JP2004139931A - Fuel cell distribution management system, method of the same, distribution management program, and station for fuel cell regeneration - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel cell distribution management system with an improved refuelling infrastructure which reduces a burden of a user when refuelling the fuel cell, and makes the user refuel without handling hydrogen. <P>SOLUTION: The regeneration handling station 2 controls distribution of the fuel cells by exchanging the fuel cells brought in by users 1 for regeneration with regenerated fuel cells of same kind with same number, requiring the regeneration of the fuel cell brought into a regeneration factory 3, and keeping the regenerated fuel cell for the exchange in a stock. The distribution of the fuel cell is controlled by a distribution control server 40 at a management center which compares the actual inventory with an optimum inventory at every regeneration handling stations 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fuel cell distribution management system, a method thereof, a distribution management program, and a fuel cell regeneration reception place.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Mobile devices such as mobile phones and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) tend to have higher power consumption due to higher functionality and higher performance. In order to cope with such a situation, technological development of a secondary battery represented by lithium ion is progressing at a rapid pace, but it is difficult to obtain a battery with a satisfactory capacity. Therefore, fuel cells have recently attracted attention.
A fuel cell is composed of a fuel electrode (negative electrode), an air electrode (positive electrode), and an electrolyte interposed therebetween. When hydrogen containing air is blown into the fuel electrode and oxygen-containing air is blown into the air electrode, the gas molecules are separated into ions and electrons by the catalyst on the electrode surface. DC current is generated (see Non-Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Non-patent document 1]
DOSV Magazine 2002-6.1, P150-153 "File No. 15 Next Generation Standard Special Investigation Corps TECHRANGER, Large-Capacity Power Fuel Cell Supporting Next-Generation Portable Devices, Masahide Ise"
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in a conventional product incorporating a secondary battery such as a mobile phone or a PDA, a user purchases a charger in addition to the embedded product, and uses the embedded product while charging as appropriate. In order to apply this mode to a fuel cell, a user needs to purchase a refueling device in addition to an embedded product, procure supplementary fuel, perform storage management and refueling work. Therefore, the burden was greater than that of a conventional product incorporating a secondary battery.
Also, if a fuel cell uses a hydrogen storage alloy that can directly store hydrogen as fuel, there is a concern that it will be difficult for users to directly handle hydrogen during refueling, and infrastructure for fueling will be developed. Is an issue.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the various circumstances described above, and by providing an infrastructure for refueling, the burden on the user when refueling the fuel cell is reduced, and It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel cell distribution management system, a method thereof, a distribution management program, and a fuel cell regeneration reception center, which can supply fuel without causing a user to handle hydrogen.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, in order to regenerate a fuel cell brought in by a user, the same type and the same number of regenerated fuel cells are exchanged at a reproduction reception area, and a request is made to regenerate the fuel cell brought into the reproduction area. It decided to build a refueling infrastructure that manages the distribution of fuel cells by receiving regenerated fuel cells and stocking them for replacement.
As a result, fuel can be supplied without imposing a burden on the user and without causing the user to handle hydrogen. Here, “regeneration” used herein is used synonymously with, for example, refueling.
[0007]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a diagram cited for explaining a business model for realizing a distribution management method of a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention and a relationship between its use entities.
The player appearing in the present embodiment is a user 1 who brings in a fuel cell for refueling, a recycle reception shop (reproduction reception area) that accepts the fuel cell, and requests the recycle factory (regeneration area) 3 to refuel. 2), a recycling factory 3 for returning the fuel cell to the recycling reception shop 2 after refueling, and a management center 4 and an inventory adjustment center 5 for adjusting the inventory of the recycled fuel cell.
Note that the reproduction reception shop 2 and the reproduction factory 3, and the management center 4 and the inventory adjustment center 5 are not necessarily required to exist independently, and may be used together.
[0008]
The flow of information and the flow of an object will be schematically described with reference to FIG. In order to request the regeneration of the fuel cell, the user 1 brings the fuel cell whose output power has been reduced to the regeneration reception shop 2 and pays the commission required for the regeneration (a regeneration request). At the refurbishment reception shop 2, in place of the brought-in fuel cell, a number of restocked stocks (recycled fuel cells) of the same type and equal to the number of hand-in fuel cells are delivered (b) Replaced with reclaimed stock. . Then, the management center 4 is notified to that effect via a communication medium such as the Internet (c-stock number notification).
