Transportation system and transportation method

Abstract

A transportation system according to the present invention includes: a temperature controlled box for storing a delivery item; a transportation vehicle for carrying the temperature controlled box in which the delivery item is stored; and a reception facility which is the delivery destination of the delivery item by the transportation vehicle. A temperature control battery can be charged by electric power supplied from an on-vehicle battery, and the on-vehicle battery can be charged by electric power supplied from the temperature control battery.

Description

Transportation system and method

[0001] The present invention relates to a transportation system and a transportation method for transporting delivery items on a vehicle.

[0002] A method is known in which a temperature-controlled box is used to cool the inside of the box using supplied power, and the box is transported to a delivery destination after containing the delivery target. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method in which a vehicle equipped with a refrigerated storage unit is used to transport the temperature-controlled box containing the delivery target to the delivery destination.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-8513

[0004] When transporting a delivery item, it is desirable to utilize the power stored in the vehicle battery in vehicles equipped with an on-board battery, such as electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles, for purposes other than the vehicle itself.On the other hand, it is also desirable to utilize the power remaining in the built-in temperature control battery in a temperature control box that has completed its role after delivering the delivery item for purposes within the vehicle itself.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention proposes a transportation system and a transportation method that effectively utilize the power of each battery.

[0006] The transportation system of the present invention includes a temperature-controlled box having a storage section formed by multiple wall sections in which a space for storing a delivery object is formed, a temperature control device that adjusts the temperature of the space, and a temperature control battery that supplies power for operation to the temperature control device, a transportation vehicle that has an on-board battery and transports the temperature-controlled box storing the delivery object, and a receiving facility to which the delivery object is delivered by the transportation vehicle, and when the temperature-controlled box is loaded on the transportation vehicle, the temperature control battery can be charged using power supplied from the on-board battery, and the on-board battery can be charged using power supplied from the temperature control battery.

[0007] This allows the vehicle battery and the temperature control battery to exchange the electric power stored therein with each other.

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to effectively utilize the electric power stored in the batteries provided in the transportation vehicle and the temperature control box.

[0009] 1 shows an overview of a transportation system according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the appearance of a temperature-controlled box; FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of the functional configuration of the transportation system; FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a transportation method in the transportation system; FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of processing executed by a temperature control control unit in the transportation system; and FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of processing executed by a vehicle control unit in the transportation system.

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. Note that the configurations shown in the drawings referred to in the description of the embodiment are schematic representations of the parts and their peripheral configurations that are necessary for realizing the embodiment. Furthermore, the relationship between the thickness and planar dimensions of each structure shown in the drawings, ratios, etc. are merely examples, and various changes can be made depending on the design, etc., as long as they do not deviate from the technical concept of the present invention.

[0011] A transportation system 100 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. As shown in Figure 1, the transportation system 100 includes a transportation vehicle 1, a plurality of temperature-controlled boxes 2, a plurality of delivery targets 3, and a plurality of receiving facilities 4 (4a, 4b, ...).

[0012] The transportation vehicle 1 is an electric vehicle equipped with an on-board battery 11 and driven by the driving force of a motor, for example. The transportation vehicle 1 may also be a hybrid vehicle driven by the driving force of a motor or an engine. The motor of the transportation vehicle 1 is driven by power supplied from the on-board battery 11, and the tires of the transportation vehicle 1 rotate by the driving force of the motor.

[0013] 3, the transportation vehicle 1 further includes a vehicle control unit 12. The vehicle control unit 12 is a computer device including a microcomputer equipped with, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and the CPU executes processes according to a program to control various operations of the transportation vehicle 1. The vehicle control unit 12 controls, for example, charging of the on-board battery 11 and supply of power to the temperature-controlled box 2.

[0014] The transport vehicle 1 carries a temperature-controlled box 2 containing a delivery object 3, and transports the delivery object 3 to each receiving facility 4 (4a, 4b).

[0015] 2, the temperature control box 2 includes a storage section 21, a temperature control battery 22, and a temperature adjustment device 23. The storage section 21, the temperature control battery 22, and the temperature adjustment device 23 are detachable from one another.

[0016] The storage unit 21 includes a plurality of walls 24 that form the space 20, and a lid 25 that opens and closes the space 20. A delivery object 3 is stored in the space 20 of the storage unit 21. Note that the space 20 may store a plurality of delivery objects 3.

