the vehicle to be charged to park in a charging waiting line corresponding to the designated charging zone (step S18). Then, the charging system 1 according to Embodiment 1 moves the vehicle to be charged in the direction of travel of the designated charging zone according to the charging schedule (step S19). Finally, the charging position adjustment process ends upon completion of step S19.

[0043] According to the above description, when the charging system 1 of Embodiment 1 charges a vehicle in the charging area, it controls the charging system to make the first interval W1 between vehicles on the side where the charging port is located wider than the second interval W2 between vehicles on the side where the charging port is not located. As a result, in the charging system 1 of Embodiment 1, the number of vehicles that can be parked in the limited area of ​​the charging area can be increased (that is, parking efficiency is improved).

[0044] Furthermore, in the charging system 1 according to Embodiment 1, the vehicle to be charged is parked at a position offset from the center of the charging zone, and adjacent vehicles are parked with their charging ports facing each other. Therefore, the charging system 1 according to Embodiment 1 can further improve parking efficiency in the charging area.

[0045] Furthermore, in the charging system 1 according to Embodiment 1, since the parking position and parking direction of the vehicle in the parking zone of the charging area are adjusted only in the charging position adjustment process, it has the advantage of a mechanical mechanism that does not require moving the vehicle.

[0046] Implementation Method 2

[0047] In Embodiment 2, a charging system 2, which is an alternative form of the charging system 1, will be described. Furthermore, in the description of Embodiment 2, structural elements that are identical to those described in Embodiment 1 are marked with the same symbols as in Embodiment 1, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0048] In the charging system 2 according to embodiment 2, a charging zone sliding mechanism is provided that allows vehicles parked in the charging zone to slide in at least one of the forward / backward and left / right directions, and temporarily widens the spacing between parked vehicles when the charging cable is connected to the charging port. Figure 5 The diagram shows a block diagram of the charging system 2 according to embodiment 2.

[0049] like Figure 5 As shown, the charging system 2 according to Embodiment 2 has a management device 10a instead of a management device 10. Furthermore, the management device 10a is a device in which a charging zone control unit 26 is added to the management device 10. Additionally, in Embodiment 2, the vehicle position control unit 24 does not perform charging position adjustment processing, but only performs vehicle movement instructions according to the charging schedule.

[0050] In addition, such as Figure 5 As shown, the charging system 2 according to Embodiment 2 includes charging partition sliding mechanisms 131 to 13n (n is an integer representing the number of charging partition sliding mechanisms) in the charging partitions of the charging area. The charging partition sliding mechanisms 131 to 13n each correspond to one of the charging partitions.

[0051] The charging zone control unit 26 provides a parking position adjustment instruction to at least one of the charging zone sliding mechanisms 131 to 13n located in the charging area, specifically the charging zone sliding mechanism positioned in the parking position of the vehicle being charged, and the charging zone sliding mechanism in which the vehicle being charged is located in a charging zone adjacent to the parking position. Here, the charging zone sliding mechanism to which the charging zone control unit 26 provides the parking position adjustment instruction is determined based on the charging schedule generated by the charging schedule management unit 23.

[0052] Here, in Figure 6 The diagram shows a schematic view of the parking area in the charging system 2 according to Embodiment 2. Figure 6 The example shown is similar to, except for the structure of the charging area. Figure 2 The charging system 1 shown in Embodiment 1 has the same structure. In the charging area of ​​the charging system 2 according to Embodiment 2, the vehicle to be charged is parked near the center of the charging zone. Furthermore, the distance between vehicles is temporarily widened during the operation of gripping the charging cable using a charging port operating arm and connecting the charging cable to the vehicle's charging port. Figure 6 The diagram shows a state in which, when the charging cable is connected to vehicle V15 parked in charging compartment B5 using the charging port operating arm A1, parking position adjustment instructions are given to the charging compartment sliding mechanism of charging compartment B5 and the charging compartment sliding mechanism of charging compartment B6, which is adjacent to the side where the charging port of vehicle V15 is located, thereby widening the distance between vehicle V15 and vehicle V16.

