Charging assistance system

Abstract

To provide a charging support system, a charging support method, and a control program enabling a plurality of storage batteries respectively mounted of a plurality of vehicles to efficiently charge.SOLUTION: A charging support system is for a plurality of vehicles capable of autonomous driving, each comprising a solar panel mounted on a vehicle body and a storage battery storing electricity generated with the solar panel. The charging support system includes: an acquisition section which acquires at least information on charging efficiency of a plurality of storage batteries through a plurality of solar panels on the plurality of parked vehicles in a predetermined parking area and information on charging rates of the plurality of storage batteries; and a travel control section which moves the plurality of vehicles within the predetermined parking area based on the information acquired with the acquisition section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a charging assistance system, a charging assistance method, and a control program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, development of vehicles equipped with solar panels has been progressing. Related technology is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle driving control device that moves the vehicle to a sunny location during non-driving hours to maximize solar power generation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2016 / 072165 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Patent Document 1 does not disclose how to efficiently generate power from all of the multiple solar panels mounted on multiple vehicles that are exposed to different amounts of sunlight. Therefore, Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it is not possible to efficiently charge all of the multiple storage batteries provided on the multiple vehicles.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above background, and aims to provide a charging support system, a charging support method, and a control program capable of efficiently charging multiple storage batteries installed in multiple vehicles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The charging support system according to the present disclosure is a charging support system for a plurality of vehicles capable of autonomous driving, each of which includes a solar panel attached to a vehicle body and a storage battery for storing electricity generated by the solar panel, and includes an acquisition unit that acquires at least information regarding the charging efficiency of the storage batteries generated by the solar panel and information regarding the charging rates of the storage batteries for each of the plurality of vehicles parked in a predetermined parking area, and a driving control unit that moves the plurality of vehicles within the predetermined parking area based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit. This charging support system can efficiently charge the plurality of storage batteries installed in each of the plurality of vehicles by moving the plurality of vehicles within the predetermined parking area based on the charging efficiency and charging rate of the plurality of storage batteries installed in each of the plurality of vehicles parked in the predetermined parking area.

[0008] The charging support method according to the present disclosure is a method for supporting charging of a plurality of vehicles capable of autonomous driving, each of which is equipped with a solar panel attached to a vehicle body and a storage battery for storing electricity generated by the solar panel, and includes acquiring at least information regarding the charging efficiency of a plurality of storage batteries generated by the solar panel and information regarding the charging rates of the plurality of storage batteries for each of the plurality of vehicles parked in a predetermined parking area, and moving the plurality of vehicles within the range of the predetermined parking area based on the acquired information. This charging support method efficiently charges the plurality of storage batteries mounted on each of the plurality of vehicles parked in the predetermined parking area by moving the plurality of vehicles within the range of the predetermined parking area based on the charging efficiency and charging rate of the plurality of storage batteries mounted on each of the plurality of vehicles.

[0009] The control program according to the present disclosure is a control program for causing a computer to execute a charging support process for a plurality of vehicles capable of autonomous driving, each of which is equipped with a solar panel attached to a vehicle body and a storage battery for storing electricity generated by the solar panel, and causes the computer to execute at least a process of acquiring information on the charging efficiency of a plurality of storage batteries generated by the power generation of the plurality of solar panels and information on the charging rates of the plurality of storage batteries for each of the plurality of vehicles parked in a predetermined parking area, and a process of moving the plurality of vehicles within the predetermined parking area based on the acquired information. This control program allows the plurality of vehicles parked in the predetermined parking area to be moved within the predetermined parking area based on the charging efficiency and charging rate of the plurality of storage batteries mounted on each of the plurality of vehicles, thereby efficiently charging the plurality of storage batteries mounted on each of the plurality of vehicles. Effect of the Invention

[0010] The present disclosure makes it possible to provide a charging support system, a charging support method, and a control program that are capable of efficiently charging a plurality of storage batteries mounted on a plurality of vehicles. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a charging support system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a vehicle used in a charging support system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the charging support device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the charging support device according to the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] The present invention will be described below through embodiments of the invention, but the invention according to the claims is not limited to the following embodiments. In addition, not all of the configurations described in the embodiments are necessarily essential means for solving the problems. For clarity of explanation, the following description and drawings are omitted and simplified as appropriate. In each drawing, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations are omitted as necessary.

