Information processing device, system and information processing method

Abstract

To provide technology for leveling the degrees of deterioration of fuel cells provided in each of a plurality of fuel cell vehicles.SOLUTION: An information processing device 20 comprises a control unit 23. The control unit 23 executes assignment processing for preferentially assigning a travel route with a smaller load to be applied to a fuel cell 11 among a plurality of travel routes to a fuel cell vehicle 10 with a larger degree of deterioration of the fuel cell 11 among a plurality of fuel cell vehicles 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, a system, and an information processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] It has been known that when a vehicle equipped with a fuel cell system travels uphill, a high load is continuously placed on the vehicle's fuel cell, which can result in a decrease in the performance of the fuel cell (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-106841 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When multiple fuel cell vehicles are used, various advantages can be obtained if the degree of deterioration of the fuel cells equipped in each of the multiple fuel cell vehicles can be equalized. For example, if the degree of deterioration of the fuel cells equipped in each of the multiple fuel cell vehicles can be equalized, the maintenance timing of each of the multiple fuel cell vehicles can be synchronized, making it easier to manage the maintenance timing. Therefore, it is desirable to equalize the degree of deterioration of the fuel cells equipped in each of the multiple fuel cell vehicles.

[0005] In view of the above, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique for leveling out the degree of deterioration of fuel cells included in each of a plurality of fuel cell vehicles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: The control unit executes an allocation process for preferentially allocating, among a plurality of travel routes, a travel route that places a smaller load on the fuel cell to a fuel cell vehicle having a greater degree of degradation among a plurality of fuel cell vehicles.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the system includes: An information processing device according to claim 1; and a plurality of fuel cell vehicles.

[0008] An information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: The method includes executing an allocation process for preferentially allocating, among a plurality of travel routes, a travel route that places a smaller load on the fuel cell to a fuel cell vehicle having a greater degree of degradation among a plurality of fuel cell vehicles. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a technique for leveling out the degree of deterioration of fuel cells included in each of a plurality of fuel cell vehicles. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the system shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the information processing device shown in FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] (System Configuration) 1, the system 1 includes a plurality of fuel cell vehicles 10 and an information processing device 20. The plurality of fuel cell vehicles 10 and the information processing device 20 are capable of communicating with each other via a network 2. The network 2 may be any network including a mobile communication network, the Internet, or the like.

[0013] The fuel cell vehicle 10 uses a fuel cell as a power source. The fuel cell vehicle 10 is, for example, a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) or the like. The fuel cell vehicle 10 travels along a route assigned by an information processing device 20. In this embodiment, the fuel cell vehicle 10 is a bus. However, the fuel cell vehicle 10 is not limited to a bus. The fuel cell vehicle 10 may be any vehicle that uses a fuel cell as a power source. The fuel cell vehicle 10 may be a vehicle dedicated to MaaS (Mobility as a Service).

[0014] The fuel cell vehicle 10 may be driven by a driver. A part of the operation of the fuel cell vehicle 10 may be automated at any level. The level of automation is, for example, any of levels 1 to 5 according to the classification of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).

[0015] The information processing device 20 assigns a travel route to the fuel cell vehicle 10. The information processing device 20 may determine a travel schedule for a plurality of fuel cell vehicles 10, i.e., buses. The bus travel schedule includes, for example, at least one of a travel route along which the bus is scheduled to travel, an arrival time at a bus stop on the travel route, and a departure time at which the bus departs from a bus stop on the travel route. The information processing device 20 may be operated by a business operator that operates the buses, which are fuel cell vehicles 10.

[0016] The information processing device 20 is, for example, a dedicated computer configured to function as a server, a general-purpose personal computer, or a cloud computing system.

[0017] <Fuel cell vehicle configuration> As shown in FIG. 2, the fuel cell vehicle 10 includes a fuel cell 11, a communication unit 12, a storage unit 13, and a control unit 14.

[0018] The fuel cell 11 generates electricity by generating electrical energy through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. The electrical energy generated by the fuel cell 11 serves as a power source for the fuel cell vehicle 10. For example, the fuel cell vehicle 10 runs by driving a motor using the energy generated by the fuel cell 11.

