JP7032144B2

JP7032144B2 - Gas delivery work support system

Info

Publication number: JP7032144B2
Application number: JP2018003883A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 泰秀土田; 正彦横沢
Original assignee: 東洋計器株式会社
Priority date: 2018-01-13
Filing date: 2018-01-13
Publication date: 2022-03-08
Anticipated expiration: 2038-01-13
Also published as: JP2019125064A

Description

本発明は、各ガス消費場所（ガス需要家宅）に対するガス配送作業（ＬＰガスシリンダの交換またはバルク貯槽へのＬＰガスの充填）を支援するガス配送作業支援システムに関する。 The present invention relates to a gas delivery work support system that supports gas delivery work (replacement of an LP gas cylinder or filling of a bulk storage tank with LP gas) to each gas consumption place (gas consumer's house).

ＬＰガスの配送システムとしては、各ガス消費場所におけるＬＰガスの残量を、通信回線を介して監視し、ＬＰガスの配送が必要になったガス消費場所に対するＬＰガス配送車による適切な配送ルートを地図データに基づき決定するものが知られている。特許文献１には、このようなＬＰガス配送システムが提案されている。 As an LP gas delivery system, the remaining amount of LP gas at each gas consumption location is monitored via a communication line, and an appropriate delivery route by an LP gas delivery vehicle to the gas consumption location where LP gas delivery is required. Is known to be determined based on map data. Patent Document 1 proposes such an LP gas delivery system.

また、特許文献２には、ユーザー毎のガス使用状況に基づきＬＰガスの配送先および配送の優先順位を決め、これに基づき配送ルートを策定する方法が提案されている。また、事前に入手した各種情報（通行止め情報、イベント情報等）に基づき、最も早くガス配送を行える配送ルートを策定している。 Further, Patent Document 2 proposes a method of determining a delivery destination of LP gas and a delivery priority based on the gas usage status of each user, and formulating a delivery route based on this. In addition, based on various information obtained in advance (traffic closure information, event information, etc.), we are formulating a delivery route that enables the fastest gas delivery.

特開平９－１３４３９１号公報Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-134391 特開２００２－２７９０２５号公報JP-A-2002-279025

近年においては、ＩｏＴ技術およびＡＩによる学習機能を用いて、ビッグデータに基づき最適解を算出する手法が各技術分野において導入されている。ＬＰガスのガス配送作業においても、各ガス消費場所でのガス使用状況、ＬＰガス配送車によるガス配送状況、ガス配送作業時の配送ルート周辺状況（交通事情、気象状況など）に関するデータを蓄積し、これらをＡＩに学習させることで、最も効率良く短時間で複数のガス消費場所へのガス配送作業を行える配送ルートを算出可能である。 In recent years, a method of calculating an optimum solution based on big data using IoT technology and a learning function by AI has been introduced in each technical field. In the gas delivery work of LP gas, we have accumulated data on the gas usage status at each gas consumption location, the gas delivery status by the LP gas delivery vehicle, and the status around the delivery route (traffic conditions, weather conditions, etc.) during the gas delivery work. By having AI learn these, it is possible to calculate a delivery route that can perform gas delivery work to a plurality of gas consumption locations most efficiently and in a short time.

ここで、従来においては、上記の特許文献１、２に記載されているように、ガス配送のための配送ルートを、配送先の位置、交通情報等に基づき、ＬＰガス配送車の走行時間を短縮できる最短ルートとなるように設定している。しかしながら、ＬＰガスの配送作業には、ＬＰガス配送車を走行させて各ガス配送先に向かう移動時間だけでなく、各ガス配送先において配送作業員が車を停車させ、交換用のＬＰガスボンベを設置位置まで運び交換する等の作業を行うための作業時間も必要である。従来の配送ルートの設定方法では、各配送先で車を止めた状態での作業時間については着目されていない。 Here, conventionally, as described in the above-mentioned Patent Documents 1 and 2, the delivery route for gas delivery is set, and the traveling time of the LP gas delivery vehicle is set based on the position of the delivery destination, traffic information, and the like. It is set to be the shortest route that can be shortened. However, in the LP gas delivery work, not only the travel time for driving the LP gas delivery vehicle to each gas delivery destination but also the delivery worker stops the vehicle at each gas delivery destination and replaces the LP gas cylinder. Work time is also required to carry out work such as carrying it to the installation position and replacing it. In the conventional delivery route setting method, attention is not paid to the working time when the vehicle is stopped at each delivery destination.

各ガス配送先において、例えば、停車位置がガスボンベ等の設置場所から遠いと、作業時間が多く掛かる。ＬＰガス配送車の移動時間を短縮できても、ガス配送作業時間が全体として長くなり、他の配送ルートによる場合の方が有利なこともある。ＬＰガス配送車の走行距離あるいは移動時間に基づき配送ルートの最適化を図ることには限界がある。 At each gas delivery destination, for example, if the stop position is far from the installation location such as a gas cylinder, it takes a lot of work time. Even if the travel time of the LP gas delivery vehicle can be shortened, the gas delivery work time becomes longer as a whole, and it may be more advantageous to use another delivery route. There is a limit to optimizing the delivery route based on the mileage or travel time of the LP gas delivery vehicle.

