Server equipment

Abstract

To improve the reliability of power supply by feeding vehicles.SOLUTION: A server device includes a communication unit and a control unit that communicates by the communication unit. The control unit sends instructions to a first feeding vehicle to move to the location of a vehicle to be fed when the traffic situation around the vehicle to be fed requiring power supply is a first situation, and to a second feeding vehicle with higher power generation capacity than the first feeding vehicle when the traffic situation is a second situation in which a congestion level is higher than the first situation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] There are cases where an electric vehicle (Electric Vehicle or EV) driven by a battery may run out of power while in motion. Various technologies have been proposed to solve or avoid such situations. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for charging a vehicle with a power shortage from another vehicle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When a power-supplying vehicle must supply power to a vehicle with a power shortage, there is room for improvement in certainty so that the necessary amount of power supply can be more reliably supplied.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a server device and the like that enable improvement in the certainty of power supply by a power-supplying vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The server device in the present disclosure includes a communication unit and a control unit that communicates via the communication unit. When the traffic situation around a power-receiving vehicle that requires power supply is in a first situation, the control unit sends a movement instruction to a first power-supplying vehicle, and when the traffic situation is in a second situation where the degree of congestion is higher than the first situation, the control unit sends a movement instruction to a second power-supplying vehicle that has a higher power generation capacity than the first power-supplying vehicle to the position of the power-receiving vehicle.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] The server equipment and other devices described in this disclosure will enable improved reliability of power supply by power supply vehicles. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This diagram shows an example of a vehicle management system configuration. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the operation procedure for the server device, the vehicle receiving power, and the vehicle supplying power. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of a vehicle management system in one embodiment. The vehicle management system 1 has one or more server devices 10, powered vehicles 12, and powered vehicles 13, each connected to each other via a network 11 so as to be able to communicate information.

[0011] 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.

[0012] The vehicle to be powered 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 vehicle to be powered 12 is driven by the power of an onboard battery 15, and is, for example, an electric vehicle (BEV; Battery Electric Vehicle), a hybrid vehicle (HEV; Hybrid Electric Vehicle), a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV; Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), etc. In this embodiment, when the vehicle to be powered 12 needs to charge its battery 15, it receives power at a power supply station or from a power supply vehicle 13. The vehicle to be powered 12 may be driven by a driver, or its operation may be automated to any level.

[0013] The power supply vehicle 13 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 13 has onboard equipment 14 and a battery 15 equivalent to those of the powered vehicle 12, but the battery 15 in the power supply vehicle 13 includes a battery that stores power for supplying power to the powered vehicle 12. The power supply vehicle 13 is a BEV, HEV, PHEV, etc., driven by the power of the onboard battery 15, but may also be a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) or a gasoline vehicle. The power supply vehicle 13 may also have a power generation device 17 as appropriate. The power supply vehicle 13 may be driven by a driver, or its operation may be automated to any level.

[0014] Network 11 may be the Internet, for example, but may also include ad-hoc networks, LANs, MANs (Metropolitan Area Networks), other networks, or any combination thereof.

[0015] In this embodiment, the vehicle management system 1 is a system for assisting the power supply vehicle 13 to rush to charge the powered vehicle 12 when the powered vehicle 12 experiences a power shortage. A power shortage includes a state in which the battery level of the powered vehicle 12 has decreased to the extent that it cannot perform one or more functions, including driving, or a state in which the battery level has fallen below a certain level, but it may also be a state in which the user of the powered vehicle 12 arbitrarily decides that power supply is necessary. Rush charging is a method of supplying power by having the power supply vehicle 13 move to the location of the powered vehicle 12 and charge the battery 15 of the powered vehicle 12 from the battery 15 of the power supply vehicle 13 or the power generator 17. In the vehicle management system 1, the server device 10 executes rush charging by sending a movement instruction to the power supply vehicle 13 in order to supply power to one or more powered vehicles 12.