[0009]
The recycle reception shop 2 sends the fuel cell to the regeneration factory 3 in order to regenerate the received fuel cell before regeneration (d fuel cell shipment). In the regeneration factory 3 receiving this, the fuel cell is regenerated, and the regenerated fuel cell is returned to the regeneration reception shop 2 to which it was sent in principle (e regeneration return). At the same time, the management center 4 is notified to that effect using a communication medium such as the Internet (f playback return notification).
The management center 4 checks the appropriate stock quantity of each reproduction reception shop 2 from each data of the current number of warehouses received from the reproduction reception shop 2 and the number of returns to the reproduction reception shop 2 received from the reproduction factory 3, and increases or decreases the number. Is instructed to the inventory adjustment center 5 on the basis of the above (g Inventory adjustment instruction). The inventory adjustment center 5 delivers the recycled fuel cells to the recycle reception shop 2 based on the inventory adjustment instruction (h delivery). It is assumed that the stock adjustment center 5 has a separately stocked fuel cell. According to the above flow, distribution management of the fuel cell is performed.
[0010]
FIG. 2 is a diagram cited for explaining a connection form of the fuel cell distribution management system in the present embodiment.
In FIG. 2, a store terminal (reproduction management terminal device for store) 20 is provided for each reproduction reception store 2, and a factory terminal (reproduction management terminal device for reproduction plant) 30 is provided at the reproduction factory 3 to adjust inventory. The center 5 is provided with each terminal device of the inventory adjustment terminal 50, and is connected to the distribution management server 40 installed in the management center 4 via a communication medium 60 such as the Internet. At least one of the shop terminal 20 and the factory terminal 30 is provided with an IC reader / writer used as an input / output device for managing the reproduction history of the fuel cell.
Through the communication medium 60 such as the Internet, bidirectional data exchange is performed with the distribution management server 40 at the core, and an infrastructure for regeneration and distribution of the fuel cell is constructed.
[0011]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the distribution management server 40 shown in FIG.
The distribution management server 40 includes a communication interface unit 41, an entry / exit data receiving unit 42, an inventory adjustment instruction unit 43, and an inventory management DB 44.
[0012]
The communication interface unit 41 is a part that controls an interface with a communication medium 60 such as the Internet, and here, TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) is implemented.
The entry / exit data receiving unit 42 is generated by operating the terminals 20 and 30 of the regeneration reception shop 2 and the regeneration factory 3 respectively, and relates to the current number of regenerated fuel cells and the number of regenerated fuel cells received. It has a function to receive entry / exit data. Incidentally, the data received here is transferred to the stock amount adjustment instruction unit 43.
[0013]
The inventory adjustment instruction unit 43 checks the appropriateness of the inventory quantity data for each reproduction reception store 2 stored in the inventory management DB 44, creates instruction data for inventory adjustment, and adjusts the inventory of the inventory adjustment center 5. It has a function of transmitting to the terminal 50.
In addition, in addition to the appropriate stock quantity data for each of the reproduction reception shops 2, the inventory management DB 44 also records the current storage quantity data for each of the reproduction reception shops 2, and the total number of fuel cells in the regeneration factory 3 before and after regeneration. It shall be.
[0014]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the store terminal 20 or the factory terminal 30 (collectively referred to as “reproduction management terminal device” in this description) shown in FIG.
The reproduction management terminal device includes a communication interface unit 31, an entry / exit data transmission unit 32, an IC read / write (R / W) control unit 33, and a life determination unit.
[0015]
The communication interface unit 31 is a part that controls an interface with a communication medium 60 such as the Internet, and here, TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) is implemented.
The entry / exit data transmission unit 32 relates to the current number of regenerated fuel cells or the number of received regenerated fuel cells generated by operating the regeneration management terminal device from the regeneration reception shop 2 (regeneration factory 3). It has a function to send in / out data. Further, the IC-R / W control unit 33 has a function of adding or reading out a reproduction history including the number of times of reproduction recorded on the IC memory chip mounted on the fuel cell, and transferring the readout history to the life determining unit 34. And a playback history reading unit 332.
