Method for generating delivery plan

Abstract

To provide a method for generating a delivery plan capable of efficiently adjusting the supply and demand of power using electric vehicles that deliver packages.SOLUTION: A method for generating a delivery plan comprises: a step (S11) of acquiring a power charging request for requesting for charging a specified amount of power from a target power supply facility 7a in a specified time zone; a step (S16) of setting a delivery route R in which, in an electric vehicle 3 capable of receiving the power from the target power supply facility 7a in the middle of the delivery route R, a state of charge (SOC) of a battery 21 is lowered based on the power charging request before a vehicle arrives at the target power supply facility 7a; and a step (S17) of transmitting, to the electric vehicle 3, a power receiving command to travel along the set delivery route R and receiving power from the target power supply facility 7a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for generating a delivery plan.

Background Art

[0002] International Publication No. 2020 / 090252 (Patent Document 1) discloses a delivery plan generation method for calculating the travelable distance of an electric vehicle based on the vehicle information of the electric vehicle for delivering goods and the SOC (State Of Charge) of the secondary battery mounted on the electric vehicle, and generating a delivery plan for the goods using the delivery destination information and the travelable distance of the goods.

[0003] On the other hand, in the demand and supply adjustment market where trading operators such as aggregators procure the adjustment power of the electricity supplied to general power transmission and distribution operators, VPP (Virtual Power Plant) is being utilized. VPP refers to energy resources such as demand-side demand facilities, energy storage facilities, or power generation facilities, and energy resources such as power generation facilities or energy storage facilities directly connected to the power grid, which are controlled by their owners or a third party such as an aggregator to provide the same functions as a power plant.

[0004] In VPP, the demand and supply of electricity can be adjusted using DR (Demand Response). DR refers to the owner or a third party of the energy resources on the demand side controlling the energy resources to change the demand and supply pattern of electricity. DR is mainly classified into downward DR that reduces demand or increases supply, and upward DR that increases demand or reduces supply, depending on the pattern of demand and supply control.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In the delivery plan of an electric vehicle for delivering goods, for example, it is desired to develop a technology that can be used for power supply-demand adjustment in the desired time zone of the above-mentioned uplink DR. On the other hand, at a base such as a factory that has a power generation facility for renewable energy such as solar power and utilizes the renewable energy, there is a time zone when surplus renewable energy is generated. For example, it is also desired that an electric vehicle for delivering goods be used for power supply-demand adjustment in the time zone when surplus renewable energy is generated at such a base.

[0007] However, the delivery plan generation method disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not consider using an electric vehicle for delivering goods for power supply-demand adjustment as exemplified above.

[0008] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for generating a delivery plan that can efficiently perform power supply-demand adjustment using an electric vehicle for delivering goods.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] A method for generating a delivery plan according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a method for generating a delivery plan of an electric vehicle for delivering goods by a computer. The electric vehicle includes a running battery that stores electric power received from a power supply facility. The method for generating a delivery plan includes a step of obtaining a charging request that requests to charge a specified amount of electric power from a target power supply facility in a specified time zone, and setting a delivery route for reducing the SOC (State Of Charge) of the battery based on the charging request until arriving at the target power supply facility in an electric vehicle capable of receiving electric power from the target power supply facility on the way of the delivery route, and a step of transmitting a power reception command for traveling on the set delivery route and receiving electric power from the target power supply facility to the electric vehicle.

[0010] In the above configuration, in an electric vehicle capable of receiving power from a target power supply facility during the delivery route, a delivery route is set to reduce the SOC of the battery based on the charging requirement until reaching the target power supply facility, and while traveling on the delivery route, a power reception command to receive power from the target power supply facility is transmitted to the electric vehicle. In this way, since a delivery route that consumes power to meet the charging requirement is set and the electric vehicle can be supplied with power from the target power supply facility incorporated in the middle of the delivery route, it is possible to efficiently adjust the power supply and demand using the electric vehicle for delivering goods.

