Information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program

Abstract

This information processing device comprises: an acquisition unit that, when a prescribed temperature has been reached, acquires tire information including at least an in-tire temperature for a period of prescribed time retrospective from a reference time point at which the prescribed temperature was reached, and also acquires future temperature prediction information and a heat generation history, which is the history of calculated values indicating the likelihood of heat generation during travelling; and a prediction unit that, on the basis of the tire information, the temperature prediction information, and the heat generation history, predicts an in-tire temperature that is to be reached after the prescribed time has elapsed.

Description

Information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program.

[0002] For example, a method for determining the remaining life and end of life of a run-flat tire that continues to be driven in a run-flat state has been disclosed (see, for example, International Publication No. 04 / 014671).

[0003] For example, heavy machinery used in mining sites travels on unpaved roads, crushing rocks with its tires, and may transport rocks weighing hundreds of tons after excavation. This puts more strain on the tires than vehicles that primarily travel on paved roads, and tire temperatures tend to rise.

[0004] If such heavy machinery continues to operate with elevated tire temperatures, cracks may develop in the tires, causing unplanned interruptions to work.

[0005] Unplanned work interruptions reduce the utilization rate of heavy machinery, which also affects mining plans. Therefore, when driving heavy machinery, it is expected that the tire temperature measured by a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) will be referenced to prevent the tire temperature from rising. However, the driver's judgment of how to drive to prevent the tire temperature from rising often depends on their experience and intuition, and in reality, the tire temperature may reach a temperature that poses a risk of tire failure, resulting in work interruptions. Therefore, a method is needed that can predict the remaining time until the tire reaches a temperature that poses a risk of tire failure.

[0006] Furthermore, when a vehicle is controlled using an Autonomous Haulage System (AHS), it is possible to instruct the vehicle on a driving pattern that can reduce the risk of tire failure based on tire temperature, but this requires effective use of tire temperature information.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program that can accurately predict the time it will take to reach a specific temperature.

[0008] The information processing device according to a first aspect includes an acquisition unit that, when a predetermined temperature is reached, acquires tire information including at least an internal tire temperature for a period going back a predetermined time from a reference point at which the tire temperature is reached, and acquires future air temperature forecast information and a heat generation history that is a history of calculated values ​​that indicate the likelihood of heat generation during driving, and a prediction unit that predicts the internal tire temperature that will be reached after a predetermined time has elapsed based on the tire information, the air temperature forecast information, and the heat generation history. Furthermore, the specific prediction levels may be multi-staged, and if computational resources permit, the setting of a prediction start temperature may be eliminated so that predictions are always continued.

[0009] The information processing device according to the second aspect includes a display unit that displays the predicted tire internal temperature that will be reached after the predetermined time has elapsed.

[0010] In the information processing device of the third aspect, the prediction unit updates the prediction of the tire internal temperature in real time, and the display means uses the updated tire internal temperature to reflect the situation in real time in the display of the tire internal temperature that will be reached after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0011] In the information processing device according to a fourth aspect, the display means simultaneously displays the tire internal temperatures that are predicted for a plurality of different time periods going back in time and that will be reached after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0012] The information processing device according to a fifth aspect includes a display means for displaying a transition of a predicted temperature from a current temperature to the tire internal temperature that is predicted by the prediction unit and is to be reached after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0013] In the information processing device according to a sixth aspect, the prediction unit predicts the transition of the predicted temperature by extracting an arbitrary period from a period going back a predetermined time.

[0014] In the information processing device according to a seventh aspect, the display means displays the predicted tire internal temperature together with a predetermined range of prediction width for the predicted value.

[0015] In the information processing device according to an eighth aspect, the display means displays an operation plan for at least one of the vehicle and the tire together with the predicted temperature.

[0016] In the information processing device according to a ninth aspect, the acquisition unit calculates the calculated value based on the tire internal temperature, outside air temperature data, and a constant for each time during running, and acquires the heat generation history.

[0017] In the information processing device according to a tenth aspect, the tire information further includes at least one of tire position information, tire internal pressure information, and vehicle speed information as information acquired retroactively from the current point in time.

[0018] In the information processing device of the eleventh aspect, the prediction unit predicts the driving time required to reach a specific temperature or the temperature inside the tire that will be reached after a predetermined time has elapsed, using information predicted using a simulation model created based on at least one of the tire information, outside air temperature data, weather data, the heat generation history, and the amount of cargo loaded on the vehicle on which the tire is mounted.

[0019] In the information processing device of the twelfth aspect, the simulation model further includes at least one of a route prediction model capable of predicting the temperature inside the tire for each route and driving conditions, an outside air temperature prediction model capable of predicting the outside air temperature, a weather prediction model, and a detection model capable of detecting whether the vehicle is loaded or not.

[0020] The information processing method according to the thirteenth aspect is a method in which, when a predetermined temperature is reached, a computer executes a process to acquire tire information including at least the temperature inside the tire for a period going back a predetermined time from a reference point in time at which the temperature is reached, and acquire future air temperature prediction information and a heat generation history, which is a history of calculated values ​​indicating the likelihood of heat generation during driving, and predict the temperature inside the tire that will be reached after a predetermined time has elapsed based on the tire information, the air temperature prediction information, and the heat generation history.