[0019] The communication unit 12 is configured to include at least one communication module that can be connected to the network 2. The communication module is, for example, a communication module compatible with a mobile communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), or 5G (5th Generation). However, the communication module is not limited to this. The communication module may be compatible with any communication standard.

[0020] The storage unit 13 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM). The RAM is, for example, a static random access memory (SRAM) or a dynamic random access memory (DRAM). The ROM is, for example, an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM). The storage unit 13 may function as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 13 stores data used in the operation of the fuel cell vehicle 10 and data obtained by the operation of the fuel cell vehicle 10.

[0021] The control unit 14 is configured to include at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination of these. The processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for specific processing. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc. The control unit 14 executes processing related to the operation of the fuel cell vehicle 10 while controlling each part of the fuel cell vehicle 10.

[0022] The functions of the fuel cell vehicle 10 are realized by executing a vehicle program according to this embodiment in a processor corresponding to the control unit 14. That is, the functions of the fuel cell vehicle 10 are realized by software. The vehicle program causes a computer to execute the operations of the fuel cell vehicle 10, thereby causing the computer to function as the fuel cell vehicle 10. That is, the computer functions as the fuel cell vehicle 10 by executing the operations of the fuel cell vehicle 10 in accordance with the vehicle program.

[0023] Some or all of the functions of the fuel cell vehicle 10 may be realized by a dedicated circuit equivalent to the control unit 14. In other words, some or all of the functions of the fuel cell vehicle 10 may be realized by hardware.

[0024] The control unit 14 may acquire history data of the accelerator opening of the fuel cell vehicle 10 via a CAN (Controller Area Network) from an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that controls the accelerator of the fuel cell vehicle 10. The control unit 14 may also acquire history data of the speed of the fuel cell vehicle 10 via a CAN from an ECU that controls the speed of the fuel cell vehicle 10. The control unit 14 may transmit the acquired history data of the accelerator opening and history data of the speed to the information processing device 20 via the network 2 by the communication unit 12. For example, when a day's operation of the fuel cell vehicle 10 as a bus ends, the control unit 14 may transmit the history data of the accelerator opening and history data of the speed of the fuel cell vehicle 10 for that day to the information processing device 20.

[0025] The control unit 14 may acquire historical data on the number of passengers on the fuel cell vehicle 10, for example, by communicating with a terminal device of the fuel cell vehicle 10 via a communication line. The terminal device may be a terminal device that executes a process of receiving fares from customers by contactlessly communicating with a passenger's contactless card for paying the fare. The control unit 14 may transmit the acquired historical data on the number of passengers to the information processing device 20 via the network 2 by the communication unit 12. For example, when a day's operation of the fuel cell vehicle 10 as a bus ends, the control unit 14 may transmit historical data on the number of passengers on the fuel cell vehicle 10 for that day to the information processing device 20.

[0026] The control unit 14 may acquire usage history data of the fuel cell 11 from the ECU that controls the fuel cell 11 via the CAN. The usage history data of the fuel cell 11 includes, for example, at least any one of historical data of the water temperature of the fuel cell 11, data on the number of times the fuel cell 11 has been switched to a power generating state or a non-power generating state, operation history data of an injector, and operation history data of an auxiliary device of the fuel cell 11. The injector is a device that supplies hydrogen or oxygen to the fuel cell 11. The auxiliary device of the fuel cell 11 is, for example, a hydrogen pump. The control unit 14 may transmit the acquired usage history data of the fuel cell 11 to the information processing device 20 via the network 2 by the communication unit 12. For example, when a day's operation of the fuel cell vehicle 10 as a bus is completed, the control unit 14 may transmit the usage history data of the fuel cell 11 for that day to the information processing device 20.

[0027] The control unit 14 may acquire data on the current-voltage characteristics (IV characteristics) of the fuel cell 11 from the ECU that controls the fuel cell 11 via the CAN. The current-voltage characteristics of the fuel cell 11 indicate the relationship between the current value and the voltage value output from the fuel cell 11. The control unit 14 may transmit the acquired current-voltage characteristics of the fuel cell 11 to the information processing device 20 via the network 2 by the communication unit 12. The control unit 14 may acquire data on the current-voltage characteristics of the fuel cell 11 at preset time intervals and transmit the acquired current-voltage characteristics of the fuel cell 11 to the information processing device 20. This time interval may be set based on the operating route or the operating schedule, etc.

