Procedure for assigning transport orders to electrically powered transport vehicles and electronic transport assignment system

Abstract

Method for assigning transport orders (1, 1a, ..., 1i) to electrically powered transport vehicles (2, 2a, ..., 2e), comprising the steps: - Providing transport information (3) about a multitude of transport orders (1, 1a, ..., 1i) to an electronic evaluation unit (7), wherein the transport information (3) each has a starting point (8, 8a, ..., 8i) and a destination point (9, 9a, ..., 9i) of objects (10, 10a, ..., 10i) to be transported; - Providing status information (4) about at least two electrically powered transport vehicles (2, 2a, ..., 2e) to the electronic evaluation unit (7), wherein the status information (4) includes a location (11, 11a, ..., 11e) and a state (12, 12a, ..., 12e) of an electrical energy storage device of each transport vehicle (2, 2a, ..., 2e) of the electrically powered transport vehicles (2, 2a, ..., 2e), wherein the transport information (3) and / or the status information (4) are provided in real time; - Assigning the multitude of transport orders (1, 1a, ..., 1i) to the at least two transport vehicles (2, 2a, ..., 2e) depending on the transport information (3) and the status information (4) by means of the electronic evaluation unit (7), wherein the assignment of the multitude of transport orders (1, 1a, ..., 1i) is dynamically adjusted depending on the transport information (3) and / or status information (4) acquired in real time, wherein the assignment of the multitude of transport orders (1, 1a, ..., 1i) is generated as output data of a machine-trained function of the electronic evaluation unit (7), wherein the trained function is applied at least to the transport information (3) and the status information (4) so ​​that the multitude of transport orders (1, 1a, ..., 1i) are assigned in a time-optimized manner.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for assigning transport orders to electrically powered transport vehicles, as well as an electronic transport assignment system.

[0002] Approaches to route planning for transport services are known, which include algorithms for finding optimal routes with multiple intermediate destinations in any order. The vehicle fleets in these systems typically consist of vehicles with combustion engines. The limited range of combustion engine vehicles is not taken into account, since their ranges are significantly greater than those of electric vehicles, and refueling times are relatively short compared to charging times.

[0003] WO 2019 / 046 114 A1 describes dynamic truck route planning between automated systems.

[0004] US Patent 2017 / 0115666A1 discloses a device and method for grouping vehicles for cooperative driving.

[0005] US 2016 / 0247106A1 discloses the management of a fleet of autonomous electric vehicles for on-demand transportation and ancillary services for the power grid.

[0006] DE 10 2019 216 182 A1 discloses a method for operating electric transport vehicles, in which a virtual simulation program is run and it is recorded whether a work order can be fulfilled by the transport vehicle with its state of charge.

[0007] DE 10 2014 225 122 A1 describes a method for providing information on the availability of charging stations.

[0008] The invention is based on the objective of providing a method and an electronic transport allocation system in which, or with which, improved transport management is achieved with an electric vehicle fleet.

[0009] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described by the dependent patent claims, the following description, and the figures.

[0010] One aspect of the invention relates to a method for assigning transport orders to electrically powered transport vehicles. The method comprises, in particular, the following steps: - Providing transport information about at least one transport order to an electronic evaluation unit, wherein the transport information includes a start point and a destination point of at least one object to be transported; - Providing status information about at least two electrically powered transport vehicles to the electronic evaluation unit, wherein the status information includes a location and a state of an electrical energy storage device of each of the electrically powered transport vehicles; - Assigning at least one transport order to at least one of at least two transport vehicles depending on the transport information and the status information using the electronic evaluation unit.

[0011] This improves the transport management of transport orders to be fulfilled with an electric vehicle fleet consisting of at least two transport vehicles. The invention also offers the advantage that the characteristics of fully electric transport vehicles, particularly the state of the electrical energy storage system, are taken into account when assigning transport orders. This allows, for example, the estimated remaining range of the transport vehicle, which is more limited for purely electric vehicles compared to combustion engine vehicles, to be advantageously considered in the assignment process. For instance, it can be provided that the transport order is assigned to the transport vehicle whose estimated remaining range is sufficient for a route from the transport vehicle's current location, via the current location, to a destination.This can advantageously avoid intermediate loading on this route, thus increasing the efficiency of the transport.

[0012] In particular, the procedure allows transport orders in a geographically limited area to be assigned to transport vehicles available in that geographically limited area.