本発明の目的は、このようなＬＰガス配送作業の実情に鑑みて、配送作業を全体として効率良く行うためのガス配送作業支援システムを提案することにある。 An object of the present invention is to propose a gas delivery work support system for efficiently performing the delivery work as a whole in view of the actual situation of such LP gas delivery work.

上記の課題を解決するために、本発明による、各ガス消費場所へのガス配送作業（ＬＰガスシリンダの交換またはバルク貯槽へのＬＰガスの充填）を支援するガス配送作業支援システムは次のように構成されている。 In order to solve the above problems, the gas delivery work support system according to the present invention that supports the gas delivery work (replacement of the LP gas cylinder or filling of the bulk storage tank with LP gas) to each gas consumption place is as follows. It is configured in.

まず、ガス消費場所のそれぞれには、ＬＰガスシリンダあるいはバルク貯槽が設置されているガス供給源と、ガス供給源から供給されるガス流量を計測するガスメータと、測位機能（ＧＰＳ機能）を備えたガス消費場所通信装置とが配置されており、
ガス配送作業に用いるＬＰガス配送車には、測位機能（ＧＰＳ機能）を備えた車載通信装置が搭載されており、
ガス消費場所でのガス使用状況およびＬＰガス配送車の移動状況を監視するために、ガス消費場所通信装置および車載通信装置のそれぞれとの間で双方向通信を行う管理サーバが配置されており、
ガス消費場所には、当該ガス消費場所でのガス配送作業が終了した後にガス供給源からのガス供給を再開させるために操作されるリセットスイッチが配置されており、
ガス消費場所通信装置は、リセットスイッチが操作されると、作業終了通報を、管理サーバに送信する機能を備え、
管理サーバは、作業位置におけるＬＰガス配送車の停車時刻から作業の終了までに要した作業時間を算出する作業時間算出機能と、少なくとも前記ガス配送先での前記ＬＰガス配送車の停車位置および作業時間を対応付けして記憶する記憶機能とを備えている。 First, each gas consumption location is equipped with a gas supply source in which an LP gas cylinder or bulk storage tank is installed, a gas meter that measures the gas flow rate supplied from the gas supply source, and a positioning function (GPS function). The gas consumption place communication device is located,
The LP gas delivery vehicle used for gas delivery work is equipped with an in-vehicle communication device equipped with a positioning function (GPS function).
In order to monitor the gas usage status at the gas consumption location and the movement status of the LP gas delivery vehicle, a management server that performs two-way communication with each of the gas consumption location communication device and the in-vehicle communication device is installed.
At the gas consuming place, a reset switch that is operated to restart the gas supply from the gas supply source after the gas delivery work at the gas consuming place is completed is arranged.
The gas consumption location communication device has a function to send a work completion notification to the management server when the reset switch is operated.
The management server has a work time calculation function that calculates the work time required from the stop time of the LP gas delivery vehicle at the work position to the end of the work, and at least the stop position and work of the LP gas delivery vehicle at the gas delivery destination. It has a storage function that stores time in association with each other.

また、管理サーバには、算出した作業時間の長短に基づき、ＬＰガス配送車の停車位置の適否を判断する機能、および/または、作業時間の長短に基づき、作業終了場所におけるガス供給源の設置位置の適否を判断する機能が付設されている。 In addition, the management server has a function to determine the appropriateness of the stop position of the LP gas delivery vehicle based on the calculated length of work time , and / or installs a gas supply source at the work end location based on the length of work time. A function to judge the suitability of the position is attached .

本発明では、ガス配送先に停車した時点から、ガス配送作業（ＬＰガスシリンダの交換あるいはバルク貯槽へのＬＰガスの充填）が終了するまでに要した作業時間を算出している。作業時間の長短に基づき、停車位置の適否を判断できる。ガス配送作業員は、例えば次回の同一場所への配送作業において、停車位置を適切な位置に変更することで、作業時間を短縮できる。ＬＰガス配送車による移動時間の短縮化と共に、各ガス配送先での作業時間の短縮化を図ることができ、全体としてガス配送作業の効率化を達成できる。また、移動時間と共に作業時間に基づくことで、管理サーバによって、より適切な配送ルートを作成可能になる。さらに、停車位置の変更が制限される場合等においては、ＬＰガスシリンダあるいはバルク貯槽の設置位置を変更することで、ガス配送作業の効率化を図ることが可能である。 In the present invention, the working time required from the time when the vehicle is stopped at the gas delivery destination to the completion of the gas delivery work (replacement of the LP gas cylinder or filling of the bulk storage tank with LP gas) is calculated. The suitability of the stop position can be determined based on the length of the working time. For example, in the next delivery work to the same place, the gas delivery worker can shorten the work time by changing the stop position to an appropriate position. Along with shortening the travel time by the LP gas delivery vehicle, the work time at each gas delivery destination can be shortened, and the efficiency of the gas delivery work can be improved as a whole. Also, based on working time as well as travel time, the management server can create more appropriate delivery routes. Further, when the change of the stop position is restricted, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the gas delivery work by changing the installation position of the LP gas cylinder or the bulk storage tank.