[0011] In one embodiment, the method for generating a delivery plan further includes a step of predicting the value of the SOC that decreases when arriving at the target power supply facility based on the current value of the SOC and the consumption information that is a factor for consuming power during the travel of the delivery route.

[0012] According to the above configuration, for example, since a route where power is easily consumed, such as an area where traffic jams are likely to occur or an uphill route, can be incorporated into the delivery route to the target power supply facility, it is possible to more efficiently adjust the power supply and demand using the electric vehicle for delivering goods.

[0013] In one embodiment, the consumption information includes three-dimensional map information, the specifications of the devices provided in the electric vehicle including the battery, and the location information of the delivery destination of the goods on the delivery route.

[0014] According to the above configuration, it is possible to predict the value of the decreasing SOC using more detailed information such as geographical information, device information of the electric vehicle, and power consumption due to the delivery of goods.

[0015] In one embodiment, the method for generating a delivery plan further includes a step of excluding from the delivery route candidates a route in which the travel distance on the delivery route exceeds a specified distance, a route in which the power consumption amount on the delivery route exceeds a specified power amount, and a route in which the delivery time on the delivery route exceeds a specified time. According to the above configuration, it is possible to avoid the loss of power consumption due to unnecessary detours.

[0016] In one embodiment, the method for generating a delivery plan further includes a step of setting, as a vehicle to which a power reception command is transmitted, a vehicle that is predicted to be able to receive power of a specified amount of power when arriving at a target power supply facility, based on the current value of the SOC, among a plurality of electric vehicles.

[0017] According to the above configuration, when there are a plurality of candidate vehicles, in order to select a vehicle that can receive power of a specified amount of power when arriving at a target power supply facility, it is possible to more efficiently adjust the power supply and demand using the electric vehicle for delivering goods.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to efficiently adjust the power supply and demand using an electric vehicle for delivering goods.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0021] [First Embodiment] First, the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of a delivery plan generation system 100 according to the first embodiment. The delivery plan generation system is a system that generates a delivery plan for an electric vehicle 3 that delivers packages.

[0022] The delivery plan generation system 100 includes a server device 1 and a power supply facility 7. The power supply facility 7 is a vehicle power supply facility (EVSE: Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) that charges the electric vehicle 3.

[0023] The driving battery 21 provided in the electric vehicle 3 stores the electric power received from the power supply facility 7. The electric vehicle 3 is a vehicle that delivers packages while traveling on a delivery route. The electric vehicles 3 included in the delivery plan generation system 100 are composed of a plurality of electric vehicles including the electric vehicles 3a to 3c described later.

[0024] The electric vehicle 3 is an electric vehicle configured to be able to travel using the electric power stored in the battery 21, and is configured to operate as a power regulation force for the power system. The electric vehicle 3 may be a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) without an internal combustion engine or a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) with an internal combustion engine. The battery 21 may be a lithium-ion secondary battery, a nickel-metal hydride secondary battery, or the like.

[0025] The power supply facility 7 is connected to a power system that is a power grid constructed by a power transmission and distribution facility. This power system supplies alternating current power to a plurality of power supply facilities 7 within the system.

[0026] The server device 1 can be connected to the electric vehicle 3 and the power supply facility 7 via a communication network. The server device 1 is, for example, a device that communicates with a server device A (not shown) belonging to an aggregator. Note that the server device 1 and the server device A may be an integrated server device. An aggregator is an electric utility that bundles a plurality of distributed energy resources (DERs) to provide a power management service.

[0027] The DERs in the present embodiment include a plurality of electric vehicles 3. The server device 1 operates based on a command from a server device B (not shown) that performs demand response (DR) for each DER in order to make a plurality of DERs function as a VPP. The server device B makes these DERs function as a virtual power plant (VPP) by remotely controlling a plurality of DERs including a plurality of electric vehicles 3.

