Server device

Abstract

To improve supply power replenishment efficiency.SOLUTION: A server device is provided, comprising a communication unit, and a control unit configured to communicate, via the communication unit, with multiple power supply vehicles leaving for a power provision destination from a power supply base and returning to the supply base to instruct a returning first power supply vehicle and a dispatched second power supply vehicle to get together at a meeting point and transfer remaining power of the first power supply vehicle to the second power supply vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a server device. [Background technology]

[0002] Battery-powered electric vehicles (EVs) and the like may experience a power shortage, i.e., a battery-depleted state, while traveling. Various technologies have been proposed to resolve or avoid such situations. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which a battery-depleted vehicle is charged by another vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-093968 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A power supply vehicle that supplies power to a vehicle that is out of power needs to charge the power supply battery to replenish the power supply when supplying power, but there is room for improvement in the efficiency of replenishment of power supply.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a server device and the like that enables improvement in the replenishment efficiency of power supply. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The server device in the present disclosure includes a communication unit and a control unit that communicates with a plurality of power supply vehicles that dispatch from a power supply base to a power supply destination and return to the power supply base via the communication unit, and instructs a first power supply vehicle that is returning and a second power supply vehicle that is dispatched to meet at a meeting point and provide the remaining power of the first power supply vehicle to the second power supply vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the server device and the like of the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the efficiency of supplying power. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a vehicle management system. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation procedure of the server device and the power supply vehicle. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation procedure of the server device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a vehicle management system according to an embodiment. The vehicle management system 1 includes one or more server devices 10 and multiple power supply vehicles 12, which are connected to each other via a network 11 so as to be able to communicate information with each other. The server device 10 is, for example, a server computer that belongs to a cloud computing system or other computing system and functions as a server that implements various functions. The power supply vehicle 12 is a passenger car or commercial vehicle equipped with communication and information processing functions and is connected to the network 11 via a mobile communication network. The power supply vehicle 12 is equipped with a battery 15 as a power source for supplying power to other vehicles that are out of battery. The power supply vehicle 12 is, for example, a gasoline-powered vehicle, or a vehicle powered by power from the equipped battery 15, such as an electric vehicle (BEV; Battery Electric Vehicle), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV; Hybrid Electric Vehicle), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV; Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), or a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV; Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle). The power supply vehicle 12 may be driven by a driver or may be automated to an arbitrary level. The network 11 is, for example, the Internet, but may also include an ad-hoc network, a LAN, a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), or other network, or any combination thereof.

[0011] In this embodiment, the vehicle management system 1 is a system for supporting on-site charging of vehicles such as BEVs, HEVs, and PHEVs (hereinafter referred to as "vehicles that are low on power") by a power supply vehicle 12. On-site charging is a mode of supplying power by having the power supply vehicle 12 travel to the location of the vehicle that is low on power and charging the battery of the vehicle that is low on power from the battery 15 of the power supply vehicle 12. In the vehicle management system 1, the multiple power supply vehicles 12 sequentially perform on-site power supply rotations under the control of the server device 10. One rotation includes the power supply vehicle 12 dispatching from a power supply base to a power supply destination and returning to the power supply base. The power supply base is, for example, a charging station. The supply destination is, for example, the location of the vehicle that is low on power (hereinafter referred to as a power supply position).

[0012] The control unit 103 of the server device 10 instructs the returning power supply vehicle 12 and the dispatched power supply vehicle 12 to merge at the junction and provide the remaining power of the power supply vehicle 12 during the period to the dispatched power supply vehicle 12. Here, the power supply vehicle 12 during the period is the power supply vehicle 12 that completes power supply at the supply destination and then returns to the power supply base. Also, the dispatched power supply vehicle 12 is the power supply vehicle 12 that has dispatched from the supply base and has not yet completed power supply at the supply destination. When the dispatched power supply vehicle 12 supplies power to multiple destinations, even if the power supply power decreases before the power supply is completed, it is possible to more reliably avoid a power supply shortage by receiving the remaining power from the returning power supply vehicle 12. Therefore, it is possible to improve the efficiency of supplying power to the power supply vehicle 12.