[0013] The geographically limited area can be understood to mean, for example, a city, such as a metropolis, a region such as a district, or the like.

[0014] A transport order can be understood, in particular, as an order from a third party to a transport company to transport an object from a starting point to a destination. The transport company may, for example, have at least two transport vehicles at its disposal. The transport order can be carried out, in particular, by a transport vehicle to which the transport order has been assigned, whereby the object can be picked up at the starting point by the transport vehicle, transported along a route, and unloaded or delivered at the destination. In particular, a transport order can be a courier transport order or a taxi transport order, in which the object is to be transported from the starting point to the destination as directly as possible without a central distribution point.

[0015] An electrically powered transport vehicle is driven, in particular, by an electric motor, which can be supplied with electrical energy from the electrical energy storage device. The capacity of the energy storage device is limited, so that after it is discharged, it must be recharged at a charging point. Charging the energy storage device can be problematic because charging points are limited and the charging time significantly exceeds the refueling time of a combustion engine vehicle. This problem can be specifically addressed by the method according to the invention and taken into account when assigning transport orders, thus enabling efficient transport operations.

[0016] The electronic evaluation unit can, in particular, be designed as a computing unit or include a computing unit. The evaluation unit, in particular the computing unit, can, in particular, contain one or more computers, one or more microcontrollers, and / or one or more integrated circuits, for example, one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and / or one or more systems on a chip (SoCs).The computing unit may also include one or more processors, for example, one or more microprocessors, one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more graphics processing units (GPUs), and / or one or more signal processors, in particular one or more digital signal processors (DSPs). The computing unit may also include a physical or virtual array of computers or other units of the aforementioned type.

[0017] In various embodiments, the evaluation unit has one or more hardware and / or software interfaces and / or one or more memory units. A memory unit can be volatile data storage, for example, dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or static random access memory (SRAM), or non-volatile data storage, for example, read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or flash EEPROM, or ferroelectric random access memory.FRAM (ferroelectric random access memory), MRAM (magnetoresistive random access memory), or PCRAM (phase-change random access memory) can be designed as random access memory.

[0018] The transport information and / or the status information can be transmitted electronically, in particular as data, to an interface of the electronic evaluation unit. The transport information can be provided, for example, by a third party who has initiated a transport order. For instance, the transport order can be transmitted to the transport company's electronic system via an application or a browser-based application on an electronic device. The status information can be transmitted wirelessly, preferably via a mobile network, to the transport company's electronic system, in particular automatically, by a transmitter module.

[0019] The transport information is intended to contain details about a large number of transport orders. For example, hundreds of transport orders may be scheduled for a single day or time, and these can then be assigned to the transport vehicles solely by the electronic evaluation unit.

[0020] Each transport order, within a multitude of transport orders, can be assigned an object to be transported, as well as a starting point and a destination point to which the object is to be transported from the starting point. The starting point and / or the destination point can, for example, include coordinates on a map and / or an address, in particular a floor of a building or the like.

[0021] The object to be transported can, for example, include a person or cargo. In particular, the object can include several people and / or several cargo items, such as multiple packages.

[0022] In particular, each of the at least two transport vehicles can be assigned status information. For example, a first of the at least two transport vehicles is assigned first status information, and a second of the at least two transport vehicles is assigned second status information, which can be summarized under the status information.

[0023] Preferably, a large number of electrically powered transport vehicles can be provided, via which the status information can be supplied to the electronic evaluation unit. For example, dozens of transport vehicles can be provided.

[0024] The numerous transport orders can now be assigned to a wide range of transport vehicles in a single process step. Specifically, the transport orders are distributed among the transport vehicles in such a way that, taking into account the transport information and the vehicle's condition, the respective transports can be carried out effectively, particularly economically, ecologically, and in a time-saving manner.

[0025] In a further process step, it may be possible to transmit a transport order assigned to a transport vehicle wirelessly as data to the transport vehicle. This data may be transmitted to a driver's mobile device or to an internal system within the transport vehicle. For example, the transport order could be transmitted to the transport vehicle's navigation system, which would then automatically generate a route from the starting point to the destination. This route could then be followed, for example, by the driver or by an electronic vehicle guidance system.

