JP7529706B2 - Electric Vehicle Management System - Google Patents

Description

The technology disclosed herein relates to an electric vehicle management system.

Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle management system that manages multiple electric vehicles. It is disclosed that this vehicle management system determines the order in which to use an electric vehicle so that the less degraded the storage batteries of the multiple electric vehicles are, the earlier they will be used. It is disclosed that this system can reduce variation in the life span of the storage batteries in multiple electric vehicles.

JP 2013-109609 A

However, the degree of deterioration of batteries installed in electric vehicles varies depending on the conditions under which the electric vehicle is used and stored. For example, if the dispatch and parking of electric vehicles is not managed, it is difficult to control the variation in the degree of battery deterioration among multiple electric vehicles.

To solve the above-mentioned problems, the technology disclosed herein provides the following electric vehicle management system. The electric vehicle management system disclosed herein includes a deterioration level acquisition unit, a usage age acquisition unit, an age deterioration level calculation unit, and a classification unit. The deterioration level acquisition unit acquires the deterioration level of the battery mounted on the electric vehicle. The usage age acquisition unit acquires the usage age of the electric vehicle. The age deterioration level calculation unit calculates the age deterioration level of the electric vehicle based on the acquired deterioration level of the battery and the usage age of the electric vehicle. The classification unit classifies the electric vehicles into a plurality of vehicle groups according to the age deterioration level.

The electric vehicle management system disclosed herein allows a target electric vehicle to be classified into one of a number of vehicle groups according to the degree of deterioration of the battery of the target electric vehicle based on the degree of deterioration of the battery. This allows the manager of the electric vehicles to manage the vehicles while taking into account the degree of deterioration of the battery installed in each electric vehicle.

The electric vehicle management system disclosed herein may include a parking determination unit and a parking notification unit. The parking determination unit may determine that an electric vehicle classified by the classification unit into a vehicle group with a low degree of age deterioration is to be parked in a parking location where the battery of the electric vehicle is likely to deteriorate, and may determine that an electric vehicle classified by the classification unit into a vehicle group with a high degree of age deterioration is to be parked in a parking location where the battery of the electric vehicle is unlikely to deteriorate. The parking notification unit may notify the parking location determined by the parking determination unit.

Another preferred aspect of the electric vehicle management system disclosed herein includes a degradation level acquisition unit, a mileage acquisition unit, a distance degradation level calculation unit, and a classification unit. The degradation level acquisition unit acquires a degradation level of a battery mounted on the electric vehicle. The mileage acquisition unit acquires a mileage of the electric vehicle. The distance degradation level calculation unit calculates a distance degradation level of the electric vehicle based on the acquired degradation level of the battery and the mileage of the electric vehicle. The classification unit classifies the electric vehicles into a plurality of vehicle groups according to the distance degradation level.
According to the electric vehicle management system configured as above, the electric vehicles can be classified into vehicle groups according to the degree of distance degradation of the battery mounted on the electric vehicle. This allows the manager of the electric vehicles to manage the vehicles taking into account the degree of distance degradation of the battery mounted on each electric vehicle.

The electric vehicle management system disclosed herein may include a usage schedule information acquisition unit, a deterioration promotion degree calculation unit, a vehicle allocation determination unit, and a vehicle allocation notification unit. The usage schedule information acquisition unit may acquire usage schedule information. The deterioration promotion degree calculation unit may calculate a deterioration promotion degree based on the usage schedule information acquired by the usage schedule information acquisition unit. The vehicle allocation determination unit may compare the deterioration promotion degree calculated by the deterioration promotion degree calculation unit with a predetermined reference value, and if the calculated deterioration promotion degree is equal to or greater than the reference value, may decide to dispatch an electric vehicle classified into a vehicle group with a low distance deterioration degree, and if the calculated deterioration promotion degree is less than the reference value, may decide to dispatch an electric vehicle classified into a group with a high distance deterioration degree. The vehicle allocation notification unit may notify the electric vehicle determined by the vehicle allocation determination unit.

The electric vehicle management system disclosed herein may include a usage schedule information acquisition unit, a deterioration promotion degree calculation unit, a vehicle allocation determination unit, a vehicle allocation notification unit, a deterioration degree acquisition unit that acquires the deterioration degree of the battery of the electric vehicle determined by the vehicle allocation determination unit, a usage age acquisition unit that acquires the usage age of the electric vehicle determined by the vehicle allocation determination unit, an age deterioration degree calculation unit that calculates an age deterioration degree based on the acquired deterioration degree and usage age, a parking determination unit that determines a parking location for the electric vehicle determined by the vehicle allocation determination unit, and a parking notification unit that notifies the determined parking location.

The electric vehicle management system disclosed herein may classify the target electric vehicles into a number of vehicle groups according to the degree of age deterioration and the degree of mileage deterioration in the classification unit.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example in which an electric vehicle management system according to an embodiment is applied; FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electric vehicle management system according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for classifying electric vehicles based on age deterioration levels according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing parking conditions and the likelihood of battery deterioration according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for determining a parking location based on age-related deterioration according to one embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for classifying electric vehicles based on a distance deterioration degree according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for determining vehicle allocation based on a distance deterioration degree according to an embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating destinations and accelerated deterioration scores according to one embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the number of passengers and the deterioration acceleration score according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for classifying electric vehicles based on an age deterioration level and a mileage deterioration level according to an embodiment. FIG. 13 is a matrix diagram illustrating an example of a classification map according to an embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating a procedure for determining parking and vehicle dispatch based on age deterioration and mileage deterioration according to an embodiment.

One embodiment of the electric vehicle management system disclosed herein will be described below with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described here is, of course, not intended to limit the present invention in any particular way. The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described here, unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, members and parts that perform the same function will be appropriately designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of application of the electric vehicle management system 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a block diagram of the electric vehicle management system 100 according to this embodiment. The electric vehicle management system 100 disclosed herein is a system that manages parking and dispatch of multiple electric vehicles 10. Here, the electric vehicle 10 includes vehicles that use electricity as an energy source, such as electric automobiles, hybrid vehicles, and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The electric vehicle 10 may be a four-wheeled vehicle or a two-wheeled vehicle. The electric vehicle 10 is equipped with a battery 5. The battery 5 is a secondary battery that can be charged and discharged, such as a lithium-ion secondary battery. Note that the batteries 5 equipped in each electric vehicle may be different types and models. Here, the electric vehicle 10 is a vehicle that uses the battery 5 as a power source.

The electric vehicle management system 100 disclosed herein is preferably used by, for example, a person who manages the parking and allocation of multiple electric vehicles 10 (hereinafter also referred to as the "vehicle manager"). Here, the person who manages the parking and allocation of multiple electric vehicles 10 is, for example, a rental car company that rents out electric vehicles 10 as rental cars, a car sharing company that manages electric vehicles 10 as cars for car sharing, a taxi company that uses electric vehicles 10 as taxis, a bus company that uses electric vehicles 10 as buses, etc. Alternatively, it may be a company that uses electric vehicles 10 as company cars, etc. Here, rental car company A that rents out electric vehicles 10 as rental cars will be described as an example of a vehicle manager.

Each of the multiple electric vehicles 10 is assigned a vehicle ID for individually identifying the vehicle. The vehicle ID may be composed of, for example, a character string of alphanumeric characters that can be identified by a computer. Each electric vehicle 10 and each vehicle ID may be associated in a one-to-one correspondence. The vehicle ID may be a management number set by the vehicle manager.

At a rental car company A that rents out multiple electric vehicles 10 as rental cars, each electric vehicle 10 is stored (in other words, parked) in a specified parking space P. A parking space P is, for example, a parking lot. Here, parking spaces P include parking spaces with various storage conditions, such as underground parking spaces and multi-story parking spaces. Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the rental car company A has parking spaces P with three types of conditions: an underground parking space P1, a multi-story parking space P2, and an open-air parking space P3. There is no particular limit to the number of electric vehicles 10 stored in each of the parking spaces P1 to P3. For example, the number is set appropriately depending on the size of each of the parking spaces P1 to P3.

In this embodiment, the electric vehicle management system 100 is realized, for example, by a client-server system. However, the electric vehicle management system 100 may also be realized by cloud computing. As shown in FIG. 2, the electric vehicle management system 100 includes an administrator terminal 20, a management device 30, and a vehicle control device 40.