[0016] The server device 10 includes a communication unit 101 and a control unit 103 that communicates via the communication unit 101. The control unit 103 sends a movement instruction to the location of the vehicle to be powered 12 when the traffic conditions around the vehicle to be powered 12 are in a first condition, and to the second powered vehicle 13 which has a higher power generation capacity than the first powered vehicle 13 when the traffic conditions are in a second condition where the congestion is higher than in the first condition. In traffic conditions such as congestion with a high degree of traffic jams, there is a high probability that multiple vehicles to be powered 12 will become stranded due to insufficient power, requiring a large amount of power supply. In such cases, even if a powered vehicle 13 equipped only with a battery 15 is attempted to rush in and charge the vehicles, there is a risk that the remaining battery capacity of the powered vehicle 13 will not be sufficient to supply the required amount of power. Even in such cases, according to this embodiment, in the event of traffic congestion, a power supply vehicle 13, which has a higher power generation capacity than the battery 15 alone, is dispatched to charge the battery 15 by equipping it with a power generator 17, thereby making it possible to more reliably supply the necessary amount of power. Thus, the reliability of power supply by the power supply vehicle can be improved.

[0017] Next, an example configuration of the server device 10, the vehicle to be powered 12, and the power supply vehicle 13 will be described.

[0018] The server device 10 includes a communication unit 101, a storage unit 102, and a control unit 103. The server device 10 may be a single computer, or it may consist of two or more computers that are connected and operate in coordination with each other. When the server device 10 consists of two or more computers, the configuration shown in Figure 1 is appropriately arranged across the two or more computers.

[0019] 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 control unit 103 and transmits information obtained through the operation of the control unit 103. The server device 10 is connected to the network 11 by the communication unit 101 and communicates information with the powered vehicle 12 and the power supply vehicle 13 via the network 11.

[0020] The storage unit 102 includes, for example, one or more semiconductor memories that function as a main memory device, an auxiliary memory device, or a cache memory, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory). The RAM is, for example, a SRAM (Static RAM) or a DRAM (Dynamic RAM). The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM). The storage unit 102 stores information used for the operation of the control unit 103 and information obtained by the operation of the control unit 103.

[0021] The control unit 103 includes one or more processors, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination of these. 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 specific processing. 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 part of the server device 10.

[0022] 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 for causing a computer to execute the processing of the steps included in the operation of the server device 10, so as to cause the computer to realize the functions corresponding to the processing of those steps. That is, the control program is a program for causing 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. Further, the control program may be stored in a non-transitory recording and storage medium readable by the server device 10, and the server device 10 may read it from the medium.

[0023] The power-receiving vehicle 12 has an on-vehicle device 14 and a battery 15. The on-vehicle device 14 has 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 by a terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, a navigation device, or the like. Alternatively, each unit may be connected so as to be able to communicate information via an in-vehicle network conforming to a standard such as CAN (Controller Area Network). The battery 15 is, for example, one or more lithium-ion batteries that charge and discharge electric power for driving the power-receiving vehicle 12.

[0024] The communication unit 121 includes one or more communication interfaces. The communication interface is, for example, an interface corresponding to a mobile communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), or 5G (5th Generation). The communication unit 121 receives information used for 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 base station for mobile communication by the communication unit 121 and performs information communication with the server device 10 or the like via the network 11.

[0025] 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 memory is, for example, a RAM or a ROM. The RAM is, for example, a SRAM or a DRAM. The ROM is, for example, an 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 for the operation of the control unit 123 and information obtained by the operation of the control unit 123.

[0026] 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 ASIC. The control unit 123 controls each part of the in-vehicle device 14 and performs information processing related to the operation of the powered vehicle 12.

[0027] 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 sends the positioning result to the control unit 123, which then obtains the location information of the powered vehicle 12.

[0028] The input unit 125 includes one or more input interfaces. The input interface may be, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, a touchscreen 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 operations to input information used for the operation of the control unit 123 and sends the input information to the control unit 123.

[0029] The output unit 126 includes one or more output interfaces. The output interfaces are, 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.