[0026] One embodiment provides that the transport information includes a transport time interval for the at least one object to be transported, with the at least one transport order being assigned depending on this transport time interval. The transport time interval can, in particular, include a pick-up time interval for collecting the object at the starting point, within which the object must be picked up, and / or a delivery time interval for delivering the object at the destination point, within which the object must be delivered, and / or a maximum transport time within which the object is to be transported from the starting point to the destination point. In particular, the transport information can also include an urgency value, which contains information about how urgently the object needs to be transported, for example, as quickly as possible.

[0027] Considering the transport time interval, or the multiple transport time intervals, of the numerous objects to be transported when assigning at least one transport order, or multiple transport orders, has the advantage that the objects can be transported at their intended time intervals. In particular, the transport orders are assigned in such a way that the criteria of the transport order can be met.

[0028] It may be possible for the electronic evaluation unit to determine during allocation that a transport order cannot be transported within the transport time interval. In this case, it may be possible to cancel the transport order or inform the third party so that the third party can decide on a cancellation, postponement, or extension of the transport time interval.

[0029] One embodiment provides that the evaluation unit is supplied with availability information for charging points for charging the electrical energy storage system. Based on this availability information, the evaluation unit assigns a charging stop at an available charging point to at least one transport vehicle. For example, the availability information can be provided electronically and automatically by third-party charging point providers. This availability information can include, in particular, details about the location of the charging point, the number of charging points at a location, the operating or fault status of the charging point, its current occupancy or reserved occupancy at a specific time and for a specific duration, the charging capacity, and / or similar information.The availability information can be provided in real time, allowing the electronic evaluation unit to react dynamically to it.

[0030] For example, a sudden malfunction of the charging point can be dynamically taken into account, allowing a planned charging stop at that point to be rescheduled. For instance, it can be arranged that the charging stop is reserved at an available charging point, preventing it from being occupied at short notice.

[0031] The charging stop may be intended, in particular, to stop the transport vehicle at the available charging point, to connect it to the charging point via a charging cable, and to charge the electrical energy storage of the transport vehicle for a charging period defined by the charging stop or up to a defined state of charge.

[0032] By considering availability information when assigning at least one transport order, the disadvantages of charging electric transport vehicles compared to refueling combustion engine vehicles, due to charging times and availability issues, can be advantageously compensated for. This allows, for example, ensuring that a transport vehicle doesn't have to wait a longer time until an occupied charging point becomes available, or that a defective charging point isn't visited unnecessarily. As a result, the assignment of at least one transport order can be significantly more efficient. In particular, by considering charging stops when assigning the transport order, it can be ensured that transport time intervals can be met.

[0033] One embodiment provides that the loading stop is taken into account when assigning the at least one transport order and / or the at least one assigned transport order is considered when assigning the loading stop. In particular, the loading stop and the transport order can be coordinated by the evaluation unit in such a way that any detour to a loading point when transporting the object or between two transport orders—i.e., from the destination of a first transport order to the starting point of a second transport order directly following the first—is kept as short as possible. This allows for advantageously efficient design of the transport routes.

[0034] One embodiment provides that the transport information includes at least one parameter specification for the at least one object to be transported and / or a number of objects to be transported, and the status information includes the transport capacity of each transport vehicle. The parameter specification can be used to characterize the object to be transported more precisely. For example, the parameter specification can include the dimensions and / or weight of the object, and / or the type or class of the object. For example, the object could be an envelope, a piece of furniture, a medication, a human organ to be transplanted, or the like. The term "object" can also refer to a person.Since it may be necessary to transport several items in a single transport order, the transport information can specify the number of items to be transported, each with a specific type and / or size. For example, it may be necessary to transport three people with two suitcases and a stroller to an airport by a certain time.

[0035] Transport capacity can, for example, refer to a transport volume, specifically the dimensions of a transport vehicle's cargo space and / or the number of seats. Furthermore, transport capacity can include other transport parameters, such as refrigeration capabilities or similar features. In particular, the parameter specifications and / or the number of vehicles, as well as the transport capacity, can be taken into account when assigning at least one transport order to at least one transport vehicle. This advantageously ensures that the object(s) can actually be transported with the assigned transport vehicle. Specifically, a suitable transport vehicle can be assigned based on the aforementioned information. This advantageously increases the efficiency of transporting the objects.

