Selection system, selection method, and program

Abstract

A selection system for selecting a product having one or a plurality of drive components used in an electric moving body comprises: an input unit into which one or a plurality of required specifications to be satisfied by the product are input by a user; an extraction unit that extracts products satisfying the required specifications that were input into the input unit; a first selection unit that selects, as a first product, one product satisfying a prescribed filter condition from among the plurality of products extracted by the extraction unit; a second selection unit that selects, as a second product, a product that is more excellent in any one of the required specifications than the first product selected by the first selection unit, the second product being selected from a plurality of products that do not satisfy the prescribed filter condition among the plurality of products extracted by the extraction unit; and a presentation unit that presents, to the user, the first product selected by the first selection unit and the second product selected by the second selection unit.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] An electric vehicle is configured to include a plurality of drive components such as an electric motor, an inverter, etc. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a selection system that uses an electric vehicle as an example of an electric vehicle, and that automatically selects one product consisting of a plurality of drive components to be mounted on the electric vehicle using a predetermined filter condition (e.g., lowest cost) from among a plurality of products that satisfy the required specifications input by a user when selecting the product.

[0003] Patent document 1 also discloses that, in addition to information indicating one selected product, information indicating all or part of multiple products that meet the required specifications may be displayed as reference information in a manner that can be distinguished from the "information indicating one selected product." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-170215 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the selection system disclosed in Patent Document 1, the information displayed as reference information in addition to one product that satisfies one predetermined filter condition (e.g., lowest cost) among the products that satisfy the required specifications is information that indicates all or some of the multiple products that satisfy the required specifications. Therefore, when it is desired to select a more optimal product while taking other required specifications into consideration, rather than simply using one filter condition (e.g., lowest cost) as an absolute condition, there is a concern that the information that indicates all or some of the multiple products that satisfy the required specifications as the reference information cannot be used effectively.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and one of its objectives is to provide a selection system, selection method, and program that present information that is easy for users to use when selecting products to be used in electric vehicles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The selection system according to the present disclosure is a selection system for selecting a product having one or more drive components for use in an electric vehicle, the selection system including an input unit to which a user inputs one or more required specifications that the product must satisfy; an extraction unit that extracts the product that satisfies the required specifications input to the input unit; a first selection unit that selects one product that satisfies a predetermined filter condition as a first product from the plurality of products extracted by the extraction unit; predetermined a second selection unit that selects, from among a plurality of products that do not satisfy a filter condition, a product that is superior to the first product selected by the first selection unit in any one of the required specifications as a second product; and a presentation unit that presents the first product selected by the first selection unit and the second product selected by the second selection unit to a user. The predetermined filter condition is a condition related to one of the information items related to the product, and is a condition for selecting one product from among a plurality of the products. .

[0008] Further, a selection method according to the present disclosure is a selection method in a selection system for selecting a product having one or more drive components to be used in an electric vehicle, the selection method including: an input unit receiving input of one or more required specifications that the product must satisfy by a user; an extraction unit extracting the product that satisfies the required specifications input to the input unit; a first selection unit selecting one product that satisfies a predetermined filter condition as a first product from the plurality of products extracted by the extraction unit; and a second selection unit selecting one product that satisfies a predetermined filter condition as a first product from the plurality of products extracted by the extraction unit. predetermined The method includes a step of selecting, as a second product, a product that is superior in any one of the required specifications to the first product selected by the first selection unit from among a plurality of products that do not satisfy a filter condition; and a step of a presentation unit presenting to a user the first product selected by the first selection unit and the second product selected by the second selection unit. The predetermined filter condition is a condition related to one of the pieces of information about the products, and is a condition for selecting one product from among a plurality of the products. .

[0009] The program according to the present disclosure also provides a computer in a selection system for selecting a product having one or more drive components for use in an electric vehicle, the computer including: an acquisition step in which a user inputs one or more required specifications that the product must satisfy; an extraction step in which the computer extracts the product that satisfies the input required specifications; a first selection step in which the computer selects one product that satisfies a predetermined filter condition as a first product from the plurality of products extracted by the extraction step; predetermined a second selection step of selecting, as a second product, a product that is superior in any one of the required specifications to the first product selected in the first selection step from among a plurality of products that do not satisfy a filter condition; and a presentation step of presenting to a user the first product selected in the first selection step and the second product selected in the second selection step. The predetermined filter condition is a condition related to one of the information items related to the product, and is a condition for selecting one product from among a plurality of the products. .

[0010] The selection system according to the present disclosure is a selection system for selecting a product having one or more drive components used in an electric vehicle, the selection system including an input unit to which a user inputs one or more required specifications that the product must satisfy; an extraction unit that extracts the product that satisfies the required specifications input to the input unit; a first selection unit that selects one product that satisfies a predetermined filter condition as a first product from the plurality of products extracted by the extraction unit; predetermined a second selection unit that selects, as a second product, a product that is superior in any one of the required specifications to the first product selected by the first selection unit from among a plurality of products that do not satisfy a filter condition; and a presentation unit that presents the first product selected by the first selection unit and the second product selected by the second selection unit to a user via a terminal that is communicatively connected via a network. The predetermined filter condition is a condition related to one of the information items related to the product, and is a condition for selecting one product from among a plurality of the products. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to present information that is easy for a user to use when selecting a product to be used in an electric vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a selection system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a selection system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electric vehicle according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a product selection process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of product information stored in a storage unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of extraction of a product that satisfies a required specification according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of selection of matching products that satisfy a filter condition according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of presentation of a matching product and a runner-up product according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a product selection process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of presentation of a matching product and a runner-up product according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a product selection process according to the third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of presentation of a matching product and a runner-up product according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. First Embodiment First, a configuration example of a selection system according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0014] (Configuration of the selection system) 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a selection system according to this embodiment. The selection system 100 shown in the figure is a system for selecting a product having one or more drive components used in an electric vehicle, and is configured to include, for example, a computer. The selection system 100 functions as a server, and is connected to a terminal 200 via a network for communication.

