Charging facility guide system

Abstract

To provide a technology for increasing the possibility of being able to guide a user to a charging facility that meets the user's need based on a cruisable distance.SOLUTION: A charging facility guidance system comprises: a planned driving route acquisition unit that acquires a planned driving route for an electric vehicle; a cruisable distance acquisition unit that acquires a cruisable distance for the electric vehicle, estimated for each position on the planned driving route; a search range setting unit that sets a search range along the planned driving route, the search range having a width based on the cruisable range for each position; and a charging facility search unit that searches for a charging facility for the electric vehicle within the search range, and outputs a search result.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging facility guidance system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a method for searching for facilities along a planned driving route in a navigation system facility search is known (for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 2 describes guidance to charging facilities that are as close as possible to a destination along the route to the destination and offer good charging efficiency. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-321224 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-85685 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When users select a charging facility, there are various types of charging facilities they would like to use, such as charging facilities that offer high-speed charging, charging facilities that are attached to facilities where users can kill time while charging, charging facilities that offer free charging, charging facilities where the payment authentication system is supported by the plan they have subscribed to, etc. However, there is a problem with guidance on charging facilities along the planned driving route, in that only charging facilities along the planned driving route are returned as search results, and charging facilities that the user may want to stop at but are a little further away from the planned driving route are not provided. The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a technology that increases the possibility of being able to guide a user to a charging facility that meets their needs based on the available driving range. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the charging facility guidance system includes a planned driving route acquisition unit that acquires a planned driving route for the electric vehicle, a range acquisition unit that acquires a range that the electric vehicle can travel that is estimated for each position on the planned driving route, a search range setting unit that sets a search range along the planned driving route and whose width is based on the range at each position, and a charging facility search unit that searches for charging facilities for the electric vehicle within the search range and outputs the search results.

[0006] That is, in the charging facility guidance system, the width of the search range based on the planned driving route is set based on the cruising range at each position on the planned driving route, and charging facilities can be searched for within a search range with a width that is variably set based on the cruising range. Therefore, it is more likely that the system will be able to guide the user to a charging facility that meets their needs based on the cruising range than when searching within a search range with a fixed width. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a charging facility guidance system. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of setting a search range. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart of a charging facility guidance process. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of setting a search range. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of setting a search range. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Here, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order. (1) Configuration of charging facility information system: (2) Charging facility information processing: (3) Other embodiments:

[0009] (1) Configuration of charging facility information system: FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a charging facility guidance system 10 mounted on an electric vehicle. This charging facility guidance system 10 is a system that guides a user to charging facilities for the vehicle. In this embodiment, the charging facility guidance system 10 is mounted on the electric vehicle and implemented by a navigation system. The vehicle according to this embodiment is an electric vehicle (BEV: Battery Electric Vehicle) that is mounted with a battery 52, which is a rechargeable storage battery, and is driven by supplying power stored in the battery 52 to a motor 51.

[0010] The charging facility guidance system 10 includes a control unit 20 including a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc., and a recording medium 30. The control unit 20 can execute a charging facility guidance program 21 stored in the ROM, etc.

[0011] The recording medium 30 stores map information 30a. In this embodiment, the map information 30a includes node data, link data, shape interpolation point data, and facility data. The node data indicates the location of an intersection. The link data indicates a road section and is associated with nodes corresponding to the endpoints of the road section. In other words, the link data indicates links connecting nodes. In this embodiment, the link data includes information indicating road attributes of the road section indicated by the link data. The road attributes include information indicating the road type, for example, expressway, motorway, general road such as national highway or prefectural road, narrow street, etc. The link data also includes associated shape interpolation point data indicating the location of shape interpolation points for identifying the shape of the road between nodes. The link data also includes information indicating the road gradient of the road section.

[0012] The facility data indicates the names, locations, and attributes of facilities that exist near roads, etc. Facilities include various facilities that can be destinations or stopovers. In this embodiment, the facility data defines the names, locations, attributes, etc. of facilities where the vehicle battery 52 can be charged, such as charging stations, service areas, parking areas, stores, commercial facilities, public facilities, etc. In this embodiment, a facility where the vehicle battery 52 can be charged is called a charging facility. The facility data of a charging facility includes various information that can be used by a user to decide whether or not to use the facility, such as whether fast charging is available, information about facilities attached to the charging facility, charging fees, payment methods, etc.

