JP2007099455A - Fuel transportation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel transportation system capable of efficiently transporting a fuel tank. <P>SOLUTION: The fuel transportation system is provided with a detection section for outputting a detection signal indicating an exchange with a second fuel tank when fuel inside a first fuel tank provided in the seat of customer is reduced to the predetermined quantity or less, and a control section for detecting the number of the second fuel tank for customer and determining whether the number of trailer to be loaded with the said number of second fuel tank is one or more and for outputting a signal indicating the trailer to be towed by one transportation vehicle in response to a result of the said determination. If the control section determines that the trailer for the customer is one, the control section outputs an instruction signal showing that the trailer for the customer is integrally with trailers for other customers or separately in the predetermined order in the only case wherein the control section receives the detection signal from other customers, and outputs the instruction signal showing that a plurality of trailers are towed together If the number of trailers for the customer is determined more than one. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel transportation system.

  In recent years, when supplying liquid fuel such as liquefied petroleum gas or liquefied natural gas (hereinafter abbreviated as LNG) or fuel such as high-pressure gas, instead of a gas cylinder, a fuel tank having a capacity larger than that of a gas cylinder (for example, A supply form in which fuel is carried directly by a small tank lorry called a bulk lorry, which is installed at the location of general households and factories, is beginning to spread.

In addition, a method of transporting fuel by using a trailer type vehicle in which, for example, a transport vehicle and a trailer to be pulled by the transport vehicle are connected instead of the tank lorry has been proposed (for example, Patent Documents). 1). In this case, the fuel tank can be replaced by loading a fuel tank having the same configuration as the fuel tank installed at the customer's location on the trailer. In order to detect the replacement time of the fuel tank, the customer side is provided with a detection unit that transmits a detection signal for requesting fuel replacement to a fuel transportation base that transports the fuel, for example, based on the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel tank. It is done. When the fuel transport base receives the detection signal, it identifies the customer who requested the replacement of the fuel tank, and loads the fuel tank replenished with fuel on the trailer and transports it to the customer. When the trailer arrives at the customer's location, the fuel tank is replaced.
JP-A-2005-75561

  In a conventional fuel transportation system, when a fuel tank is requested by a customer, a fuel tank filled with fuel is loaded on a trailer and transported to a customer location unconditionally. Therefore, the transportation efficiency of the fuel tank was poor. For example, even when a customer requests replacement of a fuel tank at the same time when a customer requests replacement of a fuel tank, the customer and the other customer are requested to replace the fuel tank. The fuel tank was transported separately by using a plurality of transport vehicles. Thus, the conventional fuel transportation system has a problem that the transportation of the fuel tank is not efficient.

  This invention is made | formed in view of this subject, The place made into the objective is to provide the fuel transport system which can transport a fuel tank efficiently.

  The invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a detection signal indicating that, when the fuel in the first fuel tank installed at the customer's location falls below a predetermined amount, the fuel is replaced with a second fuel tank replenished with fuel. And detecting the number of the second fuel tanks for the customer by receiving the detection signal, and one or a plurality of trailers for loading the number of the second fuel tanks are detected. And a control unit that outputs an instruction signal indicating the trailer to be towed by one transport vehicle according to the determination result. When it is determined that there is one fuel tank loaded with two fuel tanks, only when the detection signal is received from another customer, the one fuel tank and the second fuel tank for the other customer are used. Before loading When an instruction signal indicating that the trailer is towed individually or in a predetermined order is output, and it is determined that there are a plurality of trailers on which the second fuel tank for the customer is loaded, the plurality of trailers are An instruction signal indicating that the traction is performed integrally is output.

  In the fuel transportation system, it is preferable that one trailer is loaded with one second fuel tank.

  In the fuel transportation system, the control unit determines that the trailer on which the second fuel tank for the customer is loaded is one, and the other part in a predetermined area including the location of the customer. When receiving the detection signal from the customer, an instruction signal indicating that the one trailer and the trailer loaded with the second fuel tank for the other customer are towed individually or in a predetermined order. Among them, it is preferable to selectively output an instruction signal on the side where the transportation cost of the second fuel tank to the customer and the other customers is reduced.

  In the fuel transportation system, the control unit determines that the trailer on which the second fuel tank for the customer is loaded is one, and other than a predetermined area including the location of the customer. When the detection signal from the customer is received, the one trailer and the other customer are used only when the transportation time of the second fuel tank to the customer and the other customer is within a predetermined time. It is preferable to output an instruction signal indicating that the trailer loaded with the second fuel tank is towed individually or in a predetermined order.