[0028] Before starting DR, the server device B transmits a DR request message to each DER with respect to the server device 1. The DR request message (hereinafter also referred to as a "charging request") includes the type of DR (such as up-DR, down-DR, etc.), the DR area (such as the installation location of the EVSE), the DR period (such as the DR start time, DR end time, etc.). Up-DR is basically a DR that requests an increase in demand. Down-DR is a DR that requests demand suppression or reverse power flow.

[0029] The server device B causes a plurality of DERs to perform power system power adjustment requested from the server device A or power system power adjustment (such as charging promotion, charging suppression, discharging, power consumption promotion, power consumption suppression, etc.) won in the power market by using DR.

[0030] The server device 1 receives a charging request from the server device B and generates a delivery plan (delivery route) for the electric vehicle 3. The electric vehicle 3 delivers the goods according to the generated delivery route R (see Fig. 2). Then, it stops by the power supply facility 7 designated by the server device 1 on the way of the delivery route R and performs charging of the commanded amount of electric power.

[0031] Hereinafter, the power supply facility 7 designated by this server device 1 is referred to as the "target power supply facility 7a". This target power supply facility 7a is selected from among a plurality of power supply facilities 7 within the DR area included in the DR request message (charging request).

[0032] Alternatively, this target power supply facility 7a may be a power supply facility installed at a renewable energy surplus generation site. Here, the "renewable energy surplus generation site" refers to a site such as a factory that has power generation facilities for renewable energy such as solar power and utilizes the renewable energy. At this site, there is a time period when a surplus of renewable energy occurs.

[0033] The server device 1 receives a charging request that requests charging from the target power supply facility 7a installed at the renewable energy surplus generation site during the time period when a surplus of renewable energy occurs at the renewable energy surplus generation site. Then, during the time period when a surplus of renewable energy occurs, it generates a delivery plan (delivery route) for the electric vehicle 3 so that the electric vehicle 3 is charged from the target power supply facility 7a installed at the renewable energy surplus generation site.

[0034] The target power supply facility 7a illustrated in the description using Fig. 2 to be described later may be the target power supply facility 7a selected from among a plurality of power supply facilities 7 within the DR area included in the above-mentioned DR request message (charging request), or may be the target power supply facility 7a installed at the above-mentioned renewable energy surplus generation site.

[0035] The server device 1 includes a processor 11, a memory 12, a constraint information database (DB) 13, an input information database (DB) 17, a communication module (COM) 15, and a data line 16. The processor 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and is configured to execute predetermined arithmetic processing described in a program.

[0036] The memory 12 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The ROM stores a program executed by the processor 11. The RAM temporarily stores data generated by the execution of the program in the processor 11 and data input via the communication module 15. The RAM also functions as a temporary data memory used as a work area.

[0037] The server device 1 receives a charging request and generates a delivery plan for the electric vehicle 3. The electric vehicle 3 supplies power from a target power supply facility 7a on the delivery route R. Details will be described later with reference to FIG. 2 and subsequent figures.

[0038] The input information database 17 records consumption information (also referred to as "input information") used when generating a delivery plan. The consumption information includes 3D map information which is three-dimensional map information, target vehicle specifications which are the specifications of the devices provided in the electric vehicle 3 including the battery 21, stopover points which are the location information of the delivery destinations of the goods on the delivery route R, power supply points, and power supply time zones. The server device 1 collects these information and stores them in the input information database 17.

[0039] When a DR request is made, the power supply point means the location information of a plurality of power supply facilities 7 within the DR area. The power supply time zone is the DR period (DR start time, DR end time). When renewable energy surplus occurs, the power supply point means the location information of the power supply facility 7 provided at the renewable energy surplus generation site. The power supply time zone is the renewable energy surplus time zone at the renewable energy surplus generation site. The power supply time zone of the renewable energy surplus generation site changes based on weather, solar radiation information, etc.