The administrator terminal 20 is a terminal used by a person (vehicle administrator) who manages a plurality of electric vehicles 10. The administrator terminal 20 is realized, for example, by a desktop or laptop personal computer used by the administrator. The administrator terminal 20 can also be realized by a smartphone or a tablet terminal. As shown in FIG. 2 , the administrator terminal 20 includes a screen 21, an input means 22 such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel that is operated by the administrator to input data, and a terminal control unit 23. The terminal control unit 23 is connected to the screen 21 and the input means 22 so as to be able to communicate with each other.
The vehicle control device 40 is a control device mounted on the electric vehicle 10. The vehicle control device 40 is realized by, for example, a computer mounted on the vehicle. Here, the vehicle control device 40 includes a vehicle management unit 41 that stores at least the mileage and years of use of the electric vehicle in association with the vehicle ID, a battery management unit 42 that stores the deterioration degree of the battery 5 mounted on the electric vehicle 10 in association with the vehicle ID, and a communication unit 43 configured to be able to communicate with the management device 30. The communication unit 43 is communicatively connected to the vehicle management unit 41 and the battery management unit 42. Although not shown in the figure, the vehicle control device 40 may include a navigation system that stores map information and a configuration for acquiring the current position (for example, a GPS sensor that receives GPS information from a GPS satellite).

The management device 30 is connected to the administrator terminal 20 so as to be able to communicate with it. The management device 30 may be realized by a single computer, or may be realized by multiple computers working together. The management device 30 includes a control device 35. Although not shown in the figure, the management device 30 may include a screen and input means, similar to the administrator terminal 20.

The configuration of the control device 35 is not particularly limited. Here, the control device 35 is, for example, a microcomputer. The control device 35 includes, for example, an I/F, a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the control device 35 includes a deterioration degree acquisition unit 51, a usage age acquisition unit 52, a mileage acquisition unit 53, an age deterioration degree calculation unit 54, a distance deterioration degree calculation unit 55, and a classification unit 56. The control device 35 further includes a memory unit 50, a parking determination unit 57, a parking notification unit 58, a vehicle group acquisition unit 61, a usage schedule information acquisition unit 62, a deterioration promotion degree calculation unit 63, a vehicle allocation determination unit 64, a vehicle allocation notification unit 65, a first communication unit 71, and a second communication unit 72. Each of the units 50 to 72 constituting the control device 35 may be realized by one or more processors, or may be incorporated into a circuit.

The first communication unit 71 is configured to be able to communicate with the administrator terminal 20. Here, the first communication unit 71 is communicatively connected to the terminal control unit 23 of the administrator terminal 20. The second communication unit 72 is configured to be able to communicate with the vehicle control device 40. Here, the second communication unit 72 is communicatively connected to the communication unit 43 of the vehicle control device 40.

As described above, each of the electric vehicles 10 is equipped with a battery 5. The battery 5 deteriorates due to repeated charging and discharging, and therefore the degree of deterioration increases when the electric vehicle 10 is used for a predetermined distance or a predetermined period of use (in other words, the deterioration of the battery 5 progresses). Here, even if the electric vehicles 10 have the same distance traveled or the same period of use, the degree of deterioration varies from one electric vehicle to another. For example, the deterioration degree of the battery 5 may progress in proportion to the number of years of use of the electric vehicle 10 due to the storage conditions of the electric vehicle 10 (e.g., the magnitude of temperature change in a predetermined period, the presence or absence of direct sunlight, etc.). In addition, the deterioration degree of the battery 5 may progress in proportion to the distance traveled by the electric vehicle 10 due to the usage conditions of the electric vehicle 10 (charging method, traveling terrain, driving method, etc.). Since the deterioration degree differs for each electric vehicle, differences occur in driving performance (e.g., cruising range and acceleration power, etc.), and therefore, in particular, when managing a plurality of electric vehicles 10, management (e.g., parking and vehicle dispatch decisions, etc.) becomes complicated, which is not preferable.
Therefore, in the electric vehicle management system 100 disclosed herein, the electric vehicle 10 is classified into a plurality of vehicle groups based on the degree of deterioration relative to the number of years of use (hereinafter also referred to as "age deterioration degree") and the degree of deterioration relative to the distance traveled (hereinafter also referred to as "distance deterioration degree"). For example, the electric vehicle management system 100 can determine parking and vehicle dispatch based on the classification into a plurality of groups according to the age deterioration degree and the distance deterioration degree.

First Embodiment
First, in the first embodiment, the target electric vehicles are classified into a plurality of vehicle groups according to the age deterioration degree. The classification procedure will be described below with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 3. In the first embodiment, roughly speaking, the system is configured to execute a process of acquiring the deterioration degree of the battery 5 mounted on the electric vehicle 10, a process of acquiring the number of years of use of the electric vehicle 10, a process of calculating the age deterioration degree of the electric vehicle 10 based on the acquired deterioration degree of the battery 5 and the number of years of use of the electric vehicle 10, and a process of classifying the electric vehicle 10 into a plurality of vehicle groups according to the age deterioration degree. This makes it possible to manage a plurality of electric vehicles taking the age deterioration degree into consideration.
Each of the above-mentioned processes may be embodied as a process according to a program incorporated in the management device 30. Note that, here, an example of the process executed by the management device 30 is shown, and the process executed by the management device 30 is not limited to the one exemplified here. In addition, the timing of starting the process described in Fig. 3 may be configured to automatically start at any time period (e.g., 0:00 am) that can be set in advance, or at any time interval (e.g., every other day, every other week, etc.) that can be set in advance.

In step S101 of FIG. 3, the deterioration level acquisition unit 51 of FIG. 2 acquires the deterioration level R of the battery 5. The deterioration level R of the battery 5 increases as the battery 5 is repeatedly charged and discharged. That is, the more the battery 5 deteriorates, the higher the deterioration level R, and the less the battery 5 deteriorates, the lower the deterioration level R. The method of calculating the deterioration level R of the battery 5 is not particularly limited. For example, the deterioration level R of the battery 5 may be a value expressed as a full charge capacity at the time of calculating the deterioration level relative to a full charge capacity of the battery 5 at the beginning of use of the electric vehicle 10. In addition, the deterioration level R of the battery 5 mounted on the electric vehicle 10 may be a value expressed as a resistance value at the time of calculating the deterioration level relative to a resistance value of the battery 5 at the beginning of use of the electric vehicle 10. Alternatively, the calculation method of Patent Document 1 or other calculation methods of the deterioration level may be appropriately adopted. The full charge capacity at the beginning of use and the resistance value at the beginning of use of the battery 5 mounted on the electric vehicle 10 are stored in advance in, for example, the battery management unit 42 of the vehicle control device 40.
Typically, the electric vehicle 10 is equipped with a battery assembly (e.g., a battery pack) in which a plurality of single batteries are connected in parallel and/or in series. Therefore, the battery 5 here refers to a battery assembly (e.g., a battery pack) in which a plurality of single batteries are connected in parallel and/or in series. In other words, the deterioration level R of the battery 5 refers to the deterioration level R of the battery assembly.

The deterioration level acquisition unit 51 acquires the deterioration level R from the vehicle control device 40 of the electric vehicle 10. Here, the battery management unit 42 of the vehicle control device 40 is configured to calculate the deterioration level R when the electric vehicle 10 is charged or discharged. The calculated deterioration level R of the battery 5 is stored in the battery management unit 42 in association with the vehicle ID of the electric vehicle 10. The deterioration level acquisition unit 51 acquires the deterioration level R from the vehicle control device 40 via the second communication unit 72. The acquired deterioration level R is stored in the memory unit 50 of the control device 35 in association with the vehicle ID of the electric vehicle 10.

In step S102 in FIG. 3, the years of use acquisition unit 52 in FIG. 2 acquires the years of use U of the electric vehicle 10. The years of use U of the electric vehicle 10 is, for example, the period of time that has elapsed since manufacture until the years of use are acquired. The years of use acquisition unit 52 acquires the years of use U from the vehicle control device 40 of the electric vehicle 10. Here, the years of use U of the electric vehicle 10 is stored in the vehicle management unit 41 of the vehicle control device 40. The years of use acquisition unit 52 acquires the years of use U from the vehicle control device 40 via the second communication unit 72. The acquired years of use U is stored in the memory unit 50 of the control device 35 in association with the vehicle ID of the electric vehicle 10.