[0013] The vehicle in this embodiment is equipped with a GNSS receiver 41, a vehicle speed sensor 42, a gyro sensor 43, a communication unit 44, a user I / F unit 45, a vehicle control ECU 50 that controls the vehicle, a motor 51, and a battery 52.

[0014] The GNSS receiver 41 is a device that receives signals from the Global Navigation Satellite System. The GNSS receiver 41 receives radio waves from navigation satellites and outputs a signal for calculating the vehicle position via an interface (not shown). The control unit 20 acquires this signal to obtain the vehicle position. The vehicle speed sensor 42 outputs a signal corresponding to the rotational speed of the wheels of the vehicle. The control unit 20 acquires this signal via an interface (not shown) to obtain the vehicle speed.

[0015] The gyro sensor 43 detects angular acceleration of the vehicle when it turns in a horizontal plane and outputs a signal corresponding to the orientation of the vehicle. The control unit 20 acquires this signal to determine the traveling direction of the vehicle. The vehicle speed sensor 42, gyro sensor 43, and the like are used to identify the traveling trajectory of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the control unit 20 identifies the vehicle's position based on the departure point and traveling trajectory of the vehicle, and corrects the current position of the vehicle identified based on the departure point and traveling trajectory based on the output signal of the GNSS receiver 41. The control unit 20 also performs map matching based on the trajectory of the vehicle's position and map information 30a to identify the vehicle's position on the road.

[0016] The user I / F unit 45 is an interface unit for inputting instructions from the user and providing various information to the user, and includes a display unit consisting of a touch panel display (not shown), input units such as switches, and output units such as speakers. In this embodiment, the driving range acquired by the control unit 20 is displayed on the display unit of the user I / F unit 45.

[0017] The battery 52 is a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery or a nickel-metal hydride battery, or a high-voltage power storage device configured with a capacitor or the like, and can be charged at a charging facility. The battery 52 is electrically connected to the motor 51, which is a driving power source, and the vehicle is driven by supplying power from the battery 52 to the motor 51. A sensor (not shown) is attached to the battery 52, and the sensor outputs information indicating the remaining charge of the battery 52. Based on the output of the sensor, the vehicle control ECU 50 periodically obtains the SOC (State Of Charge) of the battery 52. The control unit 20 obtains the SOC from the vehicle control ECU 50.

[0018] The motor 51 is configured, for example, by a permanent magnet synchronous motor or an induction motor, and is coupled to the drive wheels of the vehicle (not shown) so as to be able to transmit power. The motor 51 functions at least as an electric motor that is driven by a supply of electric power to output torque. The motor 51 also functions as a generator that generates electric power when driven by torque received from an external source. In other words, the motor 51 is a so-called motor-generator that combines the functions of an electric motor and a generator. As described above, the motor 51 is electrically connected to the battery 52. Therefore, the electric power stored in the battery 52 can be supplied to the motor 51, causing the motor 51 to function as an electric motor and output drive torque. The motor 51 can also function as a generator using torque transmitted from the drive wheels, and the regenerative power generated at that time can be stored in the battery 52. The output speed and output torque of the motor 51 are electrically controlled by the vehicle control ECU 50.

[0019] The vehicle control ECU 50 is an electronic control device mainly composed of, for example, a microcomputer, and in the example shown in Fig. 1, it mainly controls the motor 51. Specifically, the vehicle control ECU 50 can output a control signal to the motor 51, and by outputting the control signal to the motor 51, it operates the motor 51 to drive the vehicle. The vehicle control ECU 50 can also rotate the motor 51 in the direction opposite to the rotation direction when the vehicle is running, and regenerative power generated by this rotation is charged into the battery 52. In other words, the control signal output by the vehicle control ECU 50 controls switching between charging and discharging by the motor 51, and the regenerative power is recovered.

[0020] The control unit 20 can execute a program stored in the recording medium 30 or a ROM. In the present embodiment, the charging facility guidance program 21 can be executed as this program. As described above, the charging facility guidance system 10 is realized by a navigation system, and therefore the control unit 20 can execute a navigation program (not shown) that is stored in a ROM or the like. The navigation program is a program that causes the control unit 20 to realize a function of displaying a map including the current location of the vehicle on the display unit of the user I / F unit 45 and guiding the driver to the destination.