[0028] <Configuration of information processing device> As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing device 20 includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit .

[0029] The communication unit 21 is configured to include at least one communication module that can be connected to the network 2. The communication module is, for example, a communication module that is compatible with standards such as a wired LAN (Local Area Network) or a wireless LAN. However, the communication module is not limited to this. The communication module may be compatible with any communication standard. The communication unit 21 is connected to the network 2 via the wired LAN or wireless LAN by the communication module.

[0030] The storage unit 22 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM or a ROM. The RAM is, for example, an SRAM or a DRAM. The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM. The storage unit 22 may function as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 22 stores data used in the operation of the information processing device 20 and data obtained by the operation of the information processing device 20.

[0031] The storage unit 22 stores, for example, data on the usage history of each of the multiple fuel cell vehicles 10. The storage unit 22 stores, for example, data on the gradient of the road surface of each of the multiple travel routes and data on the friction coefficient of the road surface.

[0032] The memory unit 22 stores data on the load of the fuel cell 11 on each of a plurality of travel routes. The load of the fuel cell 11 on a travel route is the load placed on the fuel cell 11 of the fuel cell vehicle 10 as the fuel cell vehicle 10 travels on the travel route. The load of the fuel cell 11 on the travel route may be estimated based on the gradient of the road surface of the travel route. It may be estimated that the greater the gradient of the road surface of the travel route, the greater the load of the fuel cell 11 on the travel route. The load of the fuel cell 11 on the travel route may be estimated based on the result of counting the number of slopes included in the travel route. The load of the fuel cell 11 on the travel route may be estimated based on the gradient of the road surface and the distance of the road surface. The load of the fuel cell 11 on the travel route may be estimated by the control unit 24 or another information processing device.

[0033] The control unit 23 includes at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination of these. The processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or a GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA or an ASIC. The control unit 23 executes processes related to the operation of the information processing device 20 while controlling each unit of the information processing device 20.

[0034] The functions of the information processing device 20 are realized by executing a processing program according to this embodiment in a processor corresponding to the control unit 23. That is, the functions of the information processing device 20 are realized by software. The processing program causes a computer to execute the operations of the information processing device 20, thereby causing the computer to function as the information processing device 20. That is, the computer functions as the information processing device 20 by executing the operations of the information processing device 20 in accordance with the processing program.

[0035] A part or all of the functions of the information processing device 20 may be realized by a dedicated circuit corresponding to the control unit 23. In other words, a part or all of the functions of the information processing device 20 may be realized by hardware.

[0036] <Update process> The control unit 23 updates the usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle 10 in the memory unit 22 at a preset first time. The first time may be a time after the time when the fuel cell vehicle 10 ends its operation as a bus and before the estimation process described below is executed. The usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle 10 may include any data related to deterioration of the fuel cell 11.

[0037] The usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle 10 may include, for example, at least any one of history data of the accelerator opening of the fuel cell vehicle 10, history data of the loaded weight of the fuel cell vehicle 10, and history data of the running resistance of the fuel cell vehicle 10. The amount of electric energy generated by the fuel cell 11 of the fuel cell vehicle 10 may change depending on the accelerator opening of the fuel cell vehicle 10, the loaded weight of the fuel cell vehicle 10, or the running resistance of the fuel cell vehicle 10. When the amount of electric energy generated by the fuel cell 11 changes, the degree of deterioration of the fuel cell 11 may change. In other words, the history data of the accelerator opening of the fuel cell vehicle 10, the history data of the loaded weight of the fuel cell vehicle 10, and the history data of the running resistance of the fuel cell vehicle 10 can each be said to be data related to the deterioration of the fuel cell 11.

[0038] Regarding the accelerator opening history data, the control unit 23 may receive the accelerator opening history data of the fuel cell vehicle 10 from the fuel cell vehicle 10 via the network 2 using the communication unit 21. The control unit 23 may update the accelerator opening history data included in the usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle 10 in the memory unit 22 with the received accelerator opening history data.