  In the fuel transportation system, the control unit determines that the trailer on which the second fuel tank for the customer is loaded is one, and the other part in a predetermined area including the location of the customer. When the detection signal from the customer and the detection signal from another customer outside the predetermined area including the customer location are received, the detection signal from another customer in the predetermined area including the customer location is It is preferable to give priority to the detection signal from other customers outside the predetermined area including the location of the customer.

  In the fuel transportation system, the instruction signal indicating that the one trailer and the trailer loaded with the second fuel tank for the other customer are towed together is received by the one transportation vehicle. Preferably, the signal indicates that the trailer of both the customer and the other customer is connected and pulled to continuously transport the second fuel tank to the location of the customer and the other customer.

  In the fuel transportation system, the instruction signal indicating that the one trailer and the trailer loaded with the second fuel tank for the other customer are individually towed in a predetermined order is In order for the transport vehicle to reciprocate the second fuel tank to the customer and the other customer's location, the trailer of both the customer and the other customer is individually connected via the loading place of the second fuel tank. Preferably, the signal indicates towing.

  According to the present invention, fuel can be transported efficiently.

  At least the following matters will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

=== System configuration ===
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a fuel transportation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The fuel transportation system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a detection signal generator 40 provided at the location of the customer A, a detection signal generator 50 provided at the location of the customer B, and a detection signal via the communication line 30. The fuel transportation selection device 10 that can communicate with the generation devices 40 and 50 and the terminal device 20 are configured.

  In FIG. 1, customer A and customer B are, for example, ordinary households or factories using, for example, LNG fuel tanks (hereinafter referred to as “bulk”), and customer A has, for example, two bulks (bulk 46, 48). ) And customer B uses, for example, one bulk 56.

  In addition, a plurality of trailers 120 loaded with a bulk 110 (second fuel tank) supplemented with LNG, for example, and a transport vehicle 100 that pulls the trailer 120 are arranged at the fuel transportation base. As a vehicle for transporting the bulk 110, as shown in FIG. 1, the transport vehicle 110 pulls two trailers 120 (hereinafter referred to as a connection type vehicle) and one trailer 120. (Hereinafter referred to as a single type vehicle). In this embodiment, it is assumed that one bulk 110 is loaded on one trailer 120.

  FIG. 1 shows only one customer A and one customer B, but there are a plurality of other customers A that use two bulks and a customer B that uses one bulk. To do. And it is assumed that an identification code for identifying the customer is arbitrarily assigned to the plurality of customers A and B in advance. There are several types of bulks, and it is assumed that customers A and B have bulks of a predetermined capacity.

<< Detection signal generator 40 >>
The detection signal generator 40 (detection unit) is provided at the location of the customer A. The detection signal generator 40 generates a detection signal indicating that the fuel needs to be replaced when the fuel in the bulks 46 and 48 becomes a predetermined amount or less. In the present embodiment, the detection signal generator 40 requests replacement of both of the bulks 46 and 48 when the fuels in the bulks 46 and 48 (first fuel tank) are both equal to or less than a predetermined amount. A detection signal is transmitted. Further, the detection signal generating device 40 includes a detection unit 42 and a communication unit 44.

  The detection unit 42 monitors the amount of fuel in the bulks 46 and 48 and detects that both the fuels in the bulks 46 and 48 are below a predetermined amount.

  The communication unit 44 generates a detection signal indicating that the bulks 46 and 48 need to be exchanged together with an identification code, based on the output of the detection unit 42 indicating that the fuel in the bulks 46 and 48 is less than a predetermined amount. Then, the data is transmitted to the fuel transport selection device 10 via the communication line 30.

<< Detection signal generator 50 >>
The detection signal generator 50 (detection unit) is provided at the location of the customer B. Then, the detection signal generator 50 generates a detection signal indicating that fuel replacement is necessary when the fuel in the bulk 56 (first fuel tank) becomes a predetermined amount or less. In addition, the detection signal generation device 50 includes a detection unit 52 and a communication unit 54.

  The detection unit 52 monitors the amount of fuel in the bulk 56 and detects that the fuel in the bulk 56 is below a predetermined amount.

  Based on the output of the detection unit 52 indicating that the fuel in the bulk 56 has become a predetermined amount or less, the communication unit 54 transmits a detection signal indicating that the bulk 56 needs to be replaced together with an identification code to the communication line 30. To the fuel transport selection device 10.

