CHARGING AMOUNT DETERMINATION DEVICE FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE AND ELECTRIC VEHICLE
The charging volume determination device for electric vehicles adjusts charging based on drone usage to prevent unnecessary battery usage and maintain battery health.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2021118870
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2021-07-19
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-04
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-07-19
AI Technical Summary
Existing systems charge drone batteries using vehicle batteries unnecessarily, leading to battery deterioration when drones are not used, and there is no mechanism to prevent this.
A charging volume determination device for electric vehicles that determines the target electricity for the vehicle battery based on the scheduled use of drones or their probability of use, adjusting the charging amount accordingly.
Prevents unnecessary charging of the vehicle battery by optimizing the charging based on the planned use of drones, thereby maintaining battery health.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a charge amount determination device for an electric vehicle, and to an electric vehicle. [Background technology]
[0002] There are known delivery systems that use drones and vehicles. For example, the delivery system described in Patent Literature 1 transports the delivery items primarily to the vicinity of the delivery destination by a vehicle that contains the delivery items, and then transports the delivery items secondary from the vehicle to the delivery destination by a drone. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-135229 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] It would be convenient if the drone battery could be charged with the power stored in the vehicle battery. To do this, the vehicle battery needs to be charged with the power to be supplied to the drone. However, depending on the delivery destination of the delivery, it may not be possible to receive the delivery delivered by the drone. In such a case, the drone cannot be used, so there is no need to charge the vehicle battery with the power to be supplied to the drone. Even when the drone is not used, if the vehicle battery is charged with the power to be supplied to the drone, assuming that the drone will be used, unnecessary power is charged in the battery, which causes the battery to deteriorate.
[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a charge amount determination device for an electric vehicle that can prevent unnecessary power from being charged to a battery of the electric vehicle, and an electric vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] The present disclosure relates to a charging amount determination device for an electric vehicle, and a storage device that stores a program executable by the processor. The electric vehicle is capable of carrying a mobile object for delivering deliveries and supplying power to the mobile object. The processor determines a target charging amount for a battery of the electric vehicle based on a usage schedule or a usage probability of the mobile object.
[0007] According to the above configuration, the target charge amount of the battery of the electric vehicle is determined based on the scheduled use or the probability of use of the mobile object. For example, when the mobile object is not scheduled to be used or the probability of use of the mobile object is low, the target charge amount of the battery of the electric vehicle is reduced to prevent unnecessary power from being charged to the battery of the electric vehicle. Effect of the Invention
[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent unnecessary power from being charged to the battery of an electric vehicle. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a delivery system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle charging amount determination device 810. [Diagram 3] 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle operation control device 310 included in electric vehicle 100. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a drone operation control device 410 included in a drone 50. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle power control device 510. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a drone power control device 610. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for supplying power to an electric vehicle 100 and a drone 50 in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of an electric vehicle 100. [Figure 9] 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a required charge amount PW1 of a battery 166 of a drone 50. FIG. [Figure 10] 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a required charge amount PW1 of a battery 166 of a drone 50. FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for supplying power to an electric vehicle 100 and a drone 50 in the second embodiment. [Figure 12] 13 is a diagram showing an example of setting the usage probability of drone 50. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. [First embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a delivery system according to an embodiment.
[0011] The delivery system includes an electric vehicle 100, a plurality of drones 50A, 50B, and 50C, and a delivery control server 220. The drone 50 is an example of a moving body. In the delivery system, the electric vehicle 100, the drone 50, and the delivery control server 220 are capable of communicating with each other via a network 19.
[0012] Products purchased by a user are loaded as delivery item P from a distribution center onto an electric vehicle 100. The electric vehicle 100 is powered by a charging station located between the distribution center and a destination point near the delivery point of the delivery item. When the electric vehicle 100 arrives at the destination point, drones 50A, 50B, and 50C carrying the delivery item P fly to the delivery point. The drones 50A, 50B, and 50C drop the delivery item P into delivery boxes 60A, 60B, and 60C at the delivery point. In the following description, the drones 50A, 50B, and 50C are collectively referred to as drone 50.
