GUIDANCE SYSTEM, GUIDANCE METHOD, AND GUIDANCE PROGRAM

A travel route acquisition unit acquires a travel route of an electric vehicle. A weather information acquisition unit acquires weather information on the travel route. A route guidance information generation unit generates route guidance information based on the travel route thus acquired and the weather information thus acquired. When a low temperature area is present on the travel route, the travel route acquisition unit further acquires a different travel route, and the route guidance information generation unit generates route guidance information that recommends a travel route with few low temperature areas.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a guidance system, a guidance method, and a guidance program for guiding a travel route of an electric vehicle.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, electric vehicles (EV) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHV) have become widespread. These electric vehicles are equipped with a secondary battery as a key device. The secondary battery has a property of decreasing the capacity when being in a low temperature state. In particular, in a lithium iron phosphate ion (LFP) battery, capacity reduction in the low temperature state becomes large. For example, cases have also been reported in which the capacity decreases to about 60% to 70% at 0° C. and 40% to 55% at −10° C. In addition, the charging speed also decreases in the low temperature state.

PTL 1 related to the present disclosure proposes use of weather information on a travel route for prediction of a range. In addition, a method of notifying a user of the predicted range is also proposed. As a specific example, it is disclosed that intermediate charging is recommended in a case where weather is predicted to be bad.

PTL 2 related to the present disclosure proposes a navigation device that estimates electric cost of an auxiliary machine such as air conditioning using weather information on a route, calculates required electric power and required time from the electric cost of the auxiliary machine and the electric cost of a vehicle, and guides SOC (State Of Charge) at the time of arrival at a destination and an arrival time. In addition, in a case where there are a plurality of route candidates, it is disclosed that the route candidates are listed from the one with a shorter distance.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literatures

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a case where an electric vehicle is used as a delivery vehicle, an increase in an electricity shortage risk due to a low temperature and an increase in a charging time lead to an increase in delivery time and delayed delivery.

The present disclosure has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a guidance system, a guidance method, and a guidance program for achieving efficient operation of an electric vehicle while avoiding electricity shortage.

In order to solve the above problem, a guidance system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: a travel route acquisition unit configured to acquire a travel route of an electric vehicle; a weather information acquisition unit configured to acquire weather information on the travel route; and a route guidance information generation unit configured to generate route guidance information based on the travel route thus acquired and the weather information thus acquired. When a low temperature area is present on the travel route, the travel route acquisition unit further acquires a different travel route, and the route guidance information generation unit generates route guidance information that recommends a travel route with few low temperature areas.

Any combinations of the configuration elements described above and expressions of the present disclosure that are converted in terms of devices, methods, systems, computer programs, and the like are also effective as aspects of the present disclosure.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to achieve efficient operation of an electric vehicle while avoiding electricity shortage.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

FIG.1is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of electric vehicle3according to the exemplary embodiment. In the present exemplary embodiment, a pure EV on which an internal-combustion engine is not mounted is assumed as electric vehicle3. Electric vehicle3illustrated inFIG.1is a rear-wheel drive (2WD) EV including a pair of front wheels31f, a pair of rear wheels31r, and motor34as a power source. The pair of front wheels31fis coupled by front wheel axle32f, and the pair of rear wheels31ris coupled by rear wheel axle32r. Transmission33transmits rotation of motor34to rear wheel axle32rat a predetermined conversion ratio. Note that electric vehicle3may be a front-wheel drive (2WD) or 4WD.

Power supply system40includes battery pack41and management unit42, and battery pack41includes a plurality of cells. Lithium ion battery cells or nickel metal hydride battery cells can be used as the cell. Hereinafter, the present description assumes an example of use of lithium ion battery cells (nominal voltage: 3.6 V to 3.7 V). Management unit42monitors voltages, currents, temperatures, SOCs, and state of health (SOH) of the plurality of cells included in battery pack41, and transmits the voltages, currents, temperatures, SOCs, and SOHs to vehicle controller30via an in-vehicle network. For example, a controller area network (CAN) or a local interconnect network (LIN) can be used as the in-vehicle network.

In the EV, a three-phase AC motor is generally used as motor34for driving. Inverter35converts DC power supplied from battery pack41into AC power, and supplies it to motor34at the time of power running. At the time of regeneration, AC power supplied from motor34is converted into DC power to be supplied to battery pack41. At the time of power running, motor34rotates in accordance with AC power supplied from inverter35. At the time of regeneration, rotational energy due to deceleration is converted into AC power and supplied to inverter35.

Vehicle controller30is a vehicle electronic control unit (ECU) that controls entire electric vehicle3, and may be configured by, for example, an integrated vehicle control module (VCM).