[0030] The detection unit 127 has an interface with one or more sensors that detect the state of various parts of the powered vehicle 12, or it has one or more sensors. The sensors include, for example, a sensor that detects the remaining battery level of the battery 15, and a sensor that detects the motion state of the powered vehicle 12 (speed, longitudinal acceleration, lateral acceleration, deceleration, etc.). The detection unit 127 sends information indicating each state detected by the sensors to the control unit 123.

[0031] The functions of the control unit 123 are realized by executing a control program on the processor included in the control unit 123. The control program is a program that causes the computer to execute the processing steps included in the operation of the control unit 123, thereby realizing the functions corresponding to the processing of those steps. In other words, the control program is a program that causes the computer to function as the control unit 123. Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the control unit 123 may be realized by dedicated circuits included in the control unit 123.

[0032] The power supply vehicle 13 has onboard equipment 14 equivalent to that of the powered vehicle 12, and the above description of the onboard equipment 14 of the powered vehicle 12 applies. The battery 15 of the power supply vehicle 13 includes a battery that charges and discharges the power supplied to the powered vehicle 12. The power supply vehicle 13 also has a power generation device 17 as appropriate. The power generation device 17 includes a fuel cell that generates electricity using any fuel including hydrogen, a gasoline power generation device, etc.

[0033] Figure 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the procedure for the coordinated operation of the server device 10, the powered vehicle 12, and the power supply vehicle 13. In Figure 2, the steps related to various information processing of the server device 10, the powered vehicle 12, and the power supply vehicle 13 are executed by their respective control units 103, 123, and 123. Furthermore, the steps related to the sending and receiving of various information of the server device 10, the powered vehicle 12, and the power supply vehicle 13 are executed by the respective control units 103, 123, and 123 sending and receiving information to each other via the communication units 101, 121, and 121. In the server device 10, the powered vehicle 12, and the power supply vehicle 13, the control units 103, 123, and 123 respectively store the information to be processed and sent and received in the storage units 102, 122, and 122 as appropriate.

[0034] The procedure shown in Figure 2 is an example of the procedure when the server device 10 dispatches a power supply vehicle 13 for on-site charging of the vehicle to be powered 12.

[0035] In step S201, the vehicle to be powered 12 sends identification information and a power supply request to the server device 10. The vehicle to be powered 12 sends identification information and a power supply request to the server device 10 when the battery level falls below a predetermined standard and a power shortage occurs, or when the user determines that power is needed and inputs an instruction to send a power supply request to the on-board device 14. The standard for determining a power shortage is, for example, a State of Charge (SOC) value of 20% or less. The identification information is information that identifies the vehicle to be powered 12. Step S201 is performed for each of the one or more vehicles to be powered 12.

[0036] In step S202, the server device 10 obtains location information and battery information from the vehicle to be powered 12 that sent the power supply request. The server device 10 requests information for each vehicle to be powered 12 from one or more vehicles to be powered 12 and obtains the information sent from each vehicle to be powered 12 in response to the request. The battery information includes information such as the capacity and remaining charge of the battery 15.

[0037] In step S203, the server device 10 determines whether the traffic conditions around the powered vehicle 12 are congested or not. For example, the server device 10 obtains road traffic information for the location of each powered vehicle 12 that has sent a power supply request. Based on the road traffic information, the server device 10 determines whether congestion is occurring at each location. Alternatively, the server device 10 may perform step S202 at an arbitrary interval, for example, every few seconds to tens of seconds, derive the speed of movement from the amount of change in position over time for each powered vehicle 12, and determine that congestion has occurred if the speed of movement is below an arbitrary standard at an arbitrary time or distance, for example, if the speed of movement is 10 km / h or less for 10 minutes or more or 1 km or more. Furthermore, the server device 10 may derive the distance between the nearest powered vehicles 12 from the locations of multiple powered vehicles 12, and determine that congestion has occurred as a further condition that this distance is below an arbitrary standard, for example, several meters to tens of meters or less.

