Information providing device

Abstract

To drive in a state where an oscillation input to luggage is suppressed while receiving a power supply from an external power source when vehicle capable of charging a power to be supplied from the external power source transports the luggage.SOLUTION: An information providing device provides information on a vehicle for an on-board passenger as to the vehicle capable of charging a power to be supplied from an external power source during driving and parking. In a case where the vehicle transports luggage, the information providing device is configured to, when the vehicle is in a first transportation state where the vehicle is required to drive in a state with an oscillation input to the luggage suppressed, notify a vehicle passenger of a driving route where a ratio of receiving the power supply from the external power source during the driving is greater in comparison with a case where the vehicle is not in the first transportation state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information providing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an information providing device that notifies a user of information regarding charging of a battery installed in a vehicle, determines a charging schedule based on a time and a charge amount set by the user, and notifies the user of the charging schedule. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-140193 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a vehicle capable of storing power supplied from an external power source in a battery, it is assumed that charging is performed by contact or non-contact power supply while the vehicle is moving or stopped. It is also assumed that the vehicle transports luggage. In this case, it is desirable for passengers in the vehicle to be provided with information related to the luggage being transported as well as information related to charging.

[0005] Furthermore, when the cargo loaded on the vehicle is sensitive to vibrations such as precision machinery, or when the vehicle is loaded with a large amount of cargo, it is desirable to run the vehicle in a way that the vibrations generated during transportation do not affect the cargo. In such a case, if the vehicle stops frequently to supply power during transportation, the vehicle will accelerate and decelerate at each stop, increasing the frequency of vibrations caused by acceleration and deceleration. In this case, there is a risk that the vibrations caused by acceleration and deceleration will affect the cargo being transported.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide an information providing device that enables a vehicle capable of charging with power supplied from an external power source to travel while receiving power from the external power source and suppressing vibration input to the luggage when transporting luggage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention is an information providing device that provides information about a vehicle to an occupant of a vehicle that can be charged with power supplied from an external power source while the vehicle is traveling and while stopped, and is characterized in that when the vehicle is transporting luggage and is in a first transportation state in which the vehicle needs to travel while suppressing vibration input to the luggage, the device notifies the occupant of the vehicle of a driving route on which a greater proportion of the vehicle will receive power from the external power source while traveling than when the vehicle is not in the first transportation state. Effect of the Invention

[0008] In the present invention, when the vehicle is transporting luggage and needs to travel with vibration input to the luggage suppressed, the vehicle passengers can be notified of a travel route that will receive a higher proportion of power from an external power source while traveling than when the vehicle is not transporting luggage. This reduces the number of times the vehicle stops to supply power while transporting the luggage. This reduces the frequency of acceleration and deceleration that occurs each time the vehicle stops, and reduces the number of situations in which vibration is input to the luggage. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration including an information providing device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle and the server. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the control in the vehicle. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the control in the server. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an information providing device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below.

[0011] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a system configuration including an information provision device in an embodiment. The information provision system 1 is a system configured to provide various information to passengers of a vehicle 2. The information provision system 1 is configured to enable communication between the vehicle 2 and a server 3, and provides information about a travel route from the server 3 to the vehicle 2 in response to an information provision request from the vehicle 2.

[0012] The vehicle 2 is an electric vehicle capable of charging a battery with power supplied from an external power source. When receiving power from an external power source, the vehicle 2 can receive power by both contact and non-contact power supply methods. Furthermore, the vehicle 2 can receive power supply (power supply) from an external power source while traveling and while stopped. That is, the vehicle 2 can be charged by non-contact power supply while traveling, and can be charged with power supplied from an external power source while stopped, regardless of whether the power supply method is contact power supply or non-contact power supply. For example, in the case of non-contact power supply, a power supply device is arranged on the road surface on which the vehicle 2 travels, and when the vehicle 2 passes over or stops over the power supply device, power can be supplied from the power supply device to the vehicle 2 in a non-contact manner.

