Server equipment

Abstract

To surely rescue a vehicle with power shortage.SOLUTION: A server device comprises: a communication part; and a controller which communicates through the communication part with a vehicle. The controller acquires amount of charge required for a vehicle to be charged and a location and instructs the charging vehicle that does not have sufficient amount of charge to travel to the location on a route where power feeding from a road surface is possible.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , , , ,

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

Background Art

[0002] When an electric vehicle (Electric Vehicle or EV) driven by a battery or the like is in motion, it may run out of power, that is, enter a power shortage state. Various technologies have been proposed to resolve or avoid such situations. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for charging a vehicle in a power shortage state from another vehicle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Vehicles for charging a vehicle in a power shortage state do not always have a sufficient battery remaining amount, and there is a risk that the vehicle in a power shortage state cannot be reliably rescued.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a server device and the like that enable more reliably rescuing a vehicle in a power shortage state.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The server device in the present disclosure includes a communication unit and a control unit that communicates with a vehicle through the communication unit. The control unit acquires information on the required charging amount and position of a vehicle that needs charging, and instructs a power supply vehicle that does not have the required charging amount to move along a road surface power supply possible route to the position.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] The server equipment and other devices described in this disclosure will enable more reliable rescue of vehicles that have run out of power. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This diagram shows an example of a vehicle management system configuration. [Figure 2] This diagram shows an example of the operating procedure between the server device and the vehicle receiving power. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the operating procedure for a server device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments will be described below.

[0010] Figure 1 shows an example configuration of a vehicle management system in one embodiment. The vehicle management system 1 has one or more server devices 10 and vehicles 12 and 13, each connected to each other via a network 11 for information communication. The server device 10 is, for example, a server computer belonging to a cloud computing system or other computing system and functioning as a server that implements various functions. The vehicles 12 and 13 are passenger cars, commercial vehicles, etc., equipped with communication functions and information processing functions, and are connected to the network 11 via a mobile communication network. The vehicles 12 and 13 may be driven by a driver, or their operation may be automated to any level. The vehicle 12 is powered 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), a fuel cell vehicle (FCEV; Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle), etc. The vehicle 13 is equipped with a battery 16 for supplying power to the battery 15 of the vehicle 12. Vehicle 13 is, for example, a gasoline-powered vehicle, or a BEV, HEV, PHEV, FCEV, etc., powered by the battery 16. Hereinafter, vehicles 12 and 13 will be referred to as the powered vehicle 12 and the powered vehicle 13, respectively. Network 11 is, for example, the internet, but may include an ad-hoc network, LAN, MAN (Metropolitan Area Network), or other networks or any combination thereof.

[0011] In this embodiment, the vehicle management system 1 is a system for assisting a power supply vehicle 13 to rush and charge a powered vehicle 12 that has run out of power. 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 16 of the power supply vehicle 13. In the vehicle management system 1, the server device 10 has a communication unit 101 and a control unit 103 that communicates with the powered vehicle 12 and the power supply vehicle 13 via the communication unit 101. When the control unit 103 obtains information on the required charge amount (hereinafter referred to as the required charge amount) and location (hereinafter referred to as the power supply location) of the powered vehicle 12 that needs charging, it instructs the power supply vehicle 13, which does not have the required charge amount, to move along a road-surface power supply route (hereinafter referred to as the road-surface power supply route) to the power supply location. The road-surface power supply route is a route that passes through a road where road-surface power supply equipment is installed. The road surface power supply equipment is equipment for supplying power to a power supply vehicle 13 while it is in motion. The road surface power supply equipment may, for example, charge the battery 16 of the power supply vehicle 13 non-contactually by electromagnetic induction of coils embedded in the road surface, or it may charge the battery 16 by the power supply vehicle 13 driving while making contact with the power supply line laid on the road surface or guardrail. When the power supply vehicle 13 rushes to charge a powered vehicle 12 that is out of power, it can obtain the necessary amount of charge on the way to the power supply location without having to stop at a power supply station to obtain the necessary amount of charge. Therefore, it becomes possible to rescue a powered vehicle 12 that is out of power more reliably.

[0012] Next, the configuration of the server device 10 will be described. The server device 10 has a communication unit 101, a storage unit 102, and a control unit 103. The server device 10 is, for example, a single computer. Alternatively, the server device 10 may consist of two or more computers that are connected in a way that enables information communication and operate in cooperation. In that case, the configuration shown in Figure 1 will be appropriately arranged on two or more computers.

[0013] 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 for the operation of the server device 10 and transmits information obtained through the operation of the server device 10. 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 powered vehicle 13 via the network 11.

