Collection and delivery system

Abstract

To provide a collection and delivery system that can, even when power may become insufficient because a collection and delivery plan has changed due to unexpected absence at a collection and delivery destinations, visit other collection and delivery destinations and return to a collection and delivery base.SOLUTION: A collection and delivery system comprises: vehicles each including a battery and collecting and delivering cargoes; a control device controlling the vehicles; and power supply facilities arranged at many places. The control device makes a collection and delivery plan in which the vehicle departs from a collection and delivery base, collects and delivers cargoes in order of collection and delivery times to reach collection and delivery destinations, and returns to a collection and delivery base. (S113). If a planned collection and delivery time to a next collection and delivery destination is later than a planned arrival time and a stored power amount exceeds power required for returning to the collection and delivery base via the next collection and delivery destination when the vehicle arrives at a certain collection and delivery destination but a cargo cannot be collected or delivered, the control device controls the vehicle to wait at the collection and delivery destination (S144). If the planned collection and delivery time to the next collection and delivery destination is later than the planned arrival time and the stored power amount falls below the power required for returning to the collection and delivery base via the next collection and delivery destination, the control device controls the vehicle to go to any of the power supply facilities (S145).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to a collection and delivery system, and more particularly, to a collection and delivery system for picking up or delivering packages. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been technology that charges an electric vehicle (hereinafter referred to as a "Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)") from a power supply device installed at the delivery destination when a delivery vehicle arrives at the delivery destination to deliver a package but the recipient is not there (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-140544 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when the delivery destination is not available, there is not necessarily a power supply device at the delivery destination, and charging may not be possible. For this reason, if the delivery vehicle is a vehicle with a relatively small battery capacity such as a small mobility vehicle, the power to go to the next delivery destination may not be enough. As a result, the delivery vehicle may not be able to go to the next delivery destination according to the delivery plan.

[0005] This disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a collection and delivery system that can return to the collection and delivery base by visiting other collection and delivery destinations even if there is a risk of a power shortage due to a change in the collection and delivery plan due to an unexpected absence of a collection or delivery destination, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The collection and delivery system according to the present disclosure is a collection and delivery system for collection or delivery, comprising a collection and delivery device having a power storage device that stores power for collection and delivery and that collects and delivers luggage, a control device that controls the collection and delivery device, and multiple power supply facilities arranged at various locations that supply power to the power storage device. The control device makes a collection and delivery plan in which the collection and delivery device departs from a collection and delivery base, collects and delivers to multiple collection and delivery destinations in the order of scheduled collection and delivery times, and returns to the collection and delivery base, and when the collection and delivery device reaches a certain collection and delivery destination but is unable to receive or deliver luggage at the collection and delivery destination, if the scheduled collection and delivery time to the next collection and delivery destination is later than the scheduled arrival time and the power stored in the power storage device is greater than the power required to return to the collection and delivery base via the next collection and delivery destination, the control device controls the collection and delivery device to wait at the collection and delivery destination, whereas when the scheduled collection and delivery time to the next collection and delivery destination is later than the scheduled arrival time and the power stored in the power storage device is less than the power required to return to the collection and delivery base via the next collection and delivery destination, the control device controls the collection and delivery device to head to one of the multiple power supply facilities.

[0007] According to this configuration, when the collection and delivery device reaches a certain collection and delivery destination but is unable to receive or deliver luggage at the collection and delivery destination, if the scheduled collection and delivery time to the next collection and delivery destination is later than the scheduled arrival time and the power stored in the power storage device is greater than the power required to return to the collection and delivery center via the next collection and delivery destination, the collection and delivery device waits at the collection and delivery destination, while if the scheduled collection and delivery time to the next collection and delivery destination is later than the scheduled arrival time and the power stored in the power storage device is less than the power required to return to the collection and delivery center via the next collection and delivery destination, the collection and delivery device heads to one of the multiple power supply facilities. Therefore, even if a change occurs in the collection and delivery plan, the collection and delivery device can return to the collection and delivery center by visiting at least the next collection and delivery destination. As a result, even if there is a possibility of a power shortage due to a change in the collection and delivery plan due to an unexpected absence of a collection and delivery destination, a collection and delivery system can be provided that can return to the collection and delivery center by visiting other collection and delivery destinations. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to this disclosure, a collection and delivery system can be provided that can return to the collection and delivery base by visiting other collection and delivery destinations even if there is a risk of a power shortage due to a change in the collection and delivery plan due to an unexpected absence of a collection or delivery destination. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a collection and delivery system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of collection and delivery processing according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining collection and delivery of parcels in this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference characters, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a collection and delivery system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The collection and delivery system 100 includes a server 1, vehicles 3 and 4, and a charging facility group 5. The server 1 manages collection and delivery of parcels by the vehicles 3 and 4. The vehicles 3 and 4 are electric vehicles for collection and delivery of parcels. The electric vehicles may be vehicles that use the power of a battery 30 as a power source, and may be, for example, electric vehicles (hereinafter also referred to as "Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)") or plug-in hybrid vehicles (hereinafter also referred to as "Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)"). The vehicle 4 is a small mobility vehicle, and the vehicle 3 is a vehicle other than the small mobility vehicle. The server 1 issues instructions to the vehicles 3 and 4 for collection and delivery of parcels, and manages the collection and delivery system 100. Although only one vehicle 3 and 4 are shown in FIG. 1, the collection and delivery system 100 includes a plurality of vehicles 3 and 4.