[0013] The electric vehicle 100 is capable of carrying a delivery item P and a drone 50. The electric vehicle 100 includes a vehicle operation control device 310 and a vehicle power control device 510.
[0014] The drone 50 is capable of carrying a delivery item P. The drone 50 includes a drone operation control device 410 and a drone power control device 610.
[0015] The delivery control server 220 holds and manages information on a plurality of electric vehicles 100, information on a plurality of drones 50, information on a plurality of deliveries P, map information, charging station information, and weather information.
[0016] The information on the electric vehicle 100 includes the position of the electric vehicle 100, the SOC (State Of Charge) of the main battery of the electric vehicle 100, identifiers of one or more drones 50 loaded on the electric vehicle 100, and identifiers of delivery items P stored in the electric vehicle 100.
[0017] The information of the drone 50 includes the position of the drone 50, the SOC of the battery of the drone 50, an identifier of the delivery item P contained in the drone 50, etc.
[0018] The information on the delivery item P includes the delivery point of the delivery item P, the delivery date and delivery time zone, and information on whether the delivery point has a delivery box 60 or not.
[0019] The map information includes information such as the location of roads. The charging station information includes the location of the charging station and the specifications of the charging equipment of the charging station (charging method, charging capacity, etc.).
[0020] The weather information includes the current weather in each area and future weather forecasts for each area. The delivery control server 220 includes a vehicle charging amount determination device 810 .
[0021] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of vehicle charging amount determination device 810. As shown in FIG. The vehicle charging amount determination device 810 includes a CPU 221, a storage device 222, and a communication device 223. The CPU 221, the storage device 222, and the communication device 223 are connected via a bus 225 so as to be able to communicate with each other.
[0022] The storage device 222 stores programs executable by the CPU 211 . The CPU 221 operates according to a program stored in the storage device 222. The CPU 221 determines a target charge amount for the main battery of the electric vehicle 100 based on a usage schedule of the loaded drone 50. When the drone 50 is scheduled to be used, the CPU 221 sets a target charge amount for the main battery of the electric vehicle 100 to be larger than when the drone 50 is not scheduled to be used. The CPU 221 sets a usage schedule for the drone 50 based on the presence or absence of a delivery box in which the drone 50 can receive the delivery at the delivery point of the delivery. The CPU 221 determines a schedule for supplying power from the main battery of the electric vehicle 100 to the battery of the drone 50 so that the supply of power to the battery of the drone 50 is completed at the arrival time of the electric vehicle 100 at the destination.
[0023] The communication device 223 transmits information on the delivery P, information on the target charge amount or power supply amount of the main battery of the electric vehicle 100, a power supply schedule for the battery of the drone 50, and the like.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle operation control device 310 included in electric vehicle 100. As shown in FIG. The vehicle operation control device 310 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 311 , a storage device 312 , a communication device 313 , and a GPS (Global Positioning System) device 314 .
[0025] The CPU 311, the storage device 312, the communication device 313, and the GPS device 314 are connected to each other via a bus 315 so as to be able to communicate with each other.
[0026] The communication device 313 receives information regarding the target charge amount or power supply amount of the main battery of the electric vehicle 100, a power supply schedule to the battery of the drone 50, and the like.
[0027] The GPS device 314 acquires position information indicating the current position of the electric vehicle 100 . The storage device 312 stores information related to a target charge amount or power supply amount of the main battery of the electric vehicle 100, a power supply schedule to the battery of the drone 50, etc. The storage device 312 stores a program executable by the CPU 311.