[0039] Regarding the history data of the loaded weight, the control unit 23 may receive history data of the number of passengers on the fuel cell vehicle 10 from the fuel cell vehicle 10 via the network 2 using the communication unit 21. The control unit 23 may calculate the history data of the loaded weight of the fuel cell vehicle 10 based on the received history data of the number of passengers. For example, the control unit 23 calculates the history data of the loaded weight of the fuel cell vehicle 10 based on the received history data of the number of passengers and data on the average weight of the passengers, etc. The control unit 23 may update the history data of the loaded weight included in the usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle 10 in the memory unit 22 with the calculated history data of the loaded weight of the fuel cell vehicle 10.

[0040] Regarding the running resistance history data, the control unit 23 may receive, via the network 2, the speed history data of the fuel cell vehicle 10 from the fuel cell vehicle 10 using the communication unit 21. The control unit 23 may also identify the driving route traveled by the fuel cell vehicle 10 based on the operation schedule of the fuel cell vehicle 10. The control unit 23 may acquire data on the friction coefficient of the road surface of the identified driving route from the memory unit 22. The control unit 23 may calculate the running resistance history data of the fuel cell vehicle 10 based on the received speed history data of the fuel cell vehicle 10, the acquired road surface friction coefficient data, and the loaded weight history data of the fuel cell vehicle 10. The control unit 23 may update the running resistance history data included in the usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle 10 in the memory unit 22 using the calculated running resistance history data of the fuel cell vehicle 10.

[0041] The usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle 10 may include, for example, history data on the gradient of the road surface on which the fuel cell vehicle 10 has traveled. The amount of electric energy generated by the fuel cell 11 of the fuel cell vehicle 10 may change depending on the gradient of the road surface on which the fuel cell vehicle 10 has traveled. When the amount of electric energy generated by the fuel cell 11 changes, the degree of deterioration of the fuel cell 11 may change. In other words, the history data on the gradient of the road surface on which the fuel cell vehicle 10 has traveled can be said to be data related to the deterioration of the fuel cell 11. The control unit 23 may identify the travel route on which the fuel cell vehicle 10 has traveled based on the operation schedule of the fuel cell vehicle 10. The control unit 23 may acquire data on the gradient of the road surface of the identified travel route from the storage unit 22. The control unit 23 may update the history data on the gradient of the road surface on which the fuel cell vehicle 10 has traveled, which is included in the usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle 10 in the storage unit 22, based on the acquired data on the gradient of the road surface of the travel route.

[0042] The usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle 10 may include usage history data of the fuel cell 11. The control unit 23 may receive the usage history data of the fuel cell 11 from the information processing device 20 via the network 2 by the communication unit 21. The control unit 23 may update the usage history data of the fuel cell 11 included in the usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle 10 in the memory unit 22 with the received usage history data of the fuel cell 11.

[0043] <Estimation process> The control unit 23 executes an estimation process to estimate the deterioration level of the fuel cell 11 of the fuel cell vehicle 10, for example, before executing an allocation process described later. The deterioration level of the fuel cell 11 indicates the degree of deterioration of the fuel cell 11. The greater the deterioration level of the fuel cell 11, the greater the degree of deterioration of the fuel cell 11. The deterioration level of the fuel cell 11 may be determined by the current-voltage characteristics of the fuel cell 11. As described above, the current-voltage characteristics of the fuel cell 11 indicate the relationship between the current value and the voltage value output from the fuel cell 11. For example, the more deteriorated the fuel cell 11 is, the greater the internal resistance of the fuel cell 11 is. The greater the internal resistance of the fuel cell 11 is, the lower the current value of the fuel cell 11 at a predetermined current value of the current-voltage characteristics is. In other words, the more deteriorated the fuel cell 11 is, the lower the voltage value of the fuel cell 11 at a predetermined current value of the current-voltage characteristics is. Therefore, the deterioration level of the fuel cell 11 may be given by the voltage value of the fuel cell 11 at a predetermined current value of the current-voltage characteristics.