[0021] When the charging facility guidance program 21 is executed, the control unit 20 functions as a planned driving route acquisition unit 21a, a range acquisition unit 21b, a search range setting unit 21c, and a charging facility search unit 21d. By using the function of the planned driving route acquisition unit 21a, the control unit 20 acquires a planned driving route of the electric vehicle. That is, the control unit 20 acquires the current location of the vehicle based on the outputs of the GNSS receiving unit 41, the vehicle speed sensor 42, the gyro sensor 43, and the map information 30a. Furthermore, when the user operates the user I / F unit 45 to input a destination, the control unit 20 acquires the input destination and searches for a route from the current location (starting point) to the destination using the map information 30a. Of course, the user may specify a point other than the current location as the starting point. The route obtained by the search is called a planned driving route.

[0022] Using the function of the range acquisition unit 21b, the control unit 20 acquires the range of the electric vehicle estimated for each position on the planned driving route. That is, the control unit 20 acquires the SOC from the vehicle control ECU 50 and calculates the remaining power amount of the battery 52 according to the SOC. The control unit 20 calculates the range at the current location of the vehicle from the vehicle's electricity consumption and remaining power amount according to various conditions such as the vehicle type and outside temperature. The control unit 20 identifies multiple points on the planned driving route (e.g., each node that is scheduled to be passed) as positions for calculating the range. The control unit 20 then calculates the estimated range at each position by subtracting the distance from the current location to the identified position from the range at the current location.

[0023] Using the function of the search range setting unit 21c, the control unit 20 sets a search range along the planned driving route, with the width of the search range based on the cruising distance at each location. The "width" refers to the width of one side of the planned driving route. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a planned driving route of a vehicle. In FIG. 2, the solid line extending in the left-right direction of the page indicates the planned driving route, with C indicating the vehicle's current location and G indicating the destination. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 20 divides the planned driving route into a first section where the cruising distance is estimated to be equal to or greater than a first threshold, a second section where the cruising distance is estimated to be less than the first threshold and equal to or greater than a second threshold, and a third section where the cruising distance is estimated to be less than the second threshold. For example, the first threshold may be the cruising distance when the SOC is 50%, and the second threshold may be the cruising distance when the SOC is 25% (these values are merely examples and are not limiting). In this embodiment, the control unit 20 defines the third section as a section in which the cruising distance is less than the second threshold and equal to or greater than the lower limit value. The lower limit value indicates the lower limit of the cruising distance when providing guidance to charging facilities, and is a value less than the second threshold value and greater than 0.

[0024] For the first section, the control unit 20 sets the search range to an area of a first width W1 on one side of the planned driving route (a total area of width 2W1 on both sides). For the first section, only charging facilities within a relatively narrow range along the planned driving route can be guided. The dashed-dotted line in FIG. 2 shows an example of a line connecting points on the planned driving route that are vertically spaced apart from the planned driving route by the vehicle's range distance. If a search range with a wider width were set simply for a longer driving range, a wider area would be set as the search range, such as the area enclosed by the dashed-dotted line in FIG. 2. Therefore, a wider search range would require more time for the search process. Furthermore, if a search range with a wider width were set simply for a longer driving range, such as the dashed-dotted line area, charging facilities that are located in a direction with a large angle θ between the current location C and the direction of destination G (e.g., θ close to 90 degrees) and that are far from the planned driving route may also be extracted in the search (e.g., S1). When the cruising range is longer than the first threshold and there is still some margin, it is considered that such charging facilities are unlikely to be selected by the user. In this embodiment, by setting a search range with a fixed width of a first width W1 on each side (2W1 for both sides in total) in the first section where the cruising range is equal to or greater than the first threshold, it is possible to make it difficult to output charging facilities that are far away from the original planned driving route and in a direction with a large angle θ, which are assumed to be unlikely to be selected, as search results. As a result, the charging facility guidance system can prevent unnecessary guidance on many charging facilities. In addition, the time required for the search process can be shortened compared to when a wider search range is simply set the longer the cruising range.