GPS sensor361detects positional information on electric vehicle3and transmits the detected positional information to vehicle controller30. Specifically, GPS sensor361receives, from a plurality of GPS satellites, radio waves including their respective transmission times, and calculates the latitude and longitude of the received point based on the plurality of transmission times included in the plurality of respective received radio waves.

Vehicle speed sensor362generates a pulse signal proportional to the rotation speed of front wheel axle32for rear wheel axle32r, and transmits the generated pulse signal to vehicle controller30. Vehicle controller30detects the speed of electric vehicle3based on the pulse signal received from vehicle speed sensor362.

Wireless communication unit37performs signal processing for wirelessly connecting to network5(refer toFIG.2) via antenna37a. Examples of a wireless communication network to which electric vehicle3is wirelessly connectable include a mobile phone network (cellular network), a wireless LAN, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), an electronic toll collection system (ETC), and dedicated short range communications (DSRC).

Display38is a display that can display characters and images, and a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, a mini LED display, and the like can be used. Display38may be a display converted from such as a car navigation system, a display audio, or a drive recorder, or may be a display installed in an instrument panel. The display used for display38may have a touch panel function. In the present exemplary embodiment, route guidance and charging guidance to be described later are displayed on display38.

While electric vehicle3is traveling, vehicle controller30can transmit travel data from wireless communication unit37to guidance system1(refer toFIG.2) via network5in real time. The travel data includes positional data (latitude and longitude) of electric vehicle3, a vehicle speed of electric vehicle3, voltages, currents, temperatures, SOCs, and SOHs of the plurality of cells included in battery pack41. Vehicle controller30samples these data periodically (for example, an interval of 10 seconds) and transmits the data to guidance system1each time.

Note that vehicle controller30may accumulate the travel data of electric vehicle3in an internal memory and collectively transmit the travel data accumulated in the memory at a predetermined timing. For example, vehicle controller30may collectively transmit the travel data accumulated in the memory to operation management terminal device2(refer toFIG.2) installed in a base of a delivery company after the end of business in one day. Operation management terminal device2transmits the travel data of a plurality of electric vehicles3to guidance system1at a predetermined timing.

FIG.2is an explanatory diagram of guidance system1according to the exemplary embodiment. Guidance system1according to the exemplary embodiment is a system used by at least one delivery company. For example, guidance system1may be constructed on an own server of a service providing entity providing a route guidance service for electric vehicle3, the own server being installed in an own facility of the service providing entity or in a data center. In addition, guidance system1may be constructed on a cloud server used based on a cloud service. In addition, guidance system1may be constructed on a plurality of servers installed in a distributed manner in a plurality of bases (data center, own facility). The plurality of servers may be a combination of a plurality of the own servers, a combination of a plurality of the cloud servers, or a combination of the own servers and the cloud servers.

The delivery company has the plurality of electric vehicles3and has a delivery base for parking electric vehicles3. Operation management terminal device2is installed at the delivery base. Operation management terminal device2includes, for example, a PC. Operation management terminal device2is used to manage the plurality of electric vehicles3belonging to the delivery base. An operation manager of the delivery company can create an operation plan of the plurality of electric vehicles3using operation management terminal device2.

Operation management terminal device2can access guidance system1via network5. Operation management terminal device2can acquire guidance information on a travel route from guidance system1by inputting a current location and a destination to guidance system1.

Network5is a general term for communication paths such as the Internet, a dedicated line, and a virtual private network (VPN), and a communication medium and a protocol thereof are not limited. As the communication media, for example, a mobile phone network (cellular network), a wireless local area network (LAN), a wired LAN, an optical fiber network, an ADSL network, a CATV network, or the like can be used. As the communication protocols, for example, the transmission control protocol (TCP)/internet protocol (IP), the user datagram protocol (UDP)/IP, Ethernet (registered trademark), or the like can be used.

The operation manager of the delivery company can contact a driver in electric vehicle3via network5(for example, IP radio), business radio, specified low power radio, and the like. The operation manager can transmit the guidance information on the travel route acquired from guidance system1to the driver.

In a state where electric vehicle3is parked at the delivery base, vehicle controller30and operation management terminal device2can exchange data via network5(for example, a wireless LAN), a CAN cable, and the like. Even while electric vehicle3is traveling, vehicle controller30and operation management terminal device2may be configured to be able to exchange data via network5.

Various information servers such as map information server6, weather information server7, and road traffic information server8are connected to network5, and guidance system1, operation management terminal device2, and vehicle controller30of electric vehicle3can acquire data from the various information servers.

FIG.3is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of guidance system1according to the exemplary embodiment. Guidance system1includes processor11, storage unit12, and communication unit13. Communication unit13is a communication interface for connection to network5with a wire or wirelessly.