≪Fuel transportation selection device 10≫
The fuel transport selection device 10 (control unit) includes a communication unit 11, a processing unit 12, a customer information database 13, a bulk information database 14, a transport cost database 15, and an order status database 16.

  The customer information database 13 stores a customer identification code, a customer name, a customer location, and customer bulk data (for example, the number of bulks and bulk capacity) for each customer. For example, when the capacity of the bulk 46 of the customer A is 5 kliters and the capacity of the bulk 48 is 10 kliters, the bulk data for the customer A in the customer information database 13 includes 2 bulks (5 kliters and 10 kliters). Data indicating that is stored.

  The bulk information database 14 stores data such as the number of bulks that can be transported at the fuel transportation base and the bulk capacity thereof.

  The transportation cost database 15 stores data on transportation costs according to transportation methods (for example, loop transportation and round-trip transportation described later) for transportation to a plurality of customers. The transportation cost is a cost including all labor costs, fuel costs, equipment costs, etc. for transportation.

  The order status database 16 stores, for example, data such as location information of a customer who has requested fuel replacement.

  The communication unit 11 receives the detection signals output from the communication units 44 and 54 via the communication line 30. The communication unit 11 is connected to the processing unit 12 and the terminal device 20 through a communication line such as a LAN so that they can communicate with each other.

  When the processing unit 12 receives the detection signal via the communication unit 11, the processing unit 12 refers to the customer database 13, the bulk information database 14, the transportation cost database 15, and the order status database 16, so that an efficient transportation plan (customer name, Customer location, transportation method, transportation bulk, etc.) are established, and an information signal (instruction signal) relating to the transportation plan is transmitted to the terminal device 20 via the communication unit 11.

  In the present embodiment, the fuel transport selection device 10 (control unit) is provided in the fuel transport base as shown in FIG. 1, but the fuel transport selection device 10 is not limited to this, and the fuel transport selection device 10 It may be provided outside the base (for example, a management base that manages transportation at a plurality of fuel transportation bases).

≪Terminal device 20≫
The terminal device 20 is a terminal that can communicate with the fuel transport selection device 10. The terminal device 20 can input various data to the customer information database 13, the bulk information database 14, the transportation cost database 15, and the order status database 16 via the communication unit 11 and the processing unit 12. Further, when the terminal device 20 receives a transportation plan information signal from the fuel transportation selection device 10, the terminal device 20 displays the received transportation plan information. In accordance with the transportation plan displayed on the terminal device 20, the person in charge of transportation (driver) transports the bulk 110 to the location of the customers A and B that require fuel replacement using a connected type vehicle or a single type vehicle. To do. In the present embodiment, the terminal device 20 is provided in the fuel transportation base as shown in FIG. 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the terminal device 20 is provided outside the fuel transportation base. Also good.

=== Processing Unit Discriminating Operation ===
The discrimination operation of the processing unit 12 of the fuel transport selection device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  2 is a flowchart showing an example of the determination operation of the processing unit 12, and FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the transportation method. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that one bulk 110 can be loaded on the trailer 120, and up to two trailers 120 that can be towed by one transport vehicle.

  First, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the order request data is stored in the order status database 16 (S201).

  When the processing unit 12 receives a detection signal including an identification code transmitted from the communication unit 44 or the communication unit 54 via the communication line 30 and the communication unit 11 (S202: Yes), the processing unit 12 refers to the customer information database 13. Then, the number of bulk exchanges is extracted (S203). If no detection signal is received (S202: No), the determination in step S202 is executed again.

  Then, the processing unit 12 determines whether the number of trailers 120 necessary for performing the bulk exchange is two or one based on the number of bulk exchanges extracted from the customer information database 13 (S204). When it is determined that the number of trailers 120 necessary for performing the bulk exchange is two, the coupled transportation is selected as the transportation method (S205). In addition, the connection transportation is a transportation method in which transportation is performed to only one customer using a connection type vehicle. Subsequently, referring to the bulk information database 14, based on the bulk data stored in the customer information beta base 13, a combination of two bulks 110 (for example, 5 kl and 10 kl) is extracted (S206). Then, an information signal related to the customer name, customer location, transportation method (consolidated transportation), and bulk combination is transmitted to the terminal device 20 (S207).