[0013] Further, the vehicle 2 is a vehicle that transports luggage 4. For example, a passenger (driver) of the vehicle 2 transports the luggage 4 to a predetermined location according to destination information of the luggage 4. At that time, it is assumed that the vehicle 2 performs power supply with the luggage 4 loaded thereon. In this case, when power supply is performed while the vehicle 2 is stopped, it is assumed that vibrations caused by acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle 2 are input to the luggage 4. In cases where the luggage 4 includes precision machinery that is sensitive to vibrations or where the amount of luggage 4 is large, it is desirable to suppress input of vibrations generated during transportation to the luggage 4. Therefore, the information providing device of this embodiment is configured to provide information to the passenger of the vehicle 2 that enables the vehicle 2 transporting the luggage 4 to travel in a state in which vibration input to the luggage 4 is suppressed while receiving power supply from an external power source.

[0014] As an example, as shown in FIG. 1, it is assumed that there are two vehicles 2A and 2B, one of which, the vehicle 2A, is a vehicle carrying a small amount of luggage 4 or a vehicle not carrying a precision device that is sensitive to vibration, and the other vehicle 2B is a vehicle carrying a large amount of luggage 4 or a precision device that is sensitive to vibration. In the information provision system 1, the server 3 determines a travel route through communication between the vehicle 2 and the server 3, and notifies the passengers of the vehicle 2 of the route information. At that time, for the travel route of the vehicle 2B carrying a large amount of luggage 4, the information provision system 1 prioritizes reducing the number of stops and reducing the vibration input of the luggage 4 over power supply efficiency, and creates a travel plan in which the proportion of power supply during stops is small and the proportion of power supply during driving is large. On the other hand, for the travel route of the vehicle 2A carrying a small amount of luggage 4, a travel plan is created in which the proportion of power supply during stops is large, with an emphasis on power supply efficiency.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle and the server.

[0016] The vehicle 2 includes a communication unit 21, a GPS receiver 22, a control unit 23, and a notification unit 24.

[0017] The communication unit 21 performs wireless communication with the server 3. The communication unit 21 receives signals transmitted from the server 3 and transmits signals from the vehicle 2 to the server 3. The communication unit 21 is configured with a wireless terminal for wireless communication with other devices.

[0018] The GPS receiver 22 is a receiver for locating the self-position of the vehicle 2 in accordance with a satellite positioning system. This GPS receiver 22 detects the current position of the vehicle 2. Information indicating the current position of the vehicle 2 detected by the GPS receiver 22 is output from the GPS receiver 22 to the control unit 23. This allows the control unit 23 to obtain the current position information of the vehicle 2.

[0019] The control unit 23 is an electronic control device that controls the vehicle 2. This electronic control device includes a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, RAM, ROM, and an input / output interface. In other words, the control unit 23 performs signal processing according to a program pre-stored in the ROM. The control unit 23 then executes various types of control for controlling the vehicle 2.

[0020] For example, the control unit 23 executes external charging control for controlling external charging by the power receiving unit. The power receiving unit functions as a charger for charging the battery with power received from an external power source. This power receiving unit includes a power receiving coil for receiving power supplied from a power supply device in a non-contact manner, and a charging port for receiving power supplied from the power supply device in a contact manner by connecting a charging cable. In the external charging control, a control signal from the control unit 23 is output to the power receiving unit, and the power receiving unit is controlled to a state in which it can receive power supplied from the outside. Furthermore, the battery is a secondary battery capable of discharging and storing electricity, and is composed of, for example, a lithium ion battery or a nickel metal hydride battery. Note that the non-contact power supply system including the power transmitting coil and the power receiving coil may be either of a magnetic resonance method or an electromagnetic induction method.

[0021] The control unit 23 also includes a baggage detection unit 23a, a route creation request unit 23b, and a notification control unit 23c.