[0025] For the second section, the control unit 20 sets the search range to an area on one side of the planned driving route, from a first width W1 to a second width W2, whose width increases as the vehicle approaches the end point of the second section (the combined width of both sides increases from 2W1 to 2W2). Here, the second width W2 is greater than the first width W1 but less than the second threshold. As described above, the second threshold is the estimated range for the end point of the second section (the range before the end point of the second section is longer than the range at the end point). By setting the second width W2 to a value less than the second threshold, the control unit 20 sets the search range to a range that is larger than the first width W1 for the second section but is estimated to be a range in which the distance from the planned driving route does not exceed the range at the end point of the second section (i.e., an estimated reachable range). As a result, for the second section, the closer the search range is to the destination within the estimated reachable range, the more likely it is that the control unit 20 will be able to provide guidance on charging facilities that are farther from the planned driving route. It should be noted that the width on one side only needs to increase from the first width W1 to the second width W2 from the start point to the end point of the second section, and various modes of increase can be adopted. For example, it may be configured to increase in stages (step-like) on a link-by-link basis. Note that the second section in this embodiment is configured so that its width increases as it approaches the end point, but the width of the search range in the second section (the width on one side) is greater than the first width and smaller than the second threshold.

[0026] For the third section, the control unit 20 sets the search range to an area on one side of the planned driving route, where the width decreases from the second width W2 toward the end point of the third section (the area from 2W2 for both sides combined to decrease toward the end point). The width on one side at each position in the third section is smaller than the range at that position. By setting the search range in this manner, the possibility of providing guidance on charging facilities, including those not along the route within the estimated reachable range, can be increased. Furthermore, as the end point of the third section, i.e., the range, approaches the lower limit, charging facilities located farther from the planned driving route can be excluded from guidance. Note that the width on one side only needs to decrease from the second width W2 to the first width W1 from the start point to the end point of the third section, and various reduction modes can be employed. For example, the width may be configured to decrease in stages (step-like) on a link-by-link basis. In this embodiment, the width of the third section decreases toward the end point, but the width of the search range (on one side) in the third section is smaller than the maximum width of the second section.

[0027] As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to increase the likelihood that a search will extract more charging facilities within an estimated reachable range in the vicinity of the second threshold compared to other sections. A user may have needs regarding the extent to which the cruising range must decrease before charging is required, or a particular extent to which charging must be suggested. In this embodiment, by setting the first threshold and the second threshold so that the point where the cruising range is estimated to be the end point of the second section, it is possible to provide the user with more options for charging facilities near the point where the cruising range is estimated to be the second threshold. Providing more options for charging facilities increases the likelihood of being guided to a charging facility that meets the user's needs (the type of charging facility the user wants to use). Furthermore, it is possible to narrow down the options for charging facilities outside the vicinity of the point where the cruising range is estimated to be the second threshold.

[0028] Furthermore, the control unit 20 sets a search range width based on the cruising range at each location for the planned driving route of the vehicle, i.e., the route planned to be driven from the current location of the vehicle, as described above. Therefore, areas along routes that have already been driven are not included in the search range. When driving toward a destination, it is considered that charging facilities located within an area of a certain width along routes that have already been driven are unlikely to be selected by the user. Therefore, by not including areas along routes that have already been driven in the search range, the time required for the search process can be shortened and unnecessary guidance of many charging facilities can be prevented.

[0029] Using the function of the charging facility search unit 21d, the control unit 20 searches for charging facilities for electric vehicles within the search range and outputs the search results. That is, the control unit 20 searches for charging facilities located within the search range set by the search range setting unit 21c by referring to the map information 30a. The control unit 20 acquires the locations of the charging facilities from the facility data of the charging facilities obtained through the search. The control unit 20 outputs the search results by displaying a map showing the planned driving route from the departure point to the destination on the display of the user I / F unit 45 and displaying an icon indicating the charging facility at the location of the charging facility obtained through the search. The facility data of the charging facility includes various information that may be used by the user to decide whether or not to use the charging facility, such as whether fast charging is available, information about facilities attached to the charging facility, charging fees, and payment methods. The icon may be displayed in different colors or designs depending on the type of charging facility indicated by this information. Furthermore, even if the color and design are the same, the icon may be configured to display this information when the charging facility icon is selected. As a result, the user can select the charging facility they want to use based on this information.

[0030] The process from setting the search range to displaying the search results may be performed at any timing after the planned driving route is set. For example, the process may be performed when the entire route from the departure point to the destination is displayed after the planned driving route is searched. Alternatively, the process may be performed when the user instructs a search for charging facilities after the planned driving route is searched. Alternatively, the process may be performed periodically while driving after the planned driving route is searched.