[0015] The network is a wired or wireless communication network, and may be a general-purpose network such as the Internet, or a network using a dedicated line. The terminal 200 is a computer through which a user uses the selection system 100. For example, the terminal 200 is a desktop PC (Personal Computer) and includes a display unit 210 and a keyboard 220. The user uses the selection system 100 by performing predetermined operations on the keyboard 220 while looking at the screen (display unit 210) of an application executed on the terminal 200.

[0016] The terminal 200 may be a notebook PC, a tablet PC, a smartphone, a dedicated terminal, etc. Although one terminal 200 is shown in this figure, a plurality of terminals 200 may be communicatively connected to the selection system 100 via a network. The selection system 100 may be configured as a standalone computer that is directly operated and used by a user, without requiring a terminal 200.

[0017] Here, we will explain the hardware configuration of the selection system 100. The selection system 100 has a hardware configuration as a computer.

[0018] 2 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the selection system 100 according to this embodiment. For example, the selection system 100 includes some or all of the components included in the illustrated computer 100H.

[0019] The computer 100H has a hardware configuration including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 102, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 103, a storage device 104, a communication unit 105, an input unit 106, and an output unit 107.

[0020] The CPU 101 is a processor that executes various processes by executing programs stored in the ROM 103 or the storage device 104 .

[0021] The RAM 102 is used as a reading area for the programs executed by the CPU 101, or as a working area for writing data used in processing by the programs.

[0022] The ROM 103 is configured with an electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) or a flash ROM. For example, the ROM 103 stores at least a part of a system program, a program for executing various processes, and the like.

[0023] The storage device 104 includes a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), etc. For example, the storage device 104 may store at least a portion of a system program, a program for executing various processes, etc. The storage device 104 also stores various types of data, the aforementioned digital certificate, etc.

[0024] The communication unit 105 is connected to a network NT via a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or a wired LAN to perform data communication with other electronic devices. The communication unit 105 may also be provided with an interface such as a short-range wireless communication interface like Bluetooth (registered trademark) or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) to perform data communication with peripheral devices.

[0025] The input unit 106 includes input devices such as a keyboard, a touchpad, a touch panel, a microphone, etc. The output unit 107 includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, and output devices such as a speaker.

[0026] Similarly, the terminal 200 also has components corresponding to some or all of the components of the computer 100H shown in FIG.

[0027] In this embodiment, an example in which the selection system 100 selects a product to be used in an electric vehicle will be described, where the selection system 100 selects a powertrain structure to be used in an electric vehicle.

[0028] 3 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electric vehicle 10 according to this embodiment. The electric vehicle 10 is configured to include a powertrain structure 10T, a storage battery 11, drive wheels 15, etc. The powertrain structure 10T used in the electric vehicle 10 is configured to include an inverter 12, an electric motor 13, and a transmission 14, all of which are integrated together.

[0029] The inverter 12 is a power converter that converts DC power output from the storage battery 11 into AC power. The inverter 12 is electrically connected to the electric motor 13, and the power output from the inverter 12 is supplied to the electric motor 13. The inverter 12 can also convert regenerated AC power supplied from the electric motor 13 into DC power and supply it to the storage battery 11 for charging. In this way, the inverter 12 is configured as a bidirectional power converter, and also controls the rotation of the electric motor 13.

[0030] The electric motor 13 is a rotating electric machine (for example, a motor) that generates a driving force required for running the electric vehicle 10. The electric motor 13 generates a driving force using AC power from the inverter 12 as described above, and can also supply regenerated power generated during braking to the inverter 12.

[0031] The transmission 14 converts the rotation of the electric motor 13 and transmits it to each of the drive wheels 15 of the electric vehicle 10 via an output rotation shaft. For example, the transmission 14 converts (here, reduces the speed) the output rotation of the electric motor 13 and transmits it to each of the left and right drive wheels 15 (front wheels) via left and right drive shafts (output rotation shafts).

[0032] Here, the powertrain structure 10T, which is mounted on the electric vehicle 10 and integrally configures the inverter 12, the electric motor 13, and the transmission 14, is often manufactured by a parts manufacturer based on the required specifications from the vehicle manufacturer that produces the electric vehicle 10. The parts manufacturer must propose a product that matches the required specifications of the vehicle manufacturer from among its own specifications. The selection system 100 according to this embodiment has a function of presenting information that is easy for the user to use when selecting a product (for example, the powertrain structure 10T) to be used in the electric vehicle 10.

[0033] Returning to FIG. 1, the selection system 100 includes, as components for realizing the above functions, a storage unit 110, a specification input unit 120 (an example of an input unit), a product extraction unit 130 (an example of an extraction unit), a match selection unit 140 (an example of a first selection unit), a runner-up selection unit 150 (an example of a second selection unit), and a presentation unit 160. Here, the storage unit 110 corresponds, for example, to the storage device 104 shown in FIG. 2. Furthermore, the specification input unit 120, the product extraction unit 130, the match selection unit 140, the runner-up selection unit 150, and the presentation unit 160 are functional components that are realized, for example, by the CPU 101 shown in FIG. 2 executing a program.