[0022] The baggage detection unit 23a detects the baggage 4 loaded on the vehicle 2. This baggage detection unit 23a can determine whether the baggage 4 being transported includes precision equipment by determining the type and amount of the baggage 4, and can also determine whether the amount of the baggage 4 is greater than a predetermined amount. This predetermined amount is a preset value. For example, an IC tag is attached to the baggage 4, and the vehicle 2 is equipped with an RFID reader. Therefore, the vehicle 2 can know that the baggage 4 being transported includes precision equipment by obtaining information from the IC tag. In the vehicle 2, information on the currently loaded baggage 4 is obtained by detecting the baggage 4 using the baggage detection unit 23a.

[0023] The route creation request unit 23b requests the creation of a travel route to the server 3. The route creation request unit 23b requests the creation of a travel route for the vehicle 2 based on the baggage information acquired by the baggage detection unit 23a.

[0024] For example, the route creation request unit 23b generates a creation request signal and transmits the creation request signal to the server 3. The creation request signal includes information on the departure point, information on the destination, and baggage information. The departure point information can be set based on information indicating the current location acquired by the GPS receiver 22. The destination information can be set by an occupant of the vehicle 2 inputting the destination into a car navigation device or the like. The baggage information includes baggage information indicating that the amount of baggage 4 is large and baggage information indicating that the baggage 4 contains precision equipment. This route creation request unit 23b generates a creation request signal including the departure point, destination, and baggage information, and transmits the signal to the server 3.

[0025] The notification control unit 23c executes notification control for notifying the passengers of the vehicle 2 of the information received from the server 3. The notification control unit 23c controls the notification unit 24 to notify the passengers of the vehicle 2 of the information received from the server 3.

[0026] The notification unit 24 is a device that notifies information to the passenger of the vehicle 2. For example, the notification unit 24 is configured by a car navigation device. In this case, the notification unit 24 is an output device that displays various information, and also functions as an input device that accepts information input from the passenger of the vehicle 2. Therefore, the passenger of the vehicle 2 can set a destination by operating the notification unit 24 configured by the car navigation device.

[0027] The server 3 includes a communication unit 31, a control unit 32, and a storage unit 33.

[0028] The communication unit 31 performs wireless communication with the vehicle 2. The communication unit 31 receives a signal transmitted from the vehicle 2, and transmits a signal from the server 3 to the vehicle 2. The communication unit 31 receives a creation request signal from the vehicle 2.

[0029] The control unit 32 is an electronic control device that controls the server 3. This electronic control device is configured to include a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, RAM, ROM, and an input / output interface. In other words, the control unit 32 performs signal processing according to a program pre-stored in the ROM. The control unit 32 then executes various controls based on a signal input from the communication unit 31. The control unit 32 also includes a route creation unit 32a.

[0030] The route creation unit 32a creates a driving route for the vehicle 2. The route creation unit 32a creates a driving route for the vehicle 2 based on information included in a creation request signal received from the vehicle 2 and map information stored in the memory unit 33. The creation request signal includes information on the departure point, destination, and baggage information. The route creation unit 32a determines whether the baggage information includes information indicating that the amount of baggage 4 is large or information indicating that the baggage 4 includes precision equipment.

[0031] When the baggage information indicates that the amount of baggage 4 is large or that the baggage 4 contains precision equipment, the route creation unit 32a creates a driving route in which the proportion of power supply during driving is high. For example, a driving route in which the distance of the in-travel power supply lane is long is created. As a result, the vehicle 2 traveling on that driving route travels a long distance in the in-travel power supply lane. The in-travel power supply lane can be formed by installing a non-contact power supply device on the road surface, for example, with a length of several kilometers. The vehicle 2 can receive non-contact power supply by traveling at a low speed in the in-travel power supply lane.

[0032] The storage unit 33 stores information that can be used for various controls. The storage unit 33 includes a map information database 33a.

[0033] The map information database 33a is a database that stores map information including information on non-contact power supply lanes where power can be supplied while traveling and information on contact charging points such as charging stations where power can be supplied while the vehicle is stopped. When the route creation unit 32a creates a travel route, the map information in the map information database 33a is referenced.

