Delivery plan generation device

Abstract

The invention provides a distribution plan generation device. The plurality of vehicles include a first vehicle having an electric motor as a power source without an internal combustion engine, and a second vehicle having an internal combustion engine as a power source. The total load capacity of the cargo loaded on the vehicle when the delivery of the second delivery route is started is greater than the total load capacity of the cargo loaded on the vehicle when the delivery of the second delivery route is started. The delivery plan generation device performs a process for determining a delivery route for the first vehicle and the second vehicle such that the first vehicle is preferentially allocated to the first delivery route than the second vehicle in the first delivery route and the second delivery route.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a delivery plan generating device, and more particularly to a delivery plan generating device for generating a delivery plan for a plurality of vehicles for delivering goods. Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-133750 discloses a transport planning system that assigns transport routes to multiple vehicles with different power sources. The multiple vehicles with different power sources include BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles) that use electric motors instead of internal combustion engines, and vehicles that use internal combustion engines as their power source.

[0003] In the above-mentioned transport planning system, a BEV is assigned to a first transport route that passes through a first transport destination within a first transport area, defined based on the location of a charging station where the vehicle is charged. This allows the BEV to stop at a charging station along the transport route to charge, preventing a shortage of remaining charge. Summary of the Invention

[0004] However, if charging is performed midway along a delivery route (delivery route), the vehicle cannot be moved during this period, resulting in a decrease in delivery efficiency. To mitigate this decrease in delivery efficiency, there is room for improvement in how vehicles, including BEVs, should be assigned to delivery routes.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a delivery plan generating device capable of suppressing a decrease in delivery efficiency in a delivery plan for a plurality of vehicles equipped with electric motors or internal combustion engines.

[0006] The delivery plan generation device disclosed in the present invention is a device for generating a delivery plan for a plurality of vehicles for delivering goods. The delivery plan generation device includes a processor; and a memory storing a program that can be executed by the processor. The plurality of vehicles include a first vehicle that does not have an internal combustion engine but has an electric motor as a power source, and at least one second vehicle that has an internal combustion engine as a power source. The delivery routes of the plurality of vehicles include a first delivery route and a second delivery route. The total load weight of the goods loaded on the vehicle at the start of delivery of the second delivery route is greater than the total load weight of the goods loaded on the vehicle at the start of delivery of the first delivery route. The processor performs the following processing: the delivery routes of the first vehicle and the at least one second vehicle are determined in such a way that the first vehicle is assigned to the first delivery route in priority over the at least one second vehicle in the first delivery route and the second delivery route.

[0007] Compared to the second vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, the first vehicle, which does not have an internal combustion engine but instead has an electric motor, has a shorter cruising range and requires longer charging time. This configuration prioritizes assigning the first vehicle to the first delivery route with a smaller total load weight. This reduces the deterioration in power efficiency caused by the weight of the loaded cargo in the first vehicle. This reduces the likelihood that the first vehicle will need to stop by a charging station to charge during a delivery. This reduces the decline in delivery efficiency in a delivery plan involving multiple vehicles equipped with electric motors or internal combustion engines.

[0008] In the above-mentioned delivery plan generating device, the delivery destinations in the first delivery route include a first delivery destination and a second delivery destination. The weight of the goods delivered to the second delivery destination is greater than the weight of the goods delivered to the first delivery destination. The processor performs the following processing: when the first vehicle is assigned to the first delivery route, the processor determines the delivery order for the first delivery route such that the second delivery destination is delivered before the first delivery destination.

[0009] With this configuration, the first vehicle preferentially delivers to destinations with heavier cargo, reducing the average weight of cargo within the delivery route and reducing the likelihood of charging during delivery. This can prevent a decrease in delivery efficiency.

[0010] In the above-mentioned delivery plan generation device, the delivery routes of the multiple vehicles also include a third delivery route. The total load weight of the goods loaded on the vehicles at the start of delivery on the third delivery route is greater than the total load weight of the goods loaded on the vehicles at the start of delivery on the second delivery route. The at least one second vehicle includes: a third vehicle that does not have an electric motor but has an internal combustion engine as a power source; a fourth vehicle that does not have an external charging function but has an electric motor and an internal combustion engine as power sources; and a fifth vehicle that can be externally charged and has an electric motor and an internal combustion engine as power sources. The processor performs the following processing: the delivery routes of the third, fourth, and fifth vehicles are determined in such a manner that the second delivery route is preferentially assigned to the third vehicle, the fourth vehicle, and the fifth vehicle in this order.