[0013] Next, a configuration example of the server device 10 will be described. The server device 10 has a communication unit 101, a storage unit 102, and a control unit 103. The server device 10 is, for example, a single computer. Alternatively, the server device 10 may be configured with two or more computers that are communicably connected and operate in cooperation with each other. In this case, the configuration shown in FIG. 1 is appropriately arranged in the two or more computers.

[0014] The communication unit 101 includes one or more communication interfaces. The communication interface is, for example, a LAN interface. The communication unit 101 receives information used in the operation of the server device 10 and transmits information obtained by the operation of the server device 10. The server device 10 is connected to a network 11 by the communication unit 101 and communicates information with the power supply vehicle 12 and the facility 13 via the network 11.

[0015] The storage unit 102 includes, for example, one or more semiconductor memories, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two of these, that function as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The semiconductor memories are, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory) or ROM (Read Only Memory). The RAM is, for example, SRAM (Static RAM) or DRAM (Dynamic RAM). The ROM is, for example, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM). The storage unit 102 stores information used in the operation of the control unit 103 and information obtained by the operation of the control unit 103.

[0016] The control unit 103 includes one or more processors, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) specialized for a specific process. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc. The control unit 103 executes information processing related to the operation of the server device 10 while controlling each unit of the server device 10.

[0017] The functions of the server device 10 are realized by executing a control program on a processor included in the control unit 103. The control program is a program that causes a computer to execute processing of steps included in the operation of the server device 10, thereby causing the computer to realize functions corresponding to the processing of those steps. In other words, the control program is a program that causes a computer to function as the server device 10. Also, some or all of the functions of the server device 10 may be realized by a dedicated circuit included in the control unit 103. Also, the control program may be stored in a non-transitory recording / storage medium that is readable by the server device 10, and read by the server device 10 from the medium.

[0018] Next, an example configuration of the power supply vehicle 12 will be described. The power supply vehicle 12 includes an in-vehicle device 14 and a battery 15. The in-vehicle device 14 includes a communication unit 121, a storage unit 122, a control unit 123, a positioning unit 124, an input unit 125, an output unit 126, and a detection unit 127. One or more of these units may be configured as a single control device, or may be configured as a personal computer including a tablet terminal, a smartphone terminal, or a navigation device. Alternatively, the units may be connected to each other so as to be able to communicate information via an in-vehicle network conforming to a standard such as CAN (Controller Area Network). The units of the in-vehicle device 14 are configured to be operable by the battery 15, for example, even when the power supply vehicle 12 is parked and accessories are turned off. The battery 15 is a battery that charges and discharges power for supplying power to a vehicle that is low on battery. The battery 15 may also include a battery that charges and discharges power for driving the power supply vehicle 12. The battery 15 is, for example, one or more lithium-ion batteries.

[0019] The communication unit 121 includes one or more communication interfaces. The communication interfaces are interfaces compatible with mobile communication standards such as LTE, 4G, or 5G. The communication unit 121 receives information used in the operation of the control unit 123 and transmits information obtained by the operation of the control unit 123. The control unit 123 is connected to the network 11 via a mobile communication base station by the communication unit 121, and communicates information with the server device 10 and the like via the network 11.

[0020] The storage unit 122 includes one or more semiconductor memories, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memories are, for example, RAM or ROM. The RAM is, for example, SRAM or DRAM. The ROM is, for example, EEPROM. The storage unit 122 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 122 stores information used in the operation of the control unit 123 and information obtained by the operation of the in-vehicle device 14.

[0021] The control unit 123 includes one or more processors, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA or an ASIC. The control unit 123 executes information processing related to the operation of the power supply vehicle 12 while controlling each part of the on-board device 14.

[0022] The positioning unit 124 includes one or more GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receivers. GNSS includes, for example, at least one of GPS (Global Positioning System), QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System), BeiDou, GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System), and Galileo. The positioning unit 124 acquires position information of the power supply vehicle 12.