[0012] The charging facility group 5 includes a plurality of charging facilities 6 and a plurality of power transmission devices 70. The number of charging facilities 6 and power transmission devices 70 included in the charging facility group 5 is arbitrary. The vehicles 3 and 4 are configured to be capable of both charging the battery 30 using direct current power supplied from the charging facility 6 (hereinafter also referred to as "DC (Direct Current) charging") and charging the battery 30 using power transmitted contactlessly from the power transmission device 70 (hereinafter also referred to as "contactless charging"). The configuration of the vehicles 3 and 4 will be described later with reference to FIG. 2.

[0013] The charging equipment 6 is a contact-type charging equipment that supplies DC power. The charging equipment 6 includes a charging cable 61 and a charging connector 62. When DC charging is performed, the charging connector 62 is connected to the inlet 43 of the vehicles 3, 4.

[0014] The power transmitting device 70 has a power transmitting coil 71. The vehicles 3 and 4 each include a power receiving device 45 having a power receiving coil 451. When the power receiving device 45 is located directly above the power transmitting device 70, the power receiving coil 451 receives power from the power transmitting coil 71 in a wireless manner. The power transmitting device 70 is provided below the ground.

[0015] The server 1 includes a control device 10, a storage device 12, and a communication device 14. The control device 10, the storage device 12, and the communication device 14 are connected by a bus 16.

[0016] The control device 10 is configured, for example, by an integrated circuit including a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control device 10 is configured to execute predetermined arithmetic processing described in a program.

[0017] The storage device 12 includes primary storage devices such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and secondary storage devices such as a hard disk drive. The ROM stores programs executed by the control device 10. The RAM temporarily stores data generated by the execution of the programs in the control device 10 and data input via the communication device 14. The RAM also functions as a temporary data memory used as a working area. The secondary storage device also includes a database that stores vehicle information and map information, which will be described later.

[0018] The map information includes information on nodes indicating intersections, dead ends, etc., links formed by connecting the nodes, and facilities (buildings, parking lots, etc.) along the links. The map information also includes information on the specifications (e.g., charging method, charging capacity) and installation locations of each of the multiple charging facilities 6 and each of the multiple power transmission devices 70. Because new roads may be constructed, road shapes may be changed, charging facilities may be installed, or charging facilities may be replaced, the map information is periodically updated to the latest state by, for example, an administrator of the server 1.

[0019] Communication device 14 is configured to be capable of bidirectional communication with external devices via communication network 9. The external devices include, for example, communication devices 41 ( FIG. 2 ) of vehicles 3 and 4, each of the multiple charging equipment 6, and each of the multiple power transmission devices 70. Communication between communication device 14 and the external devices is performed, for example, by wired communication and wireless communication.

[0020] The control device 10 collects location information (GPS information) and SOC (State Of Charge) information from the vehicles 3, 4 via the communication device 14. These pieces of information are periodically transmitted from the vehicles 3, 4 to the server 1. The control device 10 associates the collected information (location information and SOC information) with a vehicle ID and stores it in the storage device 12 as "vehicle information." The vehicle ID information is information for uniquely identifying the vehicles 3, 4, and may be, for example, a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). The vehicle information further includes information on the make, year, model, specifications (including the specifications of the battery 30) and status (for example, the deterioration state and full charge capacity of the battery) of the vehicles 3, 4.

[0021] Furthermore, the control device 10 acquires information on the required power together with information on the vehicle ID from the vehicles 3, 4 via the communication device 14. The information on the required power is sent from the vehicles 3, 4 to the server 1, for example, when the vehicles 3, 4 request power supply. That is, the information on the required power indicates the power that the vehicles 3, 4 want to obtain from the power transmitting device 70. The server 1 links the information on the vehicle ID with the information on the required power and transmits it to the power transmitting device 70. As will be described later, the communication device 41 of the vehicles 3, 4 is configured to be capable of short-range communication with each of the multiple power transmitting devices 70. When each of the multiple power transmitting devices 70 receives information on the vehicle ID from the vehicles 3, 4 through short-range communication, it is driven to supply power indicated by the information on the required power linked to the vehicle ID.