[0031] If no charging facility is found within the search range set as described above, the control unit 20 searches for charging facilities in an area whose width on one side is shorter than the cruising distance at each position on the planned travel route by a predetermined margin in all of the first, second, and third sections. The control unit 20 may be configured to search for charging facilities within a search range that includes sections that have already been traveled.

[0032] The user can recognize the planned driving route and the presence of charging facilities in the vicinity from the map (a map including the planned driving route and charging facility icons) displayed on the display of the user I / F unit 45. The user can select the displayed charging facility as a waypoint. When a charging facility is selected as a waypoint, the control unit 20 re-searches for a route from the current location to the destination via the waypoint, displays the route on the display, and provides guidance along the new planned driving route.

[0033] As described above, according to this embodiment, the width of the search range based on the planned driving route is set based on the cruising range at each position on the planned driving route, and charging facilities can be searched for within a search range with a width that is variably set based on the cruising range. Therefore, it is more likely that a charging facility that meets the user's needs can be found based on the cruising range than when a search is performed within a search range with a fixed width.

[0034] (2) Charging facility information processing: Next, the charging facility guidance process executed by the control unit 20 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The charging facility guidance process is executed by the control unit 20 when a new planned driving route is set, for example, when the user sets a destination or a waypoint, or when the planned driving route to the destination is deviated and a route is searched for again. When the charging facility guidance process is started, the control unit 20 acquires the planned driving route using the function of the planned driving route acquisition unit 21a (step S100). That is, the control unit 20 acquires the planned driving route by searching for a route from the current location (starting point) to the destination with reference to map information 30a.

[0035] Next, the control unit 20 acquires the current SOC using the function of the range acquisition unit 21b and estimates the range at each position on the planned driving route (step S105). That is, the control unit 20 acquires the SOC from the vehicle control ECU 50 and calculates the remaining power of the battery 52 according to the SOC. The control unit 20 also acquires the current location of the vehicle and calculates the range at the current location of the vehicle from the vehicle's electricity consumption and remaining power according to various conditions. The control unit 20 calculates the estimated range at each position by subtracting the distances between the current location and multiple positions (range calculation points) on the planned driving route, which excludes the already-traveled portion of the route from the departure point to the destination, from the range at the current location.

[0036] Next, the control unit 20 sets a search range from the current location onward using the function of the search range setting unit 21c. That is, in this embodiment, the control unit 20 sets the search range for the first section to an area of first width W1 on one side of the planned travel route (an area with a width of 2W1 including both sides). For the second section, the control unit 20 sets the search range for an area on one side of the planned travel route that is from the first width W1 to the second width W2 and that increases in width as the vehicle approaches the end point of the second section (an area in which the width increases from 2W1 to 2W2 including both sides). For the third section, the control unit 20 sets the search range for an area on one side of the planned travel route that is from the second width W2 and that decreases in width as the vehicle approaches the end point of the third section (an area in which the width decreases from 2W2 including both sides as the vehicle approaches the end point).

[0037] Next, the control unit 20 searches for charging facilities within the search range using the function of the charging facility search unit 21d (step S115). That is, the control unit 20 searches for charging facilities that exist within the search range set in step S110 by referring to the map information 30a. Next, the control unit 20 displays the charging facilities on a map using the function of the charging facility search unit 21d (step S120). The control unit 20 acquires the positions of the charging facilities by referring to facility data of the charging facilities obtained by the search. The control unit 20 specifies the range of the map to be displayed on the display of the user I / F unit 45. For example, the control unit 20 specifies whether the range includes the entire route from the departure point to the destination, or whether it is a predetermined range based on the current location. The control unit 20 displays a map showing the planned driving route included in the specified range. Furthermore, for charging facilities that are included in the display range among the charging facilities obtained by the search in step S115, an icon indicating a power receiving facility is displayed at the position of the charging facility.

[0038] Next, the control unit 20 waits until a predetermined time has elapsed since the most recent execution of step S105 or until a predetermined distance has been traveled (step S125), and then repeats the processes from step S105 onwards. By repeatedly executing the processes from step S105 onwards, it is possible to estimate the cruising range at each position on the planned travel route based on the latest SOC at the current location, and to adjust the width indicating the search range at each position on the planned travel route.