[0014] The storage unit 102 includes, for example, one or more semiconductor memories, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two of these, which function as main memory, auxiliary memory, or cache memory. The semiconductor memory is, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory) or ROM (Read Only Memory). The RAM is, for example, SRAM (Static RAM) or DRAM (Dynamic RAM). The ROM is, for example, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM). The storage unit 102 stores information used for the operation of the server device 10 and information obtained by the operation of the server device 10.

[0015] The control unit 103 includes one or more processors, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processors are, for example, general-purpose processors such as CPUs (Central Processing Units) or dedicated processors such as GPUs (Graphics Processing Units) specialized for specific processing. The dedicated circuits are, for example, FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) or ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits). The control unit 103 controls each part of the server device 10 and performs information processing related to the operation of the server device 10.

[0016] The functions of the server device 10 are realized by executing a control program on a processor included in the control unit 103. The control program is a program that causes a computer to execute the processing steps included in the operation of the server device 10, thereby realizing the functions corresponding to the processing of those steps. In other words, the control program is a program that causes a computer to function as the server device 10. Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the server device 10 may be realized by a dedicated circuit included in the control unit 103. In addition, the control program may be stored in a non-transient recording / storage medium readable by the server device 10, and the server device 10 may read it from the medium.

[0017] Next, an example of the configuration of the vehicle to be powered 12 will be described. The vehicle to be powered 12 has an on-board device 14 and a battery 15. The on-board 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 they may be configured as a personal computer including a tablet terminal, a smartphone terminal, or a navigation device. Alternatively, each unit may be connected to communicate information via an in-vehicle network compliant with standards such as CAN (Controller Area Network). The battery 15 is, for example, a lithium-ion battery. Each unit of the on-board device 14 is configured to operate using the battery 15 even when the vehicle to be powered 12 is parked and the accessories are turned off.

[0018] The communication unit 121 includes one or more communication interfaces. The communication interfaces are, for example, interfaces compatible with mobile communication standards such as LTE, 4G, or 5G. The communication unit 121 receives information used in the operation of the control unit 123 and transmits information obtained through the operation of the control unit 123. The control unit 123 is connected to the network 11 via a mobile communication base station by the communication unit 121 and communicates information with other devices via the network 11.

[0019] 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 in-vehicle device 14.

[0020] The control unit 123 includes one or more processors, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination of these. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or a dedicated processor specialized for specific processing. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA or an ASIC. The control unit 123 executes information processing related to the operation of the powered vehicle 12 while controlling each part of the in-vehicle device 14.

[0021] The positioning unit 124 includes one or more GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receivers. The GNSS includes, for example, at least any one of GPS (Global Positioning System), QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System), BeiDou, GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System), and Galileo. The positioning unit 124 acquires the position information of the powered vehicle 12.

[0022] The input unit 125 includes one or more input interfaces. The input interface is, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, a touch screen provided integrally with a display, or a microphone that accepts voice input. The input interface may further include a camera that captures an imaging image or an image code, or an IC card reader. The input unit 125 accepts an operation for inputting information used for the operation of the control unit 123 and sends the input information to the control unit 123.

[0023] The output unit 126 includes one or more output interfaces. The output interface is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The output unit 126 outputs the information obtained by the operation of the control unit 123.

[0024] The detection unit 127 has an interface with one or more sensors that detect the states of each part of the power-receiving vehicle 12, or includes one or more sensors. The sensors include, for example, a sensor that detects the remaining battery level of the battery 15, a sensor that detects the motion state (speed, longitudinal acceleration, lateral acceleration, deceleration, etc.) of the power-receiving vehicle 12, and the like. The detection unit 127 sends the information indicating each state detected by the sensors to the control unit 123.

[0025] The functions of the control unit 123 are realized by executing a control program with a processor included in the control unit 123. The control program is a program for causing a computer to execute the processing of the steps included in the operation of the control unit 123, 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 control unit 123. Also, some or all of the functions of the control unit 123 may be realized by a dedicated circuit included in the control unit 123.

[0026] The power-supply vehicle 13 has an in-vehicle device 14 and a battery 16 equivalent to those of the power-receiving vehicle 12. The battery 16 includes a battery for charging the battery 15 of the power-receiving vehicle 12. The battery 15 may include a battery for supplying power for driving the power-supply vehicle 13.

[0027] Figure 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation procedure of the server device 10 and the powered vehicle 12 in this embodiment. The operation procedure in Figure 2 is performed by the server device 10 and one powered vehicle 12, and is performed for each combination of the server device 10 and each powered vehicle 12 in the case of multiple powered vehicles 12. The operation of the server device 10 and the powered vehicle 12 in Figure 2 is performed by the control unit 103 of the server device 10 and the control unit 113 of the powered vehicle 12, respectively. Furthermore, the exchange of information between the server device 10 and the powered vehicle 12 is performed by the control unit 103 and the control unit 113 sending and receiving information via the communication unit 101 and the communication unit 111, respectively. The operation procedure in Figure 2 is performed at an arbitrary period, for example, a period of several milliseconds to several seconds.