[0021] The information processing program of the fourteenth aspect is a program for causing a computer to execute a process in which, when a predetermined temperature is reached, tire information including at least the temperature inside the tire is acquired for a period going back a predetermined time from the reference point at which the temperature is reached, and future temperature prediction information and heat generation history, which is a history of calculated values ​​indicating the likelihood of heat generation during driving, are acquired, and the tire temperature that will be reached after a predetermined time has elapsed is predicted based on the tire information, the temperature prediction information, and the heat generation history.

[0022] The information processing device of the fifteenth aspect includes an acquisition unit that, when a predetermined temperature is reached, acquires tire information including at least the tire internal temperature for a period going back a predetermined time from the reference point at which the predetermined temperature is reached, and also acquires future air temperature prediction information and a heat generation history, which is a history of calculated values ​​indicating the likelihood of heat generation during driving; a prediction unit that predicts the tire internal temperature that will be reached after a predetermined time has elapsed based on the tire information, the air temperature prediction information, and the heat generation history; and a control unit that controls the driving of the vehicle so that the vehicle drives autonomously in accordance with the tire internal temperature predicted by the prediction unit.

[0023] The information processing method according to the sixteenth aspect is an information processing method in which, when a predetermined temperature is reached, a computer executes the following processes: obtains tire information including at least the tire internal temperature for a period going back a predetermined time from a reference point in time at which the predetermined temperature is reached; obtains future air temperature prediction information; and obtains heat generation history, which is a history of calculated values ​​indicating the likelihood of heat generation during driving; predicts the tire internal temperature that will be reached after a predetermined time has elapsed based on the tire information, the air temperature prediction information, and the heat generation history; and controls the driving of the vehicle so that the vehicle drives autonomously in accordance with the predicted tire internal temperature.

[0024] The information processing program of the seventeenth aspect is an information processing program for causing a computer to execute a process of acquiring tire information including at least the temperature inside the tire for a period going back a predetermined time from a reference point at which a predetermined temperature is reached, acquiring future air temperature prediction information and a heat generation history which is a history of calculated values ​​indicating the likelihood of heat generation during driving, predicting the temperature inside the tire to be reached after a predetermined time has elapsed based on the tire information, the air temperature prediction information, and the heat generation history, and controlling the driving of the vehicle so that the vehicle drives autonomously in accordance with the predicted temperature inside the tire.

[0025] The information processing device of the 18th aspect includes an acquisition unit that, when a predetermined temperature is reached, acquires tire information including at least the tire internal temperature for a period going back a predetermined time from the reference point at which the predetermined temperature is reached, and also acquires future air temperature forecast information and a heat generation history, which is a history of calculated values ​​indicating the likelihood of heat generation during driving; a prediction unit that predicts the tire internal temperature that will be reached after a predetermined time has elapsed based on the tire information, the air temperature forecast information, and the heat generation history; and a notification unit that notifies an automatic control device that controls the driving of the vehicle of the predicted tire internal temperature so that the vehicle drives autonomously in accordance with the tire internal temperature predicted by the prediction unit.

[0026] The information processing method according to the 19th aspect is an information processing method in which, when a predetermined temperature is reached, a computer executes the following processing: obtains tire information including at least the temperature inside the tire for a period going back a predetermined time from a reference point in time at which the temperature is reached; obtains future air temperature prediction information; and obtains heat generation history, which is a history of calculated values ​​indicating the likelihood of heat generation during driving; predicts the temperature inside the tire to be reached after a predetermined time has elapsed based on the tire information, the air temperature prediction information, and the heat generation history; and notifies an automatic control device that controls the driving of the vehicle of the predicted temperature inside the tire so that the vehicle drives autonomously in accordance with the predicted temperature inside the tire.

[0027] The information processing program of the 20th aspect is an information processing program for causing a computer to execute the following process: when a predetermined temperature is reached, tire information including at least the tire internal temperature is acquired for a period going back a predetermined time from the reference point at which the predetermined temperature is reached, and future air temperature prediction information and heat generation history, which is a history of calculated values ​​indicating the likelihood of heat generation during driving; predicting the tire internal temperature to be reached after a predetermined time has elapsed based on the tire information, the air temperature prediction information, and the heat generation history; and notifying an automatic control device that controls the driving of the vehicle of the predicted tire internal temperature so that the vehicle drives autonomously in accordance with the predicted tire internal temperature.

[0028] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to accurately predict the time required to reach a specific temperature.

[0029] 1 is an example of a graph for explaining the transition and prediction of temperature inside a tire. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an information processing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a cross section of a tire. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a main part of an electrical system when an information processing device is configured using a computer. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of prediction processing according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a monitoring screen. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an information processing device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a display example of a temperature prediction after a predetermined time has elapsed in the future. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of prediction processing according to the second embodiment.

[0030] Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The same components and processes are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and duplicated explanations will be omitted. The dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the sake of explanation, and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0031] In the first embodiment, a mode in which the time until a predetermined temperature (temperature at which a failure occurs) is reached is predicted as a running time is described. In the second embodiment, a mode in which the temperature after a predetermined time has elapsed is predicted and a display means is provided is described.