[0039] The processing from step S105 to step S120 may be executed in response to an instruction from the user to search for charging facilities along the planned driving route.

[0040] (3) Other embodiments: The above-described embodiment is an example for implementing the present invention, and various other embodiments are also possible. For example, the charging facility guidance system may be implemented by a portable device such as a smartphone or tablet carried in the vehicle, or by multiple devices (e.g., a portable device and an on-board device, or a portable device, a remote server, and an on-board device). At least some of the planned driving route acquisition unit 21a, the available driving range acquisition unit 21b, the search range setting unit 21c, and the charging facility search unit 21d that constitute the charging facility guidance system may be separated into multiple devices. For example, the planned driving route search and the available driving range calculation may be implemented by a server, and the remaining functions may be implemented by a portable device, or the search range setting and charging facility search may be implemented by a server. Some of the configurations of the above-described embodiment may be omitted, and the order of processing may be changed or omitted.

[0041] The setting of the search range is not limited to the example shown in the above embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of setting the search range according to another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the search range setting unit may be configured to set the search range for a first section of the planned driving route where the cruising distance is estimated to be equal to or greater than a threshold, as a region on one side of the planned driving route, from a first width W1 to a second width W2, the width of which increases as the vehicle approaches the end point of the first section (the region where the width increases from 2W1 to 2W2 on both sides). Furthermore, for a second section of the planned driving route where the cruising distance is estimated to be less than the threshold, the search range may be set for a region on one side of the planned driving route, from the second width W2, the width of which decreases as the vehicle approaches the end point of the second section (the region where the width decreases from 2W2 on both sides). In this case, the second width W2 is greater than the first width W1 and less than the threshold.

[0042] When the search range is set as shown in FIG. 4, for the first section, the closer the search range is to the destination within the estimated reachable range, the more likely it is that charging facilities farther from the planned driving route will be guided. Furthermore, compared to when the search range for the first section is simply set to be wider as the range increases, the charging facility guidance system is less likely to output charging facilities farther from the original planned driving route, which are assumed to be less likely to be selected, as search results. As a result, the charging facility guidance system can prevent unnecessary guidance of many charging facilities. Furthermore, compared to when the search range is simply set to be wider as the range increases, the time required for the search process can be reduced. Furthermore, for the second section, the more likely it is that charging facilities not along the route within the estimated reachable range will be guided, and the closer the end of the second section, i.e., the range, is to the lower limit, the less likely it is that charging facilities farther from the planned driving route will be guided.

[0043] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the likelihood of extracting more charging facilities within an estimated reachable range near a point where the cruising distance is a threshold value can be increased compared to other sections. A user may have needs regarding the extent to which the cruising distance must decrease before charging is required, or a particular extent to which charging must be recommended. In this embodiment, by setting the threshold value so that the point where the cruising distance is estimated to be the threshold value is the end point of the first section, the user can be provided with more options for charging facilities near the point where the cruising distance is estimated to be the threshold value, thereby increasing the likelihood of being recommended a charging facility that meets the user's needs (the type of charging facility they want to use). Furthermore, the options for charging facilities can be narrowed down outside the vicinity of the point where the cruising distance is estimated to be the threshold value.

[0044] The search range setting unit may be configured to set the search range to an area of a first width for a first section of the planned driving route where the cruising distance is estimated to be equal to or greater than a first threshold, to set the search range to an area of a width greater than the first width and smaller than a second threshold for a second section of the planned driving route where the cruising distance is estimated to be less than the first threshold and equal to or greater than a second threshold, and to set the search range to an area of a width smaller than the maximum width of the second section for a third section of the planned driving route where the cruising distance is estimated to be less than the second threshold. Therefore, the width of the search range for the second section (on one side) may be a constant width greater than the first width W1 and smaller than the second threshold throughout the entire second section. Furthermore, the width of the search range for the third section (on one side) may be a constant width smaller than the maximum width of the second section throughout the entire third section. Figure 5 schematically illustrates an example in which both the second and third sections have a constant width. More specifically, FIG. 5 shows an example in which the width of the search range in the first section is a constant first width W1 (2W1 including both sides), the width of the search range in the second section is a constant second width W2 (2W2 including both sides), and the width of the search range in the third section is a constant first width W1 (2W1 including both sides). When the search ranges are set as shown in FIG. 5, the likelihood of extracting more charging facilities within the estimated reachable range in the second section is increased compared to other sections. Note that the widths of the search ranges in the first section and the third section may be the same as shown in FIG. 5, but may also be different. For example, the width of the search range in the third section may be larger than the width of the search range in the first section, as long as the width does not exceed the range at each location.