[0040] The constraint information database 13 records the constraint conditions when generating the delivery plan. For example, constraint conditions (equivalent load conditions) such that the driving distance (total driving distance) on the delivery route R is less than a predetermined distance, constraint conditions (equivalent economic efficiency conditions) such that the power consumption amount (total power consumption amount) on the delivery route R is less than a predetermined amount, and constraint conditions (equivalent delivery time conditions) such that the delivery time (total delivery time) on the delivery route R is less than a predetermined time are recorded. Such constraint conditions are added for reasons such as not wasting power consumption on the electric vehicle 3 and taking a roundabout route in order to charge surplus power. Due to the constraint by the equivalent load condition, it is possible to prevent the loss of the value of the vehicle by extending the driving distance without reason. Due to the constraint by the equivalent economic efficiency condition, it is possible to prevent unnecessary power consumption. By performing the constraint by the equivalent delivery time condition, it is possible to prevent exceeding the determined delivery time.

[0041] The communication module 15 includes a communication interface with a network such as the Internet. The communication module 15 is configured to enable two-way communication with external devices (electric vehicles 3 (3a to 3c), power supply facilities 7 (7a), server device A, server device B) of the server device 1. The data line 16 is configured to enable mutual data exchange between the devices constituting the server device 1.

[0042] In the configuration of this embodiment, the electric vehicle 3 can be charged in a contact type via a charging cable extending from the power supply facility 7. Note that it may be configured to be chargeable from a power supply facility capable of non-contact charging.

[0043] The electric vehicle 3 includes a battery (BAT) 21, an inlet (INLET) 23, a DCM (Data Communication Module) 24, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 25, and an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 26.

[0044] The battery 21 is a battery pack including a plurality of cells. Each cell is a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery or a nickel-metal hydride battery. The battery 21 supplies electric power for generating the driving force of the electric vehicle 3. Further, the battery 21 stores the electric power generated by an in-vehicle motor generator (not shown). The battery 21 is provided with a voltage sensor and a current sensor (both not shown) for the ECU 26 to calculate the SOC (State Of Charge) of the battery 21.

[0045] The inlet 23 is configured to be able to insert the charging connector of the power supply facility 7 with a mechanical connection such as fitting. With the insertion of the charging connector, the electric vehicle 3 and the power supply facility 7 are electrically connected, and the battery 21 can be charged with the electric power supplied from the power supply facility 7.

[0046] The DCM 24 is configured such that the electric vehicle 3 and the server device 1 can communicate bidirectionally. Further, the DCM 24 is configured such that the electric vehicle 3 and the power supply facility 7 can communicate bidirectionally. The GPS receiver 25 identifies the position of the electric vehicle 3 based on radio waves transmitted from artificial satellites (not shown). The server device 1 acquires the position information of each of the plurality of electric vehicles 3 through communication. The ECU 26 controls the devices so that the electric vehicle 3 is in a desired state based on a program stored in a memory (not shown) and signals from each sensor.

[0047] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the delivery route R of the electric vehicle 3. The server device 1 acquires a charging request for charging power of a specified amount of power (hereinafter also referred to as "required power amount") from the target power supply facility 7a during a specified time period (hereinafter also referred to as "specified time period").

[0048] As described above, the charging request may be a request based on a DR request message or a request from a renewable energy surplus generation site. In the former case, the server device 1 selects one target power supply facility 7a from among a plurality of target power supply facilities 7a (a plurality of power supply facilities 7 within the DR area) included in the charging request. In the latter case, the power supply facility 7 installed at the renewable energy surplus generation site becomes the target power supply facility 7a.

[0049] The server device 1 determines the delivery route R based on the charging request. The delivery route R is a delivery route including a route that reduces the SOC (State Of Charge) of the battery 21 based on the charging request until it arrives at the target power supply facility 7a.

[0050] The server device 1 issues a power reception command to the electric vehicle 3 to travel on the set delivery route R and receive power from the target power supply facility 7a. The electric vehicle 3 can receive power from the target power supply facility 7a during the journey on the delivery route R.