[0038] In step S204, the server device 10 groups the vehicles to be powered 12. The server device 10 groups multiple vehicles to be powered 12 whose nearest vehicles to each other are below an arbitrary standard, for example, a few meters to a dozen meters or less. Here, vehicles to be powered 12 that were determined to be congested in the surrounding traffic conditions in step S203 are more likely to be grouped together in the same group. On the other hand, if there is no congestion and the distance between the vehicles to be powered 12 is greater than the standard, one vehicle to be powered 12 may form one group.

[0039] In step S205, the server device 10 searches for a refueling station near the grouped powered vehicles 12. The vicinity of the grouped powered vehicles 12 is within an arbitrary distance range from each powered vehicle 12 included in the group, for example, within several hundred meters. A refueling station is a station that supplies fuel used by the power generator 17 of the power supply vehicle 13 for power generation, and is, for example, a station for supplying various fuels such as hydrogen for fuel cells. A refueling station may also be a gas station for a gasoline power generator. The server device 10 searches for a refueling station using map information.

[0040] In step S206, the server device 10 acquires location information, battery information, and power generation information from one or more power supply vehicles 13. The server device 10 requests the respective information from one or more power supply vehicles 13 and acquires the information sent from each power supply vehicle 13 in response to the request. Battery information includes information on the capacity and remaining charge of the battery 15. Power generation information includes information on the presence or absence of a power generation device, and, if a power generation device 17 is present, the amount of electricity that can be generated and the amount of fuel required to obtain that amount of electricity.

[0041] In step S207, the server device 10 selects a power supply vehicle 13 to charge each group of powered vehicles 12. The server device 10 derives the total amount of power required to charge the batteries 15 of all powered vehicles 12 included in that group to a certain standard or higher, for example, 80% or more in terms of State of Charge (hereinafter referred to as the required amount of power). Then, the server device 10 selects a power supply vehicle 12 based on the required amount of power and whether or not the traffic conditions at the location where the group is located are congested.

[0042] In the case of a group located in an area without traffic congestion, there is a high probability that the number of vehicles to be powered 12 included in the group will be relatively small, and the amount of power required will be relatively small. In other words, there is a high probability that the amount of power required can be covered by power supplied from the battery 15 of the power supply vehicle 12. Therefore, the server device 10 selects a power supply vehicle 13 whose battery level exceeds the amount of power required.

[0043] In the case of a group located at a point where congestion is occurring, there is a high probability that the number of vehicles 12 receiving power in the group is relatively large and the amount of power required is relatively large, so there is a risk that the power supplied from the battery 15 of the power supply vehicle 12 may not be able to meet the required amount of power. Therefore, the server device 10 selects a power supply vehicle 13 in which the battery level and the amount of power that can be generated exceed the required amount of power. In this case, it may also be a condition that a fuel supply station is found near the group. By doing so, the power supply vehicle 13 can refuel the power generation device 17 and continuously perform power generation and power supply, making it possible to meet the required amount of power. Furthermore, the server device 10 can select a power supply vehicle 13 that can generate power using the fuel available at the fuel supply station. In this case, if a fuel supply station for fuel cells and a gasoline supply station are competing under equivalent conditions, the server device 10 can select a power supply vehicle 13 that prioritizes power generation by fuel cells over power generation by gasoline. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the environmental burden of power generation.

[0044] In any case, if multiple power supply vehicles 13 with equivalent conditions are competing, the server device 10 selects one power supply vehicle 13 using an arbitrary algorithm. For example, the server device 10 selects the power supply vehicle 13 located within an arbitrary distance range (e.g., several kilometers) from the group's location that has the largest battery charge, or the sum of the battery charge and the amount of power that can be generated. Alternatively, the server device 10 may select the power supply vehicle 13 closest to the group's location from among the power supply vehicles 13 whose battery charge, or the sum of the battery charge and the amount of power that can be generated, satisfies the above conditions.

[0045] As described above, by selecting a power supply vehicle 13 according to the traffic conditions around the group, it becomes possible to efficiently dispatch power supply vehicles 13 equipped only with a battery 15 and power supply vehicles 13 equipped with both a battery 15 and a power generator 17 when dispatching power supply vehicles 13 to each of multiple groups.