[0011] With this configuration, the fourth and fifth vehicles, which can use electric motors as their power source, and the fifth vehicle, which uses electric motors more frequently, are preferentially assigned to the third delivery route with a large total load weight. This delivery route with a large total load weight also consumes a lot of energy (due to heavy cargo and long distance travel). Therefore, this configuration allows for the development of delivery plans that utilize electric motors as a power source, taking into account the natural environment.

[0012] In the above-mentioned delivery plan generating device, the driving mode of the fifth vehicle includes a first mode in which the fifth vehicle drives using the electric motor and the internal combustion engine and a second mode in which the fifth vehicle drives using the electric motor without using the internal combustion engine.

[0013] The processor performs processing to send the following instructions to the fifth vehicle: when the fifth vehicle is delivering on the assigned delivery route, the fifth vehicle drives in the first mode when the current load weight of the fifth vehicle is greater than the specified value, and drives in the second mode when the current load weight of the fifth vehicle is less than the specified value.

[0014] With this configuration, the fifth vehicle operates in the first mode, which uses both the electric motor and the internal combustion engine when the current loaded weight is greater than a specified value. Furthermore, the fifth vehicle operates in the second mode, which uses the electric motor instead of the internal combustion engine when the current loaded weight is less than a specified value. This avoids operating in the second mode, which uses only the electric motor, when the loaded weight is heavy and power consumption is poor, and allows operation in the second mode when the loaded weight is light and power consumption is good.

[0015] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress a decrease in delivery efficiency in a delivery plan for a plurality of vehicles equipped with electric motors or internal combustion engines. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements, and in which:

[0017] Figure 1 This is a diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of the delivery plan creation system according to the first embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a diagram for explaining the allocation of delivery routes according to the first embodiment.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the process executed by the delivery plan creation system according to the first embodiment.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the process executed by the delivery plan creation system according to the second embodiment.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of each mode process in the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will not be repeated.

[0023] First embodiment

[0024] Figure 1 1 is a diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of a delivery plan generating system 1 according to the first embodiment. The delivery plan generating system 1 includes a plurality of vehicles 10 for delivering goods and a delivery plan generating device 100. The plurality of vehicles 10 and the delivery plan generating device 100 can communicate via a communication network.

[0025] The delivery plan generating device 100 generates a delivery plan for multiple vehicles 10 that deliver goods. The delivery plan generating device 100 determines a delivery vehicle from among the multiple vehicles 10 owned by the delivery company for each of the multiple delivery areas (delivery routes) managed by the delivery company. The multiple vehicles 10 include vehicles 10a through 10d. Figure 1 The illustrated vehicle 10 a is also referred to as vehicle A, the vehicle 10 b is also referred to as vehicle B, the vehicle 10 c is also referred to as vehicle C, and the vehicle 10 d is also referred to as vehicle D.

[0026] Here, vehicle 10a (vehicle A) corresponds to the "first vehicle" of the present disclosure. Vehicles 10b to 10d (vehicles B to D) correspond to the "at least one second vehicle" of the present disclosure. Vehicle 10b (vehicle B) corresponds to the "third vehicle" of the present disclosure. Vehicle 10c (vehicle C) corresponds to the "fourth vehicle" of the present disclosure. Vehicle 10d (vehicle D) corresponds to the "fifth vehicle" of the present disclosure.

[0027] Vehicle A (vehicle 10a) is an electric vehicle that can be externally charged from a charging facility (EVSE: Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment). It is a battery electric vehicle (BEV) that does not have an internal combustion engine (engine) but instead has an electric motor 13a as its power source. Meanwhile, vehicles B through D (vehicles 10b through 10d) are vehicles that can travel using at least a power source other than the electric motor and are powered by internal combustion engines.