[0034] The storage unit 110 stores information about all products that can be provided by parts manufacturers (hereinafter referred to as "product information"). A product may be a single driving part or may consist of multiple driving parts. The product information includes the specifications, external dimensions, weight, etc. of each product.

[0035] For example, in the case of a powertrain structure 10T in which the product is an integrated configuration of an electric motor 13, an inverter 12, and a transmission 14, the memory unit 110 stores information indicating the specifications of the powertrain structure 10T, such as size, weight, maximum output, and rotation speed. Furthermore, in the case of the electric motor 13 constituting the powertrain structure 10T, the memory unit 110 stores the maximum output value, torque, rotation speed, input voltage, input current, and the like. Furthermore, in the case of the inverter 12 constituting the powertrain structure 10T, the memory unit 110 stores the maximum output power, the possible output voltage, and the like. Furthermore, in the case of the transmission 14 constituting the powertrain structure 10T, the memory unit 110 stores the gear ratio, and the like.

[0036] When a user selects a product, the required specifications that the product must satisfy are input to the specification input unit 120. For example, when the user operates the terminal 200 to input the required specifications, the required specifications are transmitted from the terminal 200 to the selection system 100 and input to the specification input unit 120. For example, if the product to be selected is a powertrain structure 10T, values ​​and ranges of size, weight, maximum output, gear ratio, etc. are input to the specification input unit 120 as the required specifications. Note that other values ​​such as maximum torque, rated output / maximum output, supply voltage, and rotation speed may also be input to the specification input unit 120. The specification input unit 120 accepts and acquires the required specifications input by the user.

[0037] The product extraction unit 130 refers to the product information stored in the storage unit 110 to search for and extract products that satisfy the required specifications input to the specification input unit 120 .

[0038] The matching selection unit 140 uses a predetermined filter condition to select one product from among the multiple products (products that satisfy the required specifications) extracted by the product extraction unit 130. The predetermined filter condition is a condition related to one of the important pieces of information used to select one product from the information about the products. For example, the predetermined filter condition may be "the product with the highest output." For example, from among the multiple products extracted by the product extraction unit 130, a product that satisfies the predetermined filter condition is selected as a product that matches the predetermined filter condition (hereinafter referred to as a "matching product").

[0039] The predetermined filter conditions may be set in advance in the selection system 100, or may be input by the user from the terminal 200 and set in the selection system 100.

[0040] The runner-up selection unit 150 selects, from among the multiple products (products that satisfy the required specifications) extracted by the product extraction unit 130 that do not satisfy the above filter conditions, a product that is superior in any one of the required specifications to the matching product selected by the matching selection unit 140, as a product close to the matching product (hereinafter referred to as a "runner-up product"). In other words, the runner-up selection unit 150 selects a runner-up product (or products) that is close to the matching product from among the products that satisfy the required specifications but have not been selected as matching products.

[0041] Here, any one of the required specifications used when selecting the runner-up product in the runner-up selection unit 150 is input, for example, by a user. For example, when the user operates the terminal 200 to input any one of the required specifications used when selecting the runner-up product, the required specification is transmitted from the terminal 200 to the selection system 100 and input to the specification input unit 120. The any one of the required specifications used when selecting the runner-up product is a specification that is given importance in addition to the filter conditions, and may be, for example, the size or weight of the product. Note that this any one of the required specifications used when selecting the runner-up product may be input by the user together with the filter conditions, or may be set in advance together with the filter conditions.

[0042] The presentation unit 160 presents to the user the matching product selected by the match selection unit 140 and one or more runner-up products selected by the runner-up selection unit 150. For example, the presentation unit 160 transmits information indicating the matching product and information indicating the runner-up product to the terminal 200 and displays them on the screen (display unit 210) of the terminal 200, thereby presenting them to the user. Examples of the information presented to the user include a character string indicating a model number for identifying the selected product, specifications, etc.

[0043] Furthermore, the presentation unit 160 may visually present the requirement specifications for which the runner-up product is superior to the matching product. For example, the presentation unit 160 may add information (such as a mark, a character, or a color) that indicates the requirement specifications for which the runner-up product is superior to the matching product to the information indicating the matching product and the information indicating the runner-up product, and transmit the information to the terminal 200, and display the information on the screen (display unit 210) of the terminal 200.

[0044] Next, a product selection process in which the selection system 100 presents information that is easy for the user to use when selecting a product to be used in the electric vehicle 10 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 4 to 8. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the product selection process according to this embodiment.

[0045] (Step S101) The selection system 100 accepts input of required specifications by the user. The user operates the terminal 200 to specify the type of product to be selected, i.e., the type of drive component (e.g., "powertrain structure 10T"), and then inputs the required specifications of the drive component. If the product is the powertrain structure 10T, the user inputs, for example, the size, weight, maximum output, and gear ratio values ​​as the required specifications. Then, the process proceeds to step S103.

[0046] (Step S103) The selection system 100 searches through the product information stored in the storage unit 110 to extract products that satisfy the required specifications input in step S101.

[0047] 5 is a diagram showing an example of product information stored in the storage unit 110 according to this embodiment. In the example shown, the product information stores products A to E (for example, the product name and model number of each product) in association with their size, weight, output (maximum output, etc.), gear ratio, etc. The selection system 100 extracts all products that satisfy the required specifications input in step S101 from all products in the product information stored in the storage unit 110.

[0048] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of extraction of products that satisfy the required specifications according to this embodiment. For example, if the required specifications are "output: 70 to 90 kW," products B, D, and E are extracted from the product information shown in Fig. 5 as products that satisfy the required specifications. Then, the process proceeds to step S105 in Fig. 4.

