Delivery Transfer Point Planning for Energy-Limited Mobile Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing delivery plans for electric vehicles (EVs) face challenges such as incomplete delivery due to long distances and inefficient energy management, where vehicles may run out of charge or fail to arrive at liaison points, especially when considering the circumstances of both the first and second vehicles involved in the transfer.
Innovation Solution
A delivery plan generating method that determines a transfer point and supply points based on the positions and energy status of both mobile units, ensuring efficient energy transfer and reducing the risk of energy depletion by optimizing the route and energy replenishment points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single vehicle is used for delivery, then the delivery route is simple to manage, but the delivery cannot be completed if the delivery distance is too long for the vehicle's energy capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery route is segmented into multiple segments, with different vehicles assigned to different segments. The transfer point divides the overall delivery route into a first route (handled by first vehicle) and a second route (handled by second vehicle), allowing long-distance delivery to be completed by multiple vehicles working together rather than requiring a single vehicle to cover the entire distance
2Loss of time
If the transfer point is set at the current position of the first vehicle or between current position and destination, then the first vehicle can transfer the delivery object quickly, but the second vehicle may fail to arrive at the transfer point or travel inefficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by determining the transfer point based on both vehicles' positions and energy status before the actual transfer occurs. The server calculates optimal transfer points that ensure the second vehicle can arrive reliably, and notifies both vehicles in advance, allowing them to plan their routes and energy management accordingly
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from both vehicles' positions and energy status to dynamically determine the optimal transfer point. The server continuously monitors the states of both vehicles and adjusts the transfer point location to ensure reliable delivery, considering factors such as the second vehicle's ability to reach the transfer point and its energy consumption along the route
3Ease of operation
If the transfer point is determined without considering the second vehicle's circumstances, then the first vehicle's transfer is simplified, but the second vehicle may travel inefficiently or fail to arrive
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback from the second vehicle's position and energy status into the transfer point determination process. The server evaluates whether the second vehicle can reach the transfer point with sufficient energy and adjusts the transfer point location to optimize overall delivery efficiency, rather than simply prioritizing the first vehicle's convenience
Data Source
AI summary
A delivery plan generating method includes determining a start point that is point where delivery of a delivery object starts, determining an end point where the delivery of the delivery object finishes, determining a transfer point as a destination with reference to the start point, the end point, a position of the first mobile unit, and a position of the second mobile unit, the transfer point being a point where the delivery object is transferred from the first mobile unit to the second mobile unit, and generating a delivery plan for causing the first mobile unit to travel via the start point to the determined transfer point and causing the second mobile unit to travel via the determined transfer point to the end point.