[0051] Three delivery destinations 31 to 33 are set on the delivery route R. The electric vehicle 3 stops at each of the intermediate delivery destinations 31 to 33 and delivers the goods while traveling on the delivery route R.

[0052] In this example, the delivery route R includes a clockwise route and a counterclockwise route. The clockwise route is a route for delivering goods in a clockwise direction, starting from the starting point 4, and returning to the starting point 4 after the electric vehicle 3 makes deliveries in the order of delivery destination 33, delivery destination 32, and delivery destination 31. The electric vehicle 3 charges from the target power supply facility 7a at the power supply point 5 between delivery destination 32 and delivery destination 31.

[0053] The counterclockwise route is a route for delivering goods counterclockwise. It starts from the departure point 4, and after the electric vehicle 3 makes deliveries to the delivery destinations 31, 32, and 33 in this order, it returns to the departure point 4. The electric vehicle 3 charges from the target power supply facility 7a at the power supply point 5 between the delivery destinations 31 and 32.

[0054] Note that the delivery route R of the electric vehicle 3 is not limited to these, and it may be a route that detours further than the delivery route R to avoid traffic jams, or it may be a route that makes deliveries in the order of delivery destination 33, delivery destination 31, and delivery destination 32.

[0055] In this embodiment, reaching the power supply point 5 via the clockwise route can reduce the SOC of the battery 21 of the electric vehicle 3 more than reaching the power supply point 5 via the counterclockwise route.

[0056] As shown in the figure, when reaching the power supply point 5 via the counterclockwise route, although the driving distance becomes slightly longer, it is possible to drive non-stop on a flat road except for stopping once at the delivery destination 31. On the other hand, when reaching the power supply point 5 via the clockwise route, in addition to stopping at the delivery destinations 33 and 32, it is also possible to stop at the signals 41 to 43. This consumes a lot of power. Also, there is a mountain 51 on the route, and climbing the mountain consumes even more power.

[0057] Figure 3 is a diagram for explaining the determination of the delivery route R. Hereinafter, in the charging requirement, the amount of electric power specified to be charged from the target power supply facility 7a is referred to as the "required amount of electric power".

[0058] As shown in Figure 3, the SOC decreases more when traveling from the departure point 4 to the power supply point 5 via the clockwise route than when traveling from the departure point 4 to the power supply point 5 via the counterclockwise route. The available charging amount X2 when arriving at the power supply point 5 via the clockwise route is larger than the available charging amount X1 when arriving at the power supply point 5 via the counterclockwise route.

[0059] When arriving at the power supply point 5 via the clockwise route, the available power supply amount X2 exceeds the required power supply amount. On the other hand, when arriving at the power supply point 5 via the counterclockwise route, the available power supply amount X1 is less than the required power supply amount. Therefore, the server device 1 determines the delivery via the clockwise route where the required power supply can be provided and issues a command to the electric vehicle 3.

[0060] Hereinafter, it will be described using a flowchart. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the processing executed by the delivery plan generation system 100. This processing is a processing for realizing a method for generating a delivery plan for the electric vehicle 3 that delivers goods.

[0061] This flowchart is called and executed from a main routine (not shown) when, for example, a predetermined condition is satisfied. Each step is realized by software processing by the server device 1, but may also be realized by hardware such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration) arranged in the server device 1. Hereinafter, the steps are abbreviated as S.

[0062] When this processing starts, the server device 1 acquires a charging request in S11. The charging request is a command requesting to charge power of the required power amount from the target power supply facility 7a in a specified time zone.

[0063] In S12, the server device 1 sets a vehicle (delivery vehicle) that transmits a power reception command. For example, the electric vehicle 3 in which a delivery route traveling in the vicinity of the target power supply facility 7a is set in a specified time zone is set as the delivery vehicle. In the examples shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, there is one electric vehicle 3 that travels on the delivery route R passing through the target power supply facility 7a and performs delivery, and this vehicle is selected as the delivery vehicle. An example in the case where there are a plurality of such electric vehicles will be described in the second embodiment. When there are a plurality of target power supply facilities 7a, they are narrowed down to one.