[0032] First Embodiment The first embodiment will be described below. First, an overview of the tire temperature prediction method of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an example of a graph for illustrating the progression and prediction of tire internal temperature. The vertical axis represents tire temperature, and the horizontal axis represents time. The temperature (2A) represents the temperature (first temperature) at the start point of prediction (the first temperature may be, for example, 79°C). The temperature (2B) represents the temperature at which the risk of tire failure exceeds a specific level (the second temperature may be, for example, 82°C). Here, when the first temperature is reached, the time at which this is reached is set as a reference time (x). Furthermore, a time (y) at which the tire temperature will reach a second temperature is predicted. In this embodiment, tire information and the like are acquired for a period going back any time from the reference time, and the driving time until the second temperature is reached (the time from time x to time y) is predicted. Note that in the following description, even when simply referred to as "driving time," it refers to the time from the reference time until the second temperature is reached. Note that the first temperature is an example of a "predetermined temperature" in the present disclosure. In addition, although the case where the second temperature is determined will be described as an example, the present invention is not limited to this, and the tire internal temperature may be predicted over time. If the tire internal temperature can be predicted over time in the future, it is also possible to determine the time at which the second temperature will be reached. The prediction of the tire internal temperature over time in the future will be described in a second embodiment.

[0033] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an information processing device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The information processing device 1 is a device that predicts the driving time from a reference point until the temperature reaches a specific level at which the risk of tire failure occurs, in order to prevent damage to the tire 2 (see FIG. 3 ) mounted on a vehicle due to heat generated as the temperature of the tire rises. Note that the method of this embodiment is not limited to vehicles, but can be applied to any moving object having tires, such as a robot.

[0034] The information processing device 1 may be installed anywhere, but may be installed in a building (hereinafter referred to as a "dispatch control room") where a dispatcher who manages the operation of the vehicle or each vehicle is located. For example, if the information processing device 1 is installed in a dispatch control room, the information processing device 1 transmits information via a wireless line to a monitor attached to the vehicle, thereby providing the driver with information about the predicted driving time. The information processing device 1 may be installed in the vehicle, or may be constructed using a cloud service. Furthermore, if the vehicle is an autonomous vehicle, the information processing device may include an automatic control device attached to the vehicle, and the automatic control device controls the vehicle's driving according to the information received. The automatic control device is, for example, an autonomous haulage system (AHS), which generates a vehicle driving pattern for automatically controlling the vehicle. The vehicle driving pattern is generated based on various vehicle information and external information acquired from sensors, and, for example, the prediction result is used to control the stop timing of the vehicle driving pattern. An example of an embodiment using the automatic control device is an embodiment in which a control unit serving as the automatic control device is provided within the information processing device 1. Alternatively, an automatic control device may be provided outside the information processing device 1, and the information processing device 1 may be provided with a notification unit.

[0035] For ease of explanation, at least one of the driver, the operations manager, and the automatic control device that control the driving of the vehicle will be collectively referred to as the "vehicle control entity." Of the vehicle control entities, the driver and the operations manager will be collectively referred to as the "user."

[0036] There are no restrictions on the type of vehicle to which the information processing device 1 provides information, but hereinafter, an example will be described in which the remaining driving time is predicted for a vehicle that places a load on tires 2, such as heavy machinery used in mining sites, rather than for vehicles that mainly drive on paved roads.

[0037] The information processing device 1 includes an acquisition unit 1A, a prediction unit 1B, and a storage unit 1M. The data storage unit 1M stores the settings of the first temperature and the second temperature. The data storage unit 1M also stores various information acquired by the acquisition unit 1A.

[0038] The acquisition unit 1A acquires tire information including at least the tire internal temperature and outside air temperature data for a predetermined period going back from the reference point when the first temperature was reached. The acquisition unit 1A also acquires future temperature forecast information and heat generation history during driving. The predetermined period going back may be set to any time interval, such as 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or 1 hour, or may be set to a period specified by the control entity when driving starts. A route may be acquired and different periods may be set depending on the route. Even if the route itself cannot be acquired, GPS information may be acquired to obtain vehicle location information, and different periods may be set for each area corresponding to the location information. The tire structure and tire internal temperature will be described below.

[0039] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example cross section of a tire 2 mounted on a vehicle. The portion of the tire 2 that contacts the road surface is called a tread 2A, and the tread 2A is provided with grooves 2C that expel water on wet road surfaces and prevent slippage when driving or braking forces are applied. For example, if the tread 2A runs over a rock on the road surface, the belt 2B stretched between the tread 2A and the carcass 2D may be damaged, causing the tread 2A and the belt 2B to separate. If the vehicle continues to run over rocks on the road surface, heat is generated as the tread 2A deforms, and heat accumulates in the space created between the tread 2A and the belt 2B due to the separation. This increases the temperature of the space, which may cause cracks in the tread 2A or the tread 2A to emit smoke.

[0040] That is, in order to detect the possibility of damage to the tire 2 due to heat, it is preferable to measure the temperature of the belt 2B (hereinafter referred to as the "tread temperature"). For example, there is a method of inserting a temperature sensor 14 (see FIG. 4) between the tread 2A and the belt 2B. However, in this method, it is necessary to consider the power supply method to the temperature sensor 14, the load-bearing performance of the temperature sensor 14, and the influence of the temperature sensor 14 on the tread 2A and the belt 2B. Inserting the temperature sensor 14 between the tread 2A and the belt 2B requires many technical considerations and is a costly method. If the method of placing a temperature sensor between the belts is not used, it is possible to use a TPMS. The acquisition unit 1A in FIG. 2 acquires the temperature of the interior 2E of the tire 2 (shown in FIG. 3) (referred to as the "chamber temperature") measured by a TPMS attached to the rim of the tire 2 from the vehicle via a communication line. The chamber temperature acquired from the vehicle in this manner is regarded as the tire internal temperature acquired by the acquisition unit 1A. The tire internal temperature may be acquired at each time during a predetermined period going back from a reference time point.

