Patent Description:
A van-type vehicle described in <CIT> includes a driver's seat, a general baggage loading compartment, and a vehicle-mounted refrigerator. The general baggage loading compartment is disposed on the rear side of the driver's seat. A delivery system including a vehicle is described in US Patent Application Publication <CIT>.

The inventors of the present application have discussed a delivery system configured to deliver a delivery item to a cooling box mounted on a vehicle.

As for the vehicle used in the above-described delivery system, it is necessary to prevent another person from freely opening the cooling box and to allow a prescribed deliverer to open the cooling box. In this case, it is necessary to take into consideration the convenience when the deliverer puts the delivery item into the cooling box.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-described problem, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a delivery system comprising a vehicle including a cooling box that can accommodate a delivery item, with improved convenience of a deliverer.

A delivery according to the present disclosure is defined in claim <NUM>.

According to the above-described delivery system, a deliverer or the like can transmit the opening signal near the vehicle, thereby opening the rear hatch. When the vehicle is parked forward, the deliverer or the like can easily put a delivery item into the cooling box.

The cooling box is disposed closer to the rear hatch than the passenger compartment. According to the above-described vehicle, the deliverer, the user or the like can easily put the object into the cooling box.

The vehicle further includes a front-row seat and a rear-row seat disposed more rearward than the front-row seat. The front-row seat and the rear-row seat are disposed in the passenger compartment. The passenger compartment and the rear compartment are separated by the rear-row seat. By deforming at least a part of the rear-row seat, an object contained in the cooling box can be taken out from the passenger compartment.

According to the above-described vehicle, by deforming the rear-row seat, an object contained in the cooling box can be taken out from the passenger compartment.

The vehicle further includes: a first side surface and a second side surface arranged in a width direction; a first rear wheel disposed more rearward than a center in a front-back direction of the vehicle main body and on the first side surface side; and a second rear wheel disposed more rearward than the center and on the second side surface side. The cooling box is disposed between the first rear wheel and the second rear wheel. According to the above-described vehicle, even when the vehicle receives side collision, the cooling box can be protected.

The cooling box is disposed at a center in the width direction of the vehicle main body. According to the above-described vehicle, even when an object to be contained is put into the cooling box, disturbance of the balance of the vehicle in the right and left direction can be suppressed.

The cooling box is provided so as to be movable in the front-back direction of the vehicle main body within the rear compartment. According to the above-described vehicle, when an object to be contained is put into the cooling box, the cooling box is moved to the vehicle rear side, and thus, the object to be contained can be easily put into the cooling box. Furthermore, the cooling box is moved frontward, and thus, an object contained in the cooling box can be taken out from the passenger compartment.

A delivery system and a vehicle according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>. The same or substantially the same components, of the components shown in <FIG>, are denoted by the same reference characters, and redundant description will not be repeated.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram schematically showing a delivery system <NUM>. Delivery system <NUM> includes a vehicle <NUM>, a deliverer terminal <NUM>, a user terminal <NUM>, a server <NUM>, and the Internet (registered trademark) <NUM>.

Vehicle <NUM>, deliverer terminal <NUM>, user terminal <NUM>, and server <NUM> are configured to communicate with one another through the Internet <NUM>.

Vehicle <NUM> is, for example, a vehicle owned by a user <NUM>. Vehicle <NUM> is, for example, configured to transmit position information of vehicle <NUM> to server <NUM> through the Internet <NUM>.

Deliverer terminal <NUM> is carried by a deliverer <NUM>. Deliverer terminal <NUM> obtains various types of information from server <NUM> through the Internet <NUM>. Deliverer <NUM> uses a delivery vehicle <NUM> to deliver a delivery item W to a prescribed delivery destination.

User terminal <NUM> is used by user <NUM>. Examples of user terminal <NUM> include a smartphone, a mobile phone, a personal computer and the like.

By operating user terminal <NUM>, user <NUM> can purchase a commodity and perform a delivery procedure.

<FIG> is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of deliverer terminal <NUM>. Deliverer terminal <NUM> includes a processor <NUM>, a storage <NUM>, a display <NUM>, and a communication device <NUM>.