[0028] The CPU 311 operates according to a program stored in the storage device 312. At the charging station, the CPU 311 controls the vehicle power control device 510 based on information on the target charge amount or power supply amount of the main battery of the electric vehicle 100, receives power from the charging equipment of the charging station, and supplies the power to the main battery of the electric vehicle 100. While the electric vehicle 100 is moving from the charging station to the destination point, the CPU 311 controls the vehicle power control device 510 according to the power supply schedule to output power from the main battery of the electric vehicle 100 to the battery of the drone 50.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a drone operation control device 410 included in the drone 50.
[0030] The drone operation control device 410 includes a CPU 411, a storage device 412, a communication device 413, a GPS device 414, and a camera 415. The CPU 411, the storage device 412, the communication device 413, the GPS device 414, and the camera 415 are connected to each other via a bus 416 so as to be able to communicate with each other.
[0031] The GPS device 414 acquires location information representing the current location of the drone 50. The camera 415 captures the surroundings from the drone 50 and generates a captured image.
[0032] The communication device 413 receives information about the delivery P. The storage device 412 stores information about the delivery P. The storage device 412 stores a program executable by the CPU 411.
[0033] The CPU 411 operates according to a program stored in the storage device 312. The CPU 411 creates a flight plan for delivering the delivery P from the electric vehicle 100 to a delivery point based on information about the delivery P. The CPU 411 operates the drone 50 based on position information from the GPS 414 and images captured by the camera 415.
[0034] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of vehicle power control device 510. As shown in FIG. Vehicle power control device 510 includes a control device 5, a main battery 10, a power control unit (PCU) 20, a smoothing capacitor 22, a motor generator 30, a power transmission gear 40, and driving wheels 650.
[0035] The vehicle power control device 510 is configured to be able to receive power and supply the power to the main battery 10, and is also configured to be able to output (transmit) the power of the main battery 10 to the outside. In the configuration of Fig. 5, charging is performed by a contact charging method, and power transmission is performed by a non-contact charging method.
[0036] The control device 5 refers to a functional portion that controls the on (closed) and off (opened) of each relay and the operation (power on) and stop (power off) of each device, among the functions of controlling the mounted devices of the electric vehicle 100. The control device 5 can be configured to achieve the above functions by predetermined arithmetic processing by executing a program pre-stored in an internal memory (not shown), or by predetermined arithmetic processing by hardware such as an electronic circuit.
[0037] The main battery 10 is shown as a representative example of an "electricity storage device" and is typically configured with a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery or a nickel metal hydride battery. For example, the "electricity storage device" may be configured with an electric double layer capacitor having an output voltage of about 200 V, or with a combination of a secondary battery and a capacitor.
[0038] The PCU 20 converts the stored power of the main battery 10 into power for driving and controlling the motor generator 30. For example, the motor generator 30 is configured with a permanent magnet type three-phase synchronous motor, and the PCU 20 is configured with a three-phase inverter. Alternatively, the PCU 20 may be configured with a combination of a converter that variably controls the output voltage from the main battery 10 and a three-phase inverter that converts the output voltage of the converter into an AC voltage.
[0039] A relay 150C is connected to the current path between the main battery 10 and the PCU 20. The relay 150C corresponds to a system main relay (SMR) that is turned on in response to a start command for the electrical system of the electric vehicle 100, for example, when an ignition switch is turned on (IG-ON). The main battery 10 is connected to a power supply wiring 153 of the PCU 20 via the relay 150C. The smoothing capacitor 22 is connected to the power supply wiring 153 and functions to smooth the DC voltage.
[0040] The output torque of the motor generator 30 is transmitted to the drive wheels 650 via a power transmission gear 40 constituted by a reduction gear or a power split mechanism, causing the electric vehicle 100 to run.
[0041] During regenerative braking of the electric vehicle 100, the motor generator 30 can generate power using the rotational force of the drive wheels 650. The generated power is then converted by the PCU 20 into charging power for the main battery 10.
[0042] In a hybrid vehicle equipped with an engine (not shown) in addition to the motor generator 30, the engine and the motor generator 30 are operated in cooperation to generate the necessary vehicle driving force for the electric vehicle 100. At this time, it is also possible to charge the main battery 10 using the power generated by the rotation of the engine.