In step S103 in FIG. 3, the age deterioration degree calculation unit 54 in FIG. 2 calculates an age deterioration degree X based on the deterioration degree R acquired by the deterioration degree acquisition unit 51 and the number of years of use U acquired by the number of years of use acquisition unit 52. The age deterioration degree X is a value expressed as the deterioration degree R per number of years of use U (deterioration degree R/number of years of use U). Here, a high age deterioration degree X means that the degree of deterioration of the battery 5 is high in relation to the number of years of use U of the electric vehicle 10. On the other hand, a low age deterioration degree X means that the degree of deterioration of the battery 5 is low in relation to the number of years of use U of the electric vehicle 10.

In step S104 in FIG. 3, the classification unit 56 in FIG. 2 classifies the electric vehicle 10 into a plurality of vehicle groups according to the age deterioration degree. In the storage unit 50 of the control device 35, information on a plurality of vehicle groups according to the age deterioration degree is stored in advance in order to specify a vehicle group to which the electric vehicle 10 is to be grouped in step S104. As the plurality of vehicle groups according to the age deterioration degree, three groups may be stored in the storage unit 50, namely, a vehicle group G1 having a low age deterioration degree X of less than 30, a vehicle group G2 having a medium age deterioration degree X of 30 or more and less than 60, and a vehicle group G3 having a high age deterioration degree X of 60 or more. However, the number of the plurality of groups is not limited to three, and may be a smaller number of groups (e.g., two groups) or a larger number of groups (e.g., four or more groups). The vehicle manager may set the plurality of vehicle groups by inputting the information using the manager terminal 20.
The classification unit 56 refers to the storage unit 50 and determines the vehicle group of the target electric vehicle 10 based on the age deterioration degree X calculated by the age deterioration degree calculation unit 54. Then, the determined vehicle group (here, any one of the vehicle groups G1 to G3) is stored in the storage unit 50 in association with the vehicle ID of the electric vehicle 10.

As described above, the age deterioration level X is calculated based on the deterioration level R and years of use U of the electric vehicle 10, and the process of classifying the electric vehicles 10 into multiple groups according to the age deterioration level is executed. As described above, even if multiple electric vehicles 10 have been used for about the same number of years, there may be variation in the degree of deterioration of the batteries 5 installed in each electric vehicle 10. For this reason, by calculating the age deterioration level X of each electric vehicle 10 and classifying it into one of multiple vehicle groups according to the age deterioration level, it is possible to manage the electric vehicles taking into account the age deterioration level X.

However, even if the number of years U of use of the electric vehicle 10 is about the same, the storage conditions of the parking place P (e.g., the magnitude of temperature change in a specified period of time, the presence or absence of direct sunlight) differ, which causes further variation in the age deterioration degree X of the battery 5. Specifically, if the battery 5 is stored in a place where the temperature change in a specified time (e.g., one day) is equal to or greater than a reference value, the battery 5 is prone to deterioration, and the age deterioration degree X is high. On the other hand, if the battery 5 is stored in a place where the temperature change in a specified time (e.g., one day) is below the reference value, the battery 5 is unlikely to deteriorate, and the age deterioration degree X is low. Also, if the average time during which the battery 5 is exposed to direct sunlight during a specified time (e.g., one day) is equal to or greater than a reference value, the battery 5 is likely to deteriorate, and the age deterioration degree X is high. On the other hand, if the battery 5 is stored in a place where the average time during which the battery 5 is exposed to direct sunlight during a specified time (e.g., one day) is below the reference value, the battery 5 is unlikely to deteriorate, and the age deterioration degree X is low.

For example, in the example shown in FIG. 4, when the vehicle is stored (parked) in an underground parking lot P1, the temperature change over a specified period (e.g., one day) is smaller than the reference value, and the vehicle is not exposed to direct sunlight (in other words, the average time the vehicle is exposed to direct sunlight is smaller than the reference value). Therefore, when the vehicle is stored in an underground parking lot P1, the battery 5 of the electric vehicle 10 is less likely to deteriorate. On the other hand, when the vehicle is stored (parked) in an open-air parking lot P3, the temperature change over a specified period is larger than the reference value, and the average time the vehicle is exposed to direct sunlight is larger than the reference value. Therefore, when the vehicle is stored in an open-air parking lot P3, the battery 5 of the electric vehicle 10 is more likely to deteriorate. Also, when the vehicle is stored (parked) in a multi-storey parking lot P2, the temperature change over a specified period is larger than the reference value, but the average time the vehicle is exposed to direct sunlight is smaller than the reference value. For this reason, when stored in the multi-storey parking lot P2, the battery 5 of the electric vehicle 10 is moderately susceptible to deterioration (i.e., it is more susceptible to deterioration than the battery of an electric vehicle stored in the underground parking lot P1, but less susceptible to deterioration than the battery of an electric vehicle stored in the open-air parking lot P3).

Therefore, in a preferred aspect of the electric vehicle management system 100 disclosed herein, the parking determination unit 57 may be configured to determine that an electric vehicle classified by the classification unit 56 in a vehicle group having a low age deterioration level X (here, vehicle group G1) is to be parked in a parking location where the battery of the electric vehicle is likely to deteriorate (here, the unroofed outdoor parking lot P3), and to determine that an electric vehicle classified by the classification unit 56 in a vehicle group having a high age deterioration level X (here, vehicle group G3) is to be parked in a parking location where the battery of the electric vehicle is unlikely to deteriorate (here, the underground parking lot P1).
As a result, for each of a plurality of vehicle groups according to the age deterioration degree classified as described above, a parking location P is determined so as to level out the age deterioration degree X of the battery 5, and a notification is issued recommending that the target electric vehicle 10 be parked in the determined parking location P. For example, upon receiving the notification, the driver of the electric vehicle 10 parks the electric vehicle 10 in the parking location P determined according to the age deterioration degree X of the electric vehicle 10, thereby adjusting the progress of the age deterioration degree X of the battery 5 mounted in the electric vehicle 10.

Below, the procedure for determining parking locations P with different storage conditions for each of multiple vehicle groups according to the age deterioration level will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 5. Here, an example will be described in which the electric vehicle 10 is classified into one of three groups: vehicle group G1 with low age deterioration level X, vehicle group G2 with medium age deterioration level X, and vehicle group G3 with high age deterioration level X. In addition, the rental car company A has, as parking locations P, an underground parking lot P1 where the battery 5 is unlikely to deteriorate, a multi-story parking lot P2 where the battery 5 is moderately prone to deterioration, and an open-air parking lot P3 where the battery 5 is likely to deteriorate, as described above. In addition, information regarding the parking locations P and the ease of deterioration of the battery 5 shown in Example 4 is pre-stored in the memory unit 50.

Note that steps S201 to S204 in FIG. 5 are the same as the processes described in steps S101 to S104 in FIG. 3 above, so detailed descriptions are omitted.

In step S205 of FIG. 5, the parking determination unit 57 of FIG. 2 acquires the vehicle group (one of vehicle groups G1 to G3) into which the target electric vehicle 10 is classified. Next, in step S206 of FIG. 5, the parking determination unit 57 of FIG. 2 determines whether the vehicle group of the acquired electric vehicle 10 is vehicle group G1. If it is determined that the vehicle group of the acquired electric vehicle 10 is vehicle group G1 (S206: YES), the process proceeds to step S207. In step S207, the parking location P of the electric vehicle 10 is determined to be the open-air parking lot P3. In other words, if the age deterioration level X of the battery 5 mounted on the electric vehicle 10 is low, the parking location P is determined to be a location where the battery 5 is likely to deteriorate.