[0023] The input unit 125 includes one or more input interfaces. The input interface is, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, a touch screen integrated with a display, or a microphone that accepts voice input. The input interface may further include a camera that captures captured images or image codes, or an IC card reader. The input unit 125 accepts an operation to input information used in the operation of the control unit 123 and sends the input information to the control unit 123.

[0024] The output unit 126 includes one or more output interfaces. The output interface is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The output unit 126 outputs information obtained by the operation of the control unit 123.

[0025] The detection unit 127 has one or more sensors or an interface with one or more sensors that detect the state of each part of the power supply vehicle 12. The sensors include, for example, a sensor that detects the remaining battery charge of the battery 15, a sensor that detects the motion state (speed, longitudinal acceleration, lateral acceleration, deceleration, etc.) of the power supply vehicle 12, etc. The detection unit 127 sends information indicating each state detected by the sensor to the control unit 123.

[0026] The functions of control unit 123 are realized by executing a control program on a processor included in control unit 123. The control program is a program that causes a computer to execute processing of steps included in the operation of control unit 123, thereby causing the computer to realize functions corresponding to the processing of those steps. In other words, the control program is a program that causes a computer to function as control unit 123. Furthermore, some or all of the functions of control unit 123 may be realized by a dedicated circuit included in control unit 123.

[0027] Fig. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a procedure for the cooperative operation between the server device 10 and the power supply vehicle 12. Steps relating to various information processing in the server device 10 and the power supply vehicle 12 in Fig. 2 are executed by the respective control units 103 and 123. Furthermore, steps relating to the transmission and reception of various information in the server device 10 and the power supply vehicle 12 are executed by the respective control units 103 and 123 transmitting and receiving information to each other via the respective communication units 101 and 121. In the server device 10 and the power supply vehicle 12, the control units 103 and 123 store the information to be processed and transmitted and received in the respective storage units 102 and 122 as appropriate.

[0028] The procedure in FIG. 2 is an example of a procedure when the server device 10 dispatches a power supply vehicle 12 for on-site charging. The procedure in FIG. 2 is executed when the server device 10 determines that on-site charging is necessary for a vehicle that is out of power. For example, the server device 10 determines that on-site charging is necessary when the server device 10 receives a power supply request from another vehicle such as a BEV, HEV, or PHEV, or when it determines that a vehicle is out of power based on the remaining battery capacity of each vehicle collected from other vehicles. The determination of whether a vehicle is out of power is made by each vehicle or the server device 10. For example, a vehicle is determined to be out of power when the SOC (State of Charge) value of the vehicle's battery falls below an arbitrary standard, for example, 0 to 20%.

[0029] In step S201, the server device 10 acquires the required power supply amount, the power supply location, and the power supply time. The server device 10 sends information requesting this information to the vehicle that is out of power, and acquires the information sent from the vehicle that is out of power in response. The required power supply amount is the amount of power required to reach an arbitrary reference remaining amount in the vehicle that is out of power, and is sent from the vehicle that is out of power. The arbitrary reference remaining amount is an arbitrary SOC value between 80% and 100%, for example. The power supply location is the current location of the vehicle that is out of power and corresponds to the destination to which the power supply vehicle 12 provides power. The power supply time is the time at which power supply should begin, as determined in the vehicle that is out of power. The power supply time is, for example, a time that is advanced by an arbitrary required power supply time from the scheduled start time set for the vehicle that is out of power, and is sent from the vehicle that is out of power to the server device 10. The power supply time may also be specified by the occupant of the vehicle that is out of power and sent to the server device 10.

[0030] If the server device 10 determines that multiple vehicles are out of power, it identifies one vehicle that is out of power using an arbitrary algorithm and executes the procedures from step S202 onward for each vehicle that is out of power. For example, the server device 10 identifies the vehicle that was first determined to be out of power, the vehicle that requires the most power, etc.