[0028] Vehicle A includes a battery 11, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 12, an electric motor 13a, a DCM (Data Communication Module) 14, an HMI (Human Machine Interface) 15, and a navigation device 17 that processes location information detected by GPS. Battery 11 stores electricity for driving vehicle A. Battery 11 is comprised of, for example, a lithium-ion battery. Electric motor 13a is driven by the power of battery 11. DCM 14 is a module for communicating with external devices via a communication network. It transmits data from ECU 12 to external devices and transfers data from external devices to ECU 12. HMI 15 is located near the driver's seat of vehicle A. HMI 15 receives information input from the user and outputs it to ECU 12, or reports information from ECU 12 to the user via display or audio. HMI 15 is configured to include, for example, a touch panel display.

[0029] Vehicle B is an engine vehicle (hereinafter also referred to as an ICE (Internal Combustation Engine)) that does not have an electric motor but instead has an internal combustion engine 16b as its power source. Vehicle C is a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) that does not have an external charging function but has an electric motor 13c and an internal combustion engine 16c as its power sources. Vehicle D is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) that can be externally charged from a charging facility and has an electric motor 13d and an internal combustion engine 16d as its power sources.

[0030] The plurality of vehicles 10 also include fuel cell vehicles (FCVs). The FCV includes a power generation device (not shown) and a battery (not shown). The power generation device includes a hydrogen tank (not shown) that stores hydrogen and a fuel cell (not shown) that generates electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. The fuel cell generates electricity using hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen tank. The electricity generated by the power generation device is used to drive the FCV's electric motor for driving or is stored in the battery. FCV users can refill hydrogen at hydrogen stations located on the streets. The time required to refill hydrogen at a hydrogen station is shorter than the time required to charge the battery 11 of vehicle A (BEV).

[0031] The delivery plan generation device 100 includes a processor 110 (e.g., a CPU), a memory 120 that stores programs executable by the processor 110, a communication unit 130, and a mass storage device 140. Memory 120 includes RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). Communication unit 130 can communicate with external devices via a communication network. Mass storage device 140, comprised of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive), stores programs and data used by processor 110. Processor 110 executes programs stored in memory 120 or mass storage device 140.

[0032] Figure 2 This is a diagram for explaining the distribution of delivery routes according to the first embodiment. The large-capacity storage device 140 stores delivery route information 90 , vehicle information 91 , and distribution information 92 .

[0033] The delivery route information 90 stores the total load weight for each delivery route, information on the delivery destinations within each delivery route, and more. Here, "total load weight" represents the total load weight (in kg) of the cargo loaded on the vehicle at the start of delivery for each delivery route (X1 to X4). The delivery routes for the multiple vehicles 10 include delivery routes X1 to X4. The delivery route information 90 records the total load weight of delivery route X1 as M1, delivery route X2 as M2, delivery route X3 as M3, and delivery route X4 as M4.

[0034] When a vehicle 10 (any of vehicles A to D, etc.) is assigned to a delivery route, the vehicle 10 travels on the assigned delivery route and performs delivery.

[0035] Here, the total load weight is in the relationship M1 < M2 < M3 < M4. For example, at the start of delivery for delivery route X2, the total load weight M2 of the cargo loaded on the vehicle is greater than the total load weight M1 of the cargo loaded on the vehicle at the start of delivery for delivery route X1. At the start of delivery for delivery route X3, the total load weight M3 of the cargo loaded on the vehicle is greater than the total load weight M2 of the cargo loaded on the vehicle at the start of delivery for delivery route X2. Here, delivery route X1 corresponds to the "first delivery route" of this disclosure, delivery route X2 corresponds to the "second delivery route" of this disclosure, and delivery route X3 corresponds to the "third delivery route" of this disclosure.

[0036] The types of the vehicles are recorded in the vehicle information 91. The vehicle information 91 records that vehicle A is a BEV, vehicle B is an ICE, vehicle C is an HEV, and vehicle D is a PHEV.

[0037] The allocation information 92 records the result of which vehicle A to vehicle D is allocated to each delivery route based on the delivery route information 90 and the vehicle information 91. The allocation information 92 records the allocated vehicle and category corresponding to each delivery route.

[0038] The allocation information 92 records that the allocated vehicle for delivery route X1 is vehicle A (BEV), the allocated vehicle for delivery route X2 is vehicle B (ICE), the allocated vehicle for delivery route X3 is vehicle C (HEV), and the allocated vehicle for delivery route X4 is vehicle D (PHEV). Figure 1 This situation is also illustrated in .