[0017] The delivery object 3 is an item that requires temperature control, such as keeping it cold or warm, before being delivered to the destination. For example, the delivery object 3 may be fresh food or frozen food that needs to be kept cold. The delivery object 3 may also be processed food that needs to be kept warm. The delivery object 3 may also be a product that is sensitive to heat, such as an electronic device.

[0018] The temperature control battery 22 is connected to the temperature adjustment device 23 and supplies power for operation of the temperature adjustment device 23. The temperature control battery 22 is, for example, a rechargeable secondary battery. The temperature control battery 22 can be charged by receiving power from the on-board battery 11 of the transportation vehicle 1. It is also possible to charge the on-board battery 11 by supplying power from the temperature control battery 22.

[0019] For example, by connecting the temperature control box 2 to a charging device (not shown) provided in the luggage compartment (bed) of the transport vehicle 1, the vehicle battery 11 and the temperature control battery 22 exchange the power stored therein with each other. Note that the temperature control battery 22 can also be charged while removed from the temperature control box 2. For example, the temperature control battery 22 removed from the temperature control box 2 can be connected to a charging device (not shown) provided in the transport vehicle 1 and charged.

[0020] 3, the temperature adjustment device 23 includes a temperature adjustment control unit 26 and a temperature adjustment unit 27. The temperature adjustment control unit 26 is a computer device including a microcomputer equipped with, for example, a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The CPU executes processing according to a program to control the operation of the temperature adjustment unit 27, control the charging of the temperature adjustment battery 22, and control the supply of power to the transportation vehicle 1. The temperature adjustment control unit 26 of the temperature adjustment device 23 and the vehicle control unit 12 of the transportation vehicle 1 can communicate with each other via wire or wirelessly.

[0021] The temperature adjustment unit 27 is connected to the storage unit 21 and adjusts the temperature of the space 20. This allows the space 20 to be kept at a temperature suitable for transporting the delivery object 3.

[0022] The temperature control unit 27 may be equipped with a well-known compression refrigeration cycle, for example, equipped with a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator, and may maintain the temperature of the space 20 by cooling the delivery object 3 contained in the space 20 using the refrigeration cycle.

[0023] 1 is the delivery destination of the delivery object 3 by the transportation vehicle 1. The receiving facility 4 includes, for example, a residence, a business office, or other facility. The receiving facility 4 (4b) is also provided with a facility power source 41. By connecting the temperature control box 2 to the facility power source 41 and receiving power from the facility power source 41, the temperature control battery 22 can be charged.

[0024] The transportation method in the transportation system 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. First, in step S101, a temperature-controlled box 2 containing a delivery target 3 is loaded into the cargo compartment (cargo bed) of the transportation vehicle 1. One or more temperature-controlled boxes 2 are loaded into the cargo compartment (cargo bed) by an operator (see Fig. 1).

[0025] In step S102, the transportation vehicle 1 transports the temperature-controlled box 2 containing the delivery object 3 to each receiving facility 4 (4a, 4b), which is the delivery destination. During transportation, the temperature control device 23 operates using power supplied from the temperature control battery 22, so that the space 20 of the storage section 21 is kept at a temperature suitable for storing the delivery object 3 (see FIG. 2).

[0026] In the process from steps S101 to S102, when the temperature control box 2 is loaded on the transport vehicle 1, the temperature control battery 22 can be charged using power supplied from the on-board battery 11 of the transport vehicle 1.

[0027] The temperature-controlled box 2 may be charged in advance by an external power source (not shown) before being loaded onto the transport vehicle 1. This eliminates the need to consume power from the on-board battery 11 of the transport vehicle 1 to charge the temperature-controlled box 2.

[0028] In step S103, when the transport vehicle 1 arrives at the delivery destination receiving facility 4 (for example, receiving facility 4a shown in Figure 1), the delivery item 3 is removed from the temperature-controlled box 2 by an operator and delivered to the recipient at receiving facility 4a.

[0029] After the delivery object 3 is delivered to the receiving facility 4a, in step S105, the used temperature-controlled box 2 that no longer contains the delivery object 3 is collected by a worker and placed in the cargo compartment (bed) of the transport vehicle 1.