[0044] The control unit 23 may execute an estimation process to estimate the degree of deterioration of the fuel cell 11 of the fuel cell vehicle 10 based on the usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle 10. Here, the more frequently the fuel cell vehicle 10 is used, the more likely the deterioration of the fuel cell 11 of the fuel cell vehicle 10 will progress. Therefore, the degree of deterioration of the fuel cell 11 of the fuel cell vehicle 10 can be estimated based on the usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle 10.

[0045] As an example, the control unit 23 may estimate the deterioration level of the fuel cell 11 of the fuel cell vehicle 10 by correcting data on the measured deterioration level of the fuel cell with the usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle 10. The data on the measured deterioration level of the fuel cell may include data on the deterioration level of the fuel cell measured by bench testing and usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle in which the fuel cell was installed. The control unit 23 may correct the measured deterioration level of the fuel cell based on the result of comparing the usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle in which the fuel cell whose deterioration level was measured by bench testing was installed with the usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle 10. The control unit 23 may acquire the corrected measured deterioration level of the fuel cell as the estimated deterioration level of the fuel cell 11. The measured deterioration level of the fuel cell may be the deterioration level of a fuel cell of a different type from the fuel cell 11, or may be the deterioration level of a fuel cell of the same type as the fuel cell 11.

[0046] As another example, the control unit 23 may estimate the degree of deterioration of the fuel cell 11 of the fuel cell vehicle 10 using a learning model. The learning model may be a model that has been machine-learned so that, when usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle 10 is input, the deterioration degree of the fuel cell 11 of the fuel cell vehicle 10 is output. In this case, the control unit 23 inputs the usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle 10 into the learning model, and estimates the degree of deterioration of the fuel cell 11 by obtaining the deterioration degree of the fuel cell 11 of the fuel cell vehicle 10 that is output from the learning model.

[0047] As yet another example, the control unit 23 may receive data on the current-voltage characteristics of the fuel cell 11 from the fuel cell vehicle 10 via the network 2 using the communication unit 21. The control unit 23 may estimate the degree of deterioration of the fuel cell 11 by correcting the received data on the current-voltage characteristics of the fuel cell 11 using the usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle 10. The current-voltage characteristics of the fuel cell 11 may not be accurate because they change depending on the state of the fuel cell vehicle 10, such as the accelerator opening degree, when the current-voltage characteristics are acquired. By correcting the data on the current-voltage characteristics of the fuel cell 11 using the usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle 10, the degree of deterioration of the fuel cell 11 can be estimated with high accuracy.

[0048] The control unit 23 may store the estimated deterioration degree of each of the fuel cells 11 of the multiple fuel cell vehicles 10 in the memory unit 22.

[0049] Here, in the estimation process, the control unit 23 may determine whether the estimated deterioration level of the fuel cell 11 is below a threshold value. If the control unit 23 determines that the deterioration level of the fuel cell 11 is below the threshold value, the control unit 23 may transmit a message urging replacement of the fuel cell 11 together with identification information of the fuel cell vehicle 10 including the fuel cell 11 to an external device via the network 2 by the communication unit 21. The threshold value may be set based on the deterioration level of the fuel cell 11 that requires replacement. The threshold value is, for example, 10% of the deterioration level of a normal fuel cell 11. The identification information of the fuel cell vehicle 10 may be any information capable of uniquely identifying the fuel cell vehicle 10.

[0050] <Allocation process> The control unit 23 executes an allocation process for preferentially allocating, among the multiple travel routes, a travel route that places a smaller load on the fuel cell 11 to a fuel cell vehicle 10 having a greater degree of degradation of the fuel cell 11 among the multiple fuel cell vehicles 10. For example, the control unit 23 acquires data on the degree of degradation of the fuel cell 11 of each of the multiple fuel cell vehicles 10 and the load on the fuel cell 11 on each of the multiple travel routes from the memory unit 22. The control unit 23 may allocate travel routes that place a smaller load on the fuel cell 11 to the fuel cell vehicles 10 in descending order of the degree of degradation of the fuel cell 11.