[0043] An electronic control unit (ECU) for managing and controlling the operation of each of the main battery 10 and the PCU 20 is provided. For example, the main battery 10 is provided with a battery ECU 15, and the PCU 20 is provided with an MG-ECU 25.
[0044] The battery ECU 15 manages and controls the charge / discharge state of the main battery 10 based on a temperature sensor, a current sensor, a voltage sensor, and the like (not shown) arranged in the main battery 10. Typically, the battery ECU 15 calculates the remaining capacity (SOC: State of Charge) of the main battery 10.
[0045] The MG-ECU 25 controls the power conversion operation in the PCU 20, specifically, the on / off operation of the power semiconductor switching elements that constitute the above-mentioned inverter (not shown) or the inverter and converter (not shown), so that the motor generator 30 operates in accordance with an operating command (typically a torque command value).
[0046] Electrically powered vehicle 100 includes, as components for externally charging main battery 10 (power storage device), a charging connector 105 and a power converter 110. Furthermore, electrically powered vehicle 100 is provided with an AC outlet 120 for extracting a commercial AC power source.
[0047] The charging connector 105 is connected to an external power source 400 via a charging cable 200. The external power source 400 is typically configured as a system power source. The charging cable 200 is configured to have a charging connector 205 and a charging plug 210.
[0048] During external charging, outlet 405 of external power supply 400 is connected to charging plug 210, and charging connector 205 is connected to charging connector 105 of electric vehicle 100, whereby power from external power supply 400 is supplied to charging connector 205.
[0049] The charging connector 105 has a function of notifying the control device 5 when it is electrically connected to the external power source 400.
[0050] Power converter 110 performs power conversion between an AC voltage Vac between nodes N1 and N2 and a DC voltage Vdc between nodes N3 and N4. Nodes N1 and N2 of power converter 110 are connected to power supply wiring 152. Power supply wiring 152 is electrically connected to charging connector 105 via relay 150A. Furthermore, power supply wiring 152 is electrically connected to AC outlet 120 via relay 150D.
[0051] Nodes N3 and N4 of power converter 110 are connected to power supply line 151. Furthermore, power supply line 151 is electrically connected to main battery 10 via relay 150B.
[0052] Each of the relays 150A to 150D is typically configured as an electromagnetic relay that is closed (ON) by connecting the contacts when energized, and is opened (OFF) by disconnecting the contacts when de-energized. The current exchanged between the motor generator 30 for driving the vehicle and the main battery 10 through the relay 150C is larger than the current passing through the relays 150A and 150B during external charging, and the current passing through the relay 150D and output from the AC outlet 120. For this reason, the relay 150C has a larger current capacity than the other relays 150A, 150B, and 150D, and the current passing through the exciting coil when on is also larger. For this reason, the power consumption of the relay 150C when on is also larger than the other relays 150A, 150B, and 150D.
[0053] The power converter 110 is configured to convert the AC voltage Vac transmitted between the nodes N1 and N2 from the external power supply 400 into a DC voltage Vdc and output it between the nodes N3 and N4 during external charging. The DC voltage Vdc corresponds to the output voltage of the main battery 10.
[0054] The electric vehicle 100 includes system relays 160A, 160B, and 160C, power converters 161A, 161B, and 161C, and power transmitters 162A, 162B, and 162C as components for contactlessly supplying power to the battery of the drone 50.
[0055] The power transmitting devices 162A, 162B, and 162C include power transmitting coils 163A, 163B, and 163C.
[0056] When the drone 50 is detected above the power transmitting devices 162A, 162B, and 162C, the relays 160A, 160B, and 160C are turned on. As a result, the power converters 161A, 161B, and 161C convert the DC power charged in the main battery 10 into AC power and supply it to the power transmitting coils 163A, 163B, and 163C.