[0053] In the charging system 2 according to Embodiment 2, the first interval W1 between the vehicle performing the charging cable connection operation and the vehicle adjacent to it on the charging port side is wider than the second interval W2 between the vehicle performing the charging cable connection operation and the vehicle adjacent to it on the opposite side of the charging port side. Furthermore, the interval between vehicles that are not performing the charging cable connection operation is called W0, which is narrower than the first interval W1 and wider than the second interval W2.

[0054] Next, the operation of the charging system 2 according to Embodiment 2 will be described. In the charging system 2 according to Embodiment 2, Figure 3 The charging position adjustment process in step S3 differs from that in the charging system 1 of Embodiment 1. Hereinafter, the charging position adjustment process of the charging system 2 of Embodiment 2 will be described in detail. Therefore, in Figure 7 The diagram shows a flowchart illustrating the charging position adjustment process of the charging system according to Embodiment 2.

[0055] like Figure 7As shown, in the charging position adjustment process according to Embodiment 2, firstly, the vehicle position control unit 24 instructs the vehicle to be charged to perform a parking operation by arranging it into a charging waiting line corresponding to the designated charging zone (step S20). Then, the charging port operating arm control unit 25 moves the vehicle to be charged, whose charging time is based on the charging schedule, to the charging zone designated by the charging schedule (step S21).

[0056] Next, in the charging system 2 according to Embodiment 2, the charging zone control unit 26 confirms the position of the charging port of the vehicle to be charged by referring to the information in the charging schedule (step S22). If it is determined in step S22 that the charging port is on the right, the charging zone control unit 26 moves the vehicle to be charged to the left by the charging zone sliding mechanism of the moving destination (step S23). Furthermore, the charging zone control unit 26 moves the vehicle to be charged in the charging zone adjacent to the right side of the charging zone set as the control target in step S23 to the right (step S24).

[0057] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S22 that the charging port is on the left, the charging zone control unit 26 moves the vehicle to be charged to the right by the charging zone sliding mechanism of the moving destination (step S25). In addition, the charging zone control unit 26 moves the vehicle to be charged in the charging zone that is adjacent to the left side of the charging zone that is set as the control target in step S25 to the left (step S26).

[0058] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S22 that the charging port is in the front, the charging partition control unit 26 does not issue an instruction to the charging partition sliding mechanism to move the vehicle. Then, after the processing of step S24 or step S26 is completed, the charging port operating arm control unit 25 operates the charging port operating arm to connect the charging cable to the charging port of the vehicle to be charged (step S27). Additionally, although... Figure 7 As shown in the diagram, the charging zone control unit 26 controls the charging zone sliding mechanism in such a way that, when the charging port operating arm is in a retracted state after the charging cable is connected to the charging port, the vehicle position that was moved in steps S23 to S26 is returned to its original position.

[0059] According to the above description, in the charging system 2 according to Embodiment 2, during the charging cable connection operation when the charging port operating arm is operating while the vehicle to be charged is parked in the charging area, the distance between the vehicle adjacent to the side where the charging port is located and the vehicle to be charged connected to the charging cable is temporarily widened. Therefore, in the charging system 2 according to Embodiment 2, the number of vehicles that can be parked relative to the area of ​​the charging area can be increased.

[0060] Furthermore, in the charging system 2 according to Embodiment 2, since the charging port is not located near the vehicle, the vehicle can be parked facing forward in any charging zone. In other words, in the charging system 2 according to Embodiment 2, the location of the charging port and the parking direction towards the charging area do not need to be considered when generating the charging schedule. Therefore, the charging system 2 according to Embodiment 2 can generate a charging schedule that prioritizes charging efficiency compared to the charging system 1 according to Embodiment 1. Moreover, the charging system 2 according to Embodiment 2 reduces the movement of already parked vehicles compared to the charging system 1 according to Embodiment 1.

[0061] Implementation Method 3

[0062] In implementation method 3, for Figure 3 The detailed process of generating the charging schedule table, as shown in the flowchart, will be explained. Furthermore, in the description of Embodiment 3, structural elements that are identical to those described in Embodiments 1 and 2 will be marked with the same symbols as in Embodiments 1 and 2, and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0063] exist Figure 8 The diagram shows a flowchart illustrating the charging schedule generation process of the charging system according to Embodiment 3. The charging schedule generation process according to Embodiment 3 is performed by the charging schedule management unit 23. In this charging schedule generation process, firstly, the charging rate of the vehicles already in the parking area is confirmed, and the position of the vehicle currently parked in the non-charging vehicle parking area is determined (step S21).