[0039] return Figure 1 The delivery destinations on delivery route X1, to which vehicle A is assigned, are delivery destination D11 and delivery destination D12. The weight of the cargo delivered to delivery destination D11 is greater than the weight of the cargo delivered to delivery destination D12. The total load weight of the cargo delivered to delivery destinations D11 and D12 is M1, and these cargoes are loaded at the departure point during delivery. Here, delivery destination D12 corresponds to the "first delivery destination" in this disclosure, and delivery destination D11 corresponds to the "second delivery destination" in this disclosure.

[0040] In delivery route X2, to which vehicle B is assigned, the total load weight of goods delivered to delivery destinations D21 to D23 is M2, and these goods are loaded at the departure point during delivery. In delivery route X3, to which vehicle C is assigned, the total load weight of goods delivered to delivery destinations D31 to D34 is M3, and these goods are loaded at the departure point during delivery. In delivery route X4, to which vehicle D is assigned, the total load weight of goods delivered to delivery destinations D41 to D45 is M2, and these goods are loaded at the departure point during delivery.

[0041] exist Figure 1 In the example, vehicle A (BEV), vehicle B (ICE), vehicle C (HEV), and vehicle D (PHEV) are allocated in order of total load weight from lightest to heaviest.

[0042] The delivery plan generating device 100 determines the delivery routes of vehicle A and vehicles B to D so that, among delivery routes X1 and X2 (or X3, X4), vehicle A (BEV) is allocated delivery route X1 in priority over vehicles B to D (ICE, HEV, PHEV).

[0043] The following description will be given using a flowchart. Figure 3 This is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the processing executed by the generation system of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the steps are abbreviated as "S".

[0044] First, the delivery plan generating device 100 reads the delivery plan in S11. Figure 1 and Figure 2 A specific example will be described. The delivery plan generating device 100 holds delivery route information 90 and vehicle information 91. The delivery plan generating device 100 reads information on delivery routes X1 to X4 and information on vehicles A to D (delivery route information 90, vehicle information 91) as a delivery plan.

[0045] In S12, the delivery plan generating device 100 calculates the total load weight of each delivery route. In this example, for example, the delivery destinations of the delivery route X1 are the delivery destinations D11 and D12 (see Figure 1 The weight of the goods delivered to the delivery destination D11 + the weight of the goods delivered to the delivery destination D12 = the total loading weight M1 is calculated and recorded in the delivery route information 90 .

[0046] In S13, the delivery plan generating device 100 determines whether the total load weight is less than a predetermined value. In this example, the total load weight M1 in delivery route X1 < predetermined value < total load weight M2 in delivery route X2 < total load weight M3 in delivery route X3 < total load weight M4 in delivery route X4.

[0047] If the total load weight in the delivery route is less than the specified value (S13: Yes), the delivery plan generating device 100 assigns the BEV as the delivery vehicle (S14). In this example, the total load weight M1 in the delivery route X1 is less than the specified value, so vehicle A (BEV) is assigned to the delivery route X1 (see Figure 1 、 Figure 2 ). That is, the delivery route X1 is assigned to the vehicle A (BEV) with priority over the delivery routes X2 to X4.

[0048] When the total load weight in the delivery route is greater than a predetermined value (S13: No), the delivery plan generating device 100 allocates a vehicle other than a BEV as a delivery vehicle (S15). In this example, vehicles B to D (ICE, HEV, PHEV) are allocated to the delivery routes X2 to X4 respectively, where the total load weight is greater than a predetermined value (see Figure 1 、 Figure 2 ).

[0049] To achieve carbon neutrality, delivery companies must also transition from conventional ICEs to BEVs. Vehicle A (BEV), which lacks an internal combustion engine and instead uses an electric motor 13a as its power source, suffers from a shorter cruising range and longer charging times compared to vehicles B through D (ICE, HEV, PHEV), which also have internal combustion engines. Because BEVs have a shorter cruising range, they are more likely to require recharging mid-delivery. Charging during delivery results in downtime and increased labor costs, so charging is avoided as much as possible. Furthermore, it's mentally unstable for delivery drivers to drive while feeling uneasy about their range. On the other hand, ICEs, HEVs, and PHEVs have longer cruising ranges than BEVs, and even if refueling is necessary, it takes less time than a BEV to recharge.