[0057] When an alternating current flows through the power transmitting coil 163, an electromagnetic field is formed around the power transmitting coil 163.
[0058] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a drone power control device 610. The drone power control device 610 includes a power receiving device 164, a power converter 165, a battery 166, and a motor generator 167.
[0059] A power receiving coil 168 is housed within the power receiving device 164. The power receiving coil 168 receives electric power in a non-contact manner through an electromagnetic field formed by the power transmitting coil 163 of the power transmitting device 162.
[0060] The power converter 165 converts the AC power received by the power receiving device 164 into DC power, and charges the battery 166 with the DC power. The DC power charged in the battery 166 is used to drive the motor generator 167.
[0061] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of power supply to the electric vehicle 100 and the drone 50 in the first embodiment. Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the electric vehicle 100. Figs. 9 and 10 are diagrams for explaining an example of the required charge amount PW1 of the battery 166 of the drone 50.
[0062] In step S101, the CPU 211 of the vehicle charging amount determination device 810 determines one or more deliveries to be loaded onto the electric vehicle 100, from among a plurality of deliveries at a delivery center, according to the delivery point, delivery date, and delivery time zone of the deliveries.
[0063] In step S102, the CPU 211 of the vehicle charging amount determination device 810 sets a destination point of the electric vehicle 100. For example, as shown in Fig. 8, the CPU 211 of the vehicle charging amount determination device 810 can set a location near the center of delivery points D1 to D5 of one or more deliveries loaded onto the electric vehicle 100 as the destination point of the electric vehicle.
[0064] In step S103, as shown in FIG. 8, the CPU 211 of the vehicle charging amount determination device 810 determines a charging station that is located between the delivery center and the destination point as a stopover charging station.
[0065] In step S104, if there is a delivery point having a delivery box 60 capable of receiving the delivery by drone 50 among the delivery points of one or more deliveries loaded onto electric vehicle 100, proceed to step S105. If there is no delivery point having a delivery box 60 capable of receiving the delivery by drone 50, proceed to step S112.
[0066] In step S105, the CPU 211 of the vehicle charging amount determination device 810 sets the drone 50 to "scheduled for use."
[0067] In step S106, the CPU 211 of the vehicle charging amount determination device 810 determines the required charging amount PW1 of the battery 166 of the drone 50 based on one or more delivery points where the drone 50 can receive the delivery.
[0068] For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 211 of the vehicle charging amount determination device 810 may set the required charging amount PW1 of the battery 166 of the drone 50 to be larger as the number of delivery points where the drone 50 can receive the delivery increases.
[0069] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10, the CPU 211 of the vehicle charging amount determination device 810 may increase the required charging amount PW1 of the battery 166 of the drone 50 as the sum of the distances between each delivery point where the drone 50 can receive the delivery and the destination point of the electric vehicle 100 increases.
[0070] The CPU 211 of the vehicle charging amount determination device 810 determines the electric power PW2 required for the running of the electric vehicle 100 based on the distance from the charging station to the destination point.
[0071] The CPU 211 of the vehicle charging amount determination device 810 determines a target charging amount PW of the main battery 10 of the electric vehicle 100 based on the required charging amount PW1 of the battery 166 of the drone 50 and the power PW2 required for the running of the electric vehicle 100. For example, PW=PW1+PW2 can be set.
[0072] The CPU 211 of the vehicle charge amount determination device 810 identifies the current charge amount PW3 of the main battery 10 of the electric vehicle 100.
[0073] The CPU 211 of the vehicle charging amount determination device 810 determines the amount of power supply PO to the main battery 10 of the electric vehicle 100 based on the target charging amount PW of the main battery 10 of the electric vehicle 100 and the current charging amount PW3 of the main battery 10 of the electric vehicle 100. For example, PO=PW-PW3 can be set.