  If it is determined in step S204 that the number of trailers necessary for bulk exchange is one, the processing unit 12 refers to the order status database 16 and other customers who need fuel replacement in the same region. It is determined whether or not there is (S209). Here, the same area (within the predetermined area) is a range within a predetermined distance from the fuel transportation base where the transportation to a plurality of customers A and B can be ensured in one day, for example. In FIG. 3, when the point A is the location of the fuel transportation base, the region is represented by, for example, a broken line. In other words, if B point, C point, D point, E point, and F point are customer locations, B point, C point, D point, and E point are the same area, and F point is other area that is not the same area. (Outside the prescribed area)

  In addition, as a method of transporting to a plurality of customers, there are loop transport and round-trip transport. Loop transportation is a fuel transportation method in which fuel is continuously transported to two customer locations in the order of point A → B point → C point → A point in FIG. . On the other hand, round-trip transport means transport to and from one customer location and another customer location via point A, such as point A → point D → point A → point E → point A. It is a method of transporting fuel. A connected type vehicle is used for loop transportation, and a single type vehicle is used for round-trip transportation. Hereinafter, a method of performing loop transportation using a connection type vehicle is referred to as connection loop transportation, and a method of performing reciprocation transportation using a single type vehicle is referred to as single reciprocation transportation. In the case of linked loop transportation, fuel can be transported to two customers without returning to the fuel transportation base with a single transport vehicle. Further, in the case of single round trip transport, the fuel can be transported to two customers with one transport vehicle by exchanging the trailer 120 towed via the fuel transport base.

  If it is determined in step S209 that there is another customer who needs to change fuel in the same area (S209: Yes), the transportation cost database 15 is referred to, and transportation costs of the linked loop transportation and the single round-trip transportation between the customers are referred to. Are extracted (S210), and it is determined whether or not the connected loop transportation is cheaper (S211).

  When it is determined that the connected loop transportation is cheaper (S211: Yes), the connected loop transportation is selected as the transportation method (S212). Subsequently, referring to the bulk information database 14, based on the bulk data stored in the customer information beta base 13, a combination of bulks to be connected is extracted (S213). Then, an information signal related to the customer name, customer location, transportation method (connected loop transportation), and bulk combination is transmitted to the terminal device 20 (S214).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the single round trip transport is cheaper (S211: No), the single round trip transport is selected as the transport method (S216). Subsequently, the bulk information database 14 is referred to, and the bulk 110 for each customer is extracted based on the bulk data stored in the customer information beta base 13 (S217). Then, an information signal related to the customer name, customer location, transportation method (single round-trip transportation), and bulk 110 for each customer is transmitted to the terminal device 20 (S218).

  In the determination in step S209, if it is determined that there is no customer who needs refueling in the same region (S209: No), referring to the order status database 16 again, a customer and a customer in another region, for example, It is determined whether there is a combination capable of single round trip transportation in one day (S215). If it is determined that there is a combination that allows single round trip transportation between a certain customer and a customer in another area (S215: Yes), step S216 is executed to select single round trip transportation as the transportation method.

  In the determination in step S215, when it is determined that there is no combination capable of single round trip transportation between a certain customer and a customer in another region (S215: No), the order status database 16 is referred to again to refer to the certain customer and the other region. For example, it is determined whether there is a combination that can be connected loop transport in one day (S219). If it is determined that there is a combination that allows linked loop transportation between a customer and a customer in another area (S219: Yes), the coupled loop transportation is selected as the transportation method (S220). Subsequently, referring to the bulk information database 14, based on the bulk data stored in the customer information beta base 13, a combination of bulks 110 to be connected is extracted (S221). And the information signal concerning a customer name, a customer's location, a transportation method (connection loop transportation), and the combination of the bulk 110 is transmitted to the terminal device 20 (S222).

  If it is determined in step S219 that there is no combination capable of linked loop transportation between a certain customer and a customer in another area (S219: No), single unit transportation is selected as the transportation method (S223). The single individual transportation is a transportation method in which transportation is performed to only one customer by a single type vehicle. Subsequently, the bulk information database 14 is referred to, and the bulk 110 is extracted based on the bulk data stored in the customer information beta base 13 (S224). And the information signal concerning a customer name, a customer's location, a transportation method (consolidated loop transportation), and the extracted bulk 110 is transmitted to the terminal device 20 (S225).

  In the present embodiment, when the fuel of the customer A having two of the bulks 46 and 48 is replaced, both of the bulks 46 and 48 are replaced when both the fuels of the bulks 46 and 48 become a predetermined value or less. However, for example, when one of the fuels of the bulks 46 and 48 becomes a predetermined value or less, the detection signal generator 40 transmits a detection signal, so that only one of the bulks 46 and 48 is replaced. You may do it. In this case, for example, information on the bulk to be exchanged is added to the detection signal, and when the processing unit 12 receives the detection signal, the bulk on which fuel exchange is performed is determined based on the bulk information added to the detection signal. do it.