[0036] One embodiment provides that traffic information about the traffic situation, particularly in real time, is supplied to the evaluation unit. Based on this traffic information, the evaluation unit assigns at least one transport order to at least one transport vehicle. The traffic information can be understood to be limited to traffic information within the geographically defined area, preferably traffic information along a planned route for a transport vehicle. In particular, the evaluation unit can thus take into account the expected travel time from a starting point to a destination point, or from a destination point to a subsequent starting point, when assigning orders, so that predefined transport time intervals can be adhered to. This can advantageously increase the reliability of the transport operation.

[0037] It is intended that transport information and / or status information will be provided in real time, with the assignment of at least one transport order being dynamically adjusted based on the transport information and / or status information captured in real time. Specifically, it may be intended that the transport information and / or status information be updated several times per minute or at least several times per hour, so that the updated information is provided virtually in real time. "Dynamic" can be understood to mean, in particular, that changes to information can be reacted to in real time by adjusting the assignment accordingly. This dynamic adjustment of the assignment allows for changes to be made throughout the day, taking the current information into account. This enables highly flexible assignment and increases efficiency.

[0038] One embodiment provides that a breakdown of at least one transport vehicle, to which at least one transport order is assigned, is compensated for by assigning that transport order to at least one other of the at least two transport vehicles. A breakdown could be, for example, a malfunction or an accident involving the transport vehicle. A short-term sick leave of the driver could also lead to a breakdown. In general, a breakdown means that the already assigned transport order can no longer be carried out by the broken-down transport vehicle, or can only be carried out with a delay.In particular, a failure can occur at any time, for example, on a route to a starting point or on a route between a starting point and a destination. In such cases, the allocation to the next transport vehicle may involve transferring the object to be transported from that vehicle. The evaluation unit can react to the failure virtually in real time and adjust or change the allocation of transport orders. This allows efficiency and reliability to be maintained even in the event of a failure. If the failure cannot be compensated for, the transport order may be canceled, or the third party contracted may be notified of the failure or delay.

[0039] It is intended that the assignment of transport orders will be generated as input data for a machine-trained function of the evaluation unit, whereby the trained function will be applied at least to the transport information and the status information, and in particular also to the status information and availability information. The machine-trained function can, for example, be implemented as a neural network, an artificial network, or the like.The trained function can, for example, have been trained with input training data containing transport information and status information, in particular status information and availability information, and with output training data related to the input training data, containing assigned transport orders, whereby the function can be trained by comparing and backprojecting the output training data with output data based on the input training data.

[0040] For use cases or application situations that may arise during the procedure and are not explicitly described here, it may be provided that, according to the procedure, an error message and / or a request for user feedback is issued and / or a default setting and / or a predetermined initial state is set.

[0041] One aspect of the invention provides an electronic transport allocation system with an evaluation unit. The electronic transport allocation system is specifically designed to carry out the method according to the invention.

[0042] The invention also includes further developments of the transport allocation system according to the invention, which have features already described in connection with the further developments of the method according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding further developments of the transport allocation system according to the invention are not described again here.

[0043] The invention also includes combinations of the features of the described embodiments.

[0044] The following describes exemplary embodiments of the invention. This is illustrated by: Fig. 1 a flowchart of an embodiment of a method according to the invention; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of the provision of information to an electronic evaluation unit; and Fig. 3 A schematic representation of the assignment using the electronic evaluation unit.

[0045] The embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In these embodiments, the described components each represent individual features of the invention that can be considered independently of one another. Each of these features further develops the invention independently and can therefore be considered part of the invention individually or in a combination other than that shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by other features of the invention already described.

[0046] In the figures, functionally identical elements are each provided with the same reference symbols.

[0047] Fig. Figure 1 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method according to the invention for assigning transport orders 1 to electrically powered transport vehicles 2.

[0048] In a first step S1, transport information 3 can be provided to an electronic evaluation unit 7 via at least one transport order 1, wherein the transport information 3 includes a start point 8 and a destination point 9 of at least one object 10 to be transported. An object can be a living being, such as a human or an animal, or an economic good, such as food, a building material, a household good, an electrical appliance, etc. In one embodiment, the transport information 3 can include a transport time interval for the at least one object 10 to be transported. In another embodiment, the transport information 3 can include at least one parameter specification of the at least one object 10 to be transported and / or a number of objects 10 to be transported. In particular, the transport information 3 can be provided in real time.The transport information can be transmitted electronically to the electronic evaluation unit 7, preferably automatically by an application which provides a third party with input options for entering the transport information 3.