[0064] In S13, the server device 1 extracts a plurality of delivery candidate routes. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of delivery candidate routes include a clockwise route and a counterclockwise route. Also, for example, a route that departs from the departure point 4 and delivers to delivery destinations such as delivery destination 33, delivery destination 31, and delivery destination 32 may be included in the delivery candidate routes. Further, a route that detours more than the clockwise route and counterclockwise route illustrated in FIG. 2 may be included in the delivery candidate routes.

[0065] In S14, for each of the plurality of delivery candidate routes, the server device 1 predicts the value of the SOC that decreases when arriving at the target power supply facility 7a based on the current value of the SOC and the consumption information (input information DB17) that is a factor for consuming power during the travel of the delivery route R.

[0066] In the examples shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the SOC decreases by the power supply available amount X1 on the counterclockwise route, and the SOC decreases by the power supply available amount X2 on the clockwise route. As described above, the consumption information is 3D map information including stop points at delivery destinations 31 to 33, signals 41 to 43, and mountain 51. As a result calculated based on these information, the power supply available amount X2 is predicted to be a value larger than the power supply available amount X1.

[0067] In S15, the server device 1 excludes a route that does not satisfy the constraint conditions from the candidates for the delivery route R. The server device 1 excludes a route in which the travel distance in the delivery route exceeds a specified distance (predetermined distance), a route in which the power consumption amount in the delivery route exceeds a specified power amount (predetermined power amount), and a route in which the delivery time in the delivery route exceeds a specified time (predetermined time) from the candidates for the delivery route R (constraint information DB13).

[0068] For example, when the clockwise route and counterclockwise route illustrated in FIG. 2 are the shortest routes, predicted values of the travel distance, power consumption, and delivery time when delivering along this shortest route are calculated, and K times (for example, 1.2 times) of these values are respectively set as the above-specified distance (predetermined distance), specified power consumption (predetermined power consumption), and specified time (predetermined time). By doing so, it is possible to exclude delivery candidate routes that needlessly detour in order to reduce power consumption.

[0069] For example, as described above, assume that a delivery candidate route includes a delivery route that starts from the departure point 4 and is more circuitous than the routes such as the route for delivering to the delivery destinations 33, 31, and 32 and the clockwise route and counterclockwise route shown in FIG. 2. If these routes do not satisfy the above constraints, they are excluded from the delivery candidate routes.

[0070] In S16, the server device 1 sets a delivery route R in which the SOC of the battery 21 is decreased based on the charging request until arriving at the target power supply facility 7a in the electric vehicle 3. In this example, the clockwise route that satisfies the charging request is determined as the delivery route.

[0071] In S17, the server device 1 transmits a power reception command for traveling along the set delivery route R and receiving power from the target power supply facility 7a to the electric vehicle 3, and ends this process.

[0072] As described above, the method for generating a delivery plan includes a step (S11) of obtaining a charging request that requests charging the power of a specified amount of electricity from the target power supply facility 7a in a specified time period, a step (S16) of setting a delivery route R in which the SOC of the battery 21 is decreased based on the charging request in the electric vehicle 3 capable of receiving power from the target power supply facility 7a on the way of the delivery route R until arriving at the target power supply facility 7a, and a step (S17) of transmitting a power reception command for traveling the set delivery route R and receiving power from the target power supply facility 7a to the electric vehicle 3. In this way, since the delivery route R that consumes power to satisfy the charging request is set and the electric vehicle 3 can be supplied with power from the target power supply facility 7a incorporated in the middle of the delivery route R, it is possible to efficiently adjust the power supply and demand using the electric vehicle 3 for delivering goods.

[0073] The method for generating a delivery plan further includes a step (S14) of predicting the value of the SOC that decreases when arriving at the target power supply facility 7a based on the current value of the SOC and the consumption information that is a factor for consuming power during the travel of the delivery route R. According to the above configuration, for example, since a route where power is easily consumed, such as an area where traffic jams are likely to occur or an uphill route, can be incorporated into the delivery route to the target power supply facility 7a, it is possible to more efficiently adjust the power supply and demand using the electric vehicle 3 for delivering goods.