次に、ガス配送作業におけるＬＰガス配送車の移動時間だけでなく、各ガス消費場所でのガス配送作業の作業時間を考慮して、最適配送ルートおよび各ガス配送先での停車位置を決定するために、管理サーバには次の機能を設けることが望ましい。 Next, the optimum delivery route and the stop position at each gas delivery destination are determined in consideration of not only the travel time of the LP gas delivery vehicle in the gas delivery work but also the work time of the gas delivery work at each gas consumption location. Therefore, it is desirable to provide the following functions in the management server.

各ガス消費場所におけるガス使用状況に基づき、ガス消費場所の中から、ガス配送が必要な一群のガス消費場所をガス配送先として抽出し、当該ガス配送先に対するガス配送日を決定するガス配送先設定機能、
道路地図データに基づき、ガス配送先を順次に経由するＬＰガス配送車の配送ルートの候補を、配送可能ルートとして生成する配送可能ルート生成機能、
ガス配送先のそれぞれについて、ＬＰガス配送車の停車可能位置を生成する停車可能位置生成機能と、
予め設定した機械学習アルゴリズムに従って、ガス配送時間（移動時間）が最短になると予想される最適解である、配送可能ルートおよびガス配送先のそれぞれにおける停車可能位置との組み合わせを、最適配送ルート・最適停車位置として抽出する配送ルート・停車位置設定機能、および、
最適配送ルート・最適停車位置に関する情報を、ＬＰガス配送車の車載通信装置に送信する送信機能。 Based on the gas usage status at each gas consumption location, a group of gas consumption locations that require gas delivery are extracted as gas delivery destinations from the gas consumption locations, and the gas delivery destination for which the gas delivery destination is determined is determined. Setting function,
A deliverable route generation function that generates delivery route candidates for LP gas delivery vehicles that sequentially pass through gas delivery destinations as deliverable routes based on road map data.
For each gas delivery destination, a stoptable position generation function that generates a stoptable position of the LP gas delivery vehicle, and a stoptable position generation function,
According to a preset machine learning algorithm, the optimum delivery route / optimum combination with the stoptable position at each of the deliverable route and the gas delivery destination, which is the optimum solution that is expected to have the shortest gas delivery time (travel time). Delivery route / stop position setting function extracted as stop position, and
A transmission function that transmits information about the optimum delivery route and optimum stop position to the in-vehicle communication device of the LP gas delivery vehicle.

また、最適配送ルート、各ガス配送先での最適停車位置の設定の最適化を図るために、管理サーバは実際のガス配送作業の状況を監視し、学習する必要がある。例えば、最適配送ルートおよび最適停車位置による実際のガス配送作業における、一つのガス配送先から次のガス配送先までの配送区間のＬＰガス配送車による移動時間あるいは移動距離を算出し、これらを合計して移動時間を算出して記憶保持する。また、ガス配送先での停車位置置に対応する作業時間を記憶保持する。配送ルート・停車位置設定機能は、記憶保持されている情報に基づき、配送可能ルートのそれぞれにおけるＬＰガス配送車の移動時間と、停車可能位置に対応付けされている作業時間とに基づき、設定配送ルートおよび各ガス配送先での設定停止位置の最適な組み合わせを求める。また、実際のガス配送作業において、設定されている最適配送ルートから外れた場合、最適停車位置とは異なる停車位置に車を止めて作業を行った場合の情報も記憶保持され、これらの情報も次回の配送ルートの設定において考慮される。 In addition, in order to optimize the setting of the optimum delivery route and the optimum stop position at each gas delivery destination, the management server needs to monitor and learn the actual status of the gas delivery work. For example, in the actual gas delivery work with the optimum delivery route and the optimum stop position, the travel time or travel distance by the LP gas delivery vehicle in the delivery section from one gas delivery destination to the next gas delivery destination is calculated, and these are totaled. Then, the travel time is calculated and stored in memory. In addition, the work time corresponding to the stop position at the gas delivery destination is stored in memory. The delivery route / stop position setting function is set and delivered based on the travel time of the LP gas delivery vehicle in each of the deliverable routes and the work time associated with the stoptable position based on the stored information. Find the optimal combination of routes and set stop positions at each gas delivery destination. In addition, in the actual gas delivery work, if the vehicle deviates from the set optimum delivery route, the information when the vehicle is stopped at a stop position different from the optimum stop position is also stored and retained, and this information is also stored. It will be considered in the next delivery route setting.