Processor11includes travel route acquisition unit111, weather information acquisition unit112, route and temperature map generation unit113, low temperature area determination unit114, route priority determination unit115, route guidance information generation unit116, SOC acquisition unit117, SOC prediction unit118, road traffic information acquisition unit119, charger priority determination unit1110, charging plan generation unit1111, charging guidance information generation unit1112, and SOC correction unit1113.

The function of processor11can be achieved by cooperation of a hardware resource and a software resource, or by the hardware resource alone. The hardware resource may include a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and other large-scale integrated (LSI) circuits. The software resource may be a program, such as an operating system (OS) or an application.

Storage unit12includes travel data holding unit121. Storage unit12includes a non-volatile recording medium such as an HDD or an SSD, and stores various data.

Travel route acquisition unit111acquires, via network5, the current location and the destination input to vehicle controller30by the driver, or the current location and the destination input to operation management terminal device2by the operation manager. Travel route acquisition unit111transmits the acquired current location and the destination to map information server6via network5.

A route search application operating on map information server6searches for an optimal travel route from the acquired current location to the destination. At that time, the route search application searches for the travel route to reach the destination in the shortest distance or the shortest time without considering the fuel of the vehicle (the remaining capacity of battery pack41in the case of electric vehicle3). Map information server6transmits the travel route that has been found by the searching to guidance system1. Travel route acquisition unit111of guidance system1acquires the travel route from map information server6.

Weather information acquisition unit112acquires weather information on the travel route acquired by travel route acquisition unit111from weather information server7. Specifically, weather information acquisition unit112acquires a predicted temperature at a predicted passing through time of at least one waypoint on the travel route and a predicted temperature at a predicted arrival time at the destination. The waypoints may be set at regular distance intervals (for example, an interval of 50 km) on the travel route. In addition, the waypoint may be set to an installation location of the charging stand.

In that case, it is desirable to select such that the distance between two adjacent charging stands is as constant as possible.

Route and temperature map generation unit113generates a route and temperature map (refer to, for example,FIG.6) based on the travel route acquired by travel route acquisition unit111and the weather information on the travel route acquired by weather information acquisition unit112.

Low temperature area determination unit114determines whether a low temperature area is present on the travel route. For example, when there is a waypoint whose predicted temperature at the predicted passing through time is lower than 10° C., low temperature area determination unit114determines that there is a low temperature area on the travel route.

When low temperature area determination unit114determines that there is the low temperature area, travel route acquisition unit111transmits a search request for a travel route other than a first acquired travel route (hereinafter, the first acquired travel route is referred to as a normal route) to map information server6, and acquires a different travel route (hereinafter referred to as a different route) from map information server6. The number of different routes to be acquired may be one or more.

Weather information acquisition unit112acquires weather information on the different route acquired by travel route acquisition unit111from weather information server7. Route and temperature map generation unit113generates the route and temperature map based on different route acquired by travel route acquisition unit111and weather information on the different route acquired by weather information acquisition unit112.

Route priority determination unit115determines priorities of a plurality of travel routes including the normal route and different route. For example, for each of the plurality of travel routes, route priority determination unit115determines the priorities of the plurality of travel routes based on the number of passes through the low temperature area, the predicted SOC of battery pack41at the time of arrival at the destination, and the distance to the destination.

FIG.4is a diagram schematically illustrating three travel routes from the current location to the destination, the routes having been found by searching on map information server6. The normal route passes through waypoints A, B, and C, different route1passes through waypoints D, E, and F, and different route2passes through waypoints G, H, and I.

For example, for each of the plurality of travel routes, route priority determination unit115scores the number of passes through the low temperature area, the predicted SOC of battery pack41at the time of arrival at the destination, and the distance to the destination, and calculates the priority of each travel route by weighted averaging the plurality of scores.

FIGS.5A to5Care diagrams illustrating examples of the tables for scoring the number of passes through the low temperature area, the predicted SOC of battery pack41at the time of arrival at the destination, and the distance to the destination. The score of each item is normalized to a range of 0 to 1. As for the number of passes through the low temperature area, a score closer to 1 is assigned as the number of passes through is smaller.

FIG.6is a diagram illustrating an example of the route and temperature map for obtaining the number of passes through the low temperature area. The route and temperature map illustrated inFIG.6illustrates a route and temperature map of the normal route illustrated inFIG.4. Similarly, a route and temperature map are generated for different route1and different route2.