[0022] In addition, the control device 10 cooperates with a navigation system 42 (FIG. 2) of the vehicles 3 and 4 to search for a route (driving route) to a destination inputted to the navigation system 42, and provides the search result (which may include multiple driving routes) to the navigation system 42.

[0023] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of vehicles 3 and 4 according to this embodiment. With reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the vehicles 3 and 4 include a battery 30, a monitoring unit 31, a system main relay (hereinafter also referred to as "SMR (System Main Relay)") 35, a power control unit (hereinafter also referred to as "PCU (Power Control Unit)") 36, a motor generator 37, a transmission gear 38, driving wheels 39, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 40, a communication device 41, a navigation system 42, and an automatic driving system 48.

[0024] The battery 30 is installed as a driving power source (i.e., a power source) of the vehicles 3 and 4. The battery 30 is an assembled battery including a plurality of cells. Each cell is, for example, a secondary battery such as a nickel-metal hydride battery or a lithium-ion battery. Each cell may be a battery having a liquid electrolyte between the positive and negative electrodes, or may be a battery having a solid electrolyte (all-solid-state battery).

[0025] The monitoring unit 31 monitors the state of the battery 30. The monitoring unit 31 includes a voltage sensor 32, a current sensor 33, and a temperature sensor 34. The voltage sensor 32 detects the voltage (battery voltage) VB of the battery 30, and outputs a signal indicating the detection result to the ECU 40. The current sensor 33 detects the input / output current (battery current) IB of the battery 30, and outputs a signal indicating the detection result to the ECU 40. The temperature sensor 34 detects the temperature (battery temperature) TB of the battery 30, and outputs a signal indicating the detection result to the ECU 40.

[0026] The SMR 35 is electrically connected to power lines PL, NL that connect the PCU 36 and the battery 30. When the SMR 35 is in a closed state, power is supplied from the battery 30 to the PCU 36. When the SMR 35 is in an open state, power is not supplied from the battery 30 to the PCU 36. The SMR 35 switches between a closed state and an open state in accordance with a control signal from the ECU 40.

[0027] In response to a control signal from the ECU 40, the PCU 36 converts the DC power stored in the battery 30 into AC power and supplies it to the motor generator 37. The PCU 36 also converts the AC power generated by the motor generator 37 into DC power and supplies it to the battery 30. The PCU 36 is configured to include, for example, an inverter and a converter that boosts the DC voltage supplied to the inverter to an output voltage of the battery 30 or higher.

[0028] The motor generator 37 is, for example, a three-phase AC synchronous motor with a permanent magnet embedded in the rotor. The motor generator 37 is driven by the PCU 36 to generate a rotational driving force. The driving force generated by the motor generator 37 is transmitted to the driving wheels 39 via a transmission gear 38.

[0029] The communication device 41 is configured to be capable of two-way communication with the communication device 14 of the server 1. The communication between the communication device 41 and the communication device 14 is performed, for example, by wireless communication. The communication device 41 is also configured to be capable of two-way communication with each of the multiple power transmission devices 70. The communication between the communication device 41 and each of the multiple power transmission devices 70 is performed, for example, by short-range communication.

[0030] The ECU 40 includes a CPU, memory (ROM and RAM), and input / output ports for inputting and outputting various signals (none of which are shown). The ECU 40 inputs signals from various sensors and outputs control signals to various devices, and also controls the various devices. Note that these controls are not limited to processing by software, and can also be processed by configuring dedicated hardware (electronic circuits).

[0031] The ECU 40 is configured to be able to calculate the SOC (State Of Charge) of the battery 30. As a method for calculating the SOC, various known methods can be adopted, such as a method based on current value integration (Coulomb counting) or a method based on open circuit voltage (OCV) estimation.

[0032] The ECU 40 transmits its own position information and SOC information to the server 1 via the communication device 41 at every predetermined control period. The position information transmitted to the server 1 is used by the server 1 to identify the positions of the vehicles 3 and 4. The SOC information is used by the server 1 in the process of determining a recommended route. In addition, when requesting power supply from a wireless charging lane, the ECU 40 transmits vehicle ID information and requested power information to the server 1 via the communication device 41.

[0033] Furthermore, the ECU 40 transmits information about the vehicle ID to the power transmitting device 70 by short-range communication via the communication device 41. The power transmitting device 70 detects that the vehicles 3 and 4 are located directly above it by receiving the information about the vehicle ID by short-range communication.