Processor <NUM> executes processing operation using information stored in storage <NUM>, information obtained from communication device <NUM>, and the like. The processing operation in processor <NUM> is executed by software, hardware such as an electric circuit, or the like.

Prestored information, information obtained through communication device <NUM>, and the like are stored in storage <NUM>. Display <NUM> is a touch panel-type screen on which various types of information are displayed. Therefore, by operating display <NUM>, deliverer <NUM> can input various types of information. Communication device <NUM> obtains various types of information from server <NUM> and the like through the Internet <NUM>.

For example, communication device <NUM> obtains information such as a delivery destination of delivery item W from server <NUM> through the Internet <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of user terminal <NUM>. User terminal <NUM> includes a processor <NUM>, a storage <NUM>, a display <NUM>, and a communication device <NUM>. Processor <NUM> is configured to execute processing operation using information stored in storage <NUM> and information obtained through communication device <NUM>. Prestored information and information obtained through communication device <NUM> are stored in storage <NUM>.

Display <NUM> is configured to display various types of information. Display <NUM> is, for example, a touch panel-type liquid crystal display. Communication device <NUM> is configured to receive and transmit information to and from server <NUM> and the like through the Internet <NUM> and the like.

By operating display <NUM>, user <NUM> can, for example, purchase a commodity and specify a delivery destination through the Internet <NUM>. Processor <NUM> can transmit request information input through display <NUM> to server <NUM> through communication device <NUM> and the Internet <NUM>. The request information includes, for example, information specifying a purchased commodity, and delivery request information. The delivery request information includes, for example, information indicating the delivery time and information indicating a delivery destination.

<FIG> is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of server <NUM>. Server <NUM> includes a processor <NUM>, a storage <NUM> and a communication device <NUM>. Processor <NUM> executes processing operation using information stored in storage <NUM> and information obtained through communication device <NUM>. The processing operation in processor <NUM> is executed by software or hardware such as an electric circuit.

Various types of information are prestored in storage <NUM>, and information obtained through communication device <NUM> is also stored in storage <NUM>. A homepage information database <NUM>, a commodity information database <NUM>, a registered vehicle database <NUM>, and a deliverer information database <NUM> are, for example, stored in storage <NUM>.

Information about a homepage that can be accessed by user <NUM> through user terminal <NUM> is stored in homepage information database <NUM>.

Commodity information about each commodity put on a homepage is stored in commodity information database <NUM>. Information about a vehicle that can be specified as a delivery destination is stored in registered vehicle database <NUM>. For example, information such as a communication ID, a vehicle type and a color of each vehicle is stored. A communication ID of deliverer terminal <NUM> and the like are stored in deliverer information database <NUM>.

Communication device <NUM> exchanges various types of information with vehicle <NUM>, deliverer terminal <NUM> and user terminal <NUM> through the Internet <NUM>.

<FIG> is a side view showing a configuration of vehicle <NUM>. Vehicle <NUM> includes a vehicle main body <NUM>, a front wheel <NUM>, a rear wheel <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, a PCU <NUM>, and a motor <NUM>.

Battery <NUM> is a secondary battery that can charge and discharge electric power. Front wheel <NUM> is disposed more frontward than a center in a front-back direction of vehicle main body <NUM>. Rear wheel <NUM> is disposed more rearward than the center in the front-back direction of vehicle main body <NUM>.

PCU (Power Control Unit) <NUM> converts DC power from battery <NUM> to AC power and supplies the AC power to motor <NUM>. Using the supplied AC power, motor <NUM> is driven to rotate rear wheel <NUM>. As described above, vehicle <NUM> according to the first embodiment is typically an electric vehicle. Vehicle <NUM> may be a hybrid vehicle and the like.

A passenger compartment <NUM>, a front accommodation compartment <NUM> and a rear accommodation compartment <NUM> are formed in vehicle main body <NUM>. Front accommodation compartment <NUM> is formed more frontward of vehicle <NUM> than passenger compartment <NUM>. Rear accommodation compartment <NUM> is formed more rearward of vehicle <NUM> than passenger compartment <NUM>.