[0028] In step S201, the vehicle to be powered 12 sends its location information and battery level information to the server device 10. This information is sent along with identification information for each vehicle to be powered 12. The battery level information is, for example, the State of Charge (SOC) value of the battery 15. Along with the location information, information about the destination of the vehicle to be powered 12, or the distance to the destination, may also be sent to the server device 10.

[0029] In step S202, the server device 10 determines whether the power supply vehicle 12 is depleted. The server device 10 determines for each power supply vehicle 12 whether the battery level of that vehicle is above an arbitrary standard. The server device 10 determines that a power supply vehicle 12 whose battery level is below the standard is depleted. The standard is an arbitrarily set SOC value, for example, any value between a few percent and 20%. The standard may also be determined according to the distance to the destination. For example, the server device 10 can derive the distance from the current position of each power supply vehicle 12 to the destination based on map information, and use that distance as the standard for the battery level required for the power supply vehicle 12 to travel. The map information is stored in the storage unit 102 in advance. The server device 10 may also derive the vehicle type and its energy consumption based on the identification information of each power supply vehicle 12, and determine the standard based on the energy consumption. Such energy consumption information for each vehicle type is stored in the storage unit 102 in advance.

[0030] In step S203, the server device 10 sends information to the vehicle 12 that has been determined to be out of power to inquire whether or not it needs to be supplied with power.

[0031] In step S204, the vehicle to be powered 12 determines whether power is needed based on the information received from the server device 10, using an arbitrary algorithm. For example, it determines that power is needed if its battery level falls below a predetermined standard for each vehicle to be powered 12. Alternatively, the vehicle to be powered 12 may output information indicating the battery level along with information indicating a request from the server device 10 to the occupant, who may then determine whether power is needed and input the result back into the vehicle to be powered 12.

[0032] In step S205, the vehicle to be powered 12 sends a power supply request and time limit information to the server device 10, in accordance with the determination that power supply is necessary. The time limit information indicates the time by which power supply should be completed. This time can be determined, for example, by calculating backward from the arrival time at the destination set in the navigation system of the vehicle to be powered 12, and determining the time by which power supply should be completed and movement toward the destination should begin. Alternatively, the occupants may input the time by which they wish power supply to be completed in the vehicle to be powered 12.

[0033] In step S206, the server device 10 dispatches the power supply vehicle 13 using an arbitrary algorithm in response to the power supply request received from the powered vehicle 12.

[0034] Alternatively, steps S201 to S203 may be omitted, and the need for power supply may be determined in the vehicle to be powered 12, and a power supply request may be sent to the server device 10. In that case, along with the power supply request, the location information and battery level information of the vehicle to be powered 12 will be sent to the server device.

[0035] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the server device 10 in dispatching power-supplied vehicles. The procedure in Figure 3 corresponds to the detailed procedure of step S206 in Figure 2 and is executed by the control unit 103 of the server device 10. If multiple power-supplied vehicles 12 are determined to be in a power-out state, the procedure in Figure 3 is executed for each power-supplied vehicle 12.

[0036] In step S301, the control unit 103 acquires location information and battery level information for each power supply vehicle 13 from the power supply vehicle 13. The control unit 103 sends a request for location information and battery level information to one or more power supply vehicles 13 via the communication unit 101. In response, the onboard device 14 in the power supply vehicle 13 sends out its own location information and battery level information. This information is sent out along with identification information for each power supply vehicle 13. The battery level information is, for example, the SOC value of the battery 16. The control unit 103 receives the information sent out by the power supply vehicle 13 via the communication unit 101.

[0037] In step S302, the control unit 103 selects the power supply vehicle 13 with the highest battery charge within the candidate range as a candidate for dispatch. The candidate range is an arbitrary distance range from the location of the vehicle to be powered 12, which has been determined to be in a power-depleted state, i.e., from the power supply location. Such an arbitrary distance range is, for example, the distance that can be reached at the legal speed from the current time to a time when the power supply time has been brought forward from the time when power supply is required to be completed (hereinafter referred to as the scheduled time).

[0038] In step S303, the control unit 103 determines whether the remaining battery charge of the power supply vehicle 13 selected as a candidate vehicle is equal to or greater than the required charge amount for the battery 15 of the powered vehicle 12 which is in a power-depleted state. The required charge amount is the amount of charge needed to charge the battery 15 to a level where the power-depleted state is resolved, that is, to the standard determined in step S202 when the power-depleted state was determined. If the battery 15 has a remaining charge equal to or greater than the required charge amount (Yes in step S303), the control unit 103 proceeds to step S304. If the battery 15 does not have a remaining charge equal to or greater than the required charge amount (No in step S303), the control unit 103 proceeds to step S306.