[0034] The automatic driving system 48 executes various controls (such as lane keeping control, navigation control, and stopping control) for realizing automatic driving of the vehicles 3 and 4 in cooperation with the ECU 40 based on inputs from the sensor group. The sensor group comprehensively describes sensors that detect the external situation of the vehicles 3 and 4, and detect information corresponding to the traveling state of the vehicles 3 and 4 and operations of the vehicles 3 and 4 (steering operation, accelerator operation, and brake operation). Although not shown, the sensor group may include, for example, a camera, a radar, a LIDAR (Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging), a vehicle speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, and a gyro sensor. In this embodiment, the vehicles 3 and 4 are configured to be capable of unmanned driving (fully automatic driving) by the automatic driving system 48. That is, the driving of the vehicles 3 and 4 does not require a driver to be on board or a driver to be operated under all circumstances. The vehicles 3 and 4 are configured to be operable by a driver.

[0035] The navigation system 42 guides the vehicles 3, 4 along their travel routes. The navigation system 42 includes a CPU, a memory, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, and a display with a touch panel, all of which are not shown. A map information database (DB) is configured in the memory. The CPU receives the latest map information from the server 1 and stores it in the map information DB. The GPS receiver identifies the positions of the vehicles 3, 4 based on radio waves from an artificial satellite (not shown). The CPU outputs the position information (GPS information) of the vehicles 3, 4 identified by the GPS receiver to the ECU 40 at every predetermined control period. The navigation system 42 executes various navigation processes (such as searching for a travel route) using the position information (GPS information) of the vehicles 3, 4 identified by the GPS receiver.

[0036] Vehicles 3 and 4 further include an inlet 43 and a charging relay 44 as components for performing DC charging.

[0037] Inlet 43 is configured so that a charging connector 62 provided at the tip of a charging cable 61 of charging equipment 6 can be connected to it. When DC charging is performed, charging connector 62 is connected to inlet 43. By inserting charging connector 62 into inlet 43, inlet 43 and charging equipment 6 are electrically connected to each other, and power transfer (contact charging) from charging equipment 6 to vehicles 3, 4 becomes possible.

[0038] The charging relay 44 is a relay for electrically connecting and disconnecting the inlet 43 and the battery 30. The charging relay 44 is electrically connected between the inlet 43 and the battery 30. The charging relay 44 switches between a closed state and an open state in accordance with a control signal from the ECU 40.

[0039] Vehicles 3 and 4 further include a power receiving device 45, a charging relay 46, and a DC / DC converter 47 as components for performing contactless charging.

[0040] DC / DC converter 47 is electrically connected between power receiving device 45 and power lines PL, NL. DC / DC converter 47 converts the voltage of the DC power received from power receiving device 45 into a voltage for charging battery 30 in accordance with a control signal from ECU 40.

[0041] The charging relay 46 is a relay for electrically connecting / disconnecting the power receiving device 45 and the DC / DC converter 47. The charging relay 46 is electrically connected between the power receiving device 45 and the DC / DC converter 47. The charging relay 46 switches between a closed state and an open state in accordance with a control signal from the ECU 40.

[0042] The power receiving device 45 is disposed, for example, on the underside of a floor panel of the vehicle 3, 4. The power receiving device 45 includes a power receiving coil 451. The power receiving coil 451 receives the power transmitted from the power transmitting device 70 in a wireless manner. The power receiving device 45 rectifies the power transmitted from the power transmitting device 70 and outputs the rectified power to the charging relay 46.

[0043] The power transmitting device 70 receives a supply of electric power from an AC power source 8. The AC power source 8 is, for example, a commercial power supply system. The power transmitting device 70 includes a power transmitting coil 71 (FIG. 1).

[0044] In the above-mentioned configuration, when the vehicles 3, 4 arrive at the delivery destination to deliver the package and the delivery destination is not present, there is a technique for charging the vehicles 3, 4 from a power supply device such as the charging facility 6 and the power transmission device 70 provided at the delivery destination. However, when the delivery destination is not present, there is not necessarily a power supply device at the delivery destination, and there are cases where charging is not possible. For this reason, when the vehicle 4 has a relatively small battery capacity such as a small mobility vehicle, the power for going around to the subsequent delivery destinations is insufficient. As a result, there is a possibility that the vehicle 4 will not be able to go around to the subsequent delivery destinations according to the delivery plan.

[0045] Therefore, the ECU 40 creates a collection and delivery plan in which the vehicle 4 departs from a collection and delivery center, makes collection and delivery to multiple collection and delivery destinations in the order of their scheduled collection and delivery times, and returns to the collection and delivery center.When the vehicle 4 reaches a collection and delivery destination but is unable to receive or deliver the package at that destination, if the scheduled collection and delivery time for the next collection and delivery destination is later than the scheduled arrival time and the power stored in the battery 30 is greater than the power required to return to the collection and delivery center via the next collection and delivery destination, the ECU 40 controls the vehicle 4 to wait at the collection and delivery destination.On the other hand, if the scheduled collection and delivery time for the next collection and delivery destination is later than the scheduled arrival time and the power stored in the battery 30 is less than the power required to return to the collection and delivery center via the next collection and delivery destination, the ECU 40 controls the vehicle 4 to head to one of the power supply facilities in the group of charging facilities 5.