[0051] The control unit 23 may execute the allocation process at a preset second time. The second time may be a time after the time when the last bus stops operating and before the time when the first bus starts operating.

[0052] The control unit 23 may execute the allocation process at preset set times. The set times may be set according to the variation in the load of the fuel cell 11 on each of the multiple travel routes.

[0053] The control unit 23 may determine an operation schedule for a plurality of buses, that is, the fuel cell vehicle 10. When determining the operation schedule for the fuel cell vehicle 10, the control unit 23 may execute an allocation process.

[0054] (System Operation) Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing device 20 shown in Fig. 2. This operation corresponds to an example of the information processing method according to the present embodiment.

[0055] The control unit 23 executes an update process to update the usage history data of each of the multiple fuel cell vehicles 10 at a first time (step S1).

[0056] The control unit 23 executes an estimation process to estimate the degree of deterioration of the fuel cells 11 of each of the plurality of fuel cell vehicles 10 based on the usage history data of each of the plurality of fuel cell vehicles 10 (step S2).

[0057] At a second time, the control unit 23 executes an allocation process to preferentially allocate, among the multiple fuel cell vehicles 10, a driving route that places a smaller load on the fuel cell 11 to the fuel cell vehicle 10 having a greater degree of deterioration of the fuel cell 11 among the multiple fuel cell vehicles 10 (step S3).

[0058] Thus, in the information processing device 20 according to this embodiment, the control unit 23 preferentially assigns, among the multiple travel routes, a travel route that places a smaller load on the fuel cell 11 to a fuel cell vehicle 10 having a greater degree of deterioration of the fuel cell 11 among the multiple fuel cell vehicles 10. With this configuration, it is possible to equalize the degree of deterioration of the fuel cells 11 provided in each of the multiple fuel cell vehicles 10. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a technique for equalizing the degree of deterioration of the fuel cells 11 provided in each of the multiple fuel cell vehicles 10.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 23 may execute an estimation process for estimating the degree of deterioration of the fuel cell 11 of the fuel cell vehicle 10 based on the usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle 10.

[0060] Here, the control unit 23 can also obtain the degree of deterioration of the fuel cell 11 from the current-voltage characteristics of the fuel cell 11 acquired in the fuel cell vehicle 10. However, the current-voltage characteristics of the fuel cell 11 acquired in the fuel cell vehicle 10 may change depending on the state of the fuel cell vehicle 10, such as the accelerator opening degree, when the current-voltage characteristics are acquired. In other words, the current-voltage characteristics of the fuel cell 11 acquired in the fuel cell vehicle 10 may not be accurate. Therefore, the degree of deterioration of the fuel cell 11 may not be accurately obtained from the current-voltage characteristics of the fuel cell 11 acquired in the fuel cell vehicle 10. In contrast, in this embodiment, the degree of deterioration of the fuel cell 11 can be estimated with high accuracy by estimating the degree of deterioration of the fuel cell 11 of the fuel cell vehicle 10 based on the usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle 10.

[0061] Furthermore, in order to obtain accurate current-voltage characteristics of the fuel cell 11, it is necessary to remove the fuel cell 11 from the fuel cell vehicle 10 and perform a bench test. In this embodiment, by estimating the degree of deterioration of the fuel cell 11 of the fuel cell vehicle 10 based on the usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle 10, it is possible to obtain the degree of deterioration of the fuel cell 11 without performing a bench test.

[0062] Furthermore, the calculation processing capacity of the ECU of the fuel cell vehicle 10 is limited. Therefore, the ECU of the fuel cell vehicle 10 may not be able to accurately estimate the deterioration level of the fuel cell 11. In this embodiment, the control unit 23 of the information processing device 20 estimates the deterioration level of the fuel cell 11, so that the deterioration level of the fuel cell 11 can be estimated more accurately than when the ECU of the fuel cell vehicle 10 calculates the deterioration level of the fuel cell 11.

[0063] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 23 may update the usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle 10 at the first time. By updating the usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle 10, the deterioration level of the fuel cell 11 can be estimated with high accuracy.