Vehicle main body <NUM> includes a floor panel <NUM>, a front-row seat <NUM>, a rear-row seat <NUM>, a rear hatch <NUM>, a front hatch <NUM>, a front door <NUM>, and a rear door <NUM>.

Floor panel <NUM> forms a bottom surface of vehicle <NUM>. Floor panel <NUM> includes a center floor panel <NUM>, a rear floor panel <NUM> and a partition wall <NUM>.

Center floor panel <NUM> forms a lower surface of passenger compartment <NUM>. Rear floor panel <NUM> forms a lower surface of rear accommodation compartment <NUM>. Passenger compartment <NUM> and front accommodation compartment <NUM> are separated by partition wall <NUM>.

Front-row seat <NUM> and rear-row seat <NUM> are provided in passenger compartment <NUM>. Rear-row seat <NUM> is disposed more rearward than front-row seat <NUM>.

Front door <NUM> and rear door <NUM> are provided on vehicle main body <NUM> so as to be openable and closable. By opening front door <NUM> and rear door <NUM>, a passenger can get in and out of passenger compartment <NUM>.

Rear-row seat <NUM> divides a space in vehicle <NUM> into passenger compartment <NUM> and rear accommodation compartment <NUM>. Rear hatch <NUM> is provided so as to be pivotable with respect to vehicle main body <NUM>. By opening rear hatch <NUM>, rear accommodation compartment <NUM> can be opened. Front hatch <NUM> is provided so as to be pivotable with respect to vehicle main body <NUM>. By opening front hatch <NUM>, front accommodation compartment <NUM> can be opened.

Vehicle <NUM> includes a cooling box <NUM>, a cooling circuit <NUM> and a cooling circuit <NUM>. Cooling circuit <NUM> is provided in a lower part of front accommodation compartment <NUM>. Cooling circuit <NUM> cools the air in passenger compartment <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram schematically showing vehicle <NUM>. Cooling circuit <NUM> is disposed on the lower surface side of rear floor panel <NUM>, and cooling box <NUM> is disposed in rear accommodation compartment <NUM>.

Cooling circuit <NUM> cools the air in passenger compartment <NUM> and cools the air in cooling box <NUM>.

Vehicle <NUM> includes an ECU (processor) <NUM>, a communication device <NUM>, a position information acquisition device <NUM>, a storage <NUM>, a communication device <NUM>, and a locking device <NUM>.

Communication device <NUM> is configured to communicate with server <NUM> and the like through the Internet <NUM>. Communication device <NUM> transmits the obtained information to ECU <NUM>. Locking device <NUM> locks rear hatch <NUM> in a closed state, and releases a locked state of rear hatch <NUM>.

Communication device <NUM> is configured to communicate with deliverer terminal <NUM> located outside, a key of user <NUM> and the like. A communication distance of communication device <NUM> is, for example, approximately <NUM> meter and is shorter than a communication distance of communication device <NUM>. Communication device <NUM> is configured to receive an authentication signal sent from the key of user <NUM> and to receive an opening code and the like sent from deliverer terminal <NUM>. Communication device <NUM> transmits the received information to ECU <NUM>.

Storage <NUM> is a nonvolatile memory having various types of information stored therein. Position information acquisition device <NUM> is configured to obtain position information of vehicle <NUM>, and transmits the obtained position information to ECU <NUM>. ECU <NUM> executes processing operation using various types of information stored in storage <NUM>, the information obtained by communication device <NUM>, the position information obtained by position information acquisition device <NUM>, and the like, and controls driving of PCU <NUM> and the like.

<FIG> is a plan view showing a configuration of vehicle <NUM> on the rear side. Vehicle <NUM> includes a right side surface <NUM>, a left side surface <NUM> and a rear surface <NUM>. Rear hatch <NUM> is formed so as to extend from the rear surface <NUM> side toward the front of vehicle <NUM>.

<FIG> is a plan view when rear hatch <NUM> is omitted from the state shown in <FIG>. Cooling box <NUM> is disposed at a center in a width direction of vehicle <NUM>. In <FIG>, "O1" represents a center line passing through the center in the width direction of vehicle <NUM> and extending in the front-back direction of vehicle <NUM>. In the example shown in <FIG>, when vehicle <NUM> is viewed in a plan view, cooling box <NUM> overlaps with center line O1.