[0030] In step S106, with the collected temperature-controlled box 2 loaded onto the transport vehicle 1, the on-board battery 11 of the transport vehicle 1 can be charged with power supplied from the temperature-controlled battery 22 of the temperature-controlled box 2. The power of the charged on-board battery 11 can be used to drive the motor that runs the transport vehicle 1, etc.

[0031] On the other hand, in the process of step S103, when the delivery vehicle 1 arrives at the receiving facility 4 of the delivery destination (for example, the receiving facility 4b shown in FIG. 1), the recipient may not be present.

[0032] In this case, in step S104, the worker delivers the delivery object 3 to the receiving facility 4b in the temperature-controlled box 2 without removing it. By delivering the delivery object 3 in the temperature-controlled box 2, the temperature control function of the temperature adjustment device 23 of the temperature-controlled box 2 can maintain the space 20 of the storage section 21 at a temperature suitable for storing the delivery object 3 while the recipient is away (see FIG. 2). This prevents the delivery object 3 from spoiling or breaking down while the recipient is away. After completing delivery, the transportation vehicle 1 begins moving toward the next receiving facility 4.

[0033] When the recipient returns to the receiving facility 4b, in step S107, the recipient opens the temperature-controlled box 2 and receives the delivery object 3. The recipient then connects the used temperature-controlled box 2 to a facility power supply 41 provided at the receiving facility 4b to charge the temperature-controlled battery 22 (see FIG. 1).

[0034] Thereafter, in step S108, when the transport vehicle 1 stops at the receiving facility 4b, the recipient returns the charged temperature-controlled box 2 to the worker. The returned temperature-controlled box 2 is placed in the luggage compartment (bed) of the transport vehicle 1 by the worker.

[0035] In step S109, with the collected temperature-controlled box 2 loaded on the transport vehicle 1, the onboard battery 11 of the transport vehicle 1 can be charged with power supplied from the temperature-controlled battery 22 of the temperature-controlled box 2. The power of the charged onboard battery 11 can be used to drive the motor for propelling the transport vehicle 1. In particular, here, the power stored in the temperature-controlled battery 22 from the outside (the facility power source 41 of the receiving facility 4b) can be used for propelling the transport vehicle 1.

[0036] The processes executed by the temperature control control unit 26 of the temperature control box 2 and the vehicle control unit 12 of the transportation vehicle 1 in the transportation system 100 will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. The processes shown in Figures 5 and 6 are executed, for example, when the temperature control box 2 is connected to a charging device (not shown) of the transportation vehicle 1 and the power stored in the on-board battery 11 and the temperature control battery 22 can be exchanged with each other.

[0037] The process executed by the temperature control unit 26 of the temperature controlled box 2 will be described with reference to Figure 5. First, in step S201, the temperature control unit 26 determines whether the delivery object 3 is stored in the storage unit 21 of the temperature controlled box 2. The storage unit 21 is provided with various sensors (not shown) for detecting the delivery object 3 in the space 20, such as a weight sensor or an optical sensor. The temperature control unit 26 determines whether the delivery object 3 is stored in the storage unit 21 based on the detection information from these sensors.

[0038] If it is determined in step S201 that the delivery target 3 is stored in the storage unit 21, the temperature control control unit 26 proceeds to step S204. In step S204, the temperature control control unit 26 transmits a request for charging the temperature control battery 22 to the transportation vehicle 1. Upon receiving the request, the transportation vehicle 1 supplies power from the on-board battery 11 to the temperature control box 2 (see S304 in FIG. 6 , described later).

[0039] In the following step S205, the temperature adjustment control unit 26 controls charging of the temperature adjustment battery 22 with power from the onboard battery 11 supplied from the transport vehicle 1. This allows the temperature adjustment battery 22 to be charged while the temperature adjustment box 2 containing the delivery object 3 is loaded onto the transport vehicle 1. After completing the processing of step S205, the temperature adjustment control unit 26 ends the processing of FIG. 5.

[0040] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S201 that the delivery target 3 is not stored in the storage unit 21, the temperature control unit 26 proceeds to step S202. In step S202, the temperature control unit 26 transmits a request to the transportation vehicle 1 to charge the on-board battery 11.

[0041] In the next step S203, the temperature adjustment control unit 26 controls the supply of power from the temperature adjustment battery 22 to the transportation vehicle 1. In the transportation vehicle 1, the on-board battery 11 is charged with the supplied power from the temperature adjustment battery 22 (see S303 in FIG. 6 described later). After completing the processing of step S203, the temperature adjustment control unit 26 ends the processing of FIG. 5.