[0046] In step S208, the server device 10 creates a dispatch plan. The dispatch plan includes information identifying the power supply vehicle 13 to provide on-site charging for each group, the destination and travel route of the power supply vehicle 13, and the start time of travel. For each group, the server device 10 sets an arbitrary destination near the group's location. The destination is a location where the vehicle to be powered 12 and the power supply vehicle 13 can park and stop simultaneously for power supply, and where the vehicle to be powered 12 can move, such as a parking area. For example, the destination is a location within an arbitrary distance range from any vehicle to be powered 12 in the group, for example, within several hundred meters. The server device 10 then derives a travel route and start time of travel that will allow the selected power supply vehicle 13 to reach the destination, using an arbitrary algorithm.

[0047] In step S209, the server device 10 sends a movement instruction to the selected power supply vehicle 13. The movement instruction includes information on the movement route to the destination and the start time of the movement.

[0048] In step S210, the server device 10 sends dispatch confirmation information to each group of vehicles to be powered 12. The dispatch confirmation information includes the destination of the power supply vehicle 13, i.e., the location where power will be supplied, and information such as the estimated arrival time of the power supply vehicle 13. The estimated arrival time is derived from the location of the power supply vehicle 13 and the distance of the route. By notifying the user of each vehicle to be powered 12 of this information, the user can move the vehicle to be powered 12 to its destination. Alternatively, the vehicle to be powered 12 can move toward its destination by autonomous driving.

[0049] In step S211, the power supply vehicle 13 is dispatched in response to a movement instruction. When the start time for movement arrives, the power supply vehicle 13 begins moving automatically according to the movement route. Alternatively, the power supply vehicle 13 displays the movement route to the occupants and begins moving in response to the occupants' operations.

[0050] When the power supply vehicle 13 arrives at its destination, in step S212, power is sequentially supplied from the power supply vehicle 13 to one or more vehicles to be powered 12. For example, the power supply vehicle 13 charges the battery 15 of the vehicle to be powered 12 with power supplied from the battery 15, or power supplied from the battery 15 and power generated by the power generator 17, either through the operation of the occupant or an automated machine.

[0051] As described above, in the event of traffic congestion, by equipping the vehicle with a power generator 17 in addition to the battery 15, a power supply vehicle 13 with a higher power generation capacity than the battery 15 alone can be dispatched to charge the vehicle, thereby more reliably supplying the necessary amount of power. Thus, the reliability of power supply by the power supply vehicle can be improved.

[0052] As described above, embodiments have been explained based on various drawings and examples, but it should be noted that those skilled in the art will find it easy to make various modifications and alterations based on this disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the functions, etc., included in each means, each step, etc., can be rearranged in a logically consistent manner, and multiple means, steps, etc., can be combined into one or divided. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1. Vehicle Management System 10 Server devices 11 Network 12 Powered Vehicles 13 Power supply vehicle 14 Onboard equipment 15 batteries 17. Power generation equipment 101, 121 Communications Department 102, 122 Storage section 103, 123 Control Unit 124 Positioning Unit 125 Input section 126 Output section 127 Detection unit

Claims

1. Communications Department and, The system includes a control unit that performs communication using the aforementioned communication unit, The control unit obtains location information and battery level information from the vehicle to be powered, groups together multiple vehicles whose nearest powered vehicles are below a certain standard, derives the required power amount which is the total amount of power required to charge the batteries of the powered vehicles included in the group to a certain standard or higher, and sends a movement instruction to the powered vehicle's location to a first power supply vehicle having a battery level exceeding the required power amount when the traffic conditions around the powered vehicle are in a first situation, and to a second power supply vehicle with a higher power generation capacity than the first power supply vehicle whose total battery level and power generation capacity exceed the required power amount when the traffic conditions are in a second situation which are more congested than the first situation. Server device.

2. In claim 1, The control unit selects the second power supply vehicle on the condition that there is a fuel supply base for power generation near the vehicle to be powered. Server device.

3. In claim 2, The control unit selects the second power supply vehicle according to the type of fuel. Server device.

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