[0046] As a result, when the vehicle 4 reaches a certain collection and delivery destination but is unable to receive or deliver luggage at the collection and delivery destination, if the scheduled collection and delivery time to the next collection and delivery destination is later than the scheduled arrival time and the power stored in the battery 30 is greater than the power required to return to the collection and delivery center via the next collection and delivery destination, the vehicle 4 waits at the collection and delivery destination, whereas if the scheduled collection and delivery time to the next collection and delivery destination is later than the scheduled arrival time and the power stored in the battery 30 is less than the power required to return to the collection and delivery center via the next collection and delivery destination, the vehicle 4 heads to one of the power supply facilities in the charging facility group 5. Therefore, even if a change occurs in the collection and delivery plan, the vehicle 4 can return to the collection and delivery center by at least visiting the next collection and delivery destination. As a result, even if there is a possibility of a power shortage due to a change in the collection and delivery plan due to an unexpected absence of a collection and delivery destination, the vehicle 4 can return to the collection and delivery center by visiting other collection and delivery destinations.

[0047] 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of collection and delivery processing according to this embodiment. The collection and delivery processing program is stored in the memory of the ECU 40 of the vehicle 4, and is periodically called by the ECU 40 from a higher-level process and executed.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 3, the ECU 40 of the vehicle 4 judges whether or not a parcel is currently being collected or delivered (step S111). If it is judged that a parcel is not currently being collected or delivered (NO in step S111), the ECU 40 judges whether or not a new collection / delivery request has been received from the server 1 (step S112). The collection / delivery request includes a combination of information on the delivery destination of the parcel (name, title, address, telephone number, etc.), a scheduled delivery time, and information identifying the parcel to be delivered, and a combination of information on the collection destination of the parcel (name, title, address, telephone number, etc.), a scheduled collection time, and information identifying the parcel to be collected. The scheduled delivery time and scheduled collection time are agreed upon in advance between the delivery destination and the collection destination. If it is judged that a collection / delivery request has not been received (NO in step S112), the ECU 40 returns the process to be executed to the upper process that called this collection / delivery process.

[0049] Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining collection and delivery of parcels in this embodiment. Referring to Fig. 4 in addition to Fig. 3, when it is determined that a collection and delivery request has been received (YES in step S112), the ECU 40 creates a collection and delivery plan (step S113). The collection and delivery plan is a plan in which the vehicle 4 departs from the collection and delivery base 101, collects and delivers to a plurality of collection and delivery destinations 102A to 102C in the order of scheduled collection and delivery times, and returns to the collection and delivery base 101.

[0050] Next, the ECU 40 executes a loading process (step S114). In this embodiment, the loading process is a process of displaying or audio-presenting to a staff member at the collection and delivery base 101 an instruction to load the parcels 51 included in the collection and delivery plan, among the parcels 51 placed in the vehicle 3 or the collection and delivery base 101, onto the collection and delivery vehicle 4. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and in the case where an automatic loading and unloading equipment or a robot executes the task of loading parcels onto the vehicle 4, the loading process is a process of transmitting an instruction to the automatic loading and unloading equipment or the robot to load the parcels 51 included in the collection and delivery plan, among the parcels 51 placed in the vehicle 3 or the collection and delivery base 101, onto the vehicle 4.

[0051] When the ECU 40 recognizes the end of loading, it controls the vehicle 4 in cooperation with the automatic driving system 48 to start moving to the first collection and delivery destination in automatic driving (step S115). Before departing from the collection and delivery base 101, the vehicle 4 is charged with the power required for collection and delivery according to the collection and delivery plan by the charging equipment 6 receiving power from the AC power source 8C.

[0052] After step S115, or if it is determined that the vehicle 4 is in the process of collection or delivery (YES in step S111), the ECU 40 uses the position information from the navigation system 42 to determine whether or not the vehicle 4 has arrived at the collection or delivery destination (step S121). If it is determined that the vehicle 4 has not arrived at the collection or delivery destination (NO in step S121), the ECU 40 determines whether or not the vehicle 4 is waiting at the collection or delivery destination (step S122).

[0053] When it is determined that the vehicle 4 has arrived at the collection / delivery destination (YES in step S121) or is waiting at the collection / delivery destination (YES in step S122), the ECU 40 determines whether the parcels 51, 52 can be delivered at the collection / delivery destination (step S131). Whether the parcels 51, 52 can be delivered at the collection / delivery destination is determined, for example, by sending an e-mail to a pre-registered smartphone of a person at the collection / delivery destination before the vehicle 4 arrives at the collection / delivery destination (for example, immediately before the vehicle 4 arrives or several minutes before the vehicle 4 arrives), and by determining whether a reply e-mail to the e-mail indicating that the parcels 51, 52 can be delivered is received. Note that the method of contacting the person in advance is not limited to notification by e-mail, and may be another method, and may use another SNS (Social Networking Service).