[0013] <Embodiment 1> Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a charging support system 1 according to a first embodiment. The charging support system 1 according to the present embodiment can efficiently charge a plurality of storage batteries mounted on a plurality of vehicles parked in a predetermined parking area by moving the plurality of vehicles within the range of the predetermined parking area based on the charging efficiency and charging rate of the plurality of storage batteries mounted on each of the plurality of vehicles. A specific description will be given below.

[0014] 1, the charging support system 1 includes a charging support device 10, n (n is an integer of 2 or more) vehicles 20_1 to 20_n capable of autonomous driving, and a network 50. The charging support device 10 can be referred to as a charging support system by itself. The charging support device 10 and the vehicles 20_1 to 20_n are configured to be able to communicate with each other via the wired or wireless network 50.

[0015] The vehicles 20_1 to 20_n are all parked in a predetermined parking area. For example, the vehicles 20_1 to 20_n are test-drive vehicles parked in the parking area of ​​a car dealership. Alternatively, the vehicles 20_1 to 20_n are rental cars parked in the parking area of ​​a rental car store.

[0016] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a vehicle 20_1. As shown in Fig. 2, the vehicle 20_1 includes a communication device 21_1, a solar panel 22_1, a storage battery 23_1, and a charging cable 24_1. The configuration examples of the vehicles 20_2 to 20_n are similar to that of the vehicle 20_1, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted. However, the vehicle 20_2 includes a communication device 21_2, a solar panel 22_2, a storage battery 23_2, and a charging cable 24_2. Similarly, the vehicle 20_n includes a communication device 21_n, a solar panel 22_n, a storage battery 23_n, and a charging cable 24_n.

[0017] The communication device 21_1 communicates with the charging support device 10 (more specifically, a communication unit 11 of the charging support device 10, which will be described later) via the network 50.

[0018] The solar cell panel 22_1 is a panel that generates electricity using sunlight, and is attached to a part of the body of the vehicle 20_1. For example, the solar cell panel 22_1 is attached to the roof, hood, door, or the like of the vehicle 20_1. In the present embodiment, a case in which the solar cell panel 22_1 is attached on the roof of the vehicle 20_1 will be described as an example.

[0019] The storage battery 23_1 is connected to the solar cell panel 22_1 via a charging cable 24_1 and stores electricity generated by the solar cell panel 22_1. The storage battery 23_1 can be used as a standby power source or as a power source if the vehicle 20_1 is an electric vehicle.

[0020] 1, a charging support device 10 is a device that supports charging of storage batteries 23_1 to 23_n of vehicles 20_1 to 20_n, respectively.

[0021] The communication unit 11 communicates with the communication devices 21_1-21_n of the vehicles 20_1-20_n, respectively, via the network 50. For example, the communication unit 11 receives information on the charging efficiency and charging rate of the storage batteries 23_1-23_n transmitted from the communication devices 21_1-21_n of the vehicles 20_1-20_n, respectively, and transmits driving instructions to the vehicles 20_1-20_n, respectively.

[0022] The acquisition unit 12 at least periodically acquires information on the charging efficiency of the storage batteries 23_1-23_n by power generation by the solar cell panels 22_1-22_n and information on the charging rates of the storage batteries 23_1-23_n via the communication unit 11. Here, the information on the charging efficiency of the storage batteries by power generation by the solar cell panels is, for example, an output voltage of the solar cell panels, and corresponds to the charge amount of the storage batteries per unit time.