[0049] In a second step, S2, which is at least temporarily parallel to or even subsequent to step 1, state information 4 about at least two electrically powered transport vehicles 2 can be provided to the electronic evaluation unit 7, wherein the state information 4 includes a location 11 and a state 12 of an electrical energy storage device of each of the electrically powered transport vehicles 2. In one embodiment, the state information 4 can include a transport capacity of each transport vehicle 2. In particular, the state information 4 can be provided in real time. The state information 4 can be transmitted electronically to the electronic evaluation unit 7, preferably automatically by a corresponding electronic module of the transport vehicle 2 or an end device of a driver of the transport vehicle 2.

[0050] In a third step, S3, which is at least temporarily parallel to or even subsequent to steps S1 and S2, availability information 5 of charging points 13 for charging the electrical energy storage device can be provided to the electronic evaluation unit 7, particularly in a geographically limited area, preferably in the vicinity of the transport vehicle 2. In particular, the availability information 5 can be provided in real time.

[0051] In a fourth step, S4, which is at least temporarily parallel to or even subsequent to steps S1 to S3, traffic information 6 about the traffic situation can be provided to the electronic evaluation unit 7, in particular traffic information 6 in the geographically limited area. In particular, the traffic information 6 can be provided in real time.

[0052] In a fifth step S5, at least one transport order 1 can be assigned to at least one of at least two transport vehicles 2, depending on the transport information 3 and the status information 4, and in particular on the availability information 5 and the traffic information 6, by means of the electronic evaluation unit 7. In one embodiment, it can be provided that the assignment of the at least one transport order 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h, 1i is dynamically and in real time adjusted depending on the information 3, 4, 5, 6 acquired in real time.

[0053] In a sixth step S6, in one embodiment, the electronic evaluation unit 7 can assign a charging stop 13 to at least one transport vehicle 2 at an available charging point, depending on the availability information 5, the status information 4, the transport information 3, and the traffic information 6. In one embodiment, it can be provided that the charging stop is taken into account when assigning the at least one transport order 2 and / or the at least one assigned transport order 2 is taken into account when assigning the charging stop.

[0054] In Fig. Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the provision of information, in particular the transport information 3, the status information 4, the availability information 5 and the traffic information 6 (not shown) to the electronic evaluation unit 7.

[0055] The diagram shows a geographically limited area in the background, for example, a district of a large city. In a typical initial scenario, there are numerous transport orders 1a, ..., 1i, each specifying a starting point 8a, ..., 8i and a destination point 9a, ..., 9i for an object 10a, ..., 10i to be transported. These points can be different and variable. For example, the transport orders 1a, ..., 1i can have different time priorities and deadlines. Preferably, the transport orders 1a, ..., 1i are issued during operation and can be canceled if, for example, they are processed too late. The initial scenario may also include a charging infrastructure with several charging points 13a, 13b, 13c, which, however, may not always be fully available.

[0056] In one embodiment, all transport orders 1a, ..., 1i in the locally limited area can be transmitted to the electronic evaluation unit 7 via a web connection, for example via an app on a third party's smartphone, or via an online portal, in particular to an electronic transport allocation system 14, which the evaluation unit 7 has.

[0057] In the exemplary initial situation, several, for example five, transport vehicles 2a, ..., 2e are provided, which are preferably located within the geographically limited area at a respective location 11a, ..., 11e. The status information 4 about the transport vehicles 2a, ..., 2e can also be provided to the electronic evaluation unit 7 or to the electronic transport allocation system 14 in real time, wherein the status information 4 includes the respective location 11a, ..., 11e and a state 12a, ..., 12e of the electrical energy storage of each transport vehicle 2a, ..., 2e.For example, the state 12a of the electrical energy storage of the first transport vehicle 2a is at about 40%, the state 12b of the electrical energy storage of the second transport vehicle 2b is at about 20%, the state 12c of the electrical energy storage of the third transport vehicle 2c is at about 60%, the state 12d of the electrical energy storage of the fourth transport vehicle 2d is at about 20%, and the state 12e of the electrical energy storage of the fifth transport vehicle is at about 100%.

[0058] In the example scenario, the first object, 10a, is a person who wants to be transported from the first starting point, 8a, to the first destination, 9a. The second object, 10b, is a piece of freight whose client wants it transported from the second starting point, 8b, to the second destination, 9b.