Instead of the table, the number of passes through the low temperature area may be scored by a function as described in (Equation 1) below.

y=−0.25x+1  (Equation 1)where, x represents the number of passes through the low temperature area, and y represents a low temperature score (note that the minimum value of y is clipped at 0). As the predicted SOC at the time of arrival at the destination, a score closer to 1 is assigned as the predicted SOC at the time of arrival at the destination is higher. SOC acquisition unit117acquires a current SOC of battery pack41from vehicle controller30of electric vehicle3via network5. When the travel data including the SOC of battery pack41is periodically transmitted from vehicle controller30of electric vehicle3, the SOC included in the travel data may be used.

SOC prediction unit118predicts the SOC at the time of arrival at the destination based on the current SOC thus acquired, the distance from the current location to the destination, and the electric cost of electric vehicle3that has been acquired. Note that SOC prediction unit118may correct the electric cost of electric vehicle3based on the predicted average temperature in the traveling on each travel route.

The distance to the destination is assigned a score closer to 1 as the increase distance with respect to the normal route is smaller. The predicted SOC at the time of arrival at the destination and the distance to the destination may also be scored by functions. Note that, inFIG.5C, it is assumed that the distance score is set to 1 in a case where the increase distance is negative (in a case where the distance is shorter in the different route). However, for example, the distance score in a case where the increase distance is 0 to 5 may be set to 0.9, and the distance score in a case where the increase distance is a negative value may be set to 1.

Route priority determination unit115generates a priority determination table based on the route and temperature map of each travel route, the predicted SOC at the time of arrival at the destination, and the increase distance with respect to the normal route.

FIG.7is a diagram illustrating a priority determination table for the normal route, different route1, and different route2illustrated inFIG.4. With reference toFIG.5A to5C, route priority determination unit115calculates the low temperature score, the SOC score, and the distance score of each travel route, and calculates the priority of each travel route based on (Equation 2) below.

Here, a, b, and c each represent the contribution degree of a respective one of the scores, and a+b+c=1. Since each score is normalized to a range of 0 to 1, the priority is also calculated with a value in a range of 0 to 1.

For example, when a=0.5, b=0.3, and c=0.2 are set, the priority of the normal route is 0.48 (=0.5×a+0.1×b+1×c), the priority of different route1is 0.655 (=0.75×a+0.4×b+0.8×c), and the priority of different route2is 0.49 (=0.75×a+0.1×b+0.4×c). Therefore, the priority increases in the order of different route1, different route2, and the normal route. That is, the closer the value is to 1, the higher the priority.

Route guidance information generation unit116generates route guidance information based on the priorities of the plurality of travel routes determined by route priority determination unit115. Route guidance information generation unit116notifies vehicle controller30of electric vehicle3of the generated route guidance information via network5. Vehicle controller30of electric vehicle3causes display38to display the route guidance information acquired from guidance system1.

FIG.8is a diagram illustrating an example of a route guidance screen displayed on display38of electric vehicle3.

Note that the route guidance text may be converted into a voice by a voice synthesis application in vehicle controller30, and the voice may be output from a speaker (not illustrated).

Note that the route guidance information generated by route guidance information generation unit116may be notified to operation management terminal device2via network5. In this case, the route guidance information is transmitted from the operation manager to the driver of electric vehicle3.

The contribution degrees of a, b, and c of the low temperature score, the SOC score, and the distance score described above may be designed to be changeable by the user (driver or operation manager). Route priority determination unit115acquires the change information input by the user from vehicle controller30of electric vehicle3or operation management terminal device2via network5.

FIG.9is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen of priority items displayed on display38of electric vehicle3. The driver slides electricity shortage avoidance priority bar38a, SOC priority bar38b, and time priority bar38cto adjust the contribution degrees of a, b, and c of the low temperature score, the SOC score, and the distance score. In the example illustrated inFIG.9, when one bar is slid, the remaining two bars are automatically adjusted so that the total score of the three bars is 150.

In the example described above, three parameters of the number of passes through the low temperature area, the predicted SOC of battery pack41at the time of arrival at the destination, and the distance to the destination are used as parameters for calculating the priority of the travel route. In this regard, the types of parameters are not limited to these, and the number of parameters to be used is not limited to three. For example, two parameters of the number of passes through the low temperature area and the distance to the destination may be used, or two parameters of the number of passes through the low temperature area and the predicted SOC of battery pack41at the time of arrival at the destination may be used.

For example, a height difference of the travel route may be used as a parameter. In this case, a score closer to 1 is assigned as the height difference is smaller. The height difference of the travel route can be acquired from map information server6.

Further, for example, traffic congestion prediction information on the travel route may be used as a parameter. In this case, a score closer to 1 is assigned as a traffic congestion prediction distance is closer to 0 km. When the traffic congestion prediction information is used as a parameter, road traffic information acquisition unit119acquires traffic congestion prediction information on the travel route from road traffic information server8.