[0050] As described above, the delivery plan generation device 100 determines the delivery routes for vehicle A and vehicles B to D so that vehicle A (BEV) is given priority over vehicles B to D (ICE, HEV, PHEV) in delivery route X1 and delivery route X2 (X3, X4). This configuration prioritizes vehicle A for delivery route X1, which has a smaller total load weight. This reduces the deterioration in power efficiency caused by the weight of the loaded cargo in vehicle A and reduces the likelihood of requiring vehicle A to stop at a charging station for charging during delivery. This reduces the likelihood of a decrease in delivery efficiency in a delivery plan for multiple vehicles 10 equipped with electric motors or internal combustion engines. Furthermore, the term "vehicles other than BEVs" in S15 includes FCVs. FCVs also take less time to refuel at hydrogen stations than BEVs, eliminating the aforementioned issues with BEVs.

[0051] Furthermore, allocation is not limited to BEVs when the total load weight on a delivery route is less than a specified value. Alternatively, BEVs may be prioritized in descending order from routes with smaller total load weights to routes with larger total load weights. In this case, vehicles may be allocated to BEVs even when the total load weight is greater than the specified value, or even when the total load weight is less than the specified value, as long as they are prioritized for routes with smaller total load weights. Furthermore, when allocating BEVs, delivery routes may be determined so that the total load weight is less than a specified value. Furthermore, a configuration may be employed in which vehicles 10 are allocated to each delivery area and delivery routes are determined for delivery within the allocated delivery area, or a configuration may be employed in which vehicles 10 are allocated to each delivery route.

[0052] Second embodiment

[0053] In the second embodiment, when vehicle A (BEV) is assigned to delivery route X1 , the delivery plan generating device 100 determines the delivery order for delivery route X1 so as to prioritize delivery to delivery destination D11 , where the weight of the delivered cargo is greater than that of delivery destination D12 .

[0054] Furthermore, the delivery plan generation device 100 determines the delivery routes for vehicles B, C, and D so that, in delivery routes X2 and X3, the delivery route X2 with the lightest gross load is prioritized in the order of vehicle B (ICE), vehicle C (HEV), and vehicle D (PHEV). Similarly, when comparing delivery routes X3 and X4, the delivery route X3 with the lightest gross load is prioritized in the order of ICE, HEV, and PHEV. Conversely, the delivery route with the heaviest gross load is prioritized in the order of PHEV, HEV, and ICE.

[0055] Hereinafter, points different from the first embodiment will be described, and description of points common to the first embodiment will be omitted. Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the process executed by the delivery plan creation system 1 according to the second embodiment.

[0056] The delivery plan generating device 100 reads the delivery plan in S21. In S22, the delivery plan generating device 100 calculates the total load weight for each delivery route. If the total load weight for the delivery route is less than a specified value (S23: Yes), the delivery plan generating device 100 assigns a BEV as the delivery vehicle (S24).

[0057] The processes from S21 to S24 are identical to those from S11 to S14, so detailed descriptions are omitted. In the above example, in S24, vehicle A (BEV) is assigned to delivery route X1. The weight of the cargo delivered to destination D11 on delivery route X1 is greater than the weight of the cargo delivered to destination D12.

[0058] In S25, the delivery plan generating device 100 determines the delivery order in such a way that the delivery destinations with heavier cargo are delivered first. Figure 1 As shown, in the delivery route X1, after delivery to the delivery destination D11, delivery is performed to the delivery destination D12.

[0059] If the total load weight of a delivery route is greater than or equal to a specified value ( S23 : Yes), the delivery plan generating device 100 sorts the delivery routes in descending order of total load weight ( S26 ). In this example, the delivery routes with a total load weight greater than or equal to the specified value are delivery routes X2 through X4. The total load weight M4 of delivery route X4 is greater than the total load weight M3 of delivery route X3, which is greater than the total load weight M4 of delivery route X2. In this case, the delivery routes are sorted in the order of delivery routes X4, X3, and X2.