[0059] In one embodiment, the electronic evaluation unit 7 may prioritize the transport orders 1a, ..., 1i in a suitable manner. In particular, it may be provided that all information 3, 4, 5, 6 is evaluated electronically by the evaluation unit 7. For example, an evaluation algorithm or a machine-trained function of the evaluation unit 7 may be provided for this purpose.

[0060] Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of the allocation process using the electronic evaluation unit 7. In particular, depending on the information in Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6, the transport orders 1a, ..., 1i can be distributed among the transport vehicles 2a, ..., 2e, and loading stops at available loading points 13a, 13b, 13c can be assigned to the transport vehicles 2a, ..., 2e. Preferably, the transport orders 1a, ..., 1i and the loading stops are assigned in a sequence determined by the electronic evaluation unit 7. In particular, several route points can be defined according to the sequence, which a respective transport vehicle 2a, ..., 2e is to travel to, wherein the route points can correspond in particular to a starting point 8a, ..., 8i, a destination point 9a, ..., 9i, and / or a loading point 13a, 13b, 13c. The route to be traveled is defined in the Fig. 3 in particular represented by arrows.

[0061] In one embodiment, the first transport vehicle 2a can be assigned transport orders 1a and 1d, particularly in this sequence, by means of the electronic evaluation unit 7. The transport vehicle 2a can, in particular, have a passenger capacity. For example, it can be provided that the electronic evaluation unit 7 assigns a route to each of the transport vehicles 2a, ..., 2e, or merely the route points in a specific sequence, so that the transport vehicle 2a, ..., 2e or the driver determines the route between the route points.

[0062] Depending on the assignment, it may be stipulated that the transport vehicles 2a, ..., 2e carry out the transport orders 1a, ..., 1i. In this embodiment, it may therefore be stipulated that the first transport vehicle 2a travels from its location 11a to the starting point 8a, picks up person 10a, and transports them to the designated destination point 9a. Subsequently, it may be stipulated that the first transport vehicle 2a travels to the starting point 8d, picks up another person 10d there, and travels to the destination point 9d.

[0063] In one embodiment, the second transport vehicle 2b may be assigned, particularly in this order, the charging point 13a and the transport orders 1b and 1e. First, the second transport vehicle 2b may travel from its location 11b to the charging point 13a and make a charging stop to charge the electrical energy storage device to a time or state of charge predetermined by the evaluation unit 7. The second vehicle 2b then travels to the starting point 8b to pick up a cargo item 10b, in particular a package. The second vehicle 2b may, in particular, have a loading capacity for packages. The cargo item 10b is transported to the destination point 9b. The second transport vehicle then continues to the starting point 8e, picks up the cargo item 10e, and transports it to the destination point 9e.

[0064] Overall, the exemplary embodiments demonstrate how improved order and charging management can be provided for electrified vehicle fleets in passenger or freight transport. A multitude of potential transport orders for goods and / or passengers exist. These orders can have different starting and ending points, which can be arbitrary and do not have to be located at fixed route stops / stations. Each order can have a different level of urgency and an individual target date. During fleet operation, order requests can be received, which can be withdrawn if processing is delayed. Furthermore, a fixed charging infrastructure exists, but it is not always fully available. The invention consists, in particular, of the improved distribution of these orders across an electrified vehicle fleet. This distribution comprises three essential steps.

[0065] First, order and status information can be provided to the electronic evaluation unit. Data from all transport orders (start and destination, delivery date, urgency, passenger or freight transport, dimensions, weight, etc.) can be transmitted to the evaluation unit or a backend system via a web connection (e.g., via the WeConnect app or an online portal). Current vehicle status data (charge level, utilization, location, vehicle type, transport capacity, etc.) is sent to the evaluation unit via a web connection. Charging infrastructure data (charge level, charging time, energy prices, distance to charging stations, charging station availability, etc.) can also be provided.

[0066] Secondly, the system improves the distribution of orders across the fleet's vehicles. The electronic processing unit can process incoming data and, taking all data into account, determine a time- and cost-optimized distribution of orders to the vehicles. Furthermore, loading stops can be scheduled. Each vehicle receives feedback from the evaluation unit, preferably with a prioritization of the transport orders and loading stops to be executed, so that a tour or route can be available for each vehicle. Updates are distributed by the evaluation unit in the event of changes, such as the issuance of additional orders, enabling the fleet to react quickly.The failure of individual vehicles can also be compensated for by having a failed vehicle report itself to the backend as failed and retransmit its unexecuted orders to the evaluation unit for distribution, which then distributes them to another / several other operational vehicle(s).