In addition, for example, toll information of a toll road (mainly an expressway) on the travel route may be used as a parameter. In the case of the delivery company that has a policy of preferentially using the toll road, a score closer to 1 is assigned as the ratio of the distance of the toll road to the distance of the entire travel route is higher. Note that a score closer to 1 may be assigned as the toll road fee is higher. In the case of the delivery company that has a policy of using the toll road as little as possible, a score closer to 1 is assigned as the toll road fee is closer to 0 yen. When the toll information on the toll road is used as a parameter, road traffic information acquisition unit119acquires the toll information on the toll road on the travel route from road traffic information server8.

When map information server6and road traffic information server8cooperate with each other through data linkage, the traffic congestion prediction information and the toll information on the toll road can also be acquired from map information server6. Map information server6can calculate the predicted arrival time of the destination in consideration of the traffic congestion prediction information and use of an expressway.

SOC prediction unit118may model a charge and discharge pattern of battery pack41based on height difference information on the travel route, and may correct the predicted SOC at the time of arrival at the destination calculated without considering the height difference based on the modeled charge and discharge pattern. In addition, SOC prediction unit118may model the charge and discharge pattern of battery pack41based on the traffic congestion prediction information on the travel route, and may correct the predicted SOC at the time of arrival at the destination calculated without considering the traffic congestion prediction information based on the modeled charge and discharge pattern. In addition, in the case of using an expressway, SOC prediction unit118may model the charge and discharge pattern of battery pack41when the expressway is used, and correct the predicted SOC at the time of arrival at the destination calculated assuming that the expressway is not used based on the modeled charge and discharge pattern.

Alternatively, only the number of passes through the low temperature area may be used as a parameter for calculating the priority of the travel route. In this case, it is not necessary to predict the SOC at the time of arrival at the destination. In this case, route guidance information generation unit116can reliably recommend a travel route with few low temperature areas. Note that, since the present exemplary embodiment gives importance to the avoidance of the low temperature area, it is desirable that contribution degree a of the low temperature score is set to 0.5 or more even when the plurality of parameters is used.

FIG.10is a flowchart illustrating an example of route guidance information generation processing by guidance system1according to the exemplary embodiment. Travel route acquisition unit111inputs the current location and the destination acquired from vehicle controller30or operation management terminal device2of electric vehicle3to map information server6(S10). Travel route acquisition unit111acquires the normal route from map information server6(S11). Weather information acquisition unit112acquires weather information on the normal route from weather information server7(S12). Route and temperature map generation unit113generates the route and temperature map of the normal route based on the weather information on the normal route (S13).

Low temperature area determination unit114determines whether the low temperature area is present on the normal route (S14). When the low temperature area is present (Y at S14), travel route acquisition unit111acquires a different route from map information server6(S15). Weather information acquisition unit112acquires weather information on the different route from weather information server7(S16). Route and temperature map generation unit113generates the route and temperature map of the different route based on the weather information on the different route (S17).

SOC acquisition unit117acquires the current SOC of battery pack41mounted on electric vehicle3(S18). SOC prediction unit118calculates the predicted SOC at the time of arrival at the destination of each route based on the current SOC thus acquired, the distance from the current location to the destination, and the electric cost of electric vehicle3(S19). Route priority determination unit115generates the priority determination table based on the route and temperature map of each travel route, the predicted SOC at the time of arrival at the destination, and the increase distance with respect to the normal route (S20). Route priority determination unit115calculates the priority of each travel route based on the generated priority determination table (S21).

Route guidance information generation unit116generates route guidance information based on the calculated priorities of the plurality of travel routes (S22). Route guidance information generation unit116notifies vehicle controller30of electric vehicle3or operation management terminal device2of the generated route guidance information (S23).

In step S14, when the low temperature area is not present on the normal route (N at S14), steps S15to S21are skipped, and the normal route becomes the recommended route as it is.

If charging is necessary for electric vehicle3to reach the destination, guidance system1can generate charging guidance for the travel route determined by the user.

Charger priority determination unit1110acquires information on an installation location of a charger installed on the determined travel route from map information server6or a different information server. Weather information acquisition unit112acquires, from weather information server7, predicted temperatures at predicted reach times at installation locations of a plurality of the chargers on the determined travel route. Charger priority determination unit1110determines priorities of the plurality of chargers based on the predicted temperatures at the predicted reach times at the installation locations of the plurality of chargers on the determined travel route.