さらに、設定の最適化を図るために、配送日における配送可能ルートのそれぞれに関連する道路交通情報および気象情報を含む配送ルート周辺情報を取得し、これらも考慮して、最適配送ルートおよび各ガス配送先での最適停車位置の組み合わせを設定する。これにより、道路工事、イベント等による道路通行止め、悪天候による渋滞状況等に応じて、より適した配送ルートを生成できる。 Furthermore, in order to optimize the setting, the information around the delivery route including the road traffic information and the weather information related to each of the deliverable routes on the delivery date is acquired, and these are also taken into consideration, and the optimum delivery route and each gas are obtained. Set the combination of optimal stop positions at the delivery destination. This makes it possible to generate a more suitable delivery route according to road construction, road closure due to an event, traffic congestion due to bad weather, and the like.

本発明を適用したガス配送作業支援システムの全体構成を示す構成図である。It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the gas delivery work support system to which this invention is applied. 図１のシステムの動作を示す概略フローチャートである。It is a schematic flowchart which shows the operation of the system of FIG.

以下に、図面を参照して、本発明を適用したガス配送作業支援システムの実施の形態を説明する。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the gas delivery work support system to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

図１を参照して説明すると、本実施の形態に係るガス配送作業支援システム１（以下、単に「システム１」という。）は、一般的なガス集中監視システムとして構築できる。システム１は、ガス管理会社２の側に設置される管理サーバ３と、個人住宅、集合住宅、会社、工場等の各ガス消費場所４（４－１、４－２、４－３、・・・４－ｎ）のそれぞれ設置されるガス供給設備５と、ガス消費場所４のそれぞれに、ＬＰガスシリンダの交換あるいはバルク貯槽へのＬＰガスの充填のためのガス配送を行う各ＬＰガス配送車６に搭載される車載通信装置７と、これらの各部の間を結ぶ通信網Ａとから構成される。 Explaining with reference to FIG. 1, the gas delivery work support system 1 (hereinafter, simply referred to as “system 1”) according to the present embodiment can be constructed as a general gas centralized monitoring system. The system 1 includes a management server 3 installed on the side of the gas management company 2 and gas consumption locations 4 (4-1, 4-2, 4-3, etc.) such as individual houses, apartment houses, companies, and factories. -Each LP gas delivery vehicle that delivers gas to replace the LP gas cylinder or fill the bulk storage tank with gas to each of the gas supply equipment 5 and the gas consumption location 4 installed in 4-n). It is composed of an in-vehicle communication device 7 mounted on the 6 and a communication network A connecting each of these parts.

各ガス消費場所４のガス供給設備５は、ＬＰガスシリンダあるいはバルク貯槽が設置されているガス供給源８と、ガス供給源８から供給されるガス流量を計測するガスメータ９と、ＧＰＳ機能を備えたガス消費場所通信装置１０とを備えている。ＬＰガスは、ガス供給源８からガスメータ９を通って、各ガス器具１１ａ、１１ｂ・・・に供給される。ガスメータ９による検針値は、定期的に、あるいは、管理サーバ３の側からの要求に応じて、ガス消費場所通信装置１０を介して、例えばＬＰＷＡ通信により、管理サーバ３に供給される。 The gas supply facility 5 of each gas consumption location 4 is provided with a gas supply source 8 in which an LP gas cylinder or a bulk storage tank is installed, a gas meter 9 for measuring the gas flow rate supplied from the gas supply source 8, and a GPS function. It is equipped with a gas consumption place communication device 10. The LP gas is supplied from the gas supply source 8 to the gas appliances 11a, 11b, ... Through the gas meter 9. The meter reading value by the gas meter 9 is supplied to the management server 3 periodically or in response to a request from the management server 3 side via the gas consumption place communication device 10, for example, by LPWA communication.

ガスメータ９には、ボンベリセットスイッチ１２が配置されている。ＬＰガスシリンダの交換作業あるいはバルク貯槽へのＬＰガスの充填作業を行う作業員により、作業終了後にガス供給を再開するためにボンベリセットスイッチ１２が操作される。ガス消費場所通信装置１０は、ボンベリセットスイッチ１２が操作されると、当該ガス消費場所通信装置１０の位置（ガス配送の作業場所）と共に作業終了の通報を、管理サーバ３に行う機能を備えている。 A cylinder reset switch 12 is arranged on the gas meter 9. The cylinder reset switch 12 is operated to restart the gas supply after the work is completed by the worker who replaces the LP gas cylinder or fills the bulk storage tank with LP gas. When the cylinder reset switch 12 is operated, the gas consumption place communication device 10 has a function of notifying the management server 3 of the work completion together with the position of the gas consumption place communication device 10 (the work place of gas delivery). There is.

各ＬＰガス配送車６に搭載された車載通信装置７は、ＧＰＳ機能、ＶＩＣＳ（登録商標）受信機能、カーナビゲーション機能などを備え、ＬＰＷＡ通信により管理サーバ３との間で双方向通信を行う車載通信装置であり、各種情報が表示部の表示画面７ａに表示される。車載通信装置７は、定期的に、あるいは要求に応じて、管理サーバ３との間で双方向通信を行う。 The in-vehicle communication device 7 mounted on each LP gas delivery vehicle 6 has a GPS function, a VICS (registered trademark) reception function, a car navigation function, and the like, and carries out bidirectional communication with the management server 3 by LPWA communication. It is a communication device, and various information is displayed on the display screen 7a of the display unit. The in-vehicle communication device 7 performs bidirectional communication with the management server 3 periodically or upon request.