[0064] Then, the charging schedule management unit 23 generates a charging schedule, in which vehicles ranked higher in step S21 are charged first (step S22). Next, based on the charging schedule generated in step S22, the charging schedule management unit 23 instructs the vehicle position control unit 24 to move vehicles that need to be charged first closer to the vehicle charging area to replace parked vehicles (step S23). Based on the instruction in step S23, the vehicle position control unit 24 instructs the vehicles to move, and for vehicles waiting to be charged in the uncharged vehicle parking area, vehicles with shorter charging waiting times are parked closer to the charging device 30. Afterwards, the charging schedule management unit 23 updates the previously saved charging schedule according to the charging schedule generated in step S22 (step S24).

[0065] According to the above explanation, in the charging schedule generation process of Embodiment 3, the charging schedule is generated in a manner that vehicles with lower charging rates are charged first. Therefore, in the charging system of Embodiment 3, the number of vehicles with low charging rates that are difficult to operate continuously is reduced, thereby maintaining a relatively large number of operational vehicles.

[0066] Implementation Method 4

[0067] In implementation method 4, for Figure 3 The flowchart shown in the diagram will be used to describe another method of generating the charging schedule. Furthermore, in the description of Embodiment 3, structural elements that are the same as those described in Embodiments 1 and 2 will be marked with the same symbols as in Embodiments 1 and 2, and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0068] exist Figure 9 The diagram shows a flowchart illustrating the charging schedule generation process of the charging system according to Embodiment 4. The charging schedule generation process according to Embodiment 4 is performed by the charging schedule management unit 23. In Embodiment 4, the charging schedule is generated in a manner that prioritizes vehicles with higher charging priorities that have already entered the parking area.

[0069] Here, we will explain charging priority. Although charging priority can be calculated using various metrics, we will illustrate three priority levels here.

[0070] The first example shows a charging priority calculated based on the next departure time of the vehicle to be charged. More specifically, the charging priority in the first example is increased the closer the next departure time is to the current time.

[0071] The second example is a charging priority calculated based on the utilization status of the vehicle being charged. More specifically, the charging priority in the second example is determined based on the time it takes for the vehicle to become fully charged, with the priority increasing the longer the time until it becomes fully charged.

[0072] The third example is the charging priority calculated using a mathematical formula based on the time until full charging and the next outbound time. This charging priority is represented by equation (1) when the charging priority is set to P, the charging rate at the inbound time is set to SOC, the time required to reach full charging is set to Tf, and the remaining time until the next outbound time is set to Ts.

[0073] P=1 / (SOC(Tf-(Tf-Ts)))···(1)

[0074] According to equation (1), the charging priority in the third example is that the shorter the time until the next outbound time, the higher the priority, and the lower the charging rate, the higher the priority.

[0075] Next, refer to Figure 9 The charging schedule generation process according to Embodiment 4 will be described. The charging schedule generation process according to Embodiment 4 is performed by the charging schedule management unit 23. In this charging schedule generation process, firstly, the priority of vehicles already in the parking lot is calculated (step S31). The charging priority calculated in step S31 is the charging priority described in the first to third examples above, etc.

[0076] Then, the charging schedule management unit 23 generates a charging schedule, where vehicles with higher charging priorities calculated in step S31 are charged first (step S32). Next, based on the charging schedule generated in step S32, the charging schedule management unit 23 instructs the vehicle position control unit 24 to move vehicles that need to be charged first closer to the vehicle charging area to replace parked vehicles (step S33). Based on the instruction in step S33, the vehicle position control unit 24 instructs the vehicles to move, and for vehicles waiting to be charged in the uncharged vehicle parking area, vehicles with shorter charging waiting times are parked closer to the charging device 30. Afterwards, the charging schedule management unit 23 updates the previously saved charging schedule according to the charging schedule generated in step S32 (step S34).

[0077] According to the above explanation, in the charging schedule generation process of Embodiment 4, the charging schedule is generated in a manner that prioritizes vehicles with higher charging rates based on their utilization status, allowing them to be charged first. Therefore, in the charging system of Embodiment 4, the number of vehicles with low charging rates and difficulties in continuous operation is reduced, thereby enabling the maintenance of a larger number of mobile vehicles with higher accuracy compared to Embodiment 3.