If it is determined that the vehicle group of the acquired electric vehicle 10 is not vehicle group G1 (S206: NO), the process proceeds to step S208. In step S208, the parking determination unit 57 in FIG. 2 determines whether the vehicle group of the acquired electric vehicle 10 is vehicle group G2. If it is determined that the vehicle group of the acquired electric vehicle 10 is vehicle group G2 (S208: YES), the process proceeds to step S209. In step S209, the parking location P of the electric vehicle 10 is determined to be the multi-story parking lot P2. In other words, if the age deterioration degree X of the battery 5 mounted on the electric vehicle 10 is medium, the parking location P is determined to be a location where the battery 5 is more likely to deteriorate than the underground parking lot P1 and less likely to deteriorate than the open-air parking lot P3.

If it is determined that the vehicle group of the acquired electric vehicle 10 is not the vehicle group G2 (S208: NO), the process proceeds to step S210. In step S210, the parking determination unit 57 in FIG. 2 determines whether the vehicle group of the acquired electric vehicle 10 is the vehicle group G3. If it is determined that the vehicle group of the acquired electric vehicle 10 is the vehicle group G3 (S210: YES), the process proceeds to step S211. In step S211, the parking location P of the electric vehicle 10 is determined to be the underground parking lot P1. That is, if the age deterioration level X of the battery 5 mounted on the electric vehicle 10 is high, the parking location P is determined to be a location where the battery 5 is unlikely to deteriorate. Note that if it is determined that the vehicle group into which the electric vehicle 10 is classified is not the vehicle group G3 (S210: NO), it is determined that the classification is not correct, and the process of acquiring the deterioration level R of the electric vehicle 10 (step S201) is executed again.

Next, in step S212 of FIG. 5, the parking notification unit 58 of FIG. 2 notifies the parking location P (here, any one of P1 to P3) of the electric vehicle 10 based on the decision of the parking determination unit 57. The specific means of notification by the parking notification unit 58 is not particularly limited. For example, the parking notification unit 58 may display the determined parking location P of the corresponding electric vehicle 10 on the screen 21 of the manager terminal 20. The parking notification unit 58 may also display the determined parking location P on the screen of a navigation system that may be provided in the vehicle control device 40 of the corresponding electric vehicle 10. For example, the driver of the electric vehicle 10 checks the notification and parks the electric vehicle 10 in the notified parking location P, so that the electric vehicle 10 is stored (parked) in the parking location P determined by the parking determination unit 57. For example, an electric vehicle classified into the vehicle group G3 with a relatively high age deterioration degree X can be parked in the underground parking lot P1 where the battery of the electric vehicle is less likely to deteriorate. This makes it possible to suppress the progression of battery deterioration in electric vehicles with a high age deterioration level X.

Second Embodiment
Next, in the second embodiment, the target electric vehicles are classified into a plurality of vehicle groups according to the distance deterioration degree. The classification procedure will be described below with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 6. In the second embodiment, roughly speaking, the system is configured to execute a process of acquiring the deterioration degree of the battery 5 mounted in the electric vehicle 10, a process of acquiring the travel distance of the electric vehicle 10, a process of calculating the distance deterioration degree of the electric vehicle 10 based on the acquired deterioration degree of the battery 5 and the travel distance of the electric vehicle 10, and a process of classifying the electric vehicle 10 into a plurality of vehicle groups according to the distance deterioration degree. This makes it possible to manage a plurality of electric vehicles in consideration of the distance deterioration degree.
Each of the above-mentioned processes may be embodied as a process according to a program incorporated in the management device 30. Note that, here, an example of the process executed by the management device 30 is shown, and the process executed by the management device 30 is not limited to the one exemplified here. In addition, the timing of starting the process described in Fig. 6 may be configured to automatically start at any time period (e.g., 0:00 am) that can be set in advance, or at any time interval (e.g., every other day, every other week, etc.) that can be set in advance.

Note that step S301 in FIG. 6 is the same as the process described in step S101 in FIG. 3 above, so a detailed description will be omitted.

In step S302 in FIG. 6, the mileage acquisition unit 53 in FIG. 2 acquires the mileage M of the electric vehicle 10. The mileage M of the electric vehicle 10 is, for example, the total mileage (total mileage) since manufacture. The mileage acquisition unit 53 acquires the mileage M from the vehicle control device 40 of the electric vehicle 10. Here, the mileage M of the electric vehicle 10 is stored in the vehicle management unit 41 of the vehicle control device 40. The mileage acquisition unit 53 acquires the mileage M from the vehicle control device 40 via the second communication unit 72. The acquired mileage M is stored in the memory unit 50 of the control device 35 in association with the vehicle ID of the electric vehicle 10.

In step S303 in FIG. 6, the distance degradation degree calculation unit 55 in FIG. 2 calculates the distance degradation degree Y based on the degradation degree R acquired by the degradation degree acquisition unit 51 and the travel distance M acquired by the travel distance acquisition unit 53. The distance degradation degree Y is a value expressed as the degradation degree R per travel distance M (degradation degree R/travel distance M). Here, a high distance degradation degree Y means that the degree of degradation of the battery 5 is high in relation to the travel distance M of the electric vehicle 10. On the other hand, a low distance degradation degree Y means that the degree of degradation of the battery 5 is low in relation to the travel distance M of the electric vehicle 10.

In step S304 in FIG. 3, the classification unit 56 in FIG. 2 classifies the electric vehicle 10 into a plurality of vehicle groups according to the distance deterioration degree. In the storage unit 50 of the control device 35, information on the group according to the distance deterioration degree is stored in advance for specifying the vehicle group to which the electric vehicle 10 belongs when grouping in step S304. As the plurality of vehicle groups according to the distance deterioration degree, three groups may be stored in the storage unit 50, namely, a vehicle group G11 having a low distance deterioration degree Y of less than 30, a vehicle group G12 having a medium distance deterioration degree Y of 30 or more and less than 60, and a vehicle group G13 having a high distance deterioration degree Y of 60 or more. However, the number of the plurality of groups is not limited to three, and may be a smaller number of groups (e.g., two groups) or a larger number of groups (e.g., four groups or more). The plurality of vehicle groups may be set by the vehicle manager using the manager terminal 20 as an input.
The classification unit 56 refers to the storage unit 50, and determines the vehicle group of the target electric vehicle 10 based on the distance deterioration degree Y calculated by the distance deterioration degree calculation unit 55. Then, the determined vehicle group (here, any one of the vehicle groups G11 to G13) is stored in the storage unit 50 in association with the vehicle ID of the electric vehicle 10.

As described above, the distance degradation level Y is calculated based on the degradation level R and the travel distance M of the electric vehicle 10, and the process of classifying the electric vehicles 10 into multiple groups according to the distance degradation level is executed. As described above, even if multiple electric vehicles 10 have similar travel distances, there may be variation in the degree of degradation of the batteries 5 installed in each electric vehicle 10. For this reason, by calculating the distance degradation level Y of each electric vehicle 10 and classifying the target electric vehicle into one of multiple vehicle groups according to the distance degradation level, it is possible to manage the multiple electric vehicles 10 taking into account the distance degradation level Y.

However, even if the driving distance M of the electric vehicle 10 is about the same, the degree of distance deterioration Y of the battery 5 varies depending on the conditions of use of the electric vehicle 10 (e.g., charging method, driving terrain, driving method, etc.). For example, when the electric vehicle 10 is mainly used in mountainous areas, it is expected that it will travel on steep uphill and downhill roads. On steep uphill roads, it is necessary to discharge a large current while traveling, and on steep downhill roads, regenerative charging is performed with a large current. For this reason, the battery 5 mounted on the electric vehicle 10 is likely to deteriorate in proportion to the driving distance M. On the other hand, when the electric vehicle is mainly used on flat ground, it is expected that it will travel on roads with gentle gradients (in other words, flat roads). On roads with gentle gradients, charging and discharging with a large current is rarely performed, so the battery 5 mounted on the electric vehicle 10 is less likely to deteriorate in proportion to the driving distance M.