[0016]
The reproduction history recording unit 331 has a function of adding a reproduction history including the number of times of reproduction to the IC memory chip mounted on the fuel cell every time the reproduction is performed, and the reproduction history reading unit 332 reads the reproduction history of the fuel cell from the IC memory chip. It has a function of reading out a unique ID assigned to each and a playback history in which at least the number of times of playback is recorded.
The reproduction history data read through the reproduction history reading unit 332 is supplied to the life determining unit 34, where the life of the fuel cell is determined by comparing the number of times of the reproduction with the allowable number of reproductions. This is reflected in the number of regenerated fuel cells received via the data transmission unit 32.
[0017]
FIG. 5 shows an example of mounting an IC memory chip on a fuel cell. In FIG. 5A, reference numeral 7 denotes a fuel cell main body. Battery terminals 71 and 72 (electrodes) are provided at the ends, and an IC power supply terminal and a data input terminal of an IC memory chip 70 (broken line portion) embedded therein. An output terminal 73 is shown.
FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a state in which the fuel cell main body 7 is inserted into the socket 80 of the IC reader / writer 8 and an IC memory chip 70 built in the fuel cell main body 7 is connected.
The IC memory chip 70 can be replaced with a non-contact memory chip (RFID) such as a wireless tag. In this case, since data is transmitted and received wirelessly, no extra hardware is required.
[0018]
FIG. 6 shows an example of the reproduction history data recorded on the IC memory chip 70 or the wireless tag.
Here, as the reproduction history data, the number of times of reproduction, reproduction (shipment) date and time, and work contents are recorded. Here, it is assumed that the work content has been patterned in advance, and a number corresponding to each pattern is input.
[0019]
FIG. 7 is a diagram cited for explaining the operation of the fuel cell distribution management system according to the present invention, and shows data between the user 1, the recycle reception shop 2, the recycle factory 3, the management center 4, and the inventory adjustment center 5. Are shown in chronological order.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing in the distribution management server 40 in the management center 4, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing in each of the factory terminals 30 in the recycling factory.
Hereinafter, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 2 to 6 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9.
[0020]
First, the user 1 removes, for example, a fuel cell that has been used up or has a small remaining capacity from a mobile phone, and brings it to the reproduction reception shop 2 (S701). The fuel cell is replaced (S702). At this time, the user 1 pays a fee to the reproduction reception shop 2. By the way, the user 1 does not need to regenerate the fuel cell by himself / herself, so that the user 1 can save time and labor, and can also eliminate the necessity of preparing a regenerating kit such as consumables (fuel) and equipment for the regenerating.
In addition to performing the appearance check, the reproduction reception shop 2 reads the ID (identifier) of the fuel cell 7 by operating the shop terminal 20 and notifies the management center 4 of the current number of fuel cells 7 of the same type. (S703). Further, the result of checking the previously read ID and appearance is also transmitted as a reception notice (S704). The reproduction reception shop 2 also sends out the fuel cell (reproduction request product) brought by the user to the reproduction factory 3 and requests the reproduction (S705).
[0021]
The regeneration factory 3 that has received the regeneration request notifies the management center 4 of the acceptance of the actual regeneration (the fuel cell before the regeneration) (S706), and performs the regeneration work on the fuel cell. At this time, by operating the factory terminal 30, the processing shown by the flowchart in FIG. 9 is executed.
That is, when there is a reproduction request from the reproduction reception shop 2 (S91 Yes), the factory terminal 30 reads the fuel cell ID and the number of times of reproduction through the reproduction history reading unit 332 (S92), and checks the life of the fuel cell. Is performed (S93). Here, the life check is realized by the life judgment unit 34 comparing the data with the permissible number-of-reproduction data determined for each type of fuel cell. When the regeneration request is made exceeding the permissible number of regenerations, the life determining unit 34 considers that the fuel cell has reached the end of its life, and issues a discard instruction (S99). As a result, wasteful regeneration work can be omitted, and the distribution of the deteriorated fuel cell can be prevented.
[0022]
On the other hand, if the number is within the allowable number of times of reproduction, a performance check is further performed (S94). Here, the electrical characteristics relating to the voltage, current, impedance, etc. are checked. If any of them exceeds the threshold value, execution of work for performance recovery is instructed (S98), and after the performance recovery, a reproduction instruction is issued. This is performed (S95).