[0078] As will be clearly understood from this disclosure, the disclosed embodiments can be modified in various ways. Obviously, such modifications should not be considered as departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications should be included in the appended claims by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A charging system wherein a charging cable extending from a charging device is connected to a vehicle designated as a charging target, on which multiple vehicles are waiting in a charging area, thereby charging the vehicle designated as a charging target, wherein, The charging system has the following features: An arm mechanism that grasps the charging cable extending from the charging device and connects the charging cable to the vehicle being charged; The control unit indicates the charging position of the vehicle being charged to the charging device, where the charging cable is connected; The non-charging parking area is distinct from the charging area and is used for parking vehicles that are to be charged. The control unit provides a parking position adjustment instruction to one of the charging target vehicle and the charging zone sliding mechanism that moves the vehicle parked in the charging area such that a first interval is wider than a second interval. The first interval is the interval between the charging target vehicle and the vehicle adjacent to it on the side where the charging port is located, and the second interval is the interval between the charging target vehicle and the vehicle adjacent to it on the side where the charging port is not located. The control unit provides the vehicle to be charged with a parking position adjustment instruction to move the vehicle to be charged from the uncharged parking area to the charging area in such a manner that the first interval is wider than the third interval, wherein the third interval is the interval between adjacent vehicles in the uncharged parking area.

2. The charging system as described in claim 1, wherein, The control unit provides a parking position adjustment instruction to at least one of the charging partition sliding mechanisms located in the charging area, where the vehicle being charged is in a parking position, and the charging partition sliding mechanism where the vehicle being charged is in a charging partition adjacent to the parking position.

3. The charging system as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein, The control unit provides the parking position adjustment instruction to the vehicle being charged in a manner that causes the vehicle with a higher charging rate to wait for charging at a position farther away from the charging device.

4. The charging system as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein, The control unit calculates the charging priority for each vehicle based on its utilization status, and provides the parking position adjustment instruction to the vehicle with the higher charging priority so that it waits to charge at a position closer to the charging device.

5. The charging system as described in claim 4, wherein, The closer the next departure time of the vehicle to be charged is to the current time, the higher the charging priority.

6. The charging system as described in claim 4, wherein, The longer the time it takes for the vehicle to be fully charged, the higher the charging priority.

7. A computer-readable storage medium storing a vehicle location management program for a charging system, the vehicle location management program being executed by a control unit in the charging system of claim 1, wherein the charging system connects a charging cable extending from a charging device to a vehicle designated as a charging target, on which multiple vehicles are waiting in a charging area, thereby charging the charging target vehicle, and the control unit instructing the parking position of the charging target vehicle, wherein... The vehicle position management program of the charging system implements arm mechanism control processing to grasp the charging cable extending from the charging device and connect the charging cable to the vehicle to be charged, and position control processing to indicate the charging position of the vehicle to be charged to the charging cable connection. In the position control process, A parking position adjustment instruction is given to one of the charging zone sliding mechanisms that moves the vehicle to be charged and the vehicle parked in the charging area in such a way that the first interval is wider than the second interval, wherein the first interval is the interval between the vehicle to be charged and the vehicle adjacent to it on the side where the charging port is provided, and the second interval is the interval between the vehicle to be charged and the vehicle adjacent to it on the side where the charging port is not provided.

8. A vehicle position control method, which is the vehicle position control method in the charging system of claim 1, wherein the charging system connects a charging cable extending from a charging device to a vehicle that is a charging target and where multiple vehicles are waiting in a charging area, thereby charging the charging target vehicle. In the vehicle position control method described above... A parking position adjustment instruction is given to one of the charging zone sliding mechanisms that moves the vehicle to be charged and the vehicle parked in the charging area in such a manner that the first interval is wider than the second interval, wherein... The first interval is the interval between the vehicle to be charged and the vehicle adjacent to it on the side where the charging port is located, and the second interval is the interval between the vehicle to be charged and the vehicle adjacent to it on the side where the charging port is not located. Within the area having the first interval, the arm mechanism is operated to connect the charging cable to one of the charging target vehicle and the charging partition sliding mechanism that moves the vehicle parked in the charging area.

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