[0074] In step S107, the communication device 223 of the vehicle charging amount determination device 810 transmits to the electric vehicle 100 information about one or more delivery items to be loaded onto the electric vehicle 100 (delivery point, delivery date, delivery time zone, whether delivery by drone is possible), the position of the destination point of the electric vehicle 100, the position of the charging station, and information such as the amount of power supply PO to the electric vehicle 100. The communication device 313 of the vehicle operation control device 310 of the electric vehicle 100 receives this information. The communication device 223 of the vehicle charging amount determination device 810 transmits to the drone 50 information about the one or more delivery items to be loaded onto the electric vehicle 100 (delivery point, delivery date, delivery time zone, whether delivery by drone is possible). The communication device 413 of the drone operation control device 410 of the drone 50 receives this information.
[0075] In step S108, in the charging station, the CPU 311 of the vehicle operation control device 310 controls the vehicle power control device 510 based on the power supply amount PO of the main battery 10 of the electric vehicle 100 to receive power by the power supply amount PO from the charging equipment 7 of the charging station and supply the power to the main battery 10 of the electric vehicle 100. At this time, the outlet 405 of the external power supply 400 in FIG. 5 corresponds to the outlet of the charging equipment 7 and is connected to the charging plug 210.
[0076] In step S109, the vehicle charging amount determination device 810 determines a power supply schedule from the electric vehicle 100 to the drone 50 so that power supply from the electric vehicle 100 to the drone 50 is completed immediately before the electric vehicle 100 arrives at the destination point. For example, when the charging speed of the drone's battery 166 is V, the current charge amount of the drone's battery 166 is S0, the required charge amount of the drone's battery 166 is PW1, and the predicted arrival time of the electric vehicle 100 at the destination point is te, the vehicle charging amount determination device 810 sets the power supply start time ts from the electric vehicle 100 to the drone 50 as follows:
[0077] ts=te―(PW1-S0) / V In step S110, the communication device 223 of the vehicle charging amount determination device 810 transmits the power supply schedule to the electric vehicle 100 and the drone 50. The communication device 313 of the vehicle operation control device 310 of the electric vehicle 100 and the communication device 413 of the drone operation control device 410 of the drone 50 receive the power supply schedule.
[0078] In step S111, the CPU 311 of the vehicle operation control device 310 controls the vehicle power control device 510 in accordance with the power supply schedule during the movement of the electric vehicle 100 from the charging station to the destination point, to output power from the main battery 10 of the electric vehicle 100 to the battery 166 of the drone 50. At this time, power is transmitted from the power transmitting device 162 in FIG. 5 to the power receiving device 164 in FIG. 6.
[0079] In step S112, the vehicle charging amount determination device 810 sets the drone 50 to "not scheduled for use."
[0080] In step S113, the CPU 211 of the vehicle charging amount determination device 810 determines the electric power PW2 required for the traveling of the electric vehicle 100 based on the distance from the charging station to the destination point.
[0081] The CPU 211 of the vehicle charging amount determination device 810 determines the target charging amount PW of the main battery 10 of the electric vehicle 100 based on the electric power PW2 required for the running of the electric vehicle 100. PW=PW2 can be satisfied.
[0082] The CPU 211 of the vehicle charge amount determination device 810 identifies the current charge amount PW3 of the main battery 10 of the electric vehicle 100.
[0083] The CPU 211 of the vehicle charging amount determination device 810 determines the amount of power supply PO to the main battery 10 of the electric vehicle 100 based on the target charging amount PW of the main battery 10 of the electric vehicle 100 and the current charging amount PW3 of the main battery 10 of the electric vehicle 100. For example, PO=PW-PO3 can be set.
[0084] In step S114, the communication device 223 of the vehicle charging amount determination device 810 transmits to the electric vehicle 100 information such as information about one or more deliveries to be loaded onto the electric vehicle 100 (delivery point, delivery date, delivery time zone), the position of the destination point of the electric vehicle 100, the position of the charging station, and the amount of power supply PO to the electric vehicle 100. The communication device 313 of the vehicle operation control device 310 of the electric vehicle 100 receives this information.