Therefore, in a preferred aspect of the electric vehicle management system 100 disclosed herein, the vehicle dispatch decision unit 64 is configured to compare the deterioration acceleration degree calculated based on the usage schedule information D1 with a predetermined reference value T1, and if the calculated deterioration acceleration degree is equal to or greater than the reference value T1, to decide to dispatch an electric vehicle classified into a vehicle group with a low distance deterioration degree Y (here, vehicle group G11), and if the calculated deterioration acceleration degree is less than the reference value T1, to decide to dispatch an electric vehicle classified into a group with a high distance deterioration degree Y (here, vehicle group G13), and to notify the determined electric vehicle.
As a result, the usage schedule information acquisition unit 62 acquires the usage schedule information D1, and a deterioration promotion degree is calculated based on the usage schedule information D1 by a predetermined calculation method. Then, for each of a plurality of vehicle groups according to the distance deterioration degree Y classified as described above, an electric vehicle to be dispatched so as to level out the distance deterioration degree Y of the battery 5 is determined, and the determined electric vehicle is notified. For example, when a user who wishes to use (rent) an electric vehicle to the rental car company A inputs the purpose of use, the electric vehicle 10 is determined according to the distance deterioration degree Y, and the determined electric vehicle 10 is notified. By the user using the notified electric vehicle 10, the progress of the distance deterioration degree Y of the battery 5 mounted on the electric vehicle 10 can be adjusted.

The procedure for acquiring the usage schedule information D1 and determining the vehicle groups G11 to G13 to be dispatched based on the usage schedule information D1 will be described below with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 7. Here, the case where the electric vehicles 10 are classified into one of the three groups, the vehicle group G11 with a low distance degradation level Y, the vehicle group G12 with a medium distance degradation level Y, and the vehicle group G13 with a high distance degradation level Y, will be described as an example.

In step S401 in FIG. 7, the vehicle group acquisition unit 61 in FIG. 2 acquires vehicle group information. The vehicle group information is information that associates multiple vehicle groups (here, vehicle groups G11 to G13) classified according to distance deterioration degree with the electric vehicles belonging to the vehicle groups. Such vehicle group information may be, for example, the result of executing the process described in FIG. 6 on multiple electric vehicles. The vehicle group information is stored in the storage unit 50. The vehicle group acquisition unit 61 can acquire the vehicle group information from the storage unit 50.

In step S402 in FIG. 7, the usage plan information acquisition unit 62 in FIG. 2 acquires usage plan information D1. Here, the usage plan information D1 is information indicating the usage purpose of the electric vehicle, and is information that is expected to affect the progress of the distance deterioration degree Y of the battery mounted on the electric vehicle. For example, the usage plan information D1 may include the destination, the planned mileage of the electric vehicle 10, the usage time of the electric vehicle 10, the number of passengers on the electric vehicle 10, etc.

In this embodiment, the planned use information acquisition unit 62 acquires planned use information D1 from the administrator terminal 20. For example, a planned use information input screen (not shown) is displayed on the screen 21 of the administrator terminal 20. The vehicle administrator or a user who wishes to use an electric vehicle operates the input means 22 to input planned use information D1, such as the destination, planned mileage, usage time, and number of passengers, into the input screen. When the planned use information D1 is input, the terminal control unit 23 of the administrator terminal 20 transmits the planned use information D1 to the control device 35 via the first communication unit 71 of the control device 35. This allows the planned use information acquisition unit 62 to acquire the planned use information D1.

In step S403 in FIG. 7, the deterioration promotion degree calculation unit 63 in FIG. 2 calculates the deterioration promotion degree of the battery 5 from the acquired use schedule information D1 based on a predetermined calculation method. The deterioration degree R of the battery 5 increases according to various factors as described above (i.e., the deterioration of the battery 5 progresses). Here, the deterioration promotion degree is the degree to which the deterioration degree R of the battery 5 is promoted, and can be obtained by scoring the use schedule information D1 and adding up the scores. Here, the storage unit 50 stores a database of deterioration promotion scores. The deterioration promotion score is a score obtained by scoring the use schedule information D1, and when the deterioration promotion score is high, the deterioration degree R of the battery 5 is likely to be promoted. In other words, when the deterioration promotion score is high, there is a high risk that the deterioration degree R of the battery 5 will progress. Although not particularly limited, for example, as an example of the database of deterioration promotion scores, a destination table showing the relationship between destinations and deterioration promotion scores as shown in FIG. 8 and a passenger number table showing the relationship between the number of passengers and the deterioration promotion score as shown in FIG. 9 are stored.

For example, the deterioration promotion score (Score 1) based on the destination is calculated based on a destination table as shown in FIG. 8. If the use schedule information D1 includes information indicating the destination, the information indicating the destination can be classified as city or rural, mountainous or flat, and applied to the destination table to calculate the deterioration promotion score. If the use schedule information D1 includes information indicating the destination, the deterioration promotion score (Score 1) can be calculated based on the destination table. For example, if the destination is "Nakamura-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture," it is classified as city and flat in FIG. 8, and the deterioration promotion score is evaluated as "6." The process of classifying the information indicating the destination may be configured to be executed by the deterioration promotion degree calculation unit 63 according to a predetermined method, or may be configured to be classified by the vehicle manager using the manager terminal 20.

For example, the deterioration promotion score (score 2) based on the number of passengers is calculated based on a passenger number table as shown in FIG. 9. In the passenger number table shown in FIG. 9, score 2 is assigned to the number of passengers in increments of two. Note that "A to B" in the table means "A or more and B or less." If the usage plan information D1 contains information indicating the number of passengers, the deterioration promotion score (score 2) can be calculated based on the passenger number table. For example, if the number of passengers is "2," score 2 in FIG. 9 is evaluated as "1."

Here, the deterioration acceleration degree calculation unit 63 determines score 1 from the destination and the destination table, and determines score 2 from the number of passengers and the number of passengers table. The deterioration acceleration degree calculation unit 63 then calculates the deterioration acceleration degree by adding score 1 and score 2 together.

The deterioration promotion degree may be calculated based on various deterioration promotion scores other than those described above. For example, if the planned mileage is set to a reference value or more (for example, the cruising distance of the battery 5 or more), it is expected that quick charging will be performed during use of the electric vehicle 10. If quick charging is performed, it is expected that the distance deterioration degree Y of the battery 5 will progress. For this reason, for example, the deterioration promotion score may be calculated according to the acquired planned mileage. Also, even if the mileage is the same, if multiple destinations are set, the amount of change in SOC is small, so the volume change of the active material is small and the expansion and contraction of the positive and negative electrodes is small, so the deterioration degree is less likely to progress. For this reason, the deterioration promotion score may be calculated according to the planned mileage and the destination.

2 determines the vehicle group to be allocated based on the calculated deterioration acceleration degree. Specifically, in step S404 in FIG. 7, the vehicle allocation determination unit 64 in FIG. 2 compares the calculated deterioration acceleration degree with a predetermined reference value T1. The reference value T1 is pre-stored in the storage unit 50. For example, the vehicle allocation determination unit 64 determines whether the calculated deterioration acceleration degree is equal to or greater than the reference value T1. If the calculated deterioration acceleration degree is equal to or greater than the reference value T1 (S404: YES), the process proceeds to step S405. In step S405, the vehicle group G11 with a low distance degradation degree Y is determined as the vehicle group to be allocated. Here, the case where the deterioration acceleration degree is equal to or greater than the reference value T1 means, in other words, that the vehicle is expected to be used under conditions that are likely to accelerate the distance degradation degree Y of the battery mounted on the electric vehicle. For this reason, if the deterioration acceleration degree is equal to or greater than the reference value T1, the vehicle group to be allocated is determined to be the vehicle group with a low distance degradation degree Y. This adjusts the distance deterioration level Y for each vehicle group. Note that if the deterioration acceleration level is equal to the reference value T1, the process also proceeds to step S405.

If the calculated deterioration acceleration degree is lower than the reference value T1 (S404: NO), the process proceeds to step S406. In step S406, vehicle group G13 with high distance deterioration degree Y is determined as the vehicle group to be allocated. In other words, if the deterioration acceleration degree is lower than the reference value T1, the vehicle is expected to be used under conditions that make it difficult to accelerate the distance deterioration degree Y of the battery mounted on the electric vehicle. For this reason, if the deterioration acceleration degree is lower than the reference value T1, the vehicle group to be allocated is determined to be the vehicle group with high distance deterioration degree Y. This adjusts the distance deterioration degree Y for each vehicle group.

In the above description, a case where there is one reference value has been described. However, multiple reference values may be set. For example, a reference value T2 may be set as a reference value lower than reference value T1. In this case, if the distance degradation degree Y falls below reference value T1 and is equal to or greater than reference value T2, the vehicle group to be dispatched may be determined to be a vehicle group with a medium distance degradation degree Y (here, vehicle group G12). In addition, there may be three or more reference values.