[0049] (Step S105) The selection system 100 uses a predetermined filter condition to select one product from the multiple products extracted in step S103. For example, the selection system 100 selects a matching product that satisfies the filter condition.

[0050] 7 is a diagram showing an example of selecting matching products that satisfy the filter condition according to this embodiment. Here, the filter condition is set to "the product with the largest output." In this case, the selection system 100 selects product E, which has the largest output, as the matching product from among the multiple products extracted in step S103 (for example, product B, product D, and product E in FIG. 6). Then, the process proceeds to step S107 in FIG. 4.

[0051] (Step S107) The selection system 100 selects a second-place product that is superior to the matching product in any one of its required specifications from among the multiple products (e.g., products B, D, and E in FIG. 6) extracted in step S103 and excluding the one matching product (e.g., product E in FIG. 7) selected in step S105 (e.g., product B and product D in FIG. 6). That is, the selection system 100 selects a second-place product that is superior to the matching product in any one of its required specifications from among the multiple products (e.g., product B and product D in FIG. 6) that satisfy the required specifications but do not satisfy the filter conditions.

[0052] For example, in the required specifications, the smaller the numerical value for size, the better. Therefore, in terms of size (height), product B (200 mm) is better than product E (240 mm), which is a matching product. In addition, in the required specifications, the smaller the numerical value for weight, the better. Therefore, in terms of weight, product D (70 kg) is better than product E (75 kg). For example, the selection system 100 selects product B or product D as the runner-up product. Note that in step S107, multiple runner-up products may be selected, such as product B with a superior size (height) and product E with a superior weight, or a single runner-up product may be selected, such as only product B with a superior size (height) or only product E with a superior weight.

[0053] When selecting a runner-up product in step S107, the selection system 100 may arrange all products that satisfy the required specifications in order of merit for any one of the required specifications and select a runner-up product that is one rank higher than the matching product. For example, when selecting by size (height), the selection system 100 arranges products A to E in order of size (height) merit (from lowest to highest) and selects product B (height 200 mm), which is one rank higher than the matching product product E's height of 240 mm, as the runner-up product. When sorting by weight, the selection system 100 arranges products A to E in order of weight merit (from lightest to lightest) and selects product D (weight 70 kg), which is one rank higher than the matching product product E's weight of 75 kg, as the runner-up product. By selecting a product with relatively few specification differences from the matching product as the runner-up product, it is possible to easily select products other than the matching product that may be considered. After step S107, the process proceeds to step S109.

[0054] (Step S109) The selection system 100 presents to the user information indicating the matching product selected in step S105 and the runner-up product selected in step S107. For example, the selection system 100 transmits the information indicating the matching product and the information indicating the runner-up product to the terminal 200 and displays them on the screen (display unit 210) of the terminal 200, thereby presenting them to the user.

[0055] 8 is a diagram showing an example of a presentation of matching products and runner-up products according to this embodiment. Here, product information for product E, which is a matching product, and product information for products B and D, which are runner-up products, are presented. Product E, which is a matching product, is a product that will be selected when emphasis is placed on output, which is a filter condition.

[0056] In addition, the runner-up product, Product B, is inferior to the matched product in terms of output, but is superior to the matched product in terms of height, making it a product that can be selected when height is a priority.In addition, the runner-up product, Product D, is inferior to the matched product in terms of output, but is superior to the matched product in terms of weight, making it a product that can be selected when weight is a priority.

[0057] This allows the user to know not only the one matching product that satisfies one filter condition, but also the runner-up product. Therefore, the user can also consider the runner-up product as a selection candidate, even if it does not match one filter condition (for example, a product with the highest output), but by slightly relaxing the filter condition, it is superior in one of the required specifications (for example, height, weight, etc.). For example, the user can easily consider adopting a product that can be made shorter in height or a product that is lighter in weight, even though it has lower output.

[0058] The information indicating the matched product and the runner-up product presented to the user via the screen of terminal 200 may be accompanied by information indicating which required specifications the runner-up product has better than the matched product, as shown in FIG. 8. For example, to indicate which required specifications the runner-up product has better than the matched product, product B may be presented with a note such as "if height is important" and product C may be presented with a note such as "if weight is important." Furthermore, the required specifications for which the runner-up product has better than the matched product may be presented with a mark (e.g., "◯") added. Furthermore, information indicating which required specifications the runner-up product has worse than the matched product (e.g., "△") may be added and presented.

[0059] Furthermore, the runner-up product is one that is superior to the matching product in any one of the required specifications, and it is desirable that the user input the required specification with high importance as "any one of the required specifications" in advance to the selection system 100 by operating the terminal 200. By doing so, when the selection system 100 relaxes the predetermined filter conditions to select the runner-up product, it can select a product that is superior in the required specification with high importance as the runner-up product, and can exclude products that are superior in the required specification with low importance from the selection of the runner-up product.

[0060] 8, the selection system 100 may present to the user, as reference information, in addition to information indicating the matching product and the runner-up product, information indicating all or some of the products (e.g., product A and product C) that were not selected as the matching product and the runner-up product among the product information (e.g., see FIG. 5) stored in the storage unit 110, in a manner that allows the information to be distinguished from the matching product and the runner-up product. The selection system 100 may also present to the user, as reference information, information indicating all or some of the products that were not selected as the matching product and the runner-up product among the products that satisfy the required specifications extracted in step S103, in a manner that allows the information to be distinguished from the matching product and the runner-up product.