Then, the reproduction date / time and the number of times of reproduction are added to the IC memory chip 70 mounted on the fuel cell main body 7 (S96), and when the processing for performance recovery is performed, the contents of the work are described. Is also added. The additional recording of these data is performed by the reproduction history additional recording unit 331. Then, the final shipment inspection is performed, and the shipment is damaged. As a result, the performance check is performed each time the reproduction is performed, and the reproduction work is performed after the recovery, so that useless reproduction is not performed, and the history can be viewed at the time of the performance check. Work for recovery of performance is facilitated.
[0023]
The description returns to FIG. After the above-described regeneration work, the regeneration factory 3 returns the regenerated fuel cell (recycled fuel cell = recycled product) to the regeneration reception shop 2 (S707). At the same time, the management center 4 is notified that it has returned to the reproduction reception shop 2 (S708). Here, in principle, it is returned to the reproduction reception shop 2 that has received the dispatch, but depending on the stock status of the reproduction reception shop 2, it may be returned to another reproduction reception shop 2.
By operating the store terminal 20, the reproduction reception store 2 receiving the return performs a process for incorporating the fuel cell into the inventory, and notifies the management center 4 of the updated current store (S709). .
On the other hand, in the regeneration plant 3, the management center 4 is notified of regeneration return, and the life is determined as a result of the previous life check, or a failure is determined as a result of the performance check. Do.
[0024]
The management center 4 receives the notification of the current number of warehouses from the reproduction reception shop 2 and receives the notification of the return of the actual product from the reproduction factory 3, and performs the inventory management by the distribution management server 40 in cooperation with the inventory adjustment center 5. Do.
More specifically, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, the distribution management server 40 stores the store terminal when the employee of the recycle reception shop 2 requests or renews the fuel cell by the user. By operating No. 20, the current number-of-stocks data of fuel cells of the same type in the reproduction reception shop 2 is received (S81, S82). Similarly, the data of return of the regenerated fuel cell to the recycle reception shop 2 is also received from the recycle factory 3 (S83: Recycle actual product return reception). Further, the data relating to the discarded fuel cell is also received at the recycle plant 3 as determined to be defective or life-span (S84). The data relating to entry and exit is received by the entry / exit data receiving unit 42 via the communication interface unit 41 for each reproduction reception store 2, stored in the inventory management DB 44, and updated each time.
[0025]
Therefore, the inventory adjustment instructing unit 43 calculates the current number of stocks for each type of fuel cell at each of the reproduction reception shops based on the incoming / outgoing data received by the incoming / outgoing data receiving unit 42 (S85). A comparison is made with the number of suitable stocks for each type of fuel cell at each registered recycling reception shop (S86).
As a result, when it is determined that the inventory is insufficient or excessive, the inventory adjustment terminal 50 of the inventory adjustment center 5 is notified of the fact (S87), and the predetermined number of the regenerated fuel cells for each of the regeneration reception shops 2 is determined. Encourage replenishment or return. It is assumed that the appropriate stock for each reproduction reception store 2 registered in the stock management DB 44 is appropriately updated according to the number of fuel cells brought in from the user 1.
[0026]
The description returns to FIG. After the appropriateness management of the inventory is performed as described above, the management server 4 notifies the inventory adjustment center 5 of the excess or deficiency of the inventory for each reproduction reception shop 2 (S710). In accordance with the notification, inventory adjustment is performed for each reproduction reception shop 2 (S711).
As described above, the appropriateness of the stock is managed at each of the refurbishment reception shops 2, so that it is possible to provide a regenerated fuel cell that can be replaced in a timely manner when a user unexpectedly brings in the fuel cell.
[0027]
In the embodiment of the present invention, the reading of the reproduction history of the IC memory chip mounted on the fuel cell and the notification thereof are performed by the factory terminal 30 in the reproduction factory 3. It does not matter. However, the recording of the reproduction history is limited to the factory terminal 30 only.