[0064] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 23 may estimate the degree of degradation of the fuel cell 11 of the fuel cell vehicle 10 by correcting the measured data relating to the degradation degree of the fuel cell with the usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle 10. By correcting the measured data relating to the degradation degree of the fuel cell with the usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle 10, it is possible to estimate the degree of degradation of the fuel cell 11 without measuring data on the degradation degree of the fuel cell 11 by bench testing.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 23 may estimate the degree of deterioration of the fuel cell 11 of the fuel cell vehicle 10 using a learning model that outputs the degree of deterioration of the fuel cell 11 when usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle 10 is input. By using the learning model, the degree of deterioration of the fuel cell 11 can be estimated more easily.

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 23 may determine whether or not the estimated deterioration level of the fuel cell 11 falls below a threshold value. If the control unit 23 determines that the estimated deterioration level of the fuel cell 11 falls below the threshold value, the control unit 23 may transmit a message urging replacement of the fuel cell 11 together with identification information of the fuel cell vehicle 10 equipped with that fuel cell 11 to an external device via the network 2 through the communication unit 21. With this configuration, businesses and the like can know the timing to replace the fuel cell 11.

[0067] In this embodiment, the load on the fuel cell 11 along the travel route may be estimated based on the gradient of the road surface of the travel route. With this configuration, the load on the fuel cell 11 along the travel route can be estimated more easily than, for example, a case in which the fuel cell vehicle 10 actually travels along the travel route to obtain the load on the fuel cell 11.

[0068] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 23 may execute the allocation process for each second time. With such a configuration, it is possible to more accurately equalize the degree of deterioration of the fuel cells 11 equipped in each of the multiple fuel cell vehicles 10. Also, by setting the second time to a time that is after the time when the last bus ends its service and before the time when the first bus starts its service, it is possible to efficiently allocate a travel route to each of the multiple fuel cell vehicles 10.

[0069] In this embodiment, the control unit 23 may execute the allocation process at set time intervals. With this configuration, the degree of deterioration of the fuel cells 11 included in each of the multiple fuel cell vehicles 10 can be more accurately equalized.

[0070] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component or step can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple components or steps can be combined or divided into one.

[0071] Some of the embodiments of the present disclosure are exemplified below. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure Please note that this is not a limitation. [Appendix 1] An information processing device comprising a control unit that executes an allocation process for preferentially allocating, among a plurality of travel routes, a travel route that places a smaller load on the fuel cell to a fuel cell vehicle having a greater degree of degradation among a plurality of fuel cell vehicles. [Appendix 2] The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit executes an estimation process to estimate a degree of deterioration of the fuel cell based on usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle. [Appendix 3] 3. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit executes an update process for updating usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle at a preset first time. [Appendix 4] The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit executes the estimation process by correcting data relating to a measured deterioration level of the fuel cell using usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle. [Appendix 5] The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit executes the estimation process using a learning model that outputs the degree of deterioration of the fuel cell of the fuel cell vehicle when usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle is input. [Appendix 6] Further comprising a communication unit, The information processing device described in any one of Appendices 1 to 5, wherein when the control unit determines that the estimated degree of deterioration of the fuel cell is below a threshold value, the control unit transmits a message to an external device via the communication unit, encouraging replacement of the fuel cell along with identification information of the fuel cell vehicle equipped with the fuel cell whose degree of deterioration has been estimated. [Appendix 7] The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the load of the fuel cell on the travel route is estimated based on a gradient of a road surface of the travel route. [Appendix 8] The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control unit executes the allocation process at every second time that is set in advance. [Appendix 9] The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the control unit executes the allocation process at every preset time. [Appendix 10] the plurality of fuel cell vehicles are a plurality of buses, The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the plurality of operating routes are bus operating routes. [Appendix 11] The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the control unit determines an operation schedule for the plurality of buses. [Appendix 12] An information processing device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 11; and a plurality of fuel cell vehicles. [Appendix 13] An information processing method including performing an allocation process for preferentially allocating, among a plurality of travel routes, a travel route that places a smaller load on the fuel cell to a fuel cell vehicle having a greater degree of degradation among a plurality of fuel cell vehicles. [Appendix 14] 14. The information processing method according to claim 13, further comprising executing an estimation process for estimating a degree of deterioration of the fuel cell based on usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle. [Appendix 15] 15. The information processing method according to claim 13, further comprising: executing an update process for updating usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle at a preset first time. [Appendix 16] 16. The information processing method according to any one of appendices 13 to 15, wherein the estimation process is performed by correcting data relating to a measured deterioration level of the fuel cell using usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle. [Appendix 17] The information processing method according to any one of appendices 13 to 16, wherein the estimation process is performed by a learning model that outputs the degree of deterioration of the fuel cell of the fuel cell vehicle when usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle is input. [Appendix 18] An information processing method described in any one of Appendices 13 to 17, further comprising, when it is determined that the estimated degree of deterioration of the fuel cell is below a threshold value, transmitting to an external device a message prompting replacement of the fuel cell together with identification information of the fuel cell vehicle equipped with the estimated fuel cell. [Appendix 19] 19. The information processing method according to any one of appendices 13 to 18, wherein the allocation process is executed at every second time that is set in advance. [Appendix 20] 20. The information processing method according to any one of appendices 13 to 19, wherein the allocation process is executed at preset time intervals. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1 System 2 Network 10 Fuel cell vehicle 11 Fuel Cell 12 Communications Department 13 Storage section 14 Control section 20 Information processing device 21 Communications Department 22 Memory section 23 Control Unit