[0061] As described above, the selection system 100 according to this embodiment is a system for selecting a product having one or more drive components for use in an electric vehicle 10 (an example of an electric vehicle). The selection system 100 receives input from a user of one or more required specifications that the product must satisfy, and extracts products that satisfy the input required specifications. The selection system 100 then selects, from the extracted products, one product that satisfies a predetermined filter condition as a matching product (an example of a first product). The selection system 100 then selects, from the extracted products that do not satisfy the filter condition, a product that is superior to the selected matching product in any one of the required specifications as a runner-up product (an example of a second product). The selection system 100 then presents the selected matching product and the runner-up product to the user.

[0062] As a result, the selection system 100 not only selects and presents matching products that satisfy one predetermined filter condition (e.g., the product with the highest output), but also selects and presents products that do not satisfy one predetermined filter condition (e.g., the product with the highest output) but that are superior in one of the required specifications by slightly relaxing the condition, as runner-up products, thereby being able to present information that is easy for users to use when selecting products to be used in the electric vehicle 10.

[0063] For example, the selection system 100 can consider the selection and adoption of products that have slightly lower output but can be made smaller in size (height) compared to a matching product that satisfies a predetermined filter condition (e.g., the product with the highest output), thereby easily widening the range of products that can be adopted.

[0064] In addition, since the selection system 100 does not present all products that meet the required specifications in a random manner, the narrowing down process is not complicated, and products other than the matching products can also be considered for selection and adoption.

[0065] Furthermore, the selection system 100 presents the selected matching product and the runner-up product to the user via the terminal 200 that is connected to the network for communication, so that information that is easy for the user to use when selecting a product to be used in the electric vehicle 10 can be presented to the user at any location.

[0066] For example, the selection system 100 visually indicates the requirements for which the runner-up product outperforms the matched product (see, for example, FIG. 8).

[0067] This allows the selection system 100 to make it visually easier for the user to compare the matched product with the runner-up product.

[0068] Furthermore, any one of the required specifications to be used when selecting the runner-up product may be input by the user to the selection system 100 (specification input unit 120).

[0069] This allows the selection system 100 to select and present the runner-up product that meets the required specifications that the user values ​​most.

[0070] The selection system 100 also arranges the products that satisfy the extracted required specifications in order of the superiority of any one required specification used when selecting the next best product among the required specifications, and selects the product that is one rank higher than the matching product as the next best product.

[0071] This allows the selection system 100 to easily select a product that is next in scope to the product that satisfies the predetermined filter conditions.

[0072] Furthermore, the selection method in the selection system 100 according to this embodiment includes a step in which a specification input unit 120 (an example of an input unit) inputs one or more required specifications that a product having one or more driving components used in an electric vehicle 10 (an example of an electric moving body) must satisfy, by a user; a step in which a product extraction unit 130 (an example of an extraction unit) extracts products that satisfy the required specifications input to the specification input unit 120; and a step in which a match selection unit 140 (an example of a first selection unit) selects one product that satisfies a predetermined filter condition from the multiple products extracted by the product extraction unit 130. the step of selecting a product as a matching product (an example of a first product) by a runner-up selection unit 150 (an example of a second selection unit) from among the multiple products extracted by the product extraction unit 130 that do not satisfy the above filter conditions, a product that has any one of the required specifications superior to the matching product selected by the matching selection unit 140, and a step of presenting the matching product selected by the matching selection unit 140 and the runner-up product selected by the runner-up selection unit 150 to the user.

[0073] As a result, the selection method in the selection system 100 not only selects and presents matching products that satisfy one predetermined filter condition (for example, the product with the highest output), but also selects and presents products that do not satisfy one predetermined filter condition (for example, the product with the highest output) but that are superior in one of the required specifications by slightly relaxing the condition, as runner-up products, thereby making it possible to present information that is easy for users to use when selecting products to be used in the electric vehicle 10.

[0074] In addition, the program of this embodiment causes the computer in the selection system 100 to execute the following steps: an acquisition step in which a user inputs one or more required specifications that must be satisfied by a product having one or more drive components used in an electric vehicle 10 (an example of an electric mobile body), and the input required specifications are acquired; an extraction step in which products that satisfy the input required specifications are extracted; a first selection step in which one product that satisfies a predetermined filter condition is selected as a matching product (an example of a first product) from among the multiple products extracted by the extraction step; a second selection step in which one product that is superior in any one of the required specifications to the matching product selected in the first selection step is selected as a runner-up product (an example of a second product) from among the multiple products extracted by the extraction step that do not satisfy the filter condition; and a presentation step in which the matching product selected in the first selection step and the runner-up product selected in the second selection step are presented to the user.

[0075] As a result, the program executed in the selection system 100 not only selects and presents matching products that satisfy one predetermined filter condition (for example, the product with the highest output), but also selects and presents products that do not satisfy one predetermined filter condition (for example, the product with the highest output) but that are superior in one of the required specifications by slightly relaxing the condition, as runner-up products, thereby making it possible to present information that is easy for users to use when selecting products to be used in the electric vehicle 10.

[0076] <Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment will be described. The basic configuration of the selection system 100 according to this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that, when the selection system 100 presents information indicating the matching product and the runner-up product to the user, it also calculates and presents the difference between the matching product and the runner-up product.

[0077] For example, in the selection system 100, the runner-up selection unit 150 calculates the difference in filter conditions between the matching product and the runner-up product. Then, the presentation unit 160 presents to the user the calculation result of the difference in filter conditions between the matching product and the runner-up product, which is calculated by the runner-up selection unit 150, together with information indicating the matching product and information indicating the runner-up product.