Vehicle <NUM> includes a right rear wheel 42R provided on the right side surface <NUM> side, and a left rear wheel <NUM> provided on the left side surface <NUM> side. Right rear wheel 42R and left rear wheel <NUM> are arranged in the width direction of vehicle <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing the rear surface side of vehicle <NUM>, with rear hatch <NUM> being open. As is clear from <FIG> and <FIG>, cooling box <NUM> is located closer to rear surface <NUM> than passenger compartment <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view schematically showing cooling box <NUM>. Cooling box <NUM> includes a main body <NUM> and lids <NUM> and <NUM>. A refrigerating compartment <NUM> and a freezing compartment <NUM> are formed in main body <NUM>.

Lids <NUM> and <NUM> are provided on an upper surface of main body <NUM>. Lid <NUM> is provided on main body <NUM> such that lid <NUM> can open and close an opening formed in an upper part of freezing compartment <NUM>. Lid <NUM> is provided on main body <NUM> such that lid <NUM> can open and close an opening formed in an upper part of refrigerating compartment <NUM>.

<FIG> is a plan view showing cooling circuit <NUM> and the like. When cooling circuit <NUM> and vehicle <NUM> are viewed in a plan view, cooling circuit <NUM> is located in rear accommodation compartment <NUM>.

Cooling circuit <NUM> includes a condenser <NUM>, a gas-liquid separator <NUM>, an expansion valve <NUM>, an evaporator <NUM>, a blower <NUM>, an evaporator <NUM>, a blower <NUM>, a compressor <NUM>, a refrigerant pipe <NUM>, and a refrigerant C.

Condenser <NUM> cools refrigerant C using the outdoor air. Gas-liquid separator <NUM> separates refrigerant C in a gas state from refrigerant C flowing through refrigerant pipe <NUM>, and supplies refrigerant C in a liquid state to expansion valve <NUM>. Expansion valve <NUM> adiabatically expands refrigerant C and supplies refrigerant C in a mist state to evaporators <NUM> and <NUM>.

Blower <NUM> blows the air in passenger compartment <NUM> on evaporator <NUM> to thereby cool the air in passenger compartment <NUM>. The cooled air is returned to passenger compartment <NUM>.

Blower <NUM> blows the air in cooling box <NUM> on evaporator <NUM>. As a result, the air in cooling box <NUM> is excellently cooled. The cooled air is returned to cooling box <NUM>.

As described above, cooling circuit <NUM> cools the air in passenger compartment <NUM> and cools the air in cooling box <NUM>. When vehicle <NUM> is viewed in a plan view, cooling circuit <NUM> is located in rear accommodation compartment <NUM>. Therefore, a distance between cooling box <NUM> and cooling circuit <NUM> is short, and thus, cooling circuit <NUM> can efficiently cool the air in cooling box <NUM>.

Delivery system <NUM> configured as mentioned above will be described.

<FIG> is a sequence diagram of delivery system <NUM>. User <NUM> operates user terminal <NUM> and specifies a commodity to be purchased and a delivery destination of the purchased commodity on a homepage. At this time, vehicle <NUM> is specified as the delivery destination of the purchased commodity.

Using user terminal <NUM>, user <NUM> can access a homepage, and purchase a commodity put on the homepage and specify a delivery destination of the purchased commodity.

User terminal <NUM> transmits request information including information about the commodity purchased by user <NUM> and delivery information to server <NUM> (Step <NUM>). When server <NUM> obtains the request information, server <NUM> creates an opening code (Step <NUM>). When server <NUM> creates the opening code, server <NUM> transmits the opening code to vehicle <NUM> (Step <NUM>). When vehicle <NUM> receives the opening code (Yes in Step <NUM>), vehicle <NUM> transmits position information to server <NUM> (Step <NUM>).