Claims

1. a control unit that executes an allocation process for preferentially allocating, among a plurality of travel routes, a travel route that places a smaller load on the fuel cell to a fuel cell vehicle having a greater degree of degradation among the plurality of fuel cell vehicles; The control unit executes the allocation process at every second time that is set in advance, the plurality of fuel cell vehicles are a plurality of buses, the plurality of operating routes are operating routes of the plurality of buses, The second time is a time after the time when the last bus stops operating and before the time when the first bus starts operating, according to an information processing device.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit executes an estimation process for estimating a degree of deterioration of the fuel cell based on usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle.

3. The information processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit executes an update process for updating the usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle at a preset first time.

4. The information processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit executes the estimation process by correcting data relating to the measured deterioration level of the fuel cell using usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle.

5. The information processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit executes the estimation process using a learning model that outputs a degree of deterioration of a fuel cell of the fuel cell vehicle when usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle is input.

6. Further comprising a communication unit, 3. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein when the control unit determines that the estimated degree of deterioration of the fuel cell is below a threshold value, the control unit transmits a message to an external device via the communication unit, encouraging replacement of the fuel cell along with identification information of the fuel cell vehicle equipped with the fuel cell whose degree of deterioration has been estimated.

7. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the load of the fuel cell on the travel route is estimated based on a gradient of a road surface of the travel route.

8. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit determines an operation schedule for the plurality of buses.

9. The information processing device according to claim 1 ; and a plurality of fuel cell vehicles.

10. and executing an allocation process for preferentially allocating, among a plurality of travel routes, a travel route that places a smaller load on the fuel cell to a fuel cell vehicle having a greater degree of degradation among the plurality of fuel cell vehicles; the allocation process is executed at every second time that is set in advance; the plurality of fuel cell vehicles are a plurality of buses, the plurality of operating routes are operating routes of the plurality of buses, In this information processing method, the second time is a time after the time when the last bus stops operating and before the time when the first bus starts operating.

11. The information processing method according to claim 10 , further comprising: executing an estimation process for estimating a degree of deterioration of the fuel cell based on usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle.

12. The information processing method according to claim 11, further comprising: executing an update process for updating the usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle at a preset first time.

13. The information processing method according to claim 11 , wherein the estimation process is executed by correcting data relating to the measured deterioration level of the fuel cell using usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle.

14. The information processing method according to claim 11 , wherein the estimation process is executed by a learning model that outputs a degree of deterioration of a fuel cell of the fuel cell vehicle when usage history data of the fuel cell vehicle is input.

15. The information processing method according to claim 11, further comprising, when it is determined that the estimated degree of deterioration of the fuel cell is below a threshold value, transmitting a message to an external device, together with identification information of a fuel cell vehicle equipped with the estimated fuel cell, to encourage replacement of the fuel cell.

Images