[0078] The runner-up selection unit 150 may calculate the difference in the required specifications between the matching product and the runner-up product. For example, the runner-up selection unit 150 may calculate the difference between the matching product and the runner-up product in any one of the required specifications used to select the runner-up product. Then, the presentation unit 160 may present to the user the calculation result of the difference between the matching product and the runner-up product in any one of the required specifications used to select the runner-up product, together with the information indicating the matching product and the information indicating the runner-up product.

[0079] 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a product selection process according to this embodiment. The processes of steps S201, S203, S205, and S207 shown in this figure are the same as the processes of steps S101, S103, S105, and S107 shown in FIG. 4, and therefore, description thereof will be omitted.

[0080] (Step S209) The selection system 100 calculates the difference in filter conditions between the matching product selected in step S205 and the runner-up product selected in step S207. The selection system 100 also calculates the difference between the matching product and the runner-up product in any one of the required specifications used when selecting the runner-up product. Then, the process proceeds to step S211.

[0081] (Step S211) The selection system 100 presents to the user information indicating the matching product and the runner-up product, and information indicating the differences between them. For example, the selection system 100 transmits information indicating the matching product and the runner-up product, the differences between the matching product and the runner-up product in the filter conditions, the differences between the matching product and the runner-up product in any one required specification used to select the runner-up product, etc. to the terminal 200 and displays them on the screen (display unit 210) of the terminal 200, thereby presenting them to the user.

[0082] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a presentation of a matched product and a runner-up product according to this embodiment. The example shown in Fig. 10 differs from the presentation example shown in Fig. 8 in that the calculation result of the difference between the matched product and the runner-up product is also presented. In the example shown in Fig. 10, the calculation result of the difference between the matched product (product E: output 90 kW) and the runner-up products (product B: output 80 kW, product D: 70 kW) for the filter condition of output is presented together with the product information of the matched product and the runner-up product.

[0083] In addition, for any one required specification (Product B: height, Product D: weight) used in selecting the runner-up product, the calculation results of the difference between the matching product and the runner-up product are presented along with the product information for the matching product and the runner-up product. Specifically, for the height of Product B, the calculation results of the difference between the matching product (Product E: height 240 mm) and the runner-up product (Product B: height 200 mm) are presented. In addition, for the weight of Product D, the calculation results of the difference between the matching product (Product E: weight 75 kg) and the runner-up product (Product D: weight 70 kg) are presented.

[0084] In this way, the calculation results of the difference between the matching product and the runner-up product are presented, making the difference visually easy to understand and facilitating consideration when selecting a product. Note that in the example shown in Figure 10, both the difference between the matching product and the runner-up product in the filter conditions and the difference between the matching product and the runner-up product in any one of the requirement specifications used when selecting the runner-up product are presented, but only one of them may be presented.

[0085] As described above, the selection system 100 according to this embodiment calculates the difference between the matching product and the runner-up product under a predetermined filter condition, and presents the calculation result to the user.

[0086] This allows the selection system 100 to visually make it easier to understand the difference between a matching product and a runner-up product under a given filter condition.

[0087] The selection system 100 may also calculate the difference in the required specifications between the matched product and the runner-up product, and present the calculation result to the user.

[0088] This allows the selection system 100 to visually make it easy to understand the difference between the matching product and the runner-up product in the required specifications used when selecting the runner-up product.

[0089] This allows the selection system 100 to visually show, for example, that "the output of the runner-up product will be lower than the matching product by ▽▽, but the size (height) can be reduced by XX," making it easy to widen the range of products that can be adopted.

[0090] <Third embodiment> Next, a third embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, a more specific example will be described assuming that a powertrain structure 10T is a product selected by the selection system 100. The basic configuration of the selection system 100 according to this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0091] When the product to be selected is a powertrain structure 10T, as described with reference to FIG. 3, it is configured to include an electric motor 13, an inverter 12 electrically connected to the electric motor 13 to control the rotation of the electric motor 13, and a transmission 14 that converts the rotation of the electric motor 13 and transmits it to the drive wheels 15 of the electric vehicle 10 via an output rotating shaft.

[0092] Of the required specifications, specifications such as the rotation speed are made up of the rotation speed of the electric motor 13 and the gear ratio of the transmission 14. Therefore, for example, when the specifications of product E are broken down, it is found that it is made up of parts consisting of "electric motor model number (e.g., motor model number A3) + transmission model number (e.g., gear model number B1)." Information on the parts that make up the product to be selected is associated with the product in advance in the product information stored in the storage unit 110.

[0093] When selecting a matching product and a runner-up product, the selection system 100 extracts information on the parts that make up the products from the storage unit 110 and presents it to the user. For example, the presentation unit 160 in the selection system 100 presents to the user the specifications of the electric motor 13 and the transmission 14 included in the powertrain structure 10T selected as the matching product and the specifications of the electric motor 13 and the transmission 14 included in the powertrain structure 10T selected as the runner-up product.

[0094] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the product selection process according to this embodiment. (Step S301) The selection system 100 accepts input of required specifications for the powertrain structure 10T by the user. The user operates the terminal 200 to specify the type of powertrain structure 10T to be selected, i.e., the type of driving components that make up the powertrain structure 10T, and then inputs the required specifications for the driving components. Specifically, the user inputs, for example, numerical values ​​for size, weight, maximum output, and gear ratio as the required specifications. Then, the process proceeds to step S303.

[0095] (Step S303) The selection system 100 searches for and extracts products of the powertrain structure 10T that satisfy the required specifications input in step S301 (for example, products B, D, and E in FIG. 6) from the product information stored in the storage unit 110. Then, the process proceeds to step S305.