When server <NUM> obtains the position information from vehicle <NUM>, server <NUM> transmits registered vehicle information of vehicle <NUM>, the delivery information and the opening code to deliverer terminal <NUM> (Step <NUM>).

When deliverer terminal <NUM> receives the registered vehicle information, the delivery information and the opening code from server <NUM>, deliverer terminal <NUM> notifies deliverer <NUM> that these pieces of information have been received (Step <NUM>).

The registered vehicle information includes, for example, information about a type, a color and the like of vehicle <NUM>. The delivery information includes the information about the commodity purchased by user <NUM>, the position information of vehicle <NUM> as the delivery destination, and the delivery time. The opening code is an opening signal for unlocking locking device <NUM> of vehicle <NUM>.

Deliverer <NUM> moves close to vehicle <NUM>, based on the position information of vehicle <NUM>. Then, deliverer <NUM> can come very close to vehicle <NUM> with reference to the type, the color and the like of the vehicle included in the vehicle information.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram showing, in a plan view, a state in which deliverer <NUM> has come very close to vehicle <NUM>. In the example shown in <FIG>, vehicle <NUM> is parked forward. For example, in Europe, the United States and the like, forward parking is common when parking a vehicle. Therefore, deliverer <NUM> can easily come close to rear hatch <NUM>. <FIG> is a schematic diagram showing a state in which deliverer <NUM> has come close to rear hatch <NUM>. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, deliverer <NUM> operates deliverer terminal <NUM> and transmits the opening code from communication device <NUM> to communication device <NUM>. A distance that allows communication between communication device <NUM> and communication device <NUM> is, for example, approximately <NUM> meter.

When communication device <NUM> receives the opening code, communication device <NUM> transmits the received opening code to ECU <NUM>. ECU <NUM> determines whether or not the opening code matches with the opening code received in Step <NUM> (Step <NUM>). When ECU <NUM> determines that the opening code matches with the opening code received in Step <NUM> (Yes in Step <NUM>), ECU <NUM> releases the locked state by locking device <NUM> (Step <NUM>). As a result, deliverer <NUM> can put delivery item W into cooling box <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, cooling box <NUM> is located closer to rear surface <NUM> of vehicle <NUM> than passenger compartment <NUM>. Therefore, deliverer <NUM> can easily put delivery item W into cooling box <NUM>.

Furthermore, cooling box <NUM> is disposed at the center in the width direction of vehicle <NUM>. Therefore, even when delivery item W is put into cooling box <NUM>, disturbance of the weight balance of vehicle <NUM> in the width direction can be suppressed.

In addition, lids <NUM> and <NUM> of cooling box <NUM> are provided on the upper surface side of cooling box <NUM>. Therefore, deliverer <NUM> can easily put delivery item W into refrigerating compartment <NUM> or freezing compartment <NUM>.

Although the case of forward parking of vehicle <NUM> has been described in the example shown in <FIG>, the case of reverse parking of vehicle <NUM> is also conceivable. In such a case, it is possible to reduce the possibility that cooling box <NUM> is visible to other surrounding people when delivery item W is put into cooling box <NUM>. As a result, the privacy of user <NUM> is easily protected.

A vehicle 2A according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG> and the like. Similarly to vehicle <NUM> according to the first embodiment, vehicle 2A according to the second embodiment can also be specified as a delivery destination of delivery item W in delivery system <NUM>.

<FIG> is a plan view showing a part of vehicle 2A according to the second embodiment. <FIG> is a perspective view of vehicle 2A, with rear hatch <NUM> being open.

Vehicle 2A includes a cooling box 53A. Cooling box 53A is accommodated in rear accommodation compartment <NUM> and is located closer to rear-row seat <NUM> (passenger compartment <NUM>) than rear surface <NUM>. A rear surface of rear-row seat <NUM> is provided with a take-out door <NUM>.

<FIG> is a front view showing rear-row seat <NUM>. Rear-row seat <NUM> includes a rear side seat <NUM>, a rear side seat <NUM>, an arm rest <NUM>, and a head rest <NUM>.

Rear side seat <NUM> includes a head rest <NUM>, a seat back <NUM> and a seat cushion <NUM>. Rear side seat <NUM> includes a head rest <NUM>, a seat back <NUM> and a seat cushion <NUM>. Head rest <NUM> is disposed above arm rest <NUM>.