[0085] In step S115, in the charging station, the CPU 311 of the vehicle operation control device 310 controls the vehicle power control device 510 based on the power supply amount PO of the main battery 10 of the electric vehicle 100 to receive power by the power supply amount PO from the charging equipment 7 of the charging station and supply the power to the main battery 10 of the electric vehicle 100. At this time, the outlet 405 of the external power supply 400 in FIG. 5 corresponds to the outlet of the charging equipment 7 and is connected to the charging plug 210.
[0086] As described above, according to this embodiment, a drone usage schedule is set based on whether or not a delivery point of the delivery can receive the delivery by drone, and when a drone is scheduled to be used, the target charge amount of the battery of the electric vehicle is set to be higher than when a drone is not scheduled to be used. This makes it possible to prevent unnecessary power from being charged to the battery of the electric vehicle.
[0087] [Second embodiment] The CPU 221 determines a target charge amount for the main battery 10 of the electric vehicle 100 based on the usage probability of the loaded drone 50. When the usage probability of the drone 50 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the CPU 221 sets a target charge amount for the main battery 10 of the electric vehicle 100 larger than when the usage probability of the drone is less than the predetermined value. The CPU 221 sets the usage probability of the drone 50 according to the weather forecast for the delivery point on the delivery date and delivery time zone of the delivery item.
[0088] Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure for supplying power to electric vehicle 100 and drone 50 in embodiment 2. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of setting the usage probability of drone 50.
[0089] The flowchart in FIG. 11 differs from the flowchart in FIG. 7 in that the flowchart in FIG. 11 includes steps S201 and S202 instead of step S105, and includes step S203 instead of step S112.
[0090] If NO in step S104, proceed to step S203. In step S203, the CPU 211 of the vehicle charging amount determination device 810 sets the usage probability Pr of the drone 50 to "0".
[0091] In step S201, the CPU 211 of the vehicle charging amount determination device 810 sets the usage probability Pr of the drone 50 according to the weather forecast of the delivery point on the delivery date and delivery time zone of the delivery item. For example, as shown in Fig. 12, the CPU 211 of the vehicle charging amount determination device 810 may set the usage probability Pr of the drone 50 to (1-Pa) when the probability of precipitation is Pa.
[0092] In step S202, when the usage probability Pr of the drone 50 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value TH, the process proceeds to step S106. When the usage probability Pr of the drone 50 is less than the predetermined value TH, the process proceeds to step S113.
[0093] As described above, according to this embodiment, the probability of drone use is set according to the weather forecast for the delivery point on the delivery date and delivery time of the delivery item, and when the probability of drone use is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the target charge amount of the battery of the electric vehicle is set to be larger than when the probability of drone use is less than the predetermined value. This makes it possible to prevent unnecessary power from being charged to the battery of the electric vehicle.
[0094] [Variations] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and also includes, for example, the following modified examples.
[0095] (1) Vehicle charging amount determination device In the above embodiment, the delivery control server is provided with the vehicle charging amount determination device, but this is not limited to the above. An electric vehicle may be provided with the vehicle charging amount determination device.
[0096] (2) Calculation of power supply amount PO In the above embodiment, the vehicle charge amount determination device determines the target charge amount PW of the main battery of the electric vehicle, and further determines the power supply amount PO of the main battery of the electric vehicle from the current charge amount PW3 of the main battery of the electric vehicle, but this is not limited to the above. The vehicle charge amount determination device may determine the target charge amount PW of the main battery of the electric vehicle, transmit information about the target charge amount PW to the vehicle operation control device of the electric vehicle, and the vehicle operation control device of the electric vehicle may determine the power supply amount PO of the main battery of the electric vehicle from the target charge amount PW and the current charge amount PW3 of the main battery of the electric vehicle.