管理サーバ３は、ＬＰガス配送車６のＧＰＳ機能を備えた車載通信装置から受信する位置情報等に基づき、配送ルートにおけるＬＰガス配送車６の停車位置Ｌ１～Ｌｎ、スタート位置Ｌ０から最初のガス配送先までの区間Ｄ０、一つのガス配送先から次のガス配送先までの配送区間Ｄ1～Ｄｎ－１のそれぞれ、および、最後のガス配送先からスタート位置Ｌ０に戻るまでの区間Ｄｎについて、ＬＰガス配送車６の移動時間（あるいは移動距離）を算出する。さらに、各ＬＰガス配送先において、ＬＰガス配送車６の停車時刻から作業終了通報を受信した時刻（作業終了時刻）までに要した時間を、作業時間ΔＴ１～ΔＴｎとして算出する。算出した作業時間ΔＴ１～ΔＴｎの長短に基づき、ＬＰガス配送車６の停車位置Ｌ1～Ｌｎの適否を判断する。判断結果は、例えば、次回以降のＬＰガス配送車６によるガス配送作業において作業員によって参照され、ガス配送作業の効率化を達成できる。 The management server 3 is based on the position information received from the in-vehicle communication device equipped with the GPS function of the LP gas delivery vehicle 6, and the first gas from the stop positions L1 to Ln and the start position L0 of the LP gas delivery vehicle 6 in the delivery route. LP for the section D0 to the delivery destination, each of the delivery sections D1 to Dn-1 from one gas delivery destination to the next gas delivery destination, and the section Dn from the last gas delivery destination to the return to the start position L0. The travel time (or travel distance) of the gas delivery vehicle 6 is calculated. Further, at each LP gas delivery destination, the time required from the stop time of the LP gas delivery vehicle 6 to the time when the work end notification is received (work end time) is calculated as the work time ΔT1 to ΔTn. Based on the calculated length of the working time ΔT1 to ΔTn, the suitability of the stop positions L1 to Ln of the LP gas delivery vehicle 6 is determined. The determination result is referred to by the worker in the gas delivery work by the LP gas delivery vehicle 6 from the next time onward, and the efficiency of the gas delivery work can be achieved.

また、本例の管理サーバ３は、ガス消費場所４における作業時間ΔＴ１～ΔＴｎの長短に基づき、当該ガス消費場所４におけるガス供給源８の設置位置の適否を判断する機能も備えている。例えば、何回かのガス配送を行った後において、停車位置例えば停止位置Ｌ１を変更したにも拘わらず、作業時間ΔＴ１が例えば平均的な作業時間を大幅に超える場合には、ガス供給源８の設置位置が不適切であると判断する。判断結果は、例えば、管理サーバ３の表示画面等を介して出力される。これに基づき、ガス供給源８の設置位置を変更することで、ガス配送作業の効率化を達成できる。 Further, the management server 3 of this example also has a function of determining the appropriateness of the installation position of the gas supply source 8 in the gas consuming place 4 based on the length of the working time ΔT1 to ΔTn in the gas consuming place 4. For example, if the working time ΔT1 significantly exceeds, for example, the average working time even though the stop position, for example, the stop position L1 has been changed after several gas deliveries, the gas supply source 8 Judge that the installation position of is inappropriate. The determination result is output, for example, via the display screen of the management server 3. Based on this, by changing the installation position of the gas supply source 8, the efficiency of the gas delivery work can be achieved.

（最適配送ルート・最適停車位置の設定例）
ここで、管理サーバ３にＡＩによる学習機能を搭載することで、当該管理サーバ３は、ガス配送の配送ルートの設定処理、および、ガス配送車６による実際のガス配送状況のモニターを繰り返し行うことで、最適配送ルートの設定能力が向上する。 (Example of setting the optimum delivery route and the optimum stop position)
Here, by mounting the learning function by AI on the management server 3, the management server 3 repeatedly performs the process of setting the delivery route of the gas delivery and the monitoring of the actual gas delivery status by the gas delivery vehicle 6. Therefore, the ability to set the optimum delivery route is improved.

例えば、管理サーバ３は、交通情報、気象情報などの配送ルート周辺情報、および、ＬＰガス配送車の停車位置、各ガス配送先での作業時間等に基づき、最適配送ルートを決定する。この場合、管理サーバ３は、各ガス消費場所４におけるガス使用状況を監視する監視機能に加えて、例えば、最適配送ルートを設定するための以下のような配送ルート設定処理を行う機能が備わっている。 For example, the management server 3 determines the optimum delivery route based on the delivery route peripheral information such as traffic information and weather information, the stop position of the LP gas delivery vehicle, the working time at each gas delivery destination, and the like. In this case, the management server 3 is provided with a function of performing the following delivery route setting process for setting the optimum delivery route, for example, in addition to the monitoring function of monitoring the gas usage status at each gas consumption place 4. There is.