<FIG> is a front view of rear-row seat <NUM>, with arm rest <NUM> being rotated down and disposed on seat cushions <NUM> and <NUM>.

When arm rest <NUM> is moved down, take-out door <NUM> is exposed to the passenger compartment <NUM> side. By opening take-out door <NUM>, the passenger can reach cooling box 53A and take out a contained object from cooling box 53A.

According to vehicle 2A, the passenger can take out delivered delivery item W inside vehicle 2A, and thus, the passenger's convenience is improved.

Furthermore, cooling box 53A is disposed between right rear wheel 42R and left rear wheel <NUM>. Therefore, even when vehicle 2A receives side collision, damage of cooling box 53A can be suppressed.

A vehicle 2B which is a modification of the vehicle according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a plan view showing the rear side of vehicle 2B. <FIG> is a perspective view showing a configuration of a cooling box 53B and its surroundings.

Vehicle 2B includes cooling box 53B and rails <NUM> and <NUM>. Rails <NUM> and <NUM> are disposed on a bottom surface of rear accommodation compartment <NUM> of vehicle 2B. Rails <NUM> and <NUM> are provided so as to extend in the front-back direction of vehicle 2B.

Cooling box 53B rests on rails <NUM> and <NUM> and is provided so as to be movable in a direction of extension of rails <NUM> and <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing a state in which cooling box 53B is disposed on the rear surface <NUM> side. <FIG> is a perspective view showing a state in which cooling box 53B is disposed on the rear-row seat <NUM> side.

In this way, cooling box 53B is provided so as to be movable between the rear surface <NUM> side and the rear-row seat <NUM> (passenger compartment <NUM>) side of vehicle 2B.

Therefore, for example, when user <NUM> requests deliverer <NUM> to deliver delivery item W, user <NUM> disposes cooling box 53B on the rear surface <NUM> side as shown in <FIG>. Thus, deliverer <NUM> can easily put delivery item W into cooling box 53B.

For example, when user <NUM> gets in vehicle 2B and drives vehicle 2B, user <NUM> moves cooling box 53B to the rear-row seat <NUM> side as shown in <FIG>. Thus, user <NUM> can open take-out door <NUM> and take out the object contained in cooling box 53B from the passenger compartment <NUM> side.

Although the case of disposing cooling box <NUM> at the center in the width direction of the vehicle has been described in the first and second embodiments above, cooling box <NUM> may be disposed on one side surface side. <FIG> is a plan view showing an example in which cooling box <NUM> is disposed on the right side surface <NUM> side. <FIG> is a plan view showing an example in which cooling box <NUM> is disposed on the left side surface <NUM> side.

Claim 1:
A delivery system including a vehicle comprising:
a vehicle main body (<NUM>) having a passenger compartment (<NUM>) and a rear compartment (<NUM>) located more rearward than the passenger compartment (<NUM>);
a rear hatch (<NUM>) provided on the vehicle main body (<NUM>) and configured to open and close the rear compartment (<NUM>);
a cooling box (<NUM>) disposed in the rear compartment (<NUM>);
a first communication device (<NUM>) configured to communicate with an external server (<NUM>);
the delivery system being characterized in that the vehicle further comprises:
a second communication device (<NUM>) having a communication distance shorter than that of the first communication device (<NUM>);
a locking device (<NUM>) configured to lock the rear hatch (<NUM>); and
a processor,
the processor being configured to receive information about an opening signal from the server through the first communication device (<NUM>), and to open the rear hatch (<NUM>) when the processor receives the opening signal through the second communication device (<NUM>); and in that
the delivery system further includes a user terminal (<NUM>) and a deliverer terminal (<NUM>) with a display (<NUM>) and a third communication device (<NUM>), wherein the deliverer terminal (<NUM>) is configured to receive, from the external server (<NUM>), the opening signal and registered vehicle information including information about a type and color of the vehicle, and the third communication device (<NUM>) being configured to transmit the opening signal to the second communication device (<NUM>).