[0096] (Step S305) The selection system 100 uses a predetermined filter condition to select one product from the multiple powertrain structure 10T products extracted in step S303 (e.g., product B, product D, and product E in FIG. 6). For example, the selection system 100 selects the powertrain structure 10T product (e.g., product E in FIG. 7) that satisfies the filter condition (e.g., "the product with the highest output") as a matching product. Then, the process proceeds to step S307.

[0097] (Step S307) The selection system 100 selects a second-place product that is superior to the matched product in any one of the required specifications from among the multiple powertrain structure 10T products (e.g., product B, product D, and product E in FIG. 6) extracted in step S303, excluding the one matched product (e.g., product E in FIG. 7) selected in step S305 (e.g., product B and product D in FIG. 6). That is, the selection system 100 selects, as the second-place product, a powertrain structure 10T product that is superior to the matched product in any one of the required specifications from among the multiple powertrain structure 10T products (e.g., product B and product D in FIG. 6) that satisfy the required specifications but do not satisfy the filter conditions. Then, the process proceeds to step S309.

[0098] (Step S309) The selection system 100 calculates the difference in filter conditions between the matched product of the powertrain structure 10T selected in step S305 and the runner-up product of the powertrain structure 10T selected in step S307. The selection system 100 also calculates the difference between the matched product of the powertrain structure 10T and the runner-up product of the powertrain structure 10T in any one required specification used when selecting the runner-up product. Then, the process proceeds to step S311.

[0099] (Step S311) The selection system 100 extracts from the storage unit 110 information on the electric motor 13 and the transmission 14 used in the matched product of the powertrain structure 10T and the runner-up product of the powertrain structure 10T.

[0100] (Step S313) The selection system 100 presents to the user information indicating each of the matched product of the powertrain structure 10T and the runner-up product of the powertrain structure 10T, information indicating the differences therebetween, and information on the electric motor 13 and the transmission 14 used in each of the matched product and the runner-up product. For example, the selection system 100 transmits information indicating each of the matched product and the runner-up product, the difference between the matched product and the runner-up product in the filter conditions, the difference between the matched product and the runner-up product in any one required specification used when selecting the runner-up product, information on the electric motor 13 and the transmission 14 used in each of the matched product and the runner-up product, etc. to the terminal 200 and displays it on the screen (display unit 210) of the terminal 200, thereby presenting it to the user.

[0101] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a presentation of a matched product and a runner-up product according to this embodiment. The example shown in FIG. 10 differs from the presentation example shown in FIG. 8 in that information on the electric motor 13 and transmission 14 used in the matched product and the runner-up product of the powertrain structure 10T is also presented. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the model number of the electric motor 13 ("Motor Model Number: A3") and the model number of the transmission 14 ("Gear Model Number: B1") used in product E, which is the matched product, are displayed in text. Similarly, for the runner-up products, the model number of the electric motor 13 ("Motor Model Number: A1") and the model number of the transmission 14 ("Gear Model Number: B2") used in product B, and the model number of the electric motor 13 ("Motor Model Number: A2") and the model number of the transmission 14 ("Gear Model Number: B4") used in product D are displayed in text. In this way, the selection system 100 presents information on the electric motor 13 and transmission 14 used in each of the matching product and runner-up product of the powertrain structure 10T, thereby providing useful information to the user.

[0102] In addition, the example shown in Figure 12 further presents information about the electric motors 13 and transmissions 14 used in the matching products and runner-up products of the powertrain structure 10T compared to the presentation example shown in Figure 8, but information about the electric motors 13 and transmissions 14 used in the matching products and runner-up products of the powertrain structure 10T may also be presented in the presentation example shown in Figure 10.

[0103] Furthermore, information on parts other than the electric motor 13 and the transmission 14 may be presented as parts used in the matched product and the runner-up product.

[0104] As described above, when selecting a product of the powertrain structure 10T, the selection system 100 of this embodiment presents to the user the specifications of the electric motor 13 and transmission 14 included in the powertrain structure 10T selected as the matching product, and the specifications of the electric motor 13 and transmission 14 included in the powertrain structure 10T selected as the runner-up product.

[0105] The powertrain structure 10T of the electric vehicle 10, which is made up of the electric motor 13, inverter 12, and transmission 14, has different strength characteristics required of the gears to be combined depending on the characteristics of the electric motor 13, and the specifications of the powertrain structure 10T are determined by the combination. Therefore, information on each electric motor 13 and transmission 14 is also useful information for the user, and the selection system 100 can present this useful information.

[0106] Although the embodiments have been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments, and the embodiments can be modified or omitted as appropriate.

[0107] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the selection system 100 selects and presents a product of the powertrain structure 10T used in the electric vehicle 10, but the present invention can also be applied to the selection of products other than the powertrain structure 10T.

[0108] In the above embodiment, the electric vehicle 10 has been described as an example of an electric vehicle, but the present invention is not limited to this. An electric vehicle is a general term for an object (such as equipment) that moves by electricity, and may be any of an electric vehicle, an electric aircraft, an electric ship, etc.

[0109] It is also possible to record a program for realizing the functions of the selection system 100 on a computer-readable recording medium, and have a computer system load and execute the program to process each function. Note that the term "computer system" here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices.

[0110] Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, as well as storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems. Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" also includes devices that dynamically store programs for a short period of time, such as communication lines used when transmitting programs over networks like the Internet or communication lines like telephone lines, and devices that store programs for a fixed period of time, such as volatile memory within the computer systems that serve as servers or clients. The program may be a program that implements part of the aforementioned functions, or may be a program that can implement the aforementioned functions in combination with a program already stored in the computer system. The program may also be stored on a designated server and distributed (e.g., downloaded) over communication lines in response to requests from other devices.