図２に示すフローチャートを参照して説明すると、管理サーバ３は、定期的に、各ガス消費場所４でのガス使用状況に基づき、ガス消費場所４の中から、ガス配送が必要な一群のガス消費場所４をガス配送先として抽出する（ステップＳＴ１：ガス配送先決定）。具体的には、ガス残量が設定値以下になったガス消費場所４をガス配送先として抽出する。また、各ガス消費場所４でガス使用量の多寡に応じて、所定量のガス残量が残っているうちにガス配送を行うことができるように、各ガス配送先に対するガス配送日を算出する。例えば、ガス配送日として同じ日にできるものを一群のガス配送先として決定する。ガス配送先の決定方法としては各種の方法を採用できる。 Explaining with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, the management server 3 periodically performs a group of gas requiring gas delivery from the gas consumption place 4 based on the gas usage status at each gas consumption place 4. The consumption place 4 is extracted as the gas delivery destination (step ST1: gas delivery destination determination). Specifically, the gas consuming place 4 in which the remaining amount of gas is equal to or less than the set value is extracted as the gas delivery destination. In addition, the gas delivery date for each gas delivery destination is calculated so that gas can be delivered while a predetermined amount of gas remains, depending on the amount of gas used at each gas consumption location 4. .. For example, a group of gas delivery destinations that can be delivered on the same day as the gas delivery date are determined. Various methods can be adopted as the method for determining the gas delivery destination.

ガス配送先およびガス配送日が決まると、道路地図データに基づき、ガス配送先を順次に経由するＬＰガス配送車６の配送ルートの候補を、配送可能ルートとして生成する（ステップＳＴ２：配送可能ルート生成）。また、各配送可能ルートについて、蓄積データから得られる各配送区間Ｄ０～Ｄｎの移動時間に基づき、全移動時間を算出（予測）する。 When the gas delivery destination and the gas delivery date are determined, a candidate delivery route for the LP gas delivery vehicle 6 that sequentially passes through the gas delivery destination is generated as a deliverable route based on the road map data (step ST2: deliverable route). generation). Further, for each deliverable route, the total travel time is calculated (predicted) based on the travel time of each delivery section D0 to Dn obtained from the accumulated data.

次に、生成した配送可能ルートのそれぞれについて、ガス配送先のそれぞれにおけるＬＰガス配送車６の停車可能位置を生成する（ステップＳＴ３：停車可能位置生成）。停車可能位置は、例えば、ガス配送先のガス供給源８を中心として一定の距離の領域内において、ＬＰガス配送車６を停車可能な位置を検索することで見つける。また、管理サーバ３に過去の停車位置が記憶保持されている場合には、保持情報を参照する。 Next, for each of the generated deliverable routes, a stoptable position of the LP gas delivery vehicle 6 at each of the gas delivery destinations is generated (step ST3: generation of a stoptable position). The stoptable position is found, for example, by searching for a stoptable position of the LP gas delivery vehicle 6 within a region of a certain distance centered on the gas supply source 8 of the gas delivery destination. Further, when the past stop position is stored and held in the management server 3, the holding information is referred to.

次に、配送可能ルートと停車可能位置との組み合わせの中から、全体のガス配送作業時間が最短となることが予想される配送可能ルートと停車可能位置との組み合わせを、それぞれ、最適配送ルートおよび最適停車位置として選択する（ステップＳＴ４：配送ルート・停車位置設定）。 Next, from the combinations of the deliverable route and the stoptable position, the combination of the deliverable route and the stoptable position where the total gas delivery work time is expected to be the shortest is selected as the optimum delivery route and the stoptable position, respectively. Select as the optimum stop position (step ST4: delivery route / stop position setting).

ガス配送作業の前に、選択された最適配送ルートおよび最適停車位置に関する情報を、ＬＰガス配送車６の車載通信装置７に送信する（ステップＳＴ５：送信）。 Prior to the gas delivery operation, information regarding the selected optimum delivery route and optimum stop position is transmitted to the vehicle-mounted communication device 7 of the LP gas delivery vehicle 6 (step ST5: transmission).

ガス配送を行う作業員は、最適配送ルート等の情報を管理サーバ３の側から受信し（ステップＳＴ１１）、ＬＰガス配送車６を運転し、設定された配送ルートに沿って各ガス配送先に移動する。最初のガス配送先に到着すると、設定された停車位置に停車し、ガス配送作業を行う（ステップＳＴ１２、１３）。ＬＰガス配送車６の走行状況は、管理サーバ３の側において監視される。 The worker who performs gas delivery receives information such as the optimum delivery route from the management server 3 side (step ST11), drives the LP gas delivery vehicle 6, and sends it to each gas delivery destination along the set delivery route. Moving. Upon arriving at the first gas delivery destination, the vehicle stops at the set stop position and performs gas delivery work (steps ST12 and 13). The traveling status of the LP gas delivery vehicle 6 is monitored on the management server 3 side.