In step S407 in FIG. 7, the vehicle allocation determination unit 64 in FIG. 2 determines an electric vehicle to be allocated from the determined vehicle group. The method of determining the allocation is not particularly limited. For example, it is preferable that the vehicle allocation determination unit 64 is configured to determine the electric vehicle with the lowest distance degradation degree Y from the determined vehicle group as the electric vehicle to be allocated.

Next, in step S408 of FIG. 7, the vehicle dispatch notification unit 65 of FIG. 2 notifies the electric vehicle to be dispatched based on the decision of the vehicle dispatch decision unit 64. The specific means of notification by the vehicle dispatch notification unit 65 is not particularly limited. For example, the vehicle dispatch notification unit 65 may display the determined electric vehicle on the screen 21 of the administrator terminal 20.

By the above-mentioned process, for example, when the deterioration acceleration level based on the usage schedule information D1 is low, electric vehicles classified into the vehicle group G13 with a relatively high distance deterioration level Y are dispatched. This makes it possible to suppress the progression of deterioration of the batteries of electric vehicles with a high distance deterioration level Y.

In the above description, the vehicle allocation determination unit 64 determines a vehicle group to be allocated, executes a process to determine a specific electric vehicle 10 from the vehicle group, and then the vehicle allocation notification unit 65 executes a process to notify the determined electric vehicle 10. However, the vehicle allocation determination unit 64 may be configured to determine a vehicle group to be allocated, and the vehicle allocation notification unit 65 may notify the determined vehicle group. In this case, the screen 21 of the manager terminal 20 may be configured to present a plurality of electric vehicles belonging to the determined vehicle group. The vehicle manager or a user who wishes to use an electric vehicle may determine the electric vehicle to be allocated by appropriately selecting from the electric vehicles belonging to the presented vehicle group.

Third Embodiment
Next, in the third embodiment, the target electric vehicles are classified into a plurality of vehicle groups according to the age deterioration degree and the distance deterioration degree. The classification procedure will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10. In the third embodiment, roughly speaking, the following processes are executed: a process of acquiring the deterioration degree of the battery 5 mounted on the electric vehicle 10, a process of acquiring the number of years of use of the electric vehicle 10, a process of calculating the age deterioration degree of the electric vehicle 10 based on the acquired deterioration degree of the battery 5 and the number of years of use of the electric vehicle 10, a process of acquiring the travel distance of the electric vehicle 10, a process of calculating the distance deterioration degree of the electric vehicle 10 based on the acquired deterioration degree of the battery 5 and the travel distance of the electric vehicle 10, and a process of classifying the electric vehicle 10 into a plurality of vehicle groups according to the age deterioration degree and the distance deterioration degree. This allows management of a plurality of electric vehicles to be performed taking into account the age deterioration degree and the distance deterioration degree.
Each of the above-mentioned processes may be embodied as a process according to a program incorporated in the management device 30. Note that, here, an example of the process executed by the management device 30 is shown, and the process executed by the management device 30 is not limited to the one exemplified here. In addition, the timing of starting the process described in Fig. 10 may be configured to automatically start at any time period (e.g., midnight, etc.) that can be set in advance, or at any time interval (e.g., every other day, every other week, etc.) that can be set in advance.

Note that steps S501 to S503 in FIG. 10 are the same as the processes described in steps S101 to S103 in FIG. 3 above, and steps S504 and S505 are the same as the processes described in steps S302 to S303 in FIG. 6 above, so detailed descriptions are omitted.

In step S506 in FIG. 10, the classification unit 56 in FIG. 2 classifies the electric vehicle 10 into a plurality of vehicle groups according to the age deterioration level X and the distance deterioration level Y. In the memory unit 50 of the control device 35, information on a classification map for identifying a vehicle group to which the electric vehicle 10 is to be assigned when grouping in step S506 is prestored. FIG. 11 is a matrix diagram showing an example of a classification map. The classification map shown in FIG. 11 is configured as a matrix in which the distance deterioration level Y is set on the vertical axis and the age deterioration level X is set on the horizontal axis. According to such a classification map, a vehicle group (here, vehicle groups G21 to G29) of the target electric vehicle is determined based on the age deterioration level X calculated by the age deterioration level calculation unit 54 and the distance deterioration level Y calculated by the distance deterioration level calculation unit 55. For example, if the age deterioration level X calculated by the age deterioration level calculation unit 54 is "25" and the distance deterioration level Y calculated by the distance deterioration level calculation unit 55 is "65", the target electric vehicle is classified into vehicle group G27.

Vehicle groups G21, G24, and G27 with age deterioration degree X less than 30 are also referred to as vehicle groups with low age deterioration degree X, vehicle groups G22, G25, and G28 with age deterioration degree X of 31 or more and less than 60 are also referred to as vehicle groups with medium age deterioration degree X, and vehicle groups G23, G26, and G29 with age deterioration degree X of 61 or more are also referred to as vehicle groups with high age deterioration degree X. Vehicle groups G21, G22, and G23 with distance deterioration degree Y less than 30 are also referred to as vehicle groups with low distance deterioration degree Y, vehicle groups G24, G25, and G26 with distance deterioration degree Y of 31 or more and less than 60 are also referred to as vehicle groups with medium distance deterioration degree Y, and vehicle groups G27, G28, and G29 with distance deterioration degree Y of 61 or more are also referred to as vehicle groups with high distance deterioration degree Y.

The configuration of the classification map is not limited to this. For example, the age deterioration level X and the distance deterioration level Y may be further subdivided into matrices.
The classification unit 56 refers to the storage unit 50 to determine the vehicle group of the target electric vehicle 10. The determined vehicle group is then stored in the storage unit 50 in association with the vehicle ID of the electric vehicle 10.

The above process executes a process of classifying the target electric vehicles 10 based on the age deterioration degree and distance deterioration degree. As described above, even if multiple electric vehicles 10 have been in use for approximately the same number of years or have traveled approximately the same distance, there may be variation in the degree of deterioration of the batteries 5 mounted on each electric vehicle. For this reason, by calculating the age deterioration degree X and distance deterioration degree Y of each electric vehicle and classifying the target electric vehicle into one of multiple vehicle groups according to the age deterioration degree and distance deterioration degree, it is possible to manage the multiple electric vehicles 10 taking into account the age deterioration degree and distance deterioration degree.

As described above, even if the electric vehicles 10 have the same driving distance M, differences in the conditions of use of the electric vehicles 10 (e.g., charging method, driving terrain, driving method, etc.) can cause further variation in the distance deterioration degree Y of the battery 5. Even if the number of years U of the electric vehicles 10 are the same, differences in the storage conditions of the parking space P (e.g., the amount of temperature change over a specified period of time, the presence or absence of direct sunlight) can cause further variation in the age deterioration degree X of the battery 5. For this reason, if the electric vehicles are managed by taking into consideration only one of the two, a given electric vehicle 10 may have a very low age deterioration degree X but a high distance deterioration degree Y.

Therefore, in a preferred embodiment of the electric vehicle management system 100 disclosed herein, the deterioration promotion degree calculation unit 63 calculates a deterioration promotion degree based on the usage schedule information D1 acquired by the usage schedule information acquisition unit 62, and the vehicle allocation determination unit 64 determines an electric vehicle to be allocated based on the calculated deterioration promotion degree. Then, the deterioration degree acquisition unit 51 acquires the deterioration degree R of the battery 5 mounted on the determined electric vehicle, the usage age acquisition unit 52 acquires the usage age U of the determined electric vehicle, and the age deterioration degree calculation unit 54 calculates the age deterioration degree X. The classification unit 56 classifies the vehicles into a plurality of vehicle groups according to the age deterioration degree X. The parking determination unit 57 determines a parking location P according to the age deterioration degree X, and the parking notification unit 58 notifies the determined parking location P.
According to this configuration, the dispatch of an electric vehicle is determined according to the distance deterioration level Y based on the electric vehicle use schedule information D1. Then, a parking location is determined according to the age deterioration level X of the dispatched electric vehicle. This makes it possible to adjust the progress of the age deterioration level and distance deterioration level of the battery 5 mounted on the electric vehicle 10.