[0041] The acquisition unit 1A calculates and acquires a heat generation history of a calculated value indicating the likelihood of heat generation during the most recent driving period from the tire internal temperature and outside air temperature data for each time during driving. The calculated value is obtained from the tire internal temperature, outside air temperature data, and a constant for each time.

[0042] The temperature prediction information is obtained using, for example, an outside temperature prediction model. The outside temperature prediction model is, for example, a model created from annual outside temperature data for the environment in which the vehicle is traveling. The outside temperature prediction model may be stored inside the information processing device 1 or may be stored in an external server and referenced.

[0043] The acquiring unit 1A may further acquire tire position information, tire pressure information, and vehicle speed information as information acquired retroactively from the current time point. The acquiring unit 1A may also acquire the amount of cargo carried on the vehicle equipped with the tire.

[0044] The prediction unit 1B predicts the running time from a reference point until the internal tire temperature reaches the second temperature based on the tire information, the temperature prediction information, and the heat generation history. The time from the reference point until the second temperature is reached can be calculated by determining in advance an estimation formula using the internal tire temperature history, heat generation history, and predicted air temperature for a retroactively acquired period, and then calculating the internal tire temperature for each future time from the estimation formula. Any regression method can be used for the estimation formula.

[0045] The method for predicting the time from the reference point until the internal tire temperature reaches the second temperature is not limited to an estimation formula, and a simulation model using machine learning may be used. For example, the training data for the simulation model may include any one or more of the following data as explanatory variables: tire information, outside air temperature data, weather information, heat generation history, and the amount of cargo loaded on the vehicle; and the internal tire temperature after the reference point until the second temperature is reached may be used as the objective variable. The tire information may include any one of the following information: the internal tire temperature before the reference point, tire position information, generated force (G sensor) information, internal pressure information, and vehicle speed information. The prediction unit 1B may train a simulation model in advance using the above training data, and may input the internal tire temperature, air temperature forecast information, and heat generation history acquired during the most recent driving period as explanatory variables of the model, and calculate the internal tire temperature for each time using the output of the simulation model to predict the driving time from the reference point until the internal tire temperature reaches the second temperature. The use of weather information (weather data) may, for example, take into account the effects of cooling or heat generation on the tire. For example, prediction accuracy can be improved by taking into account the cooling effect of getting wet in the rain, the cooling effect of a wet road surface after the rain has stopped, the cooling effect of wind, heat generation due to sunlight, etc.

[0046] Further, the simulation model may further include a route prediction model capable of predicting the temperature inside the tire for each route, an outside temperature prediction model capable of predicting the outside temperature, a weather prediction model, and a detection model capable of detecting whether the vehicle is loaded. When using a temperature prediction model for each route, the temperature prediction model may be trained in advance using tire information acquired for each route as training data. When using a load detection model, the detection model may be trained in advance using the amount of cargo loaded on the vehicle as training data, with load status as a label. The detection model may also be trained for each route. When detecting whether the vehicle is loaded, the travel time may be predicted by adding load status to the explanatory variables input to the simulation model, or by adding it as a variable or weight in the estimation formula.

[0047] Furthermore, for example, if the vehicle is an autonomous vehicle and the vehicle is controlled by an automatic control device, the information processing device 1 may further include a control unit. The control unit controls the vehicle's driving so that the vehicle drives autonomously according to the prediction result (driving time or stopping time) predicted by the prediction unit 1B. The control unit, for example, controls the stop timing and stopping time in the vehicle driving pattern based on the prediction result. This prevents temperature rise during automatic control of the vehicle and tire failure. Note that the automatic control device serving as the control unit may be an external device, in which case the prediction result may be notified to the external automatic control device by the notification unit. In this case, the notification unit notifies the automatic control device that controls the vehicle's driving so that the vehicle drives autonomously according to the prediction result (driving time or stopping time) predicted by the prediction unit 1B. The control information generated by the external automatic control device is the same as that of the control unit described above. Upon receiving the prediction result from the notification unit, the external automatic control device generates control information for controlling the vehicle to drive autonomously according to the received prediction result, and transmits the control information to the information processing device 1 to control the vehicle's driving.

[0048] 4, the information processing device 1 is configured using, for example, a computer 10. The computer 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10A, which is an example of a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 10B used as a temporary work area for the CPU 10A, a non-volatile memory 10C, and an input / output interface (I / O) 10D. The CPU 10A, RAM 10B, non-volatile memory 10C, and I / O 10D are connected to each other via a bus 10E.

[0049] The CPU 10A is responsible for the processing of each functional unit shown in FIG.

[0050] The nonvolatile memory 10C is an example of a storage device that maintains stored information even when power supplied to the nonvolatile memory 10C is cut off, and may be, for example, a semiconductor memory or a hard disk. Information that needs to be retained even when power to the information processing device 1 is cut off, such as the first temperature and the second temperature, is stored in the nonvolatile memory 10C. The nonvolatile memory 10C also functions as the data storage unit 1M in FIG. 2 and stores various types of information.