[0045] The method of estimating the cruising range at each position on the planned driving route is not limited to that described in the above embodiment. For example, the cruising range at each position on the planned driving route may be calculated taking into account the amount of power consumption according to the gradient of each road section leading to each position, the travel speed, etc. The search range may be set on both sides of the planned travel route as in the above embodiment, or may be set on only one side.

[0046] In the search range setting unit, the width based on the cruising distance of each position on the planned driving route may be set according to the SOC at the stage when the planned driving route from the current location to the destination is set by route search. For example, in the example described in the above embodiment using FIGS. 2 and 5, the first threshold, second threshold, first width W1, and second width W2 are assumed to be fixed values regardless of the value of SOC at the stage when the planned driving route is set. However, these may be variable according to the SOC at the stage when the planned driving route is set. For example, in the case of FIG. 2, the first threshold may be set to a cruising distance corresponding to a charging rate that is 50% of the SOC value (*1) at the stage when the planned driving route is set, and the second threshold may be set to a cruising distance corresponding to a charging rate that is 25% of the value (*1) (note that these specific values are merely examples). The second width W2 may be set to a value smaller than the second threshold, and the second width W2 may be set to a width according to the value (*1) (the second width W2 may be smaller when the value (*1) is small than when it is large). In the example of Figure 4, the threshold may be set to a range that corresponds to a charging rate that is 50% of the SOC value (*1) at the stage when the planned driving route is set (the specific numerical value is an example). Also, the second width W2 may be set to a value that is smaller than the threshold, and may be set to a width that corresponds to the value (*1) (when the value (*1) is small, the second width W2 is smaller than when it is large).

[0047] Furthermore, the techniques of the present invention can also be applied as programs or methods. The above-described systems, programs, and methods may be realized as standalone devices or may be realized using components shared with various parts of a vehicle, and thus include various aspects. They can also be modified as appropriate, such as being partly software and partly hardware. Furthermore, the invention can also be realized as a recording medium for a program that controls the system. Of course, the recording medium for the program may be a magnetic recording medium or a semiconductor memory, and any recording medium developed in the future can be considered in the same way. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 10... Charging facility guidance system, 20... Control unit, 21... Charging facility guidance program, 21a... Planned driving route acquisition unit, 21b... Range acquisition unit, 21c... Search range setting unit, 21d... Charging facility search unit, 30... Recording medium, 30a... Map information, 41... GNSS receiving unit, 42... Vehicle speed sensor, 43... Gyro sensor, 44... Communication unit, 45... User I / F unit, 50... Vehicle control ECU, 51... Motor, 52... Battery

Claims

1. a planned driving route acquisition unit that acquires a planned driving route of the electric vehicle; a range acquisition unit that acquires a range of the electric vehicle estimated for each position on the planned traveling route; a search range setting unit that sets a search range along the planned travel route, the search range having a width based on the cruising range of each of the positions; a charging facility search unit that searches for charging facilities for the electric vehicle within the search range and outputs search results; A charging facility guidance system comprising:

2. The search range setting unit For a first section in the planned traveling route in which the cruising distance is estimated to be equal to or greater than a first threshold, an area of a first width is set as the search range; For a second section in the planned traveling route in which the cruising distance is estimated to be less than the first threshold value and equal to or greater than the second threshold value, an area having a width greater than the first width and smaller than the second threshold value is set as the search range; For a third section in the planned traveling route in which the cruising distance is estimated to be less than the second threshold, an area having a width smaller than the maximum width of the second section is set as the search range. The charging facility guidance system according to claim 1 .

3. The search range setting unit For a first section in the planned traveling route in which the cruising distance is estimated to be equal to or greater than a threshold, the search range is an area whose width increases from a first width to a second width as the search range approaches an end point of the first section, For a second section in the planned traveling route in which the cruising distance is estimated to be less than the threshold, the search range is an area whose width decreases from the second width toward an end point of the second section, the second width is greater than the first width and less than the threshold value; The charging facility guidance system according to claim 1 .

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