[0097] (3) Power receiving and transmission In the above embodiment, the electric vehicle receives power in a contact manner and transmits power in a non-contact manner, but this is not limited to the above. The electric vehicle may receive power in a non-contact manner and transmit power in a contact manner.
[0098] (4) Probability of use In the above embodiment, the vehicle charging amount determination device sets the usage probability based on the probability of precipitation, but is not limited thereto. The vehicle charging amount determination device may set the usage probability based on a predicted value of precipitation, a probability of strong wind, a predicted value of the magnitude of strong wind, a probability of snowfall, or a predicted value of the amount of snowfall. In addition, in the above embodiment, the vehicle charging amount determination device charges the main battery of the electric vehicle with the amount of charge required for the drone's battery when the usage probability is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, but is not limited thereto. The vehicle charging amount determination device may charge a larger amount of power to the main battery of the electric vehicle as the usage probability becomes higher.
[0099] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]
[0100] 5 Control device, 7 Charging equipment, 10 Main battery, 19 Network, 22 Smoothing capacitor, 30, 167 Motor generator, 40 Power transmission gear, 50A, 50B, 50C Drone, 60A, 60B, 60C Delivery box, 100 Electric vehicle, 105, 205 Charging connector, 110, 161A, 161B, 161C, 165 Power converter, 120, 405 Socket, 150A, 150B, 150C, 150D, 160A, 160B, 160C Relay, 151, 152, 153 Power wiring, 162A, 162B, 162C Power transmission device, 163A, 163B, 163C Power transmission coil, 164 Power receiving device, 166 Battery, 168 Power receiving coil, 200 Charging cable, 210 charging plug, 220 delivery control server, 222, 312, 412 storage device, 223, 313, 413 communication device, 225, 315, 416 bus, 310 vehicle operation control device, 314, 414 GPS device, 400 external power source, 410 drone operation control device, 415 camera, 510 vehicle power control device, 610 drone power control device, 650 drive wheel, 810 vehicle charging amount determination device, 15 battery ECU, P delivery item.
Claims
1. A charging amount determination device for an electric vehicle, A processor; A storage device that stores a program executable by the processor, the electric vehicle is capable of carrying a moving object for delivering the delivery item and supplying power to the moving object; The processor determines a target charge amount of a battery of the electric vehicle based on a usage schedule or a usage probability of the moving object; the processor sets a target charge amount of the battery of the electric vehicle to be larger when the moving object is scheduled to be used than when the moving object is not scheduled to be used; The processor determines a target charge amount for the battery of the electric vehicle based on whether the mobile body is able to receive the delivery at the delivery point of the delivery.
2. 2. The charge amount determination device for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the processor sets a target charge amount for the battery of the electric vehicle to be larger when the usage probability of the moving object is equal to or greater than a predetermined value than when the usage probability of the moving object is less than the predetermined value.
3. 3. The device for determining a charge amount for an electric vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the processor sets a probability of use of the mobile object according to a weather forecast for a delivery point on a delivery date and delivery time period of the delivery item.
4. The charge amount determination device for an electric vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the processor determines a power supply schedule from the battery of the electric vehicle to the battery of the moving body so that power supply from the battery of the electric vehicle to the battery of the moving body is completed at an arrival time of the electric vehicle at a destination.
5. An electric vehicle capable of carrying a moving object for delivering a delivery item, a power control device that is configured to receive power from a battery, supply the power to the battery, and output the power of the battery to an external device; The charging amount determination device for an electric vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4 determines a target charging amount or power supply amount of the battery of an electric vehicle capable of carrying a moving body for delivering the delivery item, and the electric vehicle further comprises: A communication device that receives information about a target charge amount or a power supply amount of the battery from the charge amount determination device for an electric vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4; a processor that controls the power control device based on the received information at a charging point to receive power from a charging facility and supply the power to the battery, and controls the power control device to output power from the battery to a battery of the mobile body during movement of the electric vehicle from the charging point to a destination point; An electric vehicle equipped with.
Citation Information
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