[0051] The nonvolatile memory 10C does not necessarily have to be built into the computer 10, but may be, for example, a portable storage device that can be attached to and detached from the computer 10.

[0052] To the I / O 10D, for example, a communication unit 11, an input unit 12, a display unit 13, and a temperature sensor 14 are connected.

[0053] The communication unit 11 is connected to a communication line and has a communication protocol for transmitting and receiving data to and from external devices connected to the communication line. For example, if the information processing device 1 is installed in a fleet control room, the information processing device 1 communicates data with each vehicle via a wireless line, which is an example of a communication line connected to the communication unit 11. Furthermore, if the information processing device 1 is installed in a vehicle, the information processing device 1 may communicate data with a server (not shown) installed in the fleet control room via the wireless line connected to the communication unit 11, and display the tread temperature status of each tire 2 on a monitor installed in the fleet control room.

[0054] The input unit 12 is a device that receives user instructions and notifies the CPU 10A of the instructions, and includes, for example, a button, a touch panel, a mouse, a keyboard, and a pointing device.

[0055] The display unit 13 is an example of a display device that displays information processed by the CPU 10A as an image, and includes, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. For example, if the information processing device 1 is installed in a vehicle, the display unit 13 is used as a monitor inside the vehicle. Also, if the information processing device 1 is installed in a traffic control room, the display unit 13 is used as a monitor inside the traffic control room.

[0056] A plurality of temperature sensors 14 are connected to the I / O 10D. For example, the first temperature sensor 14 is a TPMS that is attached to the rim of each tire 2 and measures the chamber temperature of the tire 2. The second temperature sensor 14 is a thermometer that measures the outside air temperature around the vehicle. Note that if the information processing device 1 is installed in an operation control room, there is no need to connect the temperature sensor 14 to the I / O 10D, and the measurement values ​​of the temperature sensors 14 attached to each vehicle are transmitted to the information processing device 1 via the communication unit 11.

[0057] (Processing Flow) Next, the operation of the information processing device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of prediction processing according to the first embodiment. The CPU 10A of the information processing device 1 reads an information processing program stored in the non-volatile memory 10C, expands it in the RAM 10B, and executes the prediction processing.

[0058] In step S10, CPU 10A acquires the settings of the first temperature and the second temperature.

[0059] In step S12, the CPU 10A acquires the tire internal temperature from the vehicle during the most recent driving.

[0060] In step S14, CPU 10A determines whether the tire internal temperature has reached the first temperature. If it is determined that the tire internal temperature has reached the first temperature, CPU 10A proceeds to step S16, and if it is determined that the tire internal temperature has not reached the first temperature, CPU 10A returns to step S12 and repeats the process.

[0061] In step S16, the CPU 10A sets the time point at which the tire internal temperature reaches the first temperature as the reference time point.

[0062] In step S18, CPU 10A acquires tire information and outside air temperature data for a period going back a predetermined time from the set reference point in time.

[0063] In step S20, the CPU 10A acquires future temperature prediction information and heat generation history during driving. The heat generation history is acquired by calculating values ​​at each time calculated from the acquired tire internal temperature and outside air temperature data.

[0064] In step S22, CPU 10A predicts the running time from the reference point until the internal tire temperature reaches the second temperature, based on the tire information, the temperature prediction information, and the heat generation history.

[0065] If the information processing device 1 includes a control unit, the CPU 10A controls the driving of the vehicle so that the vehicle drives autonomously according to the predicted driving time. If the information processing device 1 includes a notification unit, the CPU 10A notifies the automatic control device that controls the driving of the vehicle of the predicted driving time so that the vehicle drives autonomously according to the predicted driving time.

[0066] As described above, according to the information processing device 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to accurately predict the time it takes to reach a specific temperature.

[0067] The information processing device 1 may also monitor vehicles and issue a predetermined notification when a vehicle reaches a first temperature or higher. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a monitoring screen that notifies a user of a vehicle that has reached a first temperature or higher. An icon 3 corresponding to each vehicle is displayed on the monitoring screen. Each icon 3 displays a vehicle number that uniquely identifies the vehicle, and the icon is associated with the actual vehicle.

[0068] When the temperature inside the tire reaches or exceeds a predetermined temperature, the display of the icon 3 changes according to the temperature reached. In Fig. 6, the icon 3 associated with the vehicle number "#001" indicates that the temperature inside the tire has reached or exceeds a first temperature and is now subject to driving time prediction. The icon 3 associated with the vehicle number "#007" indicates that the temperature inside the tire is at or above the first temperature but has not yet reached the second temperature, but has reached a temperature above which the second temperature may be reached if driving continues. The icons 3 associated with other vehicle numbers indicate that the temperature inside the tire has not reached any of the set temperatures.

[0069] 6 shows the internal tire temperature status of the tires 2 of each vehicle managed by the information processing device 1, but when the internal tire temperature status is displayed on a vehicle monitor, the notification unit may display only the icon 3 corresponding to the vehicle to which it is displayed. On the other hand, when the tread temperature status is displayed on a monitor in the operation control room, it is preferable to display the internal tire temperature status of each vehicle managed by the information processing device 1, as shown in FIG.