[0039] In step S304, the control unit 103 determines the optimal route for the power supply vehicle 13. The optimal route is, for example, the route that allows the vehicle to reach the power supply location in the shortest distance or shortest time from its current location. The server device 10 determines the optimal route using map information and an arbitrary algorithm.

[0040] Meanwhile, in step S306, the control unit 103 determines a road surface power supply route for the power supply vehicle 13 to reach the power supply location from its current position. The road surface power supply route is a route that passes through roads where road surface power supply equipment is installed, either partially or entirely. The location of the road surface power supply equipment is stored in the storage unit 102 in association with map information. In addition, information on the distance traveled by the road surface power supply equipment and the amount of charge that can be charged is stored in the storage unit 102 in association with each other in advance. Using this information, the control unit 103 derives a route using an arbitrary algorithm such that the power supply vehicle 13 passes through roads where road surface power supply equipment is installed for a distance sufficient to allow it to charge more than the required amount.

[0041] In step S307, the control unit 103 determines whether the power supply vehicle 13 can arrive at the power supply location by the scheduled time if it travels along the road power supply route. Based on the map information, the control unit 103 derives the arrival time of the power supply vehicle 13 at the power supply location if it travels along the road power supply route, and determines whether it will arrive before or after the scheduled time. If it is possible to arrive before the scheduled time (Yes in step S307), the control unit 103 proceeds to step S305; if it is not possible to arrive (No in step S307), the control unit 103 proceeds to step S308.

[0042] In step S305, the control unit 103 dispatches a vehicle. The control unit 103 sends an instruction to the power supply vehicle 13 to move from its current position to the power supply position, either by the optimal route if an optimal route has been determined, or by the road surface power supply route if a road surface power supply route has been determined. The power supply vehicle 13 starts moving in response to this instruction, or outputs the content of the instruction to the occupant and starts moving through the occupant's operation, moving to the power supply position. Upon arrival at the power supply position, charging is performed from the power supply vehicle 13 to the powered vehicle 12.

[0043] Meanwhile, in step S308, the control unit 103 sends a dispatch unavailable notification to the vehicle to be powered 12. The dispatch unavailable notification includes information indicating that there is no power supply vehicle 13 that can charge the required amount and move to the power supply location by the scheduled time. The vehicle to be powered 12 outputs the dispatch unavailable notification to its occupants. Upon receiving such an output, the occupants can, for example, consider alternative means.

[0044] After step S305 or S308, the process shown in Figure 3 is completed.

[0045] Even if a dispatch unavailable notification is sent to the vehicle to be powered 12 during one processing cycle in Figure 3, for example, by executing the processing cycle in Figure 3 at an arbitrary interval, for example, every few seconds to a few minutes, the position of the power supply vehicle 13 changes during that time, and the dispatch candidates change, thereby increasing the probability that a dispatchable power supply vehicle 13 can be determined. Alternatively, instead of step S308, the control unit 103 may shorten the road surface power supply route using an arbitrary algorithm and return to step S307 to determine whether it is possible to arrive before the scheduled time. Then, the control unit 103 may dispatch the power supply vehicle 13 using the shortened road surface power supply route that allows arrival before the scheduled time. By doing so, it is possible to partially or quickly resolve the power depletion state of the vehicle to be powered 12.

[0046] According to the method described above, rapid on-site charging can be performed, making it possible to more reliably rescue the vehicle 12 that is running out of power.

[0047] 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]

[0048] 1. Vehicle Management System 10 Server devices 11 Network Vehicles 12 and 13 14 Onboard equipment 15, 16 Batteries 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 communicates with the vehicle via the aforementioned communication unit, The control unit acquires information on the required charge amount and location of the vehicle that requires charging. If the power supply vehicle does not have the required charge amount, a road-based power supply route to the location will be set up so that the power supply vehicle can arrive at the location by a predetermined time and can be charged to an amount greater than or equal to the required charge amount. If the power supply vehicle can arrive at the location by the predetermined time, the power supply vehicle will be dispatched; if the power supply vehicle cannot arrive at the location by the predetermined time, a notification will be sent to the vehicle. Server device.

2. In claim 1, The control unit sets the vehicle with the maximum battery charge as the power supply vehicle, within a distance range that allows the vehicle to reach the position at the legal speed by the predetermined time. Server device.

3. In claim 2, The predetermined time is the charging start time such that the required amount of charge is completed before the vehicle begins moving toward its destination. Server device.

4. In claim 1, The control unit obtains information on the vehicle's battery level and destination from the vehicle, and derives the required charge amount based on the battery level and destination information. Server device.

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