  In this embodiment, the number of trailers 120 that can be pulled by one transport vehicle 100 is limited to two. However, if the transport vehicle 100 can pull three or more trailers 120, three trailers 120 are used. The transportation plan used above can be made.

  As described above, the fuel transportation system of the present invention efficiently performs bulk transportation by selecting the bulk transportation method according to the number of bulks to be refueled, the location of the customer, and the transportation cost. Can do. For example, when there is a request for fuel replacement from a customer and a customer in the same area as this customer, the cheaper side of the transportation cost can be selected from linked loop transportation and single round trip transportation. In addition, when there is a fuel change request from the customer and a customer in another region to the customer, it is possible to select a side where the transportation is completed within a predetermined time from a connected loop transportation and a single round-trip transportation. .

  In addition, when there is a fuel change request from a customer in the same area as that of the customer or a customer in another area, priority is given to the request from the customer in the same area, so that the cost of consolidated loop transportation or single round-trip transportation can be reduced. By the cheaper transportation method, it is possible to quickly transport a plurality of customers.

  The above-described embodiment is intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention is changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

It is a block diagram showing an example of composition of a fuel transportation system concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the discrimination | determination operation | movement of the control part of the fuel transportation system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the transportation method.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Fuel transport selection apparatus 11, 44, 54 Communication part 12 Processing part 13 Customer information database 14 Bulk information database 15 Transportation cost database 16 Ordering situation database 20 Terminal apparatus 30 Communication line 40, 50 Detection signal generator 42, 52 Detection part 46 , 48, 56, 110 Bulk 100 Transport vehicle 120 Trailer

Claims (7)

A detection unit that outputs a detection signal indicating that the fuel is replaced with a second fuel tank that is replenished with fuel when the fuel in the first fuel tank installed at the customer's location falls below a predetermined amount;
By receiving the detection signal, the number of second fuel tanks for the customer is detected, and it is determined whether one or a plurality of trailers are loaded with the number of the second fuel tanks. A control unit that outputs an instruction signal indicating the trailer to be towed by one transport vehicle according to the determination result,
The controller is
When it is determined that there is one trailer on which the second fuel tank for the customer is loaded, the one trailer and the other customer are used only when the detection signal is received from another customer. An instruction signal indicating that the trailer loaded with the second fuel tank is towed integrally or individually in a predetermined order;
When it is determined that there are a plurality of trailers on which the second fuel tank for the customer is loaded, an instruction signal indicating that the plurality of trailers are towed together is output.
A fuel transportation system characterized by that.   The fuel transportation system according to claim 1, wherein one trailer is loaded with one second fuel tank. The controller is
When it is determined that there is one trailer for loading the second fuel tank for the customer, and the detection signal is received from another customer in a predetermined area including the location of the customer, the 1 Among the instruction signals indicating towing the trailer of the pedestal and the trailer loaded with the second fuel tank for the other customer integrally or individually in a predetermined order, the second to the customer and the other customer Select and output the instruction signal on the side where the transportation cost of the fuel tank is reduced,
The fuel transportation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The controller is
When it is determined that there is one trailer on which the second fuel tank for the customer is loaded, and the detection signal is received from another customer outside a predetermined area including the location of the customer, the customer And only when the transportation time of the second fuel tank to the other customer is within a predetermined time, the one trailer and the trailer for loading the second fuel tank for the other customer are integrated or The fuel transportation system according to claim 1, wherein an instruction signal indicating that the towing is individually performed in a predetermined order is output. The controller is
It is determined that there is one trailer on which the second fuel tank for the customer is loaded, and the detection signal from another customer in a predetermined area including the location of the customer, and the location of the customer When the detection signal from another customer outside the predetermined area including the customer's location is received, the detection signal from another customer within the predetermined area including the customer's location Prioritize the detection signal from the customer,
The fuel transportation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein An instruction signal indicating that the one trailer and the trailer loaded with the second fuel tank for the other customer are towed together,
A signal indicating that the one transport vehicle is towing the trailer of both the customer and the other customer in order to continuously transport the second fuel tank to the customer and the location of the other customer. ,
The fuel transportation system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein An instruction signal indicating that the one trailer and the trailer loaded with the second fuel tank for the other customer are individually towed in a predetermined order,
Both the customer and the other customer via the loading location of the second fuel tank so that the one transport vehicle can transport the second fuel tank back and forth to the customer and the other customer's location. A signal indicating that the trailer is towed individually.
The fuel transportation system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein

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