[0070] The information processing device 1 also notifies the control entity of multiple candidate stop times corresponding to the predicted driving time. If the control entity is a driver, for example, the driver can select one of the multiple stop times displayed on the monitor in accordance with the work situation and stop the vehicle for the selected stop time to reduce the internal tire temperature to below the first temperature. After the first temperature has reduced to below the warning temperature, the control entity can select one of at least one set of driving information associated with the selected stop time in accordance with the work situation and drive the vehicle at the frequency indicated by the selected driving information in accordance with the driving conditions associated with the selected driving information to maintain the internal tire temperature of each tire 2 below the second temperature. The driving information can be generated using a predetermined generation formula, for example, with at least one of the vehicle route, vehicle speed range, vehicle load level, and vehicle driving time, the internal tire temperature, and a specific temperature (e.g., the second temperature) as explanatory variables, and driving information that allows the vehicle to drive while maintaining the internal tire temperature below the specific temperature as a target variable. The generation formula can be determined through experiments using actual vehicles or computer simulations.

[0071] Therefore, the control entity can determine the stopping time until the internal tire temperature drops below the second temperature without relying on experience or intuition. Also, since the prediction of the driving time until the second temperature is reached begins when the first temperature is reached, it is possible to prevent the acquisition of more tire information than necessary and the execution of prediction processing. Furthermore, the remaining driving time can be predicted with high accuracy without relying on the experience and intuition of the control entity. As a result, the vehicle's operating rate can be improved.

[0072] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of an information processing device 21 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. The information processing device 21 includes an acquisition unit 21A, a prediction unit 21B, a display unit 21C, and a storage unit 21M. The data storage unit 21M stores settings and the like necessary for prediction and display control. The data storage unit 21M also stores various information acquired by the acquisition unit 21A. Note that the acquisition unit 21A and the prediction unit 21B are capable of performing the same processing as in the first embodiment, but differ from the first embodiment in that the prediction target is the tire internal temperature after a future time has elapsed and a display unit is provided. The hardware configuration of the information processing device 21 can be configured similarly to the information processing device 1 of the first embodiment.

[0073] The acquisition unit 21A acquires tire information and outside air temperature data for use in the prediction at the required timing and for a specified period of time. As in the first embodiment, the acquisition unit 21A also acquires tire internal temperatures during the most recent driving, future air temperature forecast information, and heat generation history during driving.

[0074] The prediction unit 21B predicts the temperature to be reached after a predetermined time has elapsed based on the tire information, the air temperature prediction information, and the heat generation history. This makes it possible to obtain the predicted temperature transition after a predetermined time has elapsed in the future. The prediction method may be the same as that of the first embodiment. The prediction unit 21B may also update the prediction of the tire internal temperature in real time. The prediction unit 21B may also predict multiple tire internal temperatures using the above data covering multiple different retroactive periods.

[0075] The prediction unit 21B may also set an arbitrary period and interval, and predict the transition of the predicted temperature by extracting an arbitrary period from a period going back a predetermined time. For example, if a more severe check on the possibility of a failure is required, only the interval in which the most severe prediction results are obtained from the data of the past two hours can be extracted and predicted. Alternatively, if only the worst-case scenario is assumed, only the period in which the most lenient prediction results are obtained and predicted can be extracted and predicted. By setting a starting point as described in the first embodiment, the calculation load can be reduced compared to when predictions are made continuously from start to finish, and the prediction results can be tuned to suit the purpose.

[0076] The display means 21C displays the tire internal temperature predicted by the prediction unit 21B after a predetermined time has elapsed in a predetermined display mode. Furthermore, when the prediction unit 21B performs real-time predictions, the display means 21C uses the updated tire internal temperature to reflect the real-time situation in the display of the tire internal temperature that will be reached after the predetermined time has elapsed. When multiple temperature predictions are obtained, they may be displayed simultaneously, or a UI for switching between them may be provided so that they can be displayed switchably. An example of a display mode for the predicted tire internal temperature value is described below.

[0077] FIG. 8 shows an example of a display of a temperature forecast for a predetermined time period in the future. In the figure, the solid line (d1) indicates the temperature history including the current temperature, and the dashed line (d2) indicates a temperature forecast line for the predicted value over time. The temperature forecast result is not limited to a single line; it may also be displayed with a forecast range, such as 1σ to -1σ, as a statistical deviation from the predicted value. In this way, a range can be displayed for the forecast result. It is also possible to use a forecast range for multiple conditions. For example, the forecast results can be displayed as a range by displaying the range of forecast results for strict and lenient conditions at the top and bottom, and the most plausible forecast result in the center. The display unit 21C may also display an operation plan for at least one of the vehicle and tires along with the predicted temperature.

[0078] Furthermore, for example, if the vehicle is an autonomous vehicle and the vehicle is controlled by an automatic control device, the information processing device 21 may further include a control unit. The control unit controls the vehicle's driving so that the vehicle drives autonomously in accordance with the tire internal temperature predicted by the prediction unit 21. The control unit controls, for example, the stop timing and stop duration in the vehicle driving pattern based on the prediction result. This prevents temperature rise during automatic control of the vehicle and tire failure. Note that the automatic control device serving as the control unit may be an external device, in which case the prediction result may be notified to the external automatic control device by the notification unit. In this case, the notification unit notifies the automatic control device that controls the vehicle's driving of the tire internal temperature predicted by the prediction unit 21B so that the vehicle drives autonomously in accordance with the tire internal temperature predicted by the prediction unit 21B. The control information generated by the external automatic control device is the same as that of the control unit described above. Upon receiving the tire internal information from the notification unit, the external automatic control device generates control information for controlling the vehicle to drive autonomously in accordance with the received tire internal information and transmits the control information to the information processing device 1, thereby controlling the vehicle's driving.