[0023] The acquisition unit 12 may be configured to further acquire, via the communication unit 11, information relating to the planned boarding times of the drivers of the respective vehicles 20_1 to 20_n.

[0024] Based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 12, the traveling control unit 13 moves the vehicles 20_1 to 20_n within a predetermined parking area.

[0025] For example, when the charging rate of the storage battery 23_1 of the vehicle 20_1 is equal to or higher than a predetermined rate and the charging rate of the storage battery 23_2 of the vehicle 20_2 is lower than the predetermined rate, if the charging efficiency of the storage battery 23_1 is higher than that of the storage battery 23_2, the traveling control unit 13 automatically travels the vehicles 20_1 and 20_2 to switch the parking positions. That is, the traveling control unit 13 moves the vehicle 20_2, whose storage battery has a low charging rate, to an area with a high charging efficiency. Generally, the charging efficiency of a storage battery mounted on a vehicle parked in a sunny area is high, and the charging efficiency of a storage battery mounted on a vehicle parked in a shaded area is low.

[0026] Alternatively, in a case where the charging rate of the storage battery 23_1 of the vehicle 20_1 and the charging rate of the storage battery 23_2 of the vehicle 20_2 are both less than a predetermined rate, if the scheduled boarding time of the driver of the vehicle 20_1 is earlier than the scheduled boarding time of the vehicle 20_2, the traveling control unit 13 preferentially moves the vehicle 20_1 to an area with higher charging efficiency than the vehicle 20_2. However, if the charging rate of the storage battery 23_1 becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined rate by the scheduled boarding time of the driver of the vehicle 20_1, the traveling control unit 13 does not need to move the vehicle 20_1.

[0027] In addition, for example, when the scheduled boarding time of each driver of the vehicles 20_1 to 20_n has not been determined, the traveling control unit 13 may periodically move the vehicles 20_1 to 20_n so that the charging rates of the storage batteries 23_1 to 23_n of the vehicles 20_1 to 20_n are the same within a predetermined error range.

[0028] In this way, the charging support system 1 of this embodiment can efficiently charge the storage batteries 23_1-23_n installed in each of the vehicles 20_1-20_n by moving the vehicles 20_1-20_n within the range of a specified parking area based on the charging efficiency and charging rate of the storage batteries 23_1-23_n installed in each of the vehicles 20_1-20_n parked in the specified parking area.

[0029] (Operation of charging support device 10) Next, the operation of the charging support device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the charging support device 10. Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the charging support device 10. In the following, an example will be described in which the charging support device 10 supports charging of four vehicles 20_1 to 20_4.

[0030] First, the charging support device 10 periodically acquires information on the charging efficiency of the storage batteries 23_1-23_4 by power generation of the solar cell panels 22_1-22_4 of the vehicles 20_1-20_4 and information on the charging rates of the storage batteries 23_1-23_n (step S101). The charging support device 10 may further acquire information on the planned boarding times of the drivers of the vehicles 20_1-20_4.

[0031] In the example of Fig. 4(a), in the initial state, the vehicle 20_1 is parked in a sunny area 101 of the parking area 100, and the vehicles 20_2 to 20_4 are parked in a shaded area 102 of the parking area 100. Therefore, the charging efficiency of the storage battery 23_1 of the vehicle 20_1 is high, and the charging efficiency of each of the storage batteries 23_2 to 23_4 of the vehicles 20_2 to 20_4 is low. Also, in the example of Fig. 4(a), in the initial state, the charging rates of the storage batteries 23_1 to 23_4 of the vehicles 20_1 to 20_4 are less than a predetermined rate.

[0032] At this time, the charging support device 10 acquires information that the charging efficiency of the storage battery 23_1 is high and the charging efficiency of the storage batteries 23_2 to 23_4 is low, and also acquires information that the charging rates of the storage batteries 23_1 to 23_4 are all less than a predetermined rate. Of course, the charging support device 10 may acquire specific values ​​of the charging efficiency and charging rate of each storage battery.