[0060] In S27, the delivery plan generating device 100 prioritizes the allocation of vehicles to the first of the arranged delivery routes (in descending order of total load weight), in the order of PHEV, HEV, and ICE. In this example, vehicle B is an ICE, vehicle C is an HEV, and vehicle D is a PHEV. Therefore, vehicle D (PHEV), with the highest priority, is assigned to the first delivery route X4. Next, vehicle C (HEV), with the next highest priority, is assigned to the second delivery route X3. Finally, vehicle B (ICE), with the lowest priority and the last remaining vehicle, is assigned to the third delivery route X2.

[0061] The delivery plan generating device 100 executes each mode process in S28. In the second embodiment, this process (S28) is not executed, but in the third embodiment, it is executed using Figure 5 Description of the processing.

[0062] As described above, when vehicle A (BEV) is assigned to delivery route X1, the delivery plan generation device 100 performs the following processing: The delivery order for delivery route X1 is determined so that delivery destination D11 is delivered first over delivery destination D12. This configuration prioritizes the delivery of heavier cargo over route optimization. Vehicle A (BEV) prioritizes delivery to delivery destination D11, which has heavier cargo. This reduces the average load weight of cargo within delivery route X1, reducing the likelihood of charging during delivery. This can minimize a decrease in delivery efficiency. Alternatively, delivery destinations can be determined in descending order of cargo weight, or the delivery order can be determined based on the distance to the delivery destination to avoid creating an excessively long route.

[0063] Furthermore, the delivery plan generation device 100 performs processing such that, among delivery routes X2 and X3, the delivery routes for vehicles B, C, and D are prioritized in the order of vehicle B (ICE), vehicle C (HEV), and vehicle D (PHEV). This configuration prioritizes the allocation of vehicles C and D, which can use electric motors as a power source, and vehicle D, which uses electric motors more frequently, to delivery route X3, which has a large gross load weight. Delivery routes with large gross load weights also consume a lot of energy (due to heavy cargo and long distances). Therefore, this configuration allows for the development of delivery plans that utilize electric motors as a power source, taking into account the natural environment.

[0064] Third embodiment

[0065] In the third embodiment, similar to the second embodiment, the execution Figure 4 In the third embodiment, each mode process executed in S28 is as follows: Figure 5 shown. Figure 5 This is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of each mode process in the third embodiment.

[0066] The driving modes of vehicle D (PHEV) include an HEV mode in which the vehicle drives using the electric motor 13d and the internal combustion engine 16d, and an EV mode in which the vehicle drives using the electric motor 13d without using the internal combustion engine 16d.

[0067] In the third embodiment, the delivery plan generation device 100 performs processing to send the following instructions to vehicle D: when vehicle D is delivering on an assigned delivery route, the vehicle D is instructed to travel in HEV mode when its current load weight is greater than a specified value, and to travel in EV mode when its current load weight is less than the specified value. The following describes differences from the second embodiment, while commonalities with the second embodiment are omitted.

[0068] If the assigned vehicle is a PHEV ("Yes" in S31), the delivery plan generating device 100 proceeds to S32. If the assigned vehicle is not a PHEV ("No" in S31), the delivery plan generating device 100 terminates the process. For example, in the above example, the process from S32 onwards is executed for vehicle D (PHEV) assigned to delivery route X4.

[0069] If the current load weight is greater than the specified value (S32: Yes), the delivery plan generating device 100 sends a command to the PHEV to travel in HEV mode (S33). If the current load weight is less than the specified value (S32: No), the delivery plan generating device 100 sends a command to the PHEV to travel in EV mode (S34). In the delivery route X4, the total load weight M4 of the vehicle D (PHEV) is greater than the specified value. Therefore, the vehicle D is set to HEV mode and starts traveling along the delivery route X4 (see Figure 1 ).

[0070] If the delivery on the delivery route is completed (S35: Yes), the delivery plan generating device 100 terminates the present process. If the delivery on the delivery route is not completed (S35: No), the process returns to S32. Thus, when the cargo is unloaded at the delivery destination and the current load weight is less than a predetermined value, the HEV mode is switched to the EV mode. In the above example, the vehicle D traveling on the delivery route X4 delivers to the delivery destinations D41, D42, D43, D44, and D45 in the order described (see Figure 1 For example, when the weight of the cargo is less than a predetermined value when the cargo is unloaded at the delivery destination D42, the vehicle switches to the EV mode and travels at the delivery destination D42 thereafter.