[0031] In step S202, the server device 10 selects a power supply vehicle 12 for on-site charging. The server device 10 requests the position information and remaining battery charge information of each power supply vehicle 12 from one or more power supply vehicles 12 waiting at the charging station, and acquires the information sent from each power supply vehicle 12 in response to the request. The remaining battery charge information is, for example, the SOC value of the battery 15. Then, the server device 10 selects, for example, the power supply vehicle 12 with the largest remaining battery charge within an arbitrary distance range from the power supply position. The arbitrary distance range is, for example, a distance range within which the power supply vehicle 12 can reach the power supply position by the power supply time when traveling at a legal speed.

[0032] In step S203, the server device 10 derives a travel route for the selected power supply vehicle 12. The travel route is, for example, a route that can reach the power supply position from the current position of the power supply vehicle 12 in the shortest distance or the shortest time. The server device 10 derives the travel route by using map information and an arbitrary algorithm.

[0033] In step S204, the server device 10 sends a dispatch instruction to the selected power supply vehicle 12. The dispatch instruction includes information about the travel route.

[0034] In step S205, the power supply vehicle 12 is dispatched in response to the dispatch instruction. The power supply vehicle 12 starts moving along the travel route. Alternatively, the power supply vehicle 12 displays the travel route to the occupant and starts moving in response to the occupant's operation. During movement, in step S206, the power supply vehicle 12 transmits position information to the server device 10 at an arbitrary period, for example, at a period of several microseconds to several seconds. As a result, the server device 10 grasps the position of the power supply vehicle 12 that is currently dispatched.

[0035] When the power supply vehicle 12 arrives at the power supply position, in step S207, power is supplied from the power supply vehicle 12 to the vehicle that is out of power. For example, the power supply vehicle 12 provides power for supplying power from the battery 15 to the vehicle that is out of power through operation by a driver or an automatic machine. When power is to be supplied to multiple vehicles that are out of power at multiple power supply positions, the power supply vehicle 12 executes steps S206 and S207 for each power supply position.

[0036] When power supply at all power supply positions is completed, the power supply vehicle 12 sends a power supply completion notice to the server device 10 in step S208, indicating that power supply is completed. The power supply completion notice includes information such as the time when power supply is completed and the amount of power supplied. Then, in step S209, the server device 10 sends a return instruction to the power supply vehicle 12 in response to the power supply completion notice. The return instruction includes information on a travel route for moving to the charging station (hereinafter referred to as a return route), for example.

[0037] In step S210, the power supply vehicle 12 starts returning in response to the return instruction. The power supply vehicle 12 starts moving along the return route. Alternatively, the power supply vehicle 12 displays the return route to the occupant and starts moving in response to the occupant's operation. During movement, in step S211, the power supply vehicle 12 sends position information to the server device 10 at an arbitrary period. As a result, the server device 10 grasps the position of the power supply vehicle 12 during the return.

[0038] In step S212, the server device 10 selects a power supply vehicle that will meet up with the returning power supply vehicle 12, and generates a merging instruction. An example of the detailed procedure of step S212 is shown in FIG.

[0039] 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation procedure by the server device 10. The procedure in FIG.

[0040] In step S301, the control unit 103 acquires the remaining battery capacity of the returning power supply vehicle 12. The control unit 103 requests information about the remaining battery capacity from the returning power supply vehicle 12, and acquires information sent in response from the power supply vehicle 12. The remaining battery capacity is, for example, an SOC value.

[0041] In step S302, the control unit 103 selects, as a merging target, a dispatched power supply vehicle 12 with which the returning power supply vehicle 12 should merge. The control unit 103 requests remaining battery charge information for each dispatched power supply vehicle 12, i.e., a power supply vehicle 12 that has not received a power supply completion notification, and acquires information sent from each power supply vehicle 12 in response to the request. Then, the control unit 103 selects, as a merging target, the power supply vehicle 12 that is closest to the return route among dispatched power supply vehicles 12 whose remaining battery charge does not meet an arbitrary criterion. The arbitrary criterion may be, for example, an SOC value of 40% to 50% or the amount of power required by the destination vehicle that is low on power. Alternatively, the control unit 103 selects, as a merging target, the power supply vehicle 12 with the smallest remaining battery charge among dispatched power supply vehicles 12 that are located within an arbitrary distance range from the respective travel routes of the returning power supply vehicle 12. Such an arbitrary distance range is, for example, a distance range within which each power supply vehicle 12 can reach the power supply position by the power supply time when moving from the current position at a legal speed.