FIG.11is a diagram illustrating an example of charging stands installed on different route1determined by the user. Three charging stands A, B, and C are installed on different route1.FIG.12is a diagram illustrating an example of the priority determination table for charging stands A, B, and C. Charger priority determination unit1110gives a higher priority to the charging stand having a higher predicted temperature at the time of predicted arrival at the installation location. In the example illustrated inFIG.12, the predicted temperature at the time of predicted arrival at charging stand A is 3° C., the predicted temperature at the time of predicted arrival at charging stand B is 13° C., and the predicted temperature at the time of predicted arrival at charging stand C is 18° C. Therefore, the priority becomes higher in order of charging stand C, charging stand B, and charging stand A.

SOC prediction unit118calculates the predicted SOC at the time of arrival at the installation location of each charger based on the current SOC acquired from vehicle controller30of electric vehicle3, the distance from the current location to the installation location of each charger, and the electric cost of electric vehicle3that has been acquired. Charging plan generation unit1111generates a charging plan based on the predicted SOC of battery pack41at the time of arrival at the installation location of each charger and the predicted SOC of battery pack41at the time of arrival at the destination.

Based on the current SOC, charging plan generation unit1111determines whether electric vehicle3can travel to the installation location of the charger with the highest priority. If the vehicle can travel, charging plan generation unit1111generates a charging plan that recommends the charging with the charger with the highest priority (InFIGS.11and12, charging stand C). Charging plan generation unit1111calculates the SOC necessary for traveling from the installation location of the charger with the highest priority (hereinafter referred to as a highest priority charger) to the destination based on the distance from the installation location of the highest priority charger to the destination.

Charging plan generation unit1111adds, to the lower limit SOC (for example, it is set to a value within a range of 10% to 30%) set for battery pack41, the SOC necessary for traveling to the destination and calculates a target SOC on the charging with the highest priority charger. Charging plan generation unit1111calculates the charging time in the highest priority charger based on the SOC at the time of arrival at the installation location of the highest priority charger, the target SOC, and the charging rate of the highest priority charger.

In a case where the vehicle cannot travel to the installation location of the highest priority charger, charging plan generation unit1111determines whether the vehicle can travel to the installation location of the charger having the next highest priority. If the vehicle can travel, processing similar to the above-described processing is executed. In a case where the vehicle cannot travel to the installation location of the charger having the next highest priority, charging plan generation unit1111determines whether the vehicle can travel to the installation location of the charger having after next highest priority. If the vehicle can travel, processing similar to the above-described processing is executed.

Charging plan generation unit1111adds, to the lower limit SOC set for battery pack41, the SOC necessary for traveling from the installation location of the charger having the second or subsequent priority (hereinafter referred to as a first use charger) determined as a first charging location to the installation location of the highest priority charger, and calculates the target SOC on the charging with the first use charger. Charging plan generation unit1111calculates the charging time in the first use charger based on the SOC at the time of arrival at the installation location of the first use charger, the target SOC, and the charging rate of the first use charger.

In a case where the vehicle cannot reach the destination even if battery pack41is fully charged with the highest priority charger, charging plan generation unit1111determines a charger with the highest priority as a second use charger, among the chargers located after the installation location of the highest priority charger and before the destination. Note that, in a case where the break time of the driver such as a lunch break and the predicted arrival time at the installation location of a certain charger overlap, charging plan generation unit1111may correct so as to increase the priority of the charger.

Charging guidance information generation unit1112generates charging guidance information based on the charging plan generated by charging plan generation unit1111. Charging guidance information generation unit1112notifies vehicle controller30of electric vehicle3of the generated charging guidance information via network5. Vehicle controller30of electric vehicle3causes display38to display the charging guidance information acquired from guidance system1. For example, in the examples illustrated inFIGS.11and12, display38displays a message such as “Charge normally at charging stand B for 20 minutes. Then, charge normally at charging stand C for 45 minutes.” is displayed.

Incidentally, the travel data including the voltages, currents, temperatures, SOCs, and SOHs of battery pack41received by guidance system1from vehicle controller30of electric vehicle3is accumulated in travel data holding unit121. SOC correction unit1113can correct the current SOC acquired from vehicle controller30of electric vehicle3based on the historical data of the SOC accumulated in travel data holding unit121.

For example, in a region where an SOC-open circuit voltage (OCV) characteristic is flat, an accuracy of the SOC estimated by the OCV method is low. When a deviation between a statistical voltage corresponding to the current SOC calculated by averaging the plurality of historical data of the SOC and the voltage when the vehicle stops, and a current voltage corresponding to the current SOC is large, SOC correction unit1113brings the current SOC close to a SOC corresponding to the statistical voltage.

As described above, in the present exemplary embodiment, the predicted temperature at the time of passing through each waypoint on the travel route is acquired, the different route is searched for when the low temperature area is present, and each route that has been found by the searching is prioritized using the parameters such as the number of passes through the low temperature area, the SOC at the time of arrival at the destination, and the distance to the destination. As a result, it is possible to prevent unexpected decrease in SOC and electricity shortage due to passing through the low temperature area. In addition, the charging plan is generated based on the position of the charger on the travel route, and the predicted temperature and the predicted SOC at the time of arrival at the charger. As a result, it is possible to prevent charging under a low temperature and to prevent delayed delivery due to an increase in charging time.