[0111] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the selection system 100 may be realized as an integrated circuit such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration). Each function may be individually implemented as a processor, or some or all of the functions may be integrated into a processor. Furthermore, the integrated circuit method is not limited to LSI, and may be realized using a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor. Furthermore, if an integrated circuit technology that can replace LSI emerges due to advances in semiconductor technology, an integrated circuit based on that technology may be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 10 Electric vehicles 10T powertrain structure 11 Storage battery 12 inverters 13 Electric motor 14 Transmission 15 drive wheels 100 Selection System 100H Computer 101 CPU 102 RAM 103 ROM 104 Storage device 105 Communications Department 106 Input section 110 Storage section 120 Specification input section 130 Product extraction section 140 Match Selection Unit 150 Runner-up Selection Section 160 Presentation section 200 devices 210 Display section 220 keyboard

Claims

1. A selection system for selecting a product having a single or multiple drive components used in an electric vehicle, an input unit into which one or more required specifications that the product should satisfy are input by a user; an extraction unit that extracts the product that satisfies the required specifications input to the input unit; a first selection unit that selects one product that satisfies a predetermined filter condition as a first product from the plurality of products extracted by the extraction unit; a second selection unit that selects, as a second product, a product that is superior in any one of the required specifications to the first product selected by the first selection unit from among the plurality of products extracted by the extraction unit that do not satisfy the predetermined filter condition; a presentation unit that presents to a user the first product selected by the first selection unit and the second product selected by the second selection unit; Equipped with the predetermined filter condition is a condition related to one of the pieces of information about the products, and is a condition for selecting one product from the plurality of products; Selection system.

2. The presentation unit visually indicating the requirements for which the second product is superior to the first product; The selection system according to claim 1 .

3. any one of the required specifications to be used when selecting the second product in the second selection unit is input by a user to the input unit; The selection system according to claim 1 .

4. The second selection unit the products that satisfy the required specifications extracted by the extraction unit are arranged in order of merit of any one of the required specifications that is used when selecting the second product, and the product that is one rank higher than the first product is selected as the second product; The selection system according to claim 1 .

5. The second selection unit calculating a difference between the first product and the second product in the predetermined filter condition; The presentation unit presenting the calculation result by the second selection unit to a user; The selection system according to claim 1 .

6. The second selection unit calculating a difference in the required specifications between the first product and the second product; The presentation unit presenting the calculation result by the second selection unit to a user; The selection system according to claim 1 or claim 5.

7. The product is a powertrain structure including an electric motor, an inverter electrically connected to the electric motor to control the rotation of the electric motor, and a transmission that converts the rotation of the electric motor and transmits it to drive wheels of an electric vehicle as the electric moving body via an output rotation shaft, The presentation unit presenting to a user specifications of the electric motor and the transmission included in the powertrain structure selected as the first product by the first selection unit and specifications of the electric motor and the transmission included in the powertrain structure selected as the second product by the second selection unit; The selection system according to claim 1 .

8. A selection method in a selection system for selecting a product having a single or multiple drive components used in an electric vehicle, comprising: an input unit inputting one or more requirement specifications that the product should satisfy by a user; an extraction unit extracting the product that satisfies the required specifications input to the input unit; a step in which a first selection unit selects one product that satisfies a predetermined filter condition as a first product from the plurality of products extracted by the extraction unit; a step in which a second selection unit selects, from among the plurality of products extracted by the extraction unit that do not satisfy the predetermined filter condition, a product that is superior to the first product selected by the first selection unit in any one of the required specifications as a second product; a presentation unit presenting the first product selected by the first selection unit and the second product selected by the second selection unit to a user; Including, the predetermined filter condition is a condition related to one of the pieces of information about the products, and is a condition for selecting one product from the plurality of products; Selection method.

9. A computer in a selection system for selecting a product having a single or multiple drive components to be used in an electric vehicle, an acquiring step of acquiring one or more requirement specifications that the product should satisfy by inputting the requirement specifications by a user; an extraction step of extracting the product that satisfies the input required specifications; a first selection step of selecting one product that satisfies a predetermined filter condition as a first product from the plurality of products extracted by the extraction step; a second selection step of selecting, as a second product, a product that is superior in any one of the required specifications to the first product selected in the first selection step from among the plurality of products extracted in the extraction step that do not satisfy the predetermined filter condition; a presentation step of presenting to a user the first product selected in the first selection step and the second product selected in the second selection step; Execute the predetermined filter condition is a condition related to one of the pieces of information about the products, and is a condition for selecting one product from the plurality of products; program.

10. A selection system for selecting a product having a single or multiple drive components used in an electric vehicle, an input unit into which one or more required specifications that the product should satisfy are input by a user; an extraction unit that extracts the product that satisfies the required specifications input to the input unit; a first selection unit that selects one product that satisfies a predetermined filter condition as a first product from the plurality of products extracted by the extraction unit; a second selection unit that selects, as a second product, a product that is superior in any one of the required specifications to the first product selected by the first selection unit from among the plurality of products extracted by the extraction unit that do not satisfy the predetermined filter condition; a presentation unit that presents the first product selected by the first selection unit and the second product selected by the second selection unit to a user via a terminal that is communicatively connected via a network; Equipped with the predetermined filter condition is a condition related to one of the pieces of information about the products, and is a condition for selecting one product from the plurality of products; Selection system.

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