[0067] The vehicles can execute the predefined routes with their intermediate destinations as specified. These can be automated vehicles or still be human-driven. An update to the order status results in a modified route, which can then be easily completed. Reference symbol list 1 a to 1i Transport order 2a to 2e Transport vehicle 3 Transport information 4 Status Information 5 Availability information 6 Traffic Information 7 Electronic evaluation unit 8a to 8i Starting point 9a to 9i Destination 10a to 10i Object Locations 11a to 11e 12a to 12e State of an electrical energy storage device 13a to 13c charging points 14 Electronic Transport Assignment System

Claims

[1] Method for assigning transport orders (1, 1a, ..., 1i) to electrically powered transport vehicles (2, 2a, ..., 2e), comprising the steps: - Providing transport information (3) about a multitude of transport orders (1, 1a, ..., 1i) to an electronic evaluation unit (7), wherein the transport information (3) each has a starting point (8, 8a, ..., 8i) and a destination point (9, 9a, ..., 9i) of objects (10, 10a, ..., 10i) to be transported; - Providing status information (4) about at least two electrically powered transport vehicles (2, 2a, ..., 2e) to the electronic evaluation unit (7), wherein the status information (4) includes a location (11, 11a, ..., 11e) and a state (12, 12a, ..., 12e) of an electrical energy storage device of each transport vehicle (2, 2a, ..., 2e) of the electrically powered transport vehicles (2, 2a, ..., 2e), wherein the transport information (3) and / or the status information (4) are provided in real time; - Assigning the multitude of transport orders (1, 1a, ..., 1i) to the at least two transport vehicles (2, 2a, ..., 2e) depending on the transport information (3) and the status information (4) by means of the electronic evaluation unit (7), wherein the assignment of the multitude of transport orders (1, 1a, ..., 1i) is dynamically adjusted depending on the transport information (3) and / or status information (4) acquired in real time, wherein the assignment of the multitude of transport orders (1, 1a, ..., 1i) is generated as output data of a machine-trained function of the electronic evaluation unit (7), wherein the trained function is applied at least to the transport information (3) and the status information (4) so ​​that the multitude of transport orders (1, 1a, ..., 1i) are assigned in a time-optimized manner. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by, that the transport information (3) each has a transport time interval for the objects to be transported (10, 10a, ..., 10i), whereby the transport requests (1, 1a, ..., 1i) are assigned depending on the transport time interval. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the electronic evaluation unit (7) is provided with availability information (5) of charging points (13, 13a, ..., 13c) for charging the electrical energy storage, whereby, depending on the availability information (5) and the status information (4), the transport vehicles (2, 2a, ..., 2e) are each assigned a charging stop at an available charging point (13, 13a, ..., 13c) by means of the electronic evaluation unit (7). [4] Method according to claim 3, characterized by , that the loading stop is taken into account when assigning the transport order (2, 2a, ..., 2e) and / or the assigned transport order (2, 2a, ..., 2e) is taken into account when assigning the loading stop. [5] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the transport information (3) includes at least one parameter specification of the objects to be transported (10, 10a, ..., 10i) and / or one number of the objects to be transported (10, 10a, ..., 10i), and the state information (4) includes a transport capacity of each transport vehicle (2, 2a, ..., 2e). [6] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the electronic evaluation unit (7) is provided with traffic information (6) about a traffic situation, whereby the transport orders (1, 1a, ..., 1i) are assigned to the transport vehicles (2, 2a, ..., 2e) by means of the electronic evaluation unit (7) depending on the traffic information (6). [7] Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that a failure of at least one transport vehicle (2, 2a, ..., 2e), to which at least one transport order (1, 1a, ..., 1i) is assigned, is compensated by assigning the at least one transport order (1, 1a, ..., 1i) to at least one further transport vehicle of the at least two transport vehicles (2, 2a, ..., 2e). [8] Electronic transport allocation system (14) with an electronic evaluation unit (7), wherein the electronic transport allocation system (14) is configured to perform a method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

Images