Since the recommended route for avoiding the low temperature and an optimal charging plan can be presented to the operation manager and the driver before departure, it is possible to prevent unexpected decrease in SOC and electricity shortage, and to realize efficient operation management. The driver can concentrate on delivery and driving at ease.

It is also conceivable to use a temperature control system for controlling the battery temperature in order to suppress a decrease in the battery capacity and a decrease in the charging speed in the low temperature state. However, it is difficult to rapidly heat or cool the battery temperature using a heater, a fan, a cooler, and the like. In the present exemplary embodiment, it is possible to suppress the decrease in battery capacity and the decrease in charging speed in the low temperature state without mounting the temperature control system on power supply system40. Therefore, cost reduction can be achieved by not mounting the temperature control system.

In addition, even in power supply system40in which the temperature control system is mounted, a change in battery temperature due to heating is reflected in the low temperature score, and an increase in power consumption due to heater operation is reflected in the SOC score. Therefore, guidance system1according to the present exemplary embodiment can be used as it is. By using guidance system1according to the present exemplary embodiment and the temperature control system in combination, power consumption of the temperature control system can be suppressed.

The present disclosure has been described above based on the exemplary embodiment. It is to be understood by the person of ordinary skill in the art that the exemplary embodiment is an example, that combinations of its configuration elements and processing processes can have various modified examples, and that such modified examples are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

In the above-described exemplary embodiment, an example has been described in which guidance system1is constructed on the own server set in the data center or the own facility, or constructed on the cloud server. In this regard, guidance system1may be incorporated in vehicle controller30of electric vehicle3. In this case, vehicle controller30may acquire the travel route from map information server6via network5, or may acquire the travel route from the car navigation system in cooperation with the car navigation system in electric vehicle3. In addition, guidance system1may be implemented in operation management terminal device2.

In the above-described exemplary embodiment, the description has been made by taking the case where power supply system40includes battery pack41. In this regard, a capacitor pack including a plurality of electric double layer capacitor cell and a lithium ion capacitor cell may be provided. In the present description, a battery pack and a capacitor pack are collectively called a power storage pack.

In the above-described exemplary embodiment, a four-wheeled electric vehicle is assumed as electric vehicle3. In this regard, electric vehicle3may be an electric motorcycle (electric scooter) or an electric bicycle. In addition, the electric vehicles include not only full-standard electric vehicles but also low-speed electric vehicles such as golf carts and land cars used in shopping malls and entertainment facilities.

The exemplary embodiment may be specified by the following items.

[Item 1] Guidance system (1) including:travel route acquisition unit (111) configured to acquire a travel route of electric vehicle (3); weather information acquisition unit (112) configured to acquire weather information on the travel route; androute guidance information generation unit (116) configured to generate route guidance information based on the travel route thus acquired and the weather information thus acquired, wherein, when a low temperature area is present on the travel route, travel route acquisition unit (111) further acquires a different travel route, and route guidance information generation unit (116) generates route guidance information that recommends a travel route with few low temperature areas.

According to this, it is possible to achieve efficient operation of electric vehicle (3) while preventing unexpected decrease in SOC and electricity shortage.

[Item 2] Guidance system (1) according to Item 1, further including route priority determination unit (115) configured to determine priorities of the plurality of travel routes, wherein route priority determination unit (115) sets high priority for a travel route with a small number of passes through the low temperature area.

According to this, it is possible to avoid the low temperature area as much as possible, and prevent unexpected decrease in SOC and electricity shortage.

[Item 3] Guidance system (1) according to Item 1 further including:state of charge (SOC) acquisition unit (117) configured to acquire a current SOC of power storage unit (41) mounted on electric vehicle (3);SOC prediction unit (118) configured to predict an SOC of power storage unit (41) at a time of arrival at a destination based on the current SOC of power storage unit (41) thus acquired, an electric cost of electric vehicle (3), and a distance to the destination; androute priority determination unit (115) configured to determine priorities of the plurality of travel routes,wherein route priority determination unit (115) determines, for each of the plurality of travel routes, priorities of the plurality of travel routes based on the number of passes through the low temperature area and at least one of the predicted SOC of power storage unit (41) at the time of arrival at the destination and the distance to the destination.

According to this, it is possible to determine the priority of the travel route also based on factors other than the temperature.