In the third embodiment, the years of use acquisition unit 52 may be configured to acquire the years of use U of the electric vehicle determined as the electric vehicle to be dispatched, and the distance deterioration degree calculation unit 55 may be configured to calculate the distance deterioration degree Y based on the acquired years of use U and the deterioration degree R of the battery. The classification unit 56 may be configured to classify the electric vehicles into a plurality of vehicle groups according to the age deterioration degree X and the distance deterioration degree Y.

The process of determining vehicle dispatch and parking based on the age deterioration level X and distance deterioration level Y will be described below with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 12. Here, the case where the electric vehicle 10 is classified into one of the vehicle groups G21 to G29 described above will be described as an example. In addition, the rental car company A has, as parking locations P, an underground parking lot P1 where the battery 5 is unlikely to deteriorate, a multi-storey parking lot P2 where the battery is moderately prone to deterioration, and an open-air parking lot P3 where the battery 5 is likely to deteriorate, as described above. In addition, information regarding the parking locations P and the ease of deterioration of the battery 5 shown in Example 4 is pre-stored in the memory unit 50.

In step S601 in FIG. 12, the vehicle group acquisition unit 61 in FIG. 2 acquires vehicle group information. The vehicle group information is information in which a vehicle group (vehicle groups G21 to G29) identified by a matrix diagram in which the vertical axis indicates distance deterioration level Y and the horizontal axis indicates age deterioration level X, as shown in FIG. 11, is associated with an electric vehicle belonging to any of the vehicle groups. Such vehicle group information may be, for example, a result of executing the process described in FIG. 10 on a plurality of electric vehicles. The vehicle group information is stored in the storage unit 50. The vehicle group acquisition unit 61 can acquire the vehicle group information from the storage unit 50.

Steps S602 and S603 in FIG. 12 are the same as steps S402 and S403 in FIG. 7, so detailed description will be omitted. Next, the vehicle allocation determination unit 64 in FIG. 2 determines the vehicle group to be allocated based on the calculated deterioration acceleration degree. Specifically, in step S604 in FIG. 12, the vehicle allocation determination unit 64 in FIG. 2 compares the calculated deterioration acceleration degree with a predetermined reference value T11. The reference value T11 is pre-stored in the memory unit 50. For example, the vehicle allocation determination unit 64 determines whether the calculated deterioration acceleration degree is equal to or greater than the reference value T11. If the calculated deterioration acceleration degree is equal to or greater than the reference value T11 (S604: YES), the process proceeds to step S605. In step S605, the vehicle group to be allocated is determined to be the vehicle groups G21, G22, and G23, which have a low distance deterioration degree Y. That is, if the deterioration acceleration degree is equal to or greater than the reference value T11, the vehicle group with the low distance deterioration degree Y is determined as the vehicle group to be dispatched, regardless of the value of the age deterioration degree X. Note that, even if the deterioration acceleration degree is equal to the reference value T11, the process proceeds to step S605.

On the other hand, if the calculated deterioration acceleration degree is lower than the reference value T11 (S604: NO), the process proceeds to step S606. In step S606, the vehicle groups to be allocated are determined to be the vehicle groups G27, G28, and G29 with high distance deterioration degrees Y. In other words, if the deterioration acceleration degree is lower than the reference value T11, the vehicle groups with high distance deterioration degrees Y are determined to be the vehicle groups to be allocated, regardless of the value of the age deterioration degree X.
In the above description, the case where there is one reference value has been described. However, multiple reference values may be set. For example, a reference value T12 may be set as a reference value lower than the reference value T11. In this case, if the distance deterioration degree Y is below the reference value T11 and is equal to or greater than the reference value T12, the vehicle group to be dispatched may be determined to be a vehicle group with a medium distance deterioration degree Y (here, vehicle groups G24, G25, and G26). In addition, there may be three or more reference values.

Next, in step S607 in FIG. 12, the vehicle allocation determination unit 64 in FIG. 2 determines an electric vehicle to be allocated from the determined vehicle group. Although not particularly limited, the vehicle allocation determination unit 64 may be configured to determine the vehicle with the lowest distance degradation degree Y from the determined vehicle group as the electric vehicle to be allocated.

In steps S608 to S613 in FIG. 12, the age deterioration level X and distance deterioration level Y of the determined electric vehicle are calculated, and the vehicle group of the electric vehicle is classified using a classification map as shown in FIG. 11. This process may be similar to the process of steps S501 to S506 in FIG. 10, so a detailed description is omitted. The determined vehicle group of the electric vehicle is stored in the storage unit 50 of the control device 35 in association with the vehicle ID of the electric vehicle.

In steps S614 to S619 in FIG. 12, the parking location P of the electric vehicle determined by the vehicle allocation determination unit 64 is determined based on the age deterioration degree X. For example, in step S614 in FIG. 12, the parking determination unit 57 in FIG. 2 determines whether the vehicle group into which the electric vehicle 10 is classified is one of the vehicle groups G21, G24, and G27. If it is determined that the vehicle group into which the electric vehicle 10 is classified is one of the vehicle groups G21, G24, and G27 (S614: YES), the process proceeds to step S615. In step S615, the parking location P is determined to be the open-air parking lot P3. In other words, if the electric vehicle 10 belongs to a vehicle group with a low age deterioration degree X, the parking location P is determined to be a location where the deterioration of the battery 5 is likely to progress, regardless of the value of the distance deterioration degree Y.

If it is determined that the vehicle group into which the electric vehicle 10 is classified is not one of the vehicle groups G21, G24, and G27 (S614: NO), the process proceeds to step S616. In step S616, the parking determination unit 57 in FIG. 2 determines whether the vehicle group into which the electric vehicle 10 is classified is one of the vehicle groups G22, G25, and G28. If it is determined that the vehicle group into which the electric vehicle 10 is classified is one of the vehicle groups G22, G25, and G28 (S616: YES), the process proceeds to step S617. In step S617, the parking location P is determined to be the multi-storey parking lot P2. That is, if the electric vehicle 10 belongs to a vehicle group with a medium age deterioration degree X, the parking location P is determined to be a location where the deterioration of the battery 5 is medium (i.e., a location where deterioration is more likely to progress than the underground parking lot P1 and less likely to progress than the open-air parking lot P3), regardless of the value of the distance deterioration degree Y.

If it is determined that the vehicle group into which the electric vehicle 10 is classified is not one of the vehicle groups G22, G25, and G28 (S616: NO), the process proceeds to step S618. In step S618, the parking determination unit 57 in FIG. 2 determines whether the vehicle group into which the electric vehicle 10 is classified is one of the vehicle groups G23, G26, and G29. If it is determined that the vehicle group into which the electric vehicle 10 is classified is one of the vehicle groups G23, G26, and G29 (S618: YES), the process proceeds to step S619. In step S619, the parking location P is determined to be the underground parking lot P1. That is, if the electric vehicle 10 belongs to a vehicle group with a high age deterioration level X, the parking location P is determined to be a location where the deterioration of the battery 5 is unlikely to progress, regardless of the value of the distance deterioration level Y. If it is determined that the vehicle group to which the electric vehicle 10 is classified is not one of the vehicle groups G23, G26, or G29 (S619: NO), it is determined that the classification is incorrect, and the process is configured to start again from the process of acquiring the deterioration level R of the electric vehicle 10 (step S608).

Next, in step S620 in FIG. 12, the parking notification unit 58 in FIG. 2 notifies the parking location P (here, any one of P1 to P3) of the electric vehicle 10 based on the decision of the parking decision unit 57. This process is similar to step S212 in FIG. 5, so a detailed description is omitted.

As a result, the dispatch and parking of the target electric vehicles can be managed based on the age deterioration degree and distance deterioration degree. With this configuration, even when managing multiple electric vehicles, management can be performed taking into account the age deterioration degree and distance deterioration degree of the electric vehicles.

Specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples given above.