[0042] When the power supply vehicle 12 to be merged is selected (Yes in step S303), the control unit 103 determines a merging point in step S304. The merging point is set near the travel route of the power supply vehicle 12 to be merged, for example, at the midpoint of the shortest route from the position of the returning power supply vehicle 12 to the travel route of the power supply vehicle 12 to be merged, or closer to the midpoint on the travel route, or on the travel route. This makes it possible to minimize the time loss of the power supply vehicle 12 that is dispatched.

[0043] In step S305, the control unit 103 derives, as merging routes, the travel routes for the dispatched power supply vehicle 12 and the returning power supply vehicle to travel from their current positions to the merging point. The merging routes are derived using an arbitrary algorithm and are the shortest route or the fastest route.

[0044] In step S306, the control unit 103 generates and transmits merging instructions to the dispatched power supply vehicle 12 and the returning power supply vehicle 12 that are targets for merging. Information on the respective merging routes is added to the merging instructions.

[0045] 2, in step S213 after step S212, the server device 10 sends a merging instruction to each of the returning power supply vehicle 12 and the dispatched power supply vehicle 12. The returning power supply vehicle 12 and the dispatched power supply vehicle 12 each start moving in response to the merging instruction, or output the content of the instruction to their occupants and start moving by operation of the occupants, and move to the merging point. Then, when each power supply vehicle 12 merges at the merging point, the returning power supply vehicle 12 provides the dispatched power supply vehicle with the remaining power.

[0046] On the other hand, if the power supply vehicle 12 to be joined is not selected in FIG. 3 (No in step S303), the control unit 103 ends the procedures in FIG. 3 and FIG. 2 without determining the joining point in steps S304 to S306.

[0047] In a modified example, the server device 10 acquires information on the remaining power after providing power to the dispatched power supply vehicle 12 that has joined from the returning power supply vehicle 12. Then, when the next cycle of the operation procedure in Fig. 2 is executed, if a vehicle that is out of power and can supply the remaining power of the returning power supply vehicle 12 is determined, the server device 10 may instruct the returning power supply vehicle 12 to be dispatched again, on the condition that the vehicle that is out of power is located within an arbitrary distance range (for example, several hundred meters to several kilometers) from the return route.

[0048] By doing as described above, when the out-and-out power supply vehicle 12 supplies power via multiple supply destinations, even if the power supply power is reduced, the power can be replenished by receiving the remaining power from the returning power supply vehicle 12, and it becomes possible to more reliably avoid a power supply shortage. Therefore, it becomes possible to improve the replenishment efficiency of the power supply vehicle 12 for power supply.

[0049] Although the embodiments have been described above based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can easily 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 means, step, etc. can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple means, steps, etc. can be combined or divided into one. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1. Vehicle management system 10 Server device 11 Network 12 Power supply vehicle 14 Onboard equipment 15 Battery 101, 121 Communications Department 102, 122 Storage section 103, 123 Control section 124 Positioning Unit 125 Input section 126 Output section 127 Detection unit

Claims

1. The Communications Department and a control unit that communicates with a plurality of power supply vehicles that are dispatched from a power supply base to a power supply destination and that return to the power supply base via the communication unit, and instructs a first power supply vehicle that is returning and a second power supply vehicle that is dispatched to meet at a meeting point and to provide the remaining power of the first power supply vehicle to the second power supply vehicle; A server device having the above configuration.

2. In claim 1, the control unit sets the junction point near a travel route to a destination of the second power supply vehicle. Server device.

3. In claim 1, The control unit instructs the first power supply vehicle to provide the remaining power after providing the remaining power to the second power supply vehicle to a further power supply destination. Server device.

4. In claim 1, the control unit instructs the first power supply vehicle, which has the amount of power that the second power supply vehicle is to provide at the supply destination, to head toward the meeting point. Server device.

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