[Item 4] Guidance system (1) according to Item 3, wherein route priority determination unit (115) scores, for each of the plurality of travel routes, the number of passes through the low temperature area, the predicted SOC of power storage unit (41) at the time of arrival at the destination, and the distance to the destination, and calculates the priority of each travel route by weighted averaging the plurality of scores.

According to the above, it is possible to quantitatively determine the priority of the travel route also based on factors other than the temperature.

[Item 5] Guidance system (1) according to Item 4, wherein route priority determination unit (115) changes contribution degrees of the number of passes through the low temperature area, the predicted SOC of power storage unit (41) at the time of arrival at the destination, and the distance to the destination, based on information input by a user.

According to this, it is possible to reflect the item that the user emphasizes, in the determination of the travel route.

[Item 6] Guidance system (1) according to any one of Items 3 to 5, wherein SOC prediction unit (118) corrects the predicted SOC of power storage unit (41) at the time of arrival at the destination according to at least one of height difference information on the travel route, traffic congestion prediction information on the travel route, and use or non-use of an expressway on the travel route.

According to this, it is possible to improve SOC prediction accuracy.

[Item 7] Guidance system (1) according to anyone of Items 1 to 6, further including: charger priority determination unit (1110) configured to determine priorities of a plurality of chargers based on predicted temperatures of predicted expected times at installation locations of the plurality of chargers on the travel route determined by the user; and charging guidance information generation unit (1112) configured to generate charge guidance information based on priorities of the plurality of chargers, wherein charger priority determination unit (1110) sets a higher priority to a charger with a higher predicted temperature of a predicted arrival time at the installation location.

According to this, it is possible to avoid the charging with the charger in which the charging speed decreases.

[Item 8] Guidance system (1) according to Item 7, further including charging plan generation unit (1111) configured to generate a charging plan based on a predicted SOC of power storage unit (41) at the time of arrival at the installation location of each charger and a predicted SOC of power storage unit (41) at the time of arrival at the destination.

According to this, it is possible to generate the charging plan capable of preventing unexpected decrease in SOC and electricity shortage.

[Item 9] Guidance system (1) according to any one of Items 1 to 8, being made up of a server on a cloud,guidance system (1) further including communication unit (13) configured to receive various data from controller (30) of electric vehicle (3) via network (5) and transmit route guidance information generated by route guidance information generation unit (116) to controller (30) of electric vehicle (3) via network (5).

According to this, various electric vehicles (3) can use the route guidance service for preventing unexpected decrease in SOC and electricity shortage.

[Item 10] Guidance system (1) according to Item 9, further including:travel data holding unit (121) configured to accumulate travel data including an SOC of power storage unit (41) received from controller (30) of electric vehicle (3); and SOC correction unit (1113) configured to correct a current SOC of power storage unit (41) received from controller (30) of electric vehicle (3) based on historical data of the SOC accumulated in travel data holding unit (121).

According to this, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the SOC to be used.

[Item 11] A guidance method including:acquiring a travel route of an electric vehicle;acquiring weather information on the travel route; andgenerating route guidance information based on the travel route thus acquired and the weather information thus acquired,wherein, when a low temperature area is present on the travel route, the acquiring the travel route further acquires a different travel route, and the generating the route guidance information generates route guidance information that recommends a travel route with few low temperature areas.

According to this, it is possible to achieve efficient operation of electric vehicle (3) while preventing unexpected decrease in SOC and electricity shortage.

[Item 12] A guidance program causing a computer to perform:acquiring a travel route of an electric vehicle;acquiring weather information on the travel route; andgenerating route guidance information based on the travel route thus acquired and the weather information thus acquired,wherein, when a low temperature area is present on the travel route, the acquiring the travel route further acquires a different travel route, and the generating the route guidance information generates route guidance information that recommends a travel route with few low temperature areas.

According to this, it is possible to achieve efficient operation of electric vehicle (3) while preventing unexpected decrease in SOC and electricity shortage.

REFERENCE MARKS IN THE DRAWINGS

1: guidance system2: operation management terminal device3: electric vehicle5: network6: map information server7: weather information server8: road traffic information server11: processor111: travel route acquisition unit112: weather information acquisition unit113: route and temperature map generation unit114: low temperature area determination unit115: route priority determination unit116: route guidance information generation unit117: SOC acquisition unit118: SOC prediction unit119: road traffic information acquisition unit1110: charger priority determination unit1111: charging plan generation unit1112: charging guidance information generation unit1113: SOC correction unit12: storage unit121: travel data holding unit13: communication unit30: vehicle controller31f: front wheel31r: rear wheel32f: front wheel axle32r: rear wheel axle33: transmission34: motor35: inverter361: GPS sensor362: vehicle speed sensor37: wireless communication unit37a: antenna38: display40: power supply system41: battery pack42: management unit