[0079] Next, a description will be given of the operation of the information processing device 21 according to the second embodiment. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of prediction processing according to the second embodiment.

[0080] In step S30, CPU 10A acquires tire information and outside air temperature data to be used for prediction.

[0081] In step S32, CPU 10A acquires future temperature prediction information and heat generation history during driving.

[0082] In step S34, CPU 10A predicts the temperature that will be reached after a predetermined time has elapsed, based on the tire information, the temperature prediction information, and the heat generation history.

[0083] In step S36, CPU 10A displays the predicted tire internal temperature that will be reached after the lapse of a predetermined time in a predetermined display mode.

[0084] As described above, the information processing device 21 of this embodiment can accurately predict the temperature transition over time in the future.

[0085] If the information processing device 21 includes a control unit, the CPU 10A controls the running of the vehicle so that the vehicle runs autonomously according to the predicted internal tire temperature. If the information processing device 21 includes a notification unit, the CPU 10A notifies the automatic control device that controls the running of the vehicle of the predicted internal tire temperature so that the vehicle runs autonomously according to the predicted internal tire temperature.

[0086] While one form of an information processing device has been described using each embodiment above, the disclosed form is merely an example, and the form of the information processing device is not limited to the scope described in the embodiment. Various changes or improvements can be made to each embodiment without departing from the gist of the present disclosure, and forms of information processing devices with such changes or improvements are also included in the technical scope of the disclosure.

[0087] In the above embodiments, the prediction process shown in FIG. 5 is implemented by software, as an example. However, the same process as the flowchart of the prediction process may be executed by hardware. In this case, the processing speed is increased compared to when the prediction process is implemented by software. Furthermore, the processing flow in the prediction process is an example, and unnecessary processes may be deleted, new processes may be added, or the processing order may be changed within the scope of the present invention.

[0088] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, an example has been described in which the information processing program is stored in the nonvolatile memory 10C. However, the storage destination of the information processing program is not limited to the nonvolatile memory 10C. The information processing program may also be provided in a form recorded on a computer-readable storage medium.

[0089] For example, the information processing program may be provided in a form recorded on an optical disk such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk Read Only Memory), or a Blu-ray disc. The information processing program may also be provided in a form recorded on a portable semiconductor memory such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a memory card. The non-volatile memory 10C, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a Blu-ray disc, a USB, and a memory card are examples of non-transitory storage media.

[0090] Furthermore, the CPU 10A may download an information processing program from an external device via the communication unit 11 and store the downloaded information processing program in the nonvolatile memory 10C.

[0091] In each embodiment, the CPU 10A has been used as an example of a general-purpose processor. However, in the embodiments, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes not only general-purpose processors such as the CPU 10A, but also dedicated processors (for example, GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0092] Furthermore, the operation of the processor in each of the above-mentioned embodiments may not only be performed by a single processor, but may also be performed by multiple processors working together, or may be performed by multiple processors located in physically separate locations working together.

[0093] All publications, patent applications, and technical standards mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent application, or technical standard was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

[0094] The disclosures of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-170843 filed on September 29, 2023 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-036328 filed on March 8, 2024 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. In addition, all documents, patent applications, and technical standards described herein are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual document, patent application, and technical standard were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. An information processing device comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires tire information including at least the temperature inside the tire when a predetermined temperature is reached, covering a period going back a predetermined time from a reference point at which the temperature is reached, and also acquires future air temperature forecast information and a heat generation history, which is a history of calculated values ​​indicating the likelihood of heat generation during driving; and a prediction unit that predicts the temperature inside the tire to be reached after a predetermined time has elapsed based on the tire information, the air temperature forecast information, and the heat generation history.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, further comprising a display means for displaying the predicted tire internal temperature that will be reached after the lapse of the predetermined time.

3. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein the prediction unit updates the prediction of the temperature inside the tire in real time, and the display means uses the updated temperature inside the tire to reflect the real-time situation in the display of the temperature inside the tire that will be reached after a predetermined time has elapsed.

4. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein the display means simultaneously displays the tire internal temperature that will be reached after a predetermined time has elapsed, the tire internal temperature being predicted for a plurality of different retroactive time periods.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1, further comprising a display means for displaying a transition in predicted temperature from a current temperature to the tire internal temperature to be reached after a predetermined time has elapsed as predicted by the prediction unit.

6. The information processing device according to claim 5, wherein the prediction unit predicts the transition of the predicted temperature by extracting an arbitrary period from a period going back a predetermined time.

7. The information processing device according to claim 5, wherein the display means displays the predicted tire internal temperature together with a predetermined prediction width for the predicted value.

8. The information processing device according to claim 5, wherein the display means displays an operation plan for at least one of the vehicle and the tires together with the predicted temperature.

9. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the heat generation history by calculating the calculated value based on the tire internal temperature, outside air temperature data, and a constant for each time during driving.

10. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the tire information further includes at least one of tire position information, tire internal pressure information, and vehicle speed information as information obtained retroactively from the current time point.

11. The information processing device described in claim 10, wherein the prediction unit predicts the driving time required to reach a specific temperature or the temperature inside the tire that will be reached after a predetermined time has elapsed, using information predicted using a simulation model created based on at least one of the tire information, outside air temperature data, weather data, the heat generation history, and the amount of cargo carried on a vehicle equipped with the tire.

12. The information processing device according to claim 11, further comprising as the simulation model at least one of a route prediction model capable of predicting the temperature inside the tire for each route and driving conditions, an outside air temperature prediction model capable of predicting the outside air temperature, a weather prediction model, and a detection model capable of detecting whether or not the vehicle is loaded.

13. An information processing method in which a computer executes the following processes: when a predetermined temperature is reached, tire information including at least the temperature inside the tire is acquired for a period going back a predetermined time from a reference point in time when the temperature is reached, and future air temperature forecast information and heat generation history, which is a history of calculated values ​​indicating the likelihood of heat generation while driving, are acquired; and predicting the temperature inside the tire that will be reached after a predetermined time has elapsed based on the tire information, the air temperature forecast information, and the heat generation history.

14. An information processing program for causing a computer to execute a process of acquiring tire information including at least the temperature inside the tire for a period going back a predetermined time from the reference point at which a predetermined temperature is reached, and acquiring future air temperature forecast information and heat generation history, which is a history of calculated values ​​indicating the likelihood of heat generation during driving, and predicting the temperature inside the tire that will be reached after a predetermined time has elapsed based on the tire information, the air temperature forecast information, and the heat generation history.

15. An information processing device comprising: an acquisition unit that, when a predetermined temperature is reached, acquires tire information including at least the temperature inside the tire for a period going back a predetermined time from a reference point at which the predetermined temperature is reached, and also acquires future air temperature forecast information and a heat generation history, which is a history of calculated values ​​indicating the likelihood of heat generation while driving; a prediction unit that predicts the temperature inside the tire to be reached after a predetermined time has elapsed based on the tire information, the air temperature forecast information, and the heat generation history; and a control unit that controls the driving of the vehicle so that the vehicle drives autonomously in accordance with the temperature inside the tire predicted by the prediction unit.

16. An information processing method in which a computer executes the following processes: when a specified temperature is reached, tire information including at least the temperature inside the tire is acquired for a period going back a specified time from a reference point in time when the specified temperature is reached, and future air temperature forecast information and heat generation history, which is a history of calculated values ​​indicating the likelihood of heat generation while driving, predicting the temperature inside the tire to be reached after a specified time has elapsed based on the tire information, the air temperature forecast information, and the heat generation history, and controlling the driving of the vehicle so that the vehicle drives autonomously in accordance with the predicted temperature inside the tire.

17. An information processing program for causing a computer to execute the following processes: when a specified temperature is reached, obtain tire information including at least the temperature inside the tire for a period going back a specified time from the reference point at which the specified temperature is reached, obtain future air temperature forecast information, and heat generation history, which is a history of calculated values ​​indicating the likelihood of heat generation while driving; predict the temperature inside the tire to be reached after a specified time has elapsed based on the tire information, the air temperature forecast information, and the heat generation history; and control the driving of the vehicle so that the vehicle drives autonomously in accordance with the predicted temperature inside the tire.

18. An information processing device comprising: an acquisition unit that, when a predetermined temperature is reached, acquires tire information including at least the in-tire temperature for a period going back a predetermined time from a reference point in time at which the predetermined temperature is reached, and also acquires future air temperature forecast information and a heat generation history, which is a history of calculated values ​​indicating the likelihood of heat generation during driving; a prediction unit that predicts the in-tire temperature to be reached after a predetermined time has elapsed based on the tire information, the air temperature forecast information, and the heat generation history; and a notification unit that notifies an automatic control device that controls driving of the vehicle of the predicted in-tire temperature so that the vehicle drives autonomously in accordance with the in-tire temperature predicted by the prediction unit.

19. An information processing method in which a computer executes the following processes: when a specified temperature is reached, obtain tire information including at least the temperature inside the tire for a period going back a specified time from a reference point in time when the specified temperature is reached, obtain future air temperature forecast information, and heat generation history, which is a history of calculated values ​​indicating the likelihood of heat generation while driving; predict the temperature inside the tire to be reached after a specified time has elapsed based on the tire information, the air temperature forecast information, and the heat generation history; and notify an automatic control device that controls the driving of the vehicle of the predicted temperature inside the tire so that the vehicle drives autonomously in accordance with the predicted temperature inside the tire.

20. An information processing program for causing a computer to execute the following process: when a specified temperature is reached, obtain tire information including at least the temperature inside the tire for a period going back a specified time from the reference point at which the temperature is reached, obtain future air temperature forecast information, and heat generation history, which is a history of calculated values ​​indicating the likelihood of heat generation while driving; predict the temperature inside the tire to be reached after a specified time has elapsed based on the tire information, the air temperature forecast information, and the heat generation history; and notify an automatic control device that controls the driving of the vehicle of the predicted temperature inside the tire so that the vehicle drives autonomously in accordance with the predicted temperature inside the tire.

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