[0042] The process executed by the vehicle control unit 12 of the transport vehicle 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. First, in step S301, when the vehicle control unit 12 detects a request to charge the vehicle battery 11 from the temperature control box 2 (see S202 in Fig. 5), the process proceeds to step S303.

[0043] In the following step S303, the vehicle control unit 12 controls charging of the on-board battery 11 with the power of the temperature control battery 22 supplied from the temperature control box 2 (see S203 in FIG. 5 ). This allows the on-board battery 11 to be charged using the remaining power of the temperature control battery 22 when a used temperature control box 2 that does not contain a delivery object 3 is loaded onto the transport vehicle 1. After completing the processing of step S303, the vehicle control unit 12 ends the processing of FIG. 6.

[0044] On the other hand, when a request for charging the temperature control battery 22 is detected from the temperature control box 2 (see S204 in FIG. 5), the vehicle control unit 12 proceeds with the process in the order of steps S301, S302, and S304. Then, in step S304, the vehicle control unit 12 performs control to supply power from the in-vehicle battery 11 to the temperature control box 2. In the temperature control box 2, the temperature control battery 22 is charged with the supplied power from the in-vehicle battery 11 (see S205 in FIG. 5). After completing the process of step S304, the vehicle control unit 12 ends the process of FIG. 6.

[0045] 5 has been described as being executed by the temperature control control unit 26, the process may instead be executed by the vehicle control unit 12. In this case, for example, the vehicle control unit 12 acquires detection information from various sensors from the temperature control box 2 and determines whether the delivery object 3 is housed in the temperature control box 2. If the vehicle control unit 12 determines that the delivery object 3 is housed in the temperature control box 2, it controls the vehicle battery 11 to supply power to charge the temperature control battery 22, and if the vehicle control unit 12 determines that the delivery object 3 is not housed in the temperature control box 2, it controls the vehicle battery 11 to supply power to charge the temperature control battery 22.

[0046] According to the above embodiment, the transportation system 100 includes a transportation vehicle 1, a temperature-controlled box 2, and a receiving facility 4 (see FIG. 1). The transportation vehicle 1 is equipped with an on-board battery 11 and transports the temperature-controlled box 2 containing the delivery object 3. The temperature-controlled box 2 includes a storage section 21 having a space 20 formed by multiple walls 24 for storing the delivery object 3, a temperature-control battery 22 that supplies power for operation to the temperature control device 23, and the temperature control device 23 that adjusts the temperature of the space 20 (see FIG. 2). Here, the receiving facility 4 is the destination of the delivery object 3 by the transportation vehicle 1.

[0047] Furthermore, when the temperature control box 2 is loaded onto the transport vehicle 1, the temperature control battery 22 can be charged using power supplied from the vehicle battery 11, while the vehicle battery 11 can also be charged using power supplied from the temperature control battery 22 (see S101 to S102, S106, S109 in Figure 4, Figures 5 and 6, etc.).

[0048] This allows the vehicle battery 11 and the temperature control battery 22 to exchange power with each other, thereby making it possible to effectively utilize the power stored in each battery.

[0049] According to the above, for example, when a temperature-controlled box 2 containing a delivery object 3 is loaded onto a transport vehicle 1, the temperature-controlled battery 22 can be charged using power supplied from the on-board battery 11 (see S101 to S102 in Figure 4, S205 in Figure 5, S304 in Figure 6, etc.).

[0050] This eliminates the need to charge the temperature control battery 22 in advance by supplying power from an external power source (not shown) when loading the temperature control box 2 onto the transport vehicle 1. This improves the work efficiency of workers in the transport system 100.

[0051] Furthermore, during transportation by the transport vehicle 1, the temperature-controlled box 2 consumes power by operating the temperature adjustment device 23 to maintain the internal space 20 at an appropriate temperature. At this time, by supplying power from the on-board battery 11 to charge the temperature control battery 22, it is possible to prevent the power of the temperature control battery 22 from running out during transportation by the transport vehicle 1. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which temperature control in the temperature-controlled box 2 stops due to a power shortage during transportation by the transport vehicle 1, causing the contained delivery object 3 to spoil or break down.