For example, in the first embodiment, a classification according to age deterioration level X is performed, and a parking location P is determined based on the age deterioration level X. However, the parking location P may also be determined based on distance deterioration level Y. As described above, the storage conditions of the parking location P are likely to affect the age deterioration level X, but they also have a significant effect on the distance deterioration level Y. For this reason, for example, by parking an electric vehicle with a high distance deterioration level Y in a parking location P where conditions make it difficult for battery deterioration to progress, the progression of the distance deterioration level Y can be suppressed.

In the second embodiment, a process was described in which classification was performed according to the distance deterioration level Y, and an electric vehicle to be dispatched was determined based on the distance deterioration level Y. However, the electric vehicle to be dispatched may be determined based on the age deterioration level X. As described above, the deterioration progress level calculated based on the usage schedule information D1 is likely to affect the distance deterioration level Y, but it also has a significant effect on the age deterioration level X. For this reason, for example, by determining an electric vehicle with a high age deterioration level X as an electric vehicle to be dispatched under conditions in which battery deterioration is unlikely to progress, the progression of the age deterioration level X can be suppressed.

5 Battery 10 Electric vehicle 20 Administrator terminal 21 Screen 22 Input means 23 Terminal control unit 30 Management device 35 Control device 40 Vehicle control device 41 Vehicle management unit 42 Battery management unit 43 Communication unit 50 Memory unit 51 Deterioration degree acquisition unit 52 Usage age acquisition unit 53 Mileage acquisition unit 54 Age deterioration degree calculation unit 55 Distance deterioration degree calculation unit 56 Classification unit 57 Parking determination unit 58 Parking notification unit 61 Vehicle group acquisition unit 62 Usage schedule information acquisition unit 63 Deterioration promotion degree calculation unit 64 Vehicle allocation determination unit 65 Vehicle allocation notification unit 70 Vehicle management device 71 First communication unit 72 Second communication unit 100 Electric vehicle management system

Claims (5)

a deterioration level acquisition unit that acquires a deterioration level of a battery mounted in an electric vehicle;
a usage age acquisition unit that acquires a usage age of the electric vehicle;
an age deterioration degree calculation unit that calculates an age deterioration degree of the electric vehicle based on the acquired deterioration degree of the battery and the number of years of use of the electric vehicle;
A classification unit that classifies the electric vehicles into a plurality of vehicle groups according to the age deterioration degree;
a parking determination unit that determines, for an electric vehicle classified into a vehicle group having a low age deterioration degree by the classification unit, to park the electric vehicle in a parking location where a battery of the electric vehicle is likely to deteriorate, and that determines, for an electric vehicle classified into a vehicle group having a high age deterioration degree by the classification unit, to park the electric vehicle in a parking location where a battery of the electric vehicle is unlikely to deteriorate;
a parking notification unit that notifies the driver of the parking location determined by the parking determination unit;
An electric vehicle management system equipped with a mileage acquisition unit that acquires a mileage of the electric vehicle;
a distance degradation degree calculation unit that calculates a distance degradation degree of the electric vehicle based on the acquired deterioration degree of the battery and a traveling distance of the electric vehicle;
Further equipped with
The electric vehicle management system according to claim 1 , wherein the classification unit classifies the electric vehicles into a plurality of vehicle groups according to the age deterioration degree and the mileage deterioration degree. a deterioration level acquisition unit that acquires a deterioration level of a battery mounted in an electric vehicle;
a usage age acquisition unit that acquires a usage age of the electric vehicle;
an age deterioration degree calculation unit that calculates an age deterioration degree of the electric vehicle based on the acquired deterioration degree of the battery and the number of years of use of the electric vehicle;
A classification unit that classifies the electric vehicles into a plurality of vehicle groups according to the age deterioration degree;
a mileage acquisition unit that acquires a mileage of the electric vehicle;
a distance degradation degree calculation unit that calculates a distance degradation degree of the electric vehicle based on the acquired deterioration degree of the battery and a traveling distance of the electric vehicle;
Equipped with
the classification unit is configured to classify the electric vehicles into a plurality of vehicle groups according to the age deterioration degree and the mileage deterioration degree,
a usage schedule information acquisition unit for acquiring usage schedule information;
a deterioration promotion degree calculation unit that calculates a deterioration promotion degree based on the use schedule information acquired by the use schedule information acquisition unit;
a vehicle allocation determination unit that compares the deterioration acceleration degree calculated by the deterioration acceleration degree calculation unit with a predetermined reference value, and determines to allocate an electric vehicle classified into a vehicle group having a low distance degradation degree when the calculated deterioration acceleration degree is equal to or greater than the reference value, and determines to allocate an electric vehicle classified into a group having a high distance degradation degree when the calculated deterioration acceleration degree is less than the reference value;
a vehicle allocation notification unit that notifies the electric vehicle determined by the vehicle allocation determination unit;
An electric vehicle management system that further includes : a deterioration level acquisition unit that acquires a deterioration level of a battery mounted in an electric vehicle;
a mileage acquisition unit that acquires a mileage of the electric vehicle;
a distance degradation degree calculation unit that calculates a distance degradation degree of the electric vehicle based on the acquired deterioration degree of the battery and a traveling distance of the electric vehicle;
A classification unit that classifies the electric vehicles into a plurality of vehicle groups according to the distance deterioration degree;
a usage schedule information acquisition unit for acquiring usage schedule information;
a deterioration promotion degree calculation unit that calculates a deterioration promotion degree based on the use schedule information acquired by the use schedule information acquisition unit;
a vehicle allocation determination unit that compares the deterioration acceleration degree calculated by the deterioration acceleration degree calculation unit with a predetermined reference value, and determines to allocate an electric vehicle classified into a vehicle group having a low distance degradation degree when the calculated deterioration acceleration degree is equal to or greater than the reference value, and determines to allocate an electric vehicle classified into a group having a high distance degradation degree when the calculated deterioration acceleration degree is less than the reference value;
a vehicle allocation notification unit that notifies the electric vehicle determined by the vehicle allocation determination unit;
An electric vehicle management system equipped with a deterioration level acquisition unit that acquires a deterioration level of a battery mounted in an electric vehicle;
a mileage acquisition unit that acquires a mileage of the electric vehicle;
a distance degradation degree calculation unit that calculates a distance degradation degree of the electric vehicle based on the acquired deterioration degree of the battery and a traveling distance of the electric vehicle;
A classification unit that classifies the electric vehicles into a plurality of vehicle groups according to the distance deterioration degree;
a usage schedule information acquisition unit for acquiring usage schedule information;
a deterioration promotion degree calculation unit that calculates a deterioration promotion degree based on the use schedule information acquired by the use schedule information acquisition unit;
a vehicle allocation determination unit that compares the deterioration acceleration degree calculated by the deterioration acceleration degree calculation unit with a predetermined reference value, and determines to allocate an electric vehicle classified into a vehicle group having a low distance degradation degree when the calculated deterioration acceleration degree is equal to or greater than the reference value, and determines to allocate an electric vehicle classified into a group having a high distance degradation degree when the calculated deterioration acceleration degree is less than the reference value;
a deterioration level acquisition unit that acquires a deterioration level of a battery of the electric vehicle determined by the vehicle allocation determination unit;
a usage age acquisition unit that acquires a usage age of the electric vehicle determined by the vehicle allocation determination unit;
an age deterioration degree calculation unit that calculates an age deterioration degree of the electric vehicle determined by the vehicle allocation determination unit based on the acquired deterioration degree of the battery and the number of years of use of the electric vehicle determined by the vehicle allocation determination unit;
a parking determination unit that determines a parking location for the electric vehicle determined by the vehicle allocation determination unit;
a parking notification unit that notifies the driver of the parking location determined by the parking determination unit;
Equipped with
the classification unit is configured to classify the electric vehicles determined by the vehicle allocation determination unit into a plurality of vehicle groups according to the age deterioration degrees,
the parking determination unit is configured to, when the vehicle group of the electric vehicles determined by the vehicle allocation determination unit is a vehicle group having a low degree of age deterioration, determine to park the electric vehicles determined by the vehicle allocation determination unit in a parking location where a battery of the electric vehicles is likely to deteriorate, and, when the vehicle group of the electric vehicles determined by the vehicle allocation determination unit is a vehicle group having a high degree of age deterioration, determine to park the electric vehicles determined by the vehicle allocation determination unit in a parking location where a battery of the electric vehicles is unlikely to deteriorate .

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