[0033] Thereafter, in the example of FIG. 4(b), the charging rate of the storage battery 23_1 with high charging efficiency reaches a predetermined rate as time passes.

[0034] When the charging support device 10 acquires the information that the charging rate of the storage battery 23_1 has reached a predetermined rate, the charging support device 10 moves the vehicles 20_1 to 20_4 within the parking area 100 based on the acquired information (step S102).

[0035] In the example of (b) of FIG. 4, the charging rate of the storage battery 23_1 of the vehicle 20_1 is equal to or higher than a predetermined rate, and the charging rates of the storage batteries 23_2-23_4 of the vehicles 20_2-20_4 are lower than the predetermined rate, and the charging efficiency of the storage battery 23_1 is higher than the charging efficiency of the storage batteries 23_2-23_4. In this case, the traveling control unit 13 exchanges the parking positions of the vehicle 20_1 and one of the vehicles 20_2-20_4. Here, in this example, it is assumed that the scheduled boarding time of the driver of the vehicle 20_3 is earlier than the scheduled boarding times of the drivers of the vehicles 20_2 and 20_4. Therefore, as shown in (c) of FIG. 4, the traveling control unit 13 automatically travels the vehicles 20_1 and 20_3 to exchange the parking positions. That is, the traveling control unit 13 preferentially moves the vehicle 20_3 to an area with high charging efficiency. Thereby, the storage battery 23_3 of the vehicle 20_3 is charged with high efficiency as shown in Fig. 4(d) By repeating such a process, the storage batteries 23_1 to 23_4 of the vehicles 20_1 to 20_4 are charged with high efficiency, respectively.

[0036] In this way, the charging support system 1 of this embodiment can efficiently charge the storage batteries 23_1-23_n installed in each of the vehicles 20_1-20_n by moving the vehicles 20_1-20_n within the range of a specified parking area based on the charging efficiency and charging rate of the storage batteries 23_1-23_n installed in each of the vehicles 20_1-20_n parked in the specified parking area.

[0037] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The present invention is also an invention related to the use of solar panels, and contributes to carbon neutrality, decarbonization, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

[0038] In addition, in the present disclosure, a part or all of the processing of the charging support device 10 can be realized by causing a CPU (Central Processing Unit) to execute a computer program.

[0039] The above-mentioned program includes a set of instructions (or software code) for making the computer perform one or more functions described in the embodiment when the program is loaded into the computer. The program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of example and not limitation, the computer-readable medium or the tangible storage medium includes a random-access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a flash memory, a solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technology, a CD-ROM, a digital versatile disc (DVD), a Blu-ray® disk or other optical disk storage, a magnetic cassette, a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device. The program may be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or a communication medium. By way of example and not limitation, the transitory computer-readable medium or the communication medium includes an electrical, optical, acoustic, or other form of propagating signal. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1 charging assistance system, 10 charging assistance device, 11 communication unit, 12 acquisition unit, 13 driving control unit, 20_1 to 20_n vehicle, 21_1 to 21_n communication device, 22_1 to 22_n solar panel, 23_1 to 23_n storage battery, 24_1 to 24_n charging cable, 50 network, 100 parking area, 101 sunny area, 102 shaded area

Claims

[Claim 1] A charging support system for a plurality of vehicles capable of autonomous driving, the charging support system comprising: a solar panel attached to a vehicle body; and a storage battery for storing electricity generated by the solar panel, an acquisition unit that acquires at least information regarding charging efficiency of the plurality of storage batteries by power generation of the plurality of solar panels of each of the plurality of vehicles parked in a predetermined parking area, and information regarding charging rates of the plurality of storage batteries; a travel control unit that moves the plurality of vehicles within the range of the predetermined parking area based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit; Equipped with the traveling control unit periodically moves the plurality of vehicles so that the charging rates of the plurality of storage batteries provided in each of the plurality of vehicles are the same within a predetermined error range. Charging assistance system.

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