[0052] Furthermore, according to the above, for example, when a temperature-controlled box 2 that does not contain a delivery object 3 is loaded onto a transport vehicle 1, the vehicle battery 11 can be charged using power supplied from the temperature-controlled battery 22 (see S106, S109 in Figure 4, S203 in Figure 5, S303 in Figure 6, etc.).

[0053] As a result, for example, after delivery to the receiving facility 4 (4a) is completed and the temperature control box 2 has completed its role, the power of the temperature control battery 22 remaining in the temperature control box 2 can be supplied to the vehicle battery 11, and the power can be used to drive the motor that runs the transportation vehicle 1. Therefore, the cruising distance of the transportation vehicle 1 can be extended.

[0054] In particular, when the temperature-controlled box 2 is delivered to the receiving facility 4 (4b), the temperature-controlled box 2 with the temperature-controlled battery 22 charged by power supplied from the facility power source 41 can be collected from the receiving facility 4 (4b) (see Figure 1).

[0055] In this case, the on-board battery 11 can be charged with the power supplied from the charged temperature control battery 22 (see S109 in FIG. 4 ). Therefore, more power can be supplied to the on-board battery 11, and the cruising distance of the transportation vehicle 1 can be further extended.

[0056] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the vehicle battery 11 of the collected temperature-controlled box 2 is charged using power supplied from the temperature-controlled battery 22, but the collected temperature-controlled box 2 can also be reused by storing a new delivery target 3 in it.

[0057] The transportation method in transportation system 100 of this embodiment is realized by all or part of steps S101 to S109 shown in Fig. 4. The processes of this embodiment shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 can be realized as a program executed by a CPU of vehicle control unit 12 or temperature adjustment control unit 26.

[0058] Finally, the effects described in this disclosure are merely examples and are not intended to be limiting, and other effects may be achieved, or a portion of the effects described in this disclosure may be achieved. Furthermore, not all of the combinations of configurations described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to solving the problems.

[0059] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Transport vehicle 2 Temperature-controlled box 3 Delivery target 4, 4a, 4b Receiving facility 11 Vehicle battery 20 Space 21 Storage section 22 Temperature-controlled battery 23 Temperature adjustment device 41 Facility power source

Claims

1. A receiving facility that is the delivery destination of the item to be delivered, a storage unit in which a space for storing the item to be delivered is formed by a plurality of wall portions, a temperature adjustment device that adjusts the temperature of the space, and a temperature control battery that supplies electric power for operation to the temperature adjustment device, and a temperature control box that can be delivered to the receiving facility with the item to be delivered stored therein, a transport vehicle that includes a vehicle-mounted battery and transports the temperature control box with the item to be delivered stored therein, in a state where the temperature control box is placed on the transport vehicle, the temperature control battery can be charged by electric power supplied from the vehicle-mounted battery, the vehicle-mounted battery can be charged by electric power supplied from the temperature control battery A transport system.

2. In a state where the temperature control box with the item to be delivered stored therein is placed on the transport vehicle, the temperature control battery is charged by electric power supplied from the vehicle-mounted battery The transport system according to claim 1.

3. In a state where the temperature control box without the item to be delivered stored therein is placed on the transport vehicle, the vehicle-mounted battery is charged by electric power supplied from the temperature control battery The transport system according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The receiving facility includes a facility power source that charges by supplying electric power to the temperature control battery, in a state where the temperature control box including the temperature control battery charged by electric power supplied from the facility power source is placed on the transport vehicle, the vehicle-mounted battery is charged by electric power supplied from the temperature control battery The transport system according to claim 1 or claim 2.

5. A transport method in a transport system including a receiving facility that is the delivery destination of the item to be delivered, a storage unit in which a space for storing the item to be delivered is formed by a plurality of wall portions, a temperature adjustment device that adjusts the temperature of the space, and a temperature control battery that supplies electric power for operation to the temperature adjustment device, a temperature control box that can be delivered to the receiving facility with the item to be delivered stored therein, and a transport vehicle that includes a vehicle-mounted battery and transports the temperature control box with the item to be delivered stored therein, comprising: a step of placing the temperature control box with the item to be delivered stored therein on the transport vehicle and transporting it to the receiving facility After delivering the delivery target to the receiving facility, a step of collecting the temperature control box that no longer contains the delivery target and loading it onto the transport vehicle; A step of charging the in-vehicle battery with electric power supplied from the temperature control battery of the collected temperature control box. Transport method.