[0034] In the information provision system 1 configured in this manner, a driving route is created in which the power supply ratio while stopped and the power supply ratio while traveling are changed depending on the type of luggage 4 carried by the vehicle 2, and this information can be provided to the vehicle 2 from the server 3.

[0035] 3 is a flow chart showing the control in the vehicle 2. The control shown in FIG.

[0036] The control unit 23 of the vehicle 2 determines whether or not destination information has been input (step S1). In step S1, it is determined whether or not destination information has been input to a car navigation device or the like. If the notification unit 24 is configured by a car navigation device, it is determined whether or not destination information has been input to the notification unit 24.

[0037] If it is determined that the destination information has not been input (step S1: No), this control routine ends.

[0038] If it is determined that the destination information has been input (step S1: Yes), the control unit 23 acquires information about the luggage 4 loaded on the vehicle 2 (step S2). In step S2, the control unit 23 acquires information (baggage information) about the luggage 4 detected by the luggage detection unit 23a.

[0039] Then, the control unit 23 requests the server 3 to create a travel route (step S3). In step S3, the route creation request unit 23b generates a creation request signal indicating a request to create a travel route, and the creation request signal is transmitted from the vehicle 2 to the server 3. This request signal includes information on the departure point, information on the destination, baggage information, and the like.

[0040] The control unit 23 determines whether or not the route information has been received from the server 3 (step S4). In step S4, it is determined whether or not the communication unit 21 has received the route information from the server 3.

[0041] If it is determined that the route information has not been received from the server 3 (step S4: No), this control routine returns to step S4.

[0042] When it is determined that the route information has been received from the server 3 (step S4: Yes), the control unit 23 displays a driving route based on the route information on the notification unit 24 (step S5). In step S5, the driving route based on the route information is displayed on the notification unit 24 configured by a car navigation device. This notifies the passengers of the vehicle 2 of the route information. After the process of step S5 is performed, this control routine ends.

[0043] 4 is a flow chart showing the control in the server 3. The control shown in FIG.

[0044] The control unit 32 of the server 3 determines whether or not a creation request signal indicating a route creation request has been received from the vehicle 2 (step S11). In step S11, it is determined whether or not the communication unit 31 has received the creation request signal.

[0045] If the creation request signal is not received (step S11: No), this control routine ends.

[0046] When the creation request signal is received (step S11: Yes), the control unit 32 judges whether or not the vehicle 2 is carrying luggage 4 that is sensitive to vibration (step S12). In step S12, it is judged whether or not the vehicle 2 is carrying luggage 4 that is sensitive to vibration based on the luggage information included in the creation request signal. A case where the vehicle 2 is carrying luggage 4 that is sensitive to vibration means a case where the luggage information includes information indicating that the amount of luggage 4 is large or information indicating that the luggage 4 includes precision equipment. This judgment process is performed by the route creation unit 32a.

[0047] If it is determined that the vehicle is carrying luggage 4 that is sensitive to vibration (step S12: Yes), the control unit 32 creates a driving route that increases the proportion of in-travel power supply lanes (step S13). In step S13, a driving route that increases the distance traveled through the in-travel power supply lanes is created based on the information of the departure point and destination included in the creation request signal and the map information stored in the map information database 33a.

[0048] On the other hand, if it is determined that the vehicle does not carry any luggage 4 that is sensitive to vibration (step S12: No), the control unit 32 creates a travel route so that the proportion of power supply during the vehicle stopping is increased (step S14). In step S14, power supply efficiency is prioritized, and a travel route in which power supply during the vehicle stopping is increased is created. In this case, a travel route in which the proportion of power supply during the vehicle stopping is increased is created based on the information of the departure point and destination included in the creation request signal and the map information stored in the map information database 33a. This travel route may not include a power supply lane during travel, or may include a power supply lane during travel. Since charging is performed by contact power supply during the vehicle stopping, the power supply efficiency is expected to be higher than that of non-contact power supply. In addition, in the case of non-contact power supply, the position of the power receiving unit relative to the power supply device may be shifted during travel, but since the position of the power receiving unit relative to the power supply device can be prevented from shifting during travel, the power supply efficiency of non-contact power supply during the vehicle stopping is expected to be higher than that during travel.