各ガス配送先におけるガス配送作業が終了すると、作業員は、ガスメータ９に配置されているボンベリセットスイッチ１２を操作して、ガスの供給を再開する。ボンベリセットスイッチ１２が操作されると、ガス消費場所通信装置１０を介して、当該装置１０の位置情報が作業場所を表す情報として管理サーバ３に送信される。同時に、ボンベリセットスイッチ１２が操作されると、作業終了通報が管理サーバ３に送信される（ステップＳＴ１４）。配送ルートに沿って、各ガス配送先でのガス配送作業を行う（ステップＳＴ１２～ＳＴ１５）。 When the gas delivery work at each gas delivery destination is completed, the worker operates the cylinder reset switch 12 arranged in the gas meter 9 to restart the gas supply. When the cylinder reset switch 12 is operated, the position information of the device 10 is transmitted to the management server 3 as information indicating the work place via the gas consumption place communication device 10. At the same time, when the cylinder reset switch 12 is operated, the work completion notification is transmitted to the management server 3 (step ST14). Gas delivery work is performed at each gas delivery destination along the delivery route (steps ST12 to ST15).

管理サーバ３の側では、ＬＰガス配送車６の走行時間、ガス配送先での停車位置、作業時間などのガス配送状況を表す各種の情報を取得して記憶保持する。例えば、最適配送ルートおよび最適停車位置による実際のガス配送作業において、一つのガス配送先から次の前記ガス配送先までの配送区間のそれぞれのＬＰガス配送車による移動時間（あるいは移動距離）、各ガス配送先での停車位置に対応する作業時間、その他の情報を記憶保持する。また、例えば、作業時間の長短を、それまでに蓄積されているガス配送作業の作業時間の平均値に比べて判断し、判断結果を記憶保持する。判断結果を、ＬＰガス配送車６の作業員に通知してもよい。 On the management server 3 side, various information indicating the gas delivery status such as the traveling time of the LP gas delivery vehicle 6, the stop position at the gas delivery destination, and the working time is acquired and stored. For example, in the actual gas delivery work based on the optimum delivery route and the optimum stop position, the travel time (or travel distance) of each LP gas delivery vehicle in the delivery section from one gas delivery destination to the next gas delivery destination, respectively. It stores and retains the working hours and other information corresponding to the stop position at the gas delivery destination. Further, for example, the length of the working time is judged by comparing with the average value of the working time of the gas delivery work accumulated up to that point, and the judgment result is stored and retained. The determination result may be notified to the worker of the LP gas delivery vehicle 6.

実際のガス配送作業において、管理サーバ３の側は、例えば、設定された配送ルートと共に、配送可能ルートのそれぞれに関連する道路交通情報および気象情報を含む配送ルート周辺情報を取得し、このような配送ルート周辺情報に基づき、最適な配送ルートの見直しをリアルタイムで行ってもよい。配送ルートの見直し、部分変更等を行った場合には、変更後の配送ルートを、ＬＰガス配送車６の車載通信装置７に送信し、その表示画面に表示させる。作業員は、更新された配送ルートに従って、以後のガス配送作業を継続することになる。 In the actual gas delivery work, the management server 3 side acquires, for example, the delivery route peripheral information including the road traffic information and the weather information related to each of the deliverable routes together with the set delivery route. The optimum delivery route may be reviewed in real time based on the information around the delivery route. When the delivery route is reviewed or partially changed, the changed delivery route is transmitted to the in-vehicle communication device 7 of the LP gas delivery vehicle 6 and displayed on the display screen thereof. The worker will continue the subsequent gas delivery work according to the updated delivery route.

なお、このような配送ルートの変更・修正履歴、実際のガス配送作業等の状況は、管理サーバ３の側に蓄積される。蓄積データに基づき、管理サーバ３では、ＡＩによる学習機能により、次回以降の配送ルート、停止位置の設定をより適切に行うことが可能になる。 It should be noted that the status of such delivery route change / correction history, actual gas delivery work, etc. is accumulated on the management server 3 side. Based on the accumulated data, the management server 3 can more appropriately set the delivery route and the stop position from the next time onward by the learning function by AI.