[0071] As described above, vehicle D (PHEV) has two driving modes: an HEV mode (using electric motor 13d and internal combustion engine 16d) and an EV mode (using electric motor 13d without internal combustion engine 16d). The delivery plan generation device 100 performs processing to transmit a command to vehicle D to operate in HEV mode when the current load weight of vehicle D is greater than a specified value, and to operate in EV mode when the current load weight of vehicle D is less than the specified value, while delivering on the assigned delivery route. This processing can also be performed by vehicle D, rather than by the delivery plan generation device 100.

[0072] According to such a structure, in vehicle D, when the current load weight is greater than a specified value, the vehicle travels in HEV mode using the electric motor 13d and the internal combustion engine 16d. In vehicle D, when the current load weight is less than a specified value, the vehicle travels in EV mode using the electric motor 13d instead of the internal combustion engine 16d. In the case where the delivery vehicle is a PHEV, the driving efficiency in EV mode is poor when the cargo is heavy, so the vehicle switches to EV mode when the cargo is reduced. In this way, it is possible to avoid traveling in EV mode using only the electric motor (traveling in HEV mode) when the load weight is large and the power consumption rate is poor, and it is possible to travel in EV mode when the load weight is small and the power consumption rate is good. In addition, it is also possible to execute after S15 in the first embodiment. Figure 5Each mode processing is shown.

[0073] The embodiments disclosed herein are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and non-restrictive. The scope of the present invention is not determined by the above-described embodiments but by the scope of the claims, and is intended to encompass all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A distribution plan generating device, generating a distribution plan for multiple vehicles for delivering goods, The delivery plan generating device comprises: processor; and a memory storing a program executable by the processor, The plurality of vehicles include a first vehicle having no internal combustion engine but having an electric motor as a power source and at least one second vehicle having an internal combustion engine as a power source. The delivery routes of the plurality of vehicles include a first delivery route and a second delivery route, the total load weight of the goods loaded on the vehicle at the start of delivery of the second delivery route is greater than the total load weight of the goods loaded on the vehicle at the start of delivery of the first delivery route, The processor determines the delivery routes of the first vehicle and the at least one second vehicle such that the first vehicle is assigned to the first delivery route with priority over the at least one second vehicle in the first delivery route and the second delivery route.

2. The delivery plan generating device according to claim 1, wherein: The delivery destinations in the first delivery route include a first delivery destination and a second delivery destination, The weight of the goods delivered to the second delivery destination is greater than the weight of the goods delivered to the first delivery destination, The processor performs processing for determining a delivery order of the first delivery route such that delivery is performed to the second delivery destination before the first delivery destination, when the first vehicle is allocated to the first delivery route.

3. The delivery plan generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The delivery routes of the plurality of vehicles further include a third delivery route, the total load weight of the cargo loaded on the vehicle at the start of delivery of the third delivery route is greater than the total load weight of the cargo loaded on the vehicle at the start of delivery of the second delivery route, The at least one second vehicle includes: a third vehicle having no electric motor but having an internal combustion engine as a power source; a fourth vehicle having no external charging function but having an electric motor and an internal combustion engine as power sources; and a fifth vehicle capable of external charging and having an electric motor and an internal combustion engine as power sources, The processor determines the delivery routes of the third, fourth, and fifth vehicles such that the second delivery route is preferentially allocated to the third vehicle, the fourth vehicle, and the fifth vehicle in that order among the second and third delivery routes.

4. The delivery plan generating device according to claim 3, wherein: The driving mode of the fifth vehicle includes a first mode in which the fifth vehicle drives using an electric motor and an internal combustion engine, and a second mode in which the fifth vehicle drives using an electric motor without using an internal combustion engine. The processor performs processing to send the following instructions to the fifth vehicle: when the fifth vehicle is delivering on the assigned delivery route, the fifth vehicle drives in the first mode when the current load weight of the fifth vehicle is greater than a specified value, and drives in the second mode when the current load weight of the fifth vehicle is less than the specified value.

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