[0049] When the process of either step S13 or S14 is performed, the server 3 transmits the route information to the vehicle 2 (step S15). In step S15, the route information regarding the travel route created in the process of step S13 or step S14 is transmitted to the vehicle 2. When the process of step S15 is performed, this control routine ends.

[0050] In the information provision system 1 configured in this manner, the server 3 functions as an information provision device that provides route information to the vehicle 2. Also, the in-vehicle device of the vehicle 2 functions as an information provision device that provides route information to a passenger. In other words, the information provision device is configured to include the server 3, and can provide route information to a passenger via the vehicle 2.

[0051] As described above, according to the embodiment, when the vehicle 2 is transporting luggage 4 and needs to travel with vibration input to the luggage 4 suppressed, the passengers of the vehicle 2 can be notified of a travel route in which the proportion of power supplied from an external power source while traveling is greater than in other cases. This reduces the number of times the vehicle 2 stops to supply power while transporting the luggage 4. This reduces the frequency of acceleration and deceleration that occurs each time the vehicle stops, and reduces the number of situations in which vibration is input to the luggage 4.

[0052] The vehicle 2 may be a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle.

[0053] In addition, the state of being loaded with luggage 4 that is vulnerable to vibration is not limited to the type of luggage 4 or the amount of luggage 4. For example, it is possible to express the state of being loaded with luggage 4 that is vulnerable to vibration based on information indicating the properties of the luggage 4, such as the contents of the luggage 4, the amount of the luggage 4, the size of the luggage 4, and the weight of the luggage 4.

[0054] The notification unit 24 is not limited to a car navigation device. For example, the route information can be visually or audibly notified to the passenger via a human machine interface (HMI) provided in the vehicle 2. The HMI is an interface for inputting and outputting information between the passenger and the vehicle 2.

[0055] The vehicle 2 may be an autonomous vehicle. In this case, the server 3 provides route information to the vehicle 2, and the control unit 23 of the vehicle 2 can perform autonomous driving based on the received route information.

[0056] Furthermore, the luggage 4 is not limited to being loaded onto the vehicle 2, and may include a case where the vehicle 2 tows the luggage 4. For example, if the luggage 4 is a train such as a Shinkansen, the vehicle 2 may travel on a road while towing the train. In such a case, it becomes possible for the vehicle 2 to supply power while traveling at a low speed.

[0057] Furthermore, the vehicle 2 and the server 3 may communicate with each other via a network such as a public line. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1 Information provision system 2 Vehicles 3 Server 4. Luggage 21 Communications Department 22 GPS receiver 23 Control Unit 23a Baggage detection unit 23b Route Creation Request Department 23c Notification control section 24. Information Department 31 Communications Department 32 Control section 32a Route Creation Section 33 Storage section 33a Map information database

Claims

1. An information providing device that provides information about a vehicle that can be charged with power supplied from an external power source while the vehicle is running and while the vehicle is stopped to a passenger of the vehicle, When the vehicle is transporting luggage, in a first transportation state in which the vehicle needs to travel while suppressing vibration input to the luggage, a passenger of the vehicle is notified of a travel route in which the distance traveled in the power supply lane during travel is longer than when the vehicle is not in the first transportation state; The in-motion power supply lane is a lane in which a non-contact power supply device is installed on a road surface on which the vehicle travels, and when the vehicle passes over the power supply device, power can be supplied from the power supply device to the vehicle in a non-contact manner, The travel route in the first transportation state is a travel route in which a distance over which power is supplied from the external power source while traveling is increased, and an opportunity to receive power from the external power source while stopped is reduced.

1. An information providing device comprising:

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