[0054] When it is determined that the parcels 51, 52 can be delivered (YES in step S131), the ECU 40 executes a parcel delivery process (step S132). In this embodiment, the parcel delivery process is a process of displaying or sounding a message to a person at the collection / delivery destination approaching the vehicle 4 that has arrived at the collection / delivery destination, urging the person to receive the parcel 51 to the delivery destination among the parcels 51 loaded in the vehicle 4, or urging the person to load the parcel 52 to be collected that has been notified in advance into the vehicle 4. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when the vehicle 4 is equipped with a device that automatically executes the delivery of the parcels 51, 52, the parcel delivery process is a process of transmitting an instruction to the device to deliver the parcel 51 to the delivery destination, or an instruction to receive the parcel 52 from the collection destination.

[0055] When the ECU 40 recognizes the end of the delivery of the packages 51 and 52, the ECU 40 judges whether the destination is the final destination in the delivery plan (step S133). If it is judged that the destination is not the final destination (NO in step S133), the ECU 40 controls the vehicle 4 to start moving to the next destination by automatic driving in cooperation with the automatic driving system 48 (step S134). On the other hand, if it is judged that the destination is the final destination (YES in step S133), the ECU 40 controls the vehicle 4 to start moving to the collection and delivery base 101 by automatic driving in cooperation with the automatic driving system 48 (step S135). After step S134 or step S135, the ECU 40 returns the process to be executed to the upper process that called this collection and delivery process.

[0056] On the other hand, if it is determined that the parcels 51, 52 cannot be delivered (NO in step S131), the ECU 40 determines whether there is sufficient time until the scheduled delivery time of the next destination (step S141). For example, whether there is sufficient time until the next scheduled delivery time is determined based on whether the time required to reach the next destination and a predetermined margin time (which may be a fixed time such as 5 minutes or 10 minutes, or may be a variable time that becomes longer as the SOC of the battery 30 is lower) added to the current time exceeds the next scheduled delivery time.

[0057] If it is determined that there is not enough time until the next scheduled collection / delivery time (NO in step S141), the ECU 40 cooperates with the automatic driving system 48 to control the vehicle 4 to start moving to the next collection / delivery destination by automatic driving (step S142).

[0058] On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a margin until the next scheduled collection / delivery time (YES in step S141), the ECU 40 determines whether or not there is a margin of power stored in the battery 30 for future collection / delivery (step S143). In this embodiment, if the power stored in the battery 30 is less than the power required to return to the collection / delivery base 101 via the next collection / delivery destination without passing through any subsequent collection / delivery destinations, it is determined that there is no margin of power. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be determined that there is no margin of power when the power stored in the battery 30 is less than the power required to return to the collection / delivery base 101 via all subsequent collection / delivery destinations.

[0059] If it is determined that there is sufficient power for future collection and delivery (YES in step S143), the ECU 40 controls the vehicle 4 to wait at the collection and delivery destination (step S144). On the other hand, if it is determined that there is not sufficient power for future collection and delivery (NO in step S143), the ECU 40 controls the vehicle 4 to start moving in an automatic driving manner to a power supply facility (for example, the power transmission devices 70A and 70B and the charging facility 6 receiving power from the AC power sources 8A and 8B in FIG. 4) near the collection and delivery destination in cooperation with the automatic driving system 48 (step S145). After step S144 or step S145, the ECU 40 returns the process to be executed to the upper process that called this collection and delivery process.

[0060] If it is determined that the vehicle 4 has not yet reached the collection / delivery destination (NO in step S121) and that the vehicle 4 is not waiting at the collection / delivery destination (NO in step S122), the ECU 40 uses the position information from the navigation system 42 to determine whether the vehicle 4 has reached the power supply equipment (step S123).

[0061] When it is determined that the vehicle 4 has reached the power feeding facility (YES in step S123), the ECU 40 executes the charging process (step S124). In this embodiment, the charging process is a process of moving the vehicle 4 so that the power receiving coil 451 of the power receiving device 45 of the vehicle 4 is located directly above the power transmitting coil 71 of the power transmitting devices 70A, 70B, and then switching the charging relay 46 to a closed state and operating the DC / DC converter 47. This starts contactless charging from the power transmitting device 70 to the vehicle 4. Note that the charging process may also be a process of prompting a staff member of the charging facility 6 to connect the charging connector 62 of the charging facility 6 to the inlet 43, and switching the charging relay 44 to a closed state after the connection is detected.

[0062] After the power required to return to the collection and delivery center 101 via subsequent collection and delivery destinations has been charged, the ECU 40, in cooperation with the automatic driving system 48, controls the vehicle 4 to start moving in automatic driving to the next collection and delivery destination (step S125).