１ガス配送作業支援システム（システム）
２ガス管理会社
３管理サーバ
４、４－１、４－２、４－３、・・・４－ｎガス消費場所
５ガス供給設備
６ガス配送車
７車載通信装置
７ａ表示画面
８ガス供給源
９ガスメータ
１０ガス消費場所通信装置
１１ａ、１１ｂ・・ガス器具
１２ボンベリセットスイッチ
Ｄ０～Ｄｎ配送区間
Ｌ０スタート位置
Ｌ１～Ｌｎ停車位置
Ａ通信網
ΔＴ１～ΔＴｎ作業時間 1 Gas delivery work support system (system)
2 Gas management company 3 Management server 4, 4-1 4-2, 4-3, ... 4-n Gas consumption location 5 Gas supply equipment 6 Gas delivery vehicle 7 In-vehicle communication device 7a Display screen 8 Gas supply source 9 Gas meter 10 Gas consumption place Communication device 11a, 11b ... Gas appliance 12 Cylinder reset switch D0 to Dn Delivery section L0 Start position L1 to Ln Stop position A Communication network ΔT1 to ΔTn Working time

Claims

It is a gas delivery work support system that supports gas delivery work for replacing LP gas cylinders or filling bulk storage tanks with LP gas at each gas consumption location.
Each of the gas consumption locations has a gas supply source in which the LP gas cylinder or the bulk storage tank is installed, a gas meter for measuring the gas flow rate supplied from the gas supply source, and gas consumption having a positioning function. The location communication device is located,
The LP gas delivery vehicle used for the gas delivery work is equipped with an in-vehicle communication device having a positioning function.
In order to monitor the gas usage status at the gas consumption location and the movement status of the LP gas delivery vehicle, a management server that performs bidirectional communication with each of the gas consumption location communication device and the in-vehicle communication device is arranged. Has been
At the gas consuming place, a reset switch operated to restart the gas supply from the gas supply source after the gas delivery work at the gas consuming place is completed is arranged.
The gas consuming place communication device has a function of transmitting the location information of the gas delivery destination and the signal to the effect that the work is completed to the management server when the reset switch is operated.
The management server has a work time calculation function for calculating the work time required from the stop time of the LP gas delivery vehicle at the gas delivery destination to the end of the work, and at least the LP gas delivery vehicle at the gas delivery destination. It is equipped with a storage function that stores the stop position and the work time in association with each other.
The management server further
A function for determining the appropriateness of the stop position of the LP gas delivery vehicle based on the calculated length of the working time, and
A function to determine the suitability of the installation position of the gas supply source at the work end location based on the length of the work time.
A gas delivery work support system that has at least one of the functions .

It is a gas delivery work support system that supports gas delivery work for replacing LP gas cylinders or filling bulk storage tanks with LP gas at each gas consumption location.
Each of the gas consumption locations has a gas supply source in which the LP gas cylinder or the bulk storage tank is installed, a gas meter for measuring the gas flow rate supplied from the gas supply source, and gas consumption having a positioning function. The location communication device is located,
The LP gas delivery vehicle used for the gas delivery work is equipped with an in-vehicle communication device having a positioning function.
In order to monitor the gas usage status at the gas consumption location and the movement status of the LP gas delivery vehicle, a management server that performs bidirectional communication with each of the gas consumption location communication device and the in-vehicle communication device is arranged. Has been
At the gas consuming place, a reset switch operated to restart the gas supply from the gas supply source after the gas delivery work at the gas consuming place is completed is arranged.
The gas consuming place communication device has a function of transmitting the location information of the gas delivery destination and the signal to the effect that the work is completed to the management server when the reset switch is operated.
The management server has a work time calculation function for calculating the work time required from the stop time of the LP gas delivery vehicle at the gas delivery destination to the end of the work, and at least the LP gas delivery vehicle at the gas delivery destination. It is equipped with a storage function that stores the stop position and the work time in association with each other.
The management server further
Based on the gas usage status at each gas consumption location, a group of gas consumption locations that require gas delivery are extracted as gas delivery destinations from the gas consumption locations, and the gas delivery date for the gas delivery destination is determined. Delivery destination setting function and
Based on the road map data, a deliverable route generation function that generates delivery route candidates for LP gas delivery vehicles that sequentially pass through the gas delivery destination as deliverable routes, and
For each of the deliverable routes, a stoptable position generation function for generating a stoptable position of the LP gas delivery vehicle at each of the gas delivery destinations, and
From the combinations of the deliverable route and the stoptable position at each of the gas delivery destinations, the combination that is expected to have the shortest gas delivery time is extracted as the optimum delivery route and the optimum stop position. Position setting function and
It is provided with a transmission function for transmitting information regarding the optimum delivery route and the optimum stop position to the in-vehicle communication device of the LP gas delivery vehicle.
The storage function of the management server is the LP gas delivery vehicle in each delivery section from one gas delivery destination to the next gas delivery destination in the actual gas delivery work by the optimum delivery route and the optimum stop position. Each of the travel time or the travel distance according to the above and the work time corresponding to each of the optimum stop positions are stored and retained.
The delivery route / stop position setting function is associated with the travel time or travel distance of the LP gas delivery vehicle in each of the deliverable routes and the stoptable position based on the stored information. A gas delivery work support system that extracts a combination of the optimum delivery route and the optimum stop position based on the work time.

In claim 2,
The delivery route / stop position setting function is based on the delivery route peripheral information including road traffic information and weather information related to each of the deliverable routes on the gas delivery date, and is performed at the optimum delivery route and each gas delivery destination. A gas delivery work support system that sets the optimum stop position.