[0074] The consumption information includes three-dimensional map information, the specifications of the devices provided in the electric vehicle 3 including the battery 21, and the location information of the delivery destination of the goods on the delivery route R. Thereby, it is possible to predict the value of the decreasing SOC using more detailed information such as geographical information, the device information of the electric vehicle 3, and the power consumption due to the delivery of goods.

[0075] The method for generating a delivery plan further includes a step (S15) of excluding from candidates for the delivery route R a route in which the travel distance in the delivery route R exceeds a specified distance, a route in which the power consumption in the delivery route R exceeds a specified power amount, and a route in which the delivery time in the delivery route R exceeds a specified time. Thereby, it is possible to avoid the loss of power consumption due to unnecessary detours.

[0076] [Second Embodiment] Next, the second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, an example of determining the delivery route R for the electric vehicle 3 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 was described. In contrast, in the second embodiment, an example in which a plurality of electric vehicles (3a to 3c) can travel on the same delivery route R and any one of the electric vehicles is assigned as the vehicle for distribution will be described. The configuration of the delivery plan generation system 100 in FIG. 1 shown in the first embodiment is the same also in the second embodiment.

[0077] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the determination of the electric vehicle to be delivered in the second embodiment. For example, assume that electric vehicles 3a to 3c can be selected as the electric vehicles capable of traveling on the delivery route R shown in FIG. 2. In the following description, electric vehicles 3a to 3c will all be described as traveling toward the power supply point 5 on a clockwise route. Note that when traveling toward the power supply point 5 on a counterclockwise route, none of the electric vehicles 3a to 3c can satisfy the charging requirement.

[0078] The electric vehicles 3a to 3c each have different specifications of devices such as batteries. Also, the SOC values at the starting point 4 are different from each other. The SOC values at the starting point 4 are low in the order of electric vehicle 3c (also referred to as electric vehicle C), electric vehicle 3a (also referred to as electric vehicle A), and electric vehicle 3b (also referred to as electric vehicle B).

[0079] When starting from the departure point 4 and arriving at the power supply point 5 along the clockwise route, the SOCs of the electric vehicles C, A, and B are in descending order. In this case, the relationship of the power supply available amounts of the electric vehicles is such that the power supply available amount X6 of the electric vehicle C > the power supply available amount X4 of the electric vehicle A > the power supply available amount X5 of the electric vehicle B. And only the power supply available amount X6 of the electric vehicle C exceeds the required power supply amount. Therefore, the server device 1 selects the electric vehicle C for which power supply of the required power supply amount is possible, and issues a command to the electric vehicle C to travel along the clockwise route and charge from the target power supply facility 7a at the power supply point 5.

[0080] Hereinafter, it will be described using a flowchart. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the processing executed by the delivery plan generation system 100.

[0081] When this processing starts, the server device 1 acquires a charging request in S21. The processing of S21 is the same as the processing of S11 described with reference to FIG. 4. The charging request is a command for requesting to charge power of the required power amount from the target power supply facility 7a in a specified time zone.

[0082] The server device 1 determines delivery candidate vehicles in S22. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, there was one electric vehicle for which a delivery route (capable of passing through the target power supply facility 7a) traveling in the vicinity of the target power supply facility 7a in a specified time zone was set. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, any one of the plurality of electric vehicles 3a to 3c can be selected and caused to travel on a travel route R that can pass through the target power supply facility 7a in a specified time zone. Therefore, in this example, three electric vehicles 3a to 3c are determined as delivery candidate vehicles.

[0083] The server device 1 sets the delivery route R in S23. For example, any one of the delivery candidate vehicles may be selected and the processes of S13 and S14 in FIG. 4 may be executed to set the route that most reduces the SOC as the delivery route R. In this example, a clockwise route is set as the delivery route R.