[0063] When it is determined that the vehicle 4 has not arrived at the power supply facility (NO in step S123), or after step S125, the ECU 40 determines whether the vehicle 4 has returned to the collection and delivery base 101 (step S126). When it is determined that the vehicle 4 has returned to the collection and delivery base 101 (YES in step S126), the ECU 40 executes unloading processing (step S127). In this embodiment, the unloading processing is processing for displaying or audio-presenting to the staff of the collection and delivery base 101 an instruction to unload the collected parcels 52 and the undeliverable parcels 51 from the vehicle 4 to the collection and delivery base 101. However, the unloading processing is not limited to this, and when an automatic loading and unloading equipment or a robot executes the unloading work from the vehicle 4, the unloading processing is processing for transmitting an instruction to the automatic loading and unloading equipment or the robot to unload the collected parcels 52 and the undeliverable parcels 51 from the vehicle 4 to the collection and delivery base 101.

[0064] If it is determined that it is not time to return to the collection / delivery base (NO in step S126), or after step S127, ECU 40 returns the process to be executed to the upper process that called this collection / delivery process.

[0065] [Variations] (1) In the above-described embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the vehicles 3, 4 have both the inlet 43 for contact charging and the power receiving device 45 for contactless charging. However, this is not limited thereto, and the vehicles 3, 4 may have at least one of the inlet 43 for contact charging and the power receiving device 45 for contactless charging. When the vehicles 3, 4 have only the power receiving device 45 for contactless charging, it is preferable that the power supply equipment arranged at each location is the power transmitting device 70 compatible with contactless charging. When the vehicles 3, 4 have only the inlet 43 for contact charging, it is preferable that the power supply equipment arranged at each location is the charging equipment 6 compatible with contact charging.

[0066] (2) In the above-described embodiment, the vehicles 3 and 4 are BEVs or PHEVs as shown in Figures 1 and 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the vehicles 3 and 4 may be FCEVs (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles) configured to enable external charging by contact charging or non-contact charging.

[0067] (3) In the embodiment described above, charging via inlet 43 of vehicles 3, 4 is DC charging, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. However, this is not limited thereto, and vehicles 3, 4 may be configured to enable alternating current (AC) charging via inlet 43, or may be configured to enable both AC charging and DC charging.

[0068] (4) In the above-described embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, the collection and delivery device that has a power storage device that stores power for collection and delivery and collects and delivers luggage is a small mobility vehicle 4. However, without being limited to this, the collection and delivery device may be another device as long as it has a power storage device that stores power for collection and delivery and collects and delivers luggage, and may be, for example, a vehicle that is not a small mobility vehicle, a drone, or a robot.

[0069] (5) In the embodiment described above, the process for collecting and delivering packages is executed by the ECU 40 of the vehicle 4 as shown in Fig. 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The process may be executed by the control device 10 of the server 1 instead of the ECU 40 of the vehicle 4 or in cooperation with the ECU 40 of the vehicle 4.

[0070] (6) In the embodiment described above, the packages 51, 52 are handed over between the vehicle 4 and the person at the collection / delivery destination as shown in step S132 in Fig. 3. However, this is not limited to this, and if an agreement has been obtained with the collection / delivery destination, the packages 51, 52 may be handed over by placing the package 51 at a predetermined location at the collection / delivery destination (for example, a delivery box or at the front door) or by receiving the package 52 from the predetermined location.

[0071] (7) In the embodiment described above, as shown in Fig. 4, the vehicle 4 performs collection and delivery on a flat surface. However, this is not limited to this, and collection and delivery may be performed on upper floors of a building using an elevator or the like.

[0072] (8) In the embodiment described above, the case where a delivery destination cannot be reached due to unexpected trouble on the delivery route, such as road construction or elevator failure, was not taken into consideration, as shown in Fig. 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the delivery may be canceled or the delivery plan may be changed to one that takes a different route.

[0073] (9) In the above-described embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4, the power supply equipment is not provided at the collection and delivery destination. However, this is not limited to the above, and the power supply equipment may be provided at the collection and delivery destination, and the power supply equipment provided at the collection and delivery destination may be included when searching for the power supply equipment in step S145 of Fig. 3. When the power supply equipment at the collection and delivery destination is used, an incentive (for example, a discount on the collection and delivery fee, or points that can be used for the collection and delivery fee) may be provided to the collection and delivery destination.

[0074] (10) The above-described embodiments can be understood as disclosures of collection and delivery system 100, vehicles 3, 4 or server 1 included in collection and delivery system 100, and a collection and delivery method, a collection and delivery processing program, or a medium carrying a collection and delivery processing program in these systems or devices.