[0084] In S24, the server device 1 sets, among the plurality of electric vehicles 3a to 3c, a vehicle that is predicted to be able to receive power of a specified amount of power when arriving at the target power supply facility 7a based on the current value of the SOC as a vehicle (assigned vehicle) to which a power reception command is to be transmitted. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the electric vehicle C in which the available power supply amount X6 exceeds the required power supply amount is set as the assigned vehicle.

[0085] In S25, the server device 1 transmits a power reception command to the electric vehicle set as the assigned vehicle to travel on the set delivery route R and receive power from the target power supply facility 7a, and ends this process. In this example, a power reception command is transmitted to the electric vehicle C.

[0086] Note that after determining the delivery vehicle candidates in S22, for each electric vehicle that has become a delivery candidate vehicle, the SOC at the time of arrival at the target power supply facility 7a in each of the plurality of delivery candidate routes (clockwise route, counterclockwise route, etc.) may be comprehensively calculated. Then, from among the combinations of the delivery candidate vehicles and delivery candidate routes that satisfy the charging requirement, the delivery route R and the assigned vehicle that issues the power reception command may be selected.

[0087] As described above, the method for generating a delivery plan further includes a step (S24) of setting, among the plurality of electric vehicles 3a to 3c, a vehicle that is predicted to be able to receive power of a specified amount of power when arriving at the target power supply facility 7a based on the current value of the SOC as a vehicle to which a power reception command is to be transmitted. According to the above configuration, when there are a plurality of delivery candidate vehicles, in order to select a vehicle that can receive power of a specified amount of power when arriving at the target power supply facility 7a, it is possible to more efficiently adjust the power supply and demand using the electric vehicle for delivering goods.

[0088] The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is shown not by the description of the above embodiments but by the claims, and it is intended that all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are included.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0089] 1 server device, 3 electric vehicles, 4 departure point, 5 power supply point, 7 power supply equipment, 7a target power supply equipment, 11 processor, 12 memory, 13 constraint information database, 15 communication module, 16 data line, 17 input information database, 21 battery, 23 inlet, 24 DCM, 25 GPS receiver, 26 ECU, 31 - 33 delivery destinations, 41 - 43 signals, 51 mountain, 80 controller, 100 delivery plan generation system, R delivery route.

Claims

1. A method for generating a delivery plan for an electric vehicle that delivers packages by a computer, comprising: The electric vehicle includes a driving battery that stores electric power received from a power supply facility; Obtaining a charging request that requests to charge a specified amount of electric power from a target power supply facility during a specified time period; In the electric vehicle capable of receiving electric power from the target power supply facility during the delivery route, setting the delivery route that reduces the State of Charge (SOC) of the battery based on the charging request until arriving at the target power supply facility; A method for generating a delivery plan, comprising: transmitting a power reception command to the electric vehicle to travel along the set delivery route and receive electric power from the target power supply facility.

2. The method for generating a delivery plan according to claim 1, further comprising predicting a value of the SOC that decreases when arriving at the target power supply facility based on a current value of the SOC and consumption information that is a factor for consuming electric power during travel of the delivery route.

3. The method for generating a delivery plan according to claim 2, wherein the consumption information includes three-dimensional map information, specifications of devices included in the electric vehicle including the battery, and location information of a delivery destination of the package in the delivery route.

4. The method for generating a delivery plan according to claim 1, further comprising excluding from candidates for the delivery route a route in which a travel distance in the delivery route exceeds a specified distance, a route in which an amount of consumed electric power in the delivery route exceeds a specified amount of electric power, and a route in which a delivery time in the delivery route exceeds a specified time.

5. The method for generating a delivery plan according to claim 1, further comprising setting, based on a current value of the SOC, a vehicle predicted to be capable of receiving the specified amount of electric power when arriving at the target power supply facility among the plurality of electric vehicles as the vehicle to which the power reception command is transmitted.

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