[0075] [summary] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the collection and delivery system 100 is a system for collection or delivery, and includes a vehicle 4 having a battery 30 that stores power for collection and delivery and collects and delivers luggage 51, 52, a control device that controls the vehicle 4 (for example, it may be the ECU 40 of the vehicle 4, or the control device 10 of the server 1, or it may be a virtual control device in which both cooperate with each other), and a plurality of power supply equipment (for example, it may be a power transmission device 70 or it may be charging equipment 6) arranged at various locations and supplying power to the battery 30.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the control device makes a collection and delivery schedule in which the vehicle 4 departs from the collection and delivery base 101, collects and delivers to a plurality of collection and delivery destinations 102A to 102C in the order of the scheduled collection and delivery times, and returns to the collection and delivery base 101 (for example, step S113 in FIG. 3). When the vehicle 4 arrives at a certain collection and delivery destination but is unable to receive or deliver the packages 51, 52 at the collection and delivery destination, if the scheduled collection and delivery time to the next collection and delivery destination is later than the scheduled arrival time and the power stored in the battery 30 is greater than the power required to return to the collection and delivery base 101 via the next collection and delivery destination, the control device controls the vehicle 4 to wait at the collection and delivery destination (for example, step S144 in FIG. 3). On the other hand, if the scheduled collection and delivery time to the next collection and delivery destination is later than the scheduled arrival time and the power stored in the battery 30 is less than the power required to return to the collection and delivery base 101 via the next collection and delivery destination, the control device controls the vehicle 4 to head to one of a plurality of power supply facilities (for example, step S145).

[0077] As a result, when the vehicle 4 reaches a certain collection and delivery destination but is unable to receive and deliver the luggage 51, 52 at the collection and delivery destination, if the scheduled collection and delivery time to the next collection and delivery destination is later than the scheduled arrival time and the power stored in the battery 30 is greater than the power required to return to the collection and delivery base 101 via the next collection and delivery destination, the vehicle 4 waits at the collection and delivery destination, whereas if the scheduled collection and delivery time to the next collection and delivery destination is later than the scheduled arrival time and the power stored in the battery 30 is less than the power required to return to the collection and delivery base 101 via the next collection and delivery destination, the vehicle 4 heads to one of the multiple power supply facilities. Therefore, even if a change occurs in the collection and delivery plan, the vehicle 4 can return to the collection and delivery base 101 by going around at least the next collection and delivery destination. As a result, even if there is a possibility of a shortage of power due to a change in the collection and delivery plan due to an unexpected absence of a collection and delivery destination, in collection and delivery using the vehicle 4 with a relatively small capacity of the battery 30, the vehicle 4 can return to the collection and delivery base 101 by going around other collection and delivery destinations.

[0078] It is also intended that the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented in appropriate combination. The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the claims, not by the description of the above-mentioned embodiments, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1 server, 3, 4 vehicle, 5 charging equipment group, 6 charging equipment, 8, 8A, 8B, 8C AC power source, 9 communication network, 10 control device, 12 storage device, 14, 41 communication device, 16 bus, 30 battery, 31 monitoring unit, 32 voltage sensor, 33 current sensor, 34 temperature sensor, 35 SMR, 36 PCU, 37 motor generator, 38 transmission gear, 39 drive wheel, 40 ECU, 42 navigation system, 43 inlet, 44, 46 charging relay, 45 power receiving device, 47 DC / DC converter, 48 autonomous driving system, 51, 52 luggage, 61 charging cable, 62 charging connector, 70, 70A, 70B power transmission device, 71 power transmission coil, 100 collection and delivery system, 101 collection and delivery base, 102A to 102C collection and delivery destination, 451 Receiver coil.

Claims

[Claim 1] A collection and delivery system for collection or delivery, comprising: A collection and delivery device that has a power storage device that stores power for collection and delivery and collects and delivers luggage; A control device for controlling the collection and delivery device; a plurality of power supply facilities arranged at various locations to supply power to the power storage device; The control device includes: A collection and delivery schedule is made in which the collection and delivery device departs from a collection and delivery base, collects and delivers to a plurality of collection and delivery destinations in the order of scheduled collection and delivery times, and returns to the collection and delivery base; When the collection and delivery device notifies a communication terminal of a collection and delivery destination before arriving at the destination that the collection and delivery device will soon arrive, but does not receive a reply indicating that the package can be received at the destination, and it is determined that the package cannot be received at the destination, When the scheduled delivery time to the next delivery destination is later than the scheduled arrival time, and the power stored in the power storage device exceeds the power required to return to the delivery base via the next delivery destination, the delivery device is controlled to wait at the delivery destination, A collection and delivery system that controls the collection and delivery device to head to one of the multiple power supply facilities when the scheduled collection and delivery time to the next collection and delivery destination is later than the scheduled arrival time and the power stored in the power storage device is less than the power required to return to the collection and delivery center via the next collection and delivery destination.

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