3 and 4 is executed by each of the entry / exit data receiving unit 42, the inventory adjustment instruction unit 43, the entry / exit data transmission unit 32, the life determination unit 34, the reproduction history appending unit 331, and the reproduction history reading unit 332. The procedure to be performed is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is read and executed by a computer system, thereby realizing the fuel cell distribution management system according to the present invention. Here, the computer system includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices.
[0028]
Further, the number of times of use (the number of times of reproduction) of the fuel cell may be managed by a bar code attached to the fuel cell. In this case, for example, an ID unique to each fuel cell written as a barcode is read out at the store terminal 20 (factory terminal 30), and the fuel cell managed by the distribution management server 40 in association with the ID using the ID as a key. The store terminal 20 (factory terminal 30 side) can manage the inquiry of the number of times of reproduction for each item (the store terminal 20 side; the number of reproduction times inquiry function; the distribution management server 40 side; the number of reproduction times reply function). . By the way, the unique ID of each fuel cell is written in a read-only wireless tag instead of a barcode, and this microchip is attached (pasted, integrated, embedded ...) to the fuel cell, and the number of times the fuel cell is used ( (Reproduction count) may be managed. Incidentally, in the case of such management of the number of times of reproduction, for example, when the reproduction is performed at the reproduction factory 3, the number of times of reproduction managed by the distribution management server 40 is updated.
[0029]
FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing the operation in the reproduction reception shop 2. With reference to FIG. 10, the operation in the reproduction reception shop 2 will be described.
First, the user 1 brings a fuel cell for reproduction into the counter 91 (94), which is a reproduction reception unit of the reproduction reception store 2 (reproduction reception place) (S11). The clerk 21 checks the number of reproductions of the brought-in fuel cell at the store terminal 20 (S12), and places the received fuel cell in the pre-sending storage unit 92 if there is no problem (S13). Instead, the same type and the same number of regenerated fuel cells as the brought-in fuel cell are taken out of the regenerated fuel cell storage unit 93, passed to the user 1 by the counter 91 (94) as an exchange unit, and brought in. The fuel cell and the regenerated fuel cell are exchanged (S14). In addition, the fee will be collected.
[0030]
Here, at the time of the check in S12, it can be determined whether or not the regeneration is acceptable based on, for example, the number of times the fuel cell is brought in. The number of reproductions at this time can be obtained by reading the contents of the IC memory chip embedded in the fuel cell. Alternatively, when the data of the number of times of reproduction is associated with the ID in the distribution management server 40, the store terminal 20 and the distribution management server 40 communicate with each other via the Internet 60 to obtain the number of times of reproduction. Can be. If the number of times of reproduction exceeds the allowable number of times of reproduction, the regeneration of the fuel cell is not accepted.
[0031]
Incidentally, the fuel cells stored in the pre-sending storage unit 92 are transported to the regeneration factory 3 at regular intervals or under the instruction of the management center 4 (S21), and are regenerated. On the other hand, the recycled fuel cells that have been recycled are also carried to the regeneration reception shop 2 periodically or under the instruction of the management center 4 and stored as stock in the recycled fuel cell storage unit 93 (S31). Note that the pre-sending storage unit 92 and the regenerated fuel cell storage unit 93 may be, for example, a case for storing goods or the like. Here, the counter 91 (94) corresponds to a “reproduction accepting unit” and an “exchanging unit” in the claims. In this example, the reproduction reception unit and the exchange unit are the same counter 91 (94). The store terminal 20 corresponds to a “reproduction number acquisition unit” in the claims.
[0032]
Note that such a reproduction reception shop (reproduction reception area) 2 may be integrally formed with a reception counter or a cashier counter of a convenience store, a supermarket, a photo shop, or the like, in addition to a main unit sales section in which a fuel cell is incorporated. it can. In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, it can be configured as a reproduction accepting device 2 '. The reproduction accepting machine 2 'has a function of an automatic exchange (+ charge collection function) for performing the operations of S11 to S14 of the reproduction accepting store 2 shown in FIG. When the fuel cell brought in for regeneration is inserted into 91, the operations of S11 to S14 shown in FIG. 10 are performed, and the same type and the same number of regenerated fuel cells are discharged from the exchange unit 94. If the check in S12 in FIG. 10 is rejected (for example, if the number of times of reproduction exceeds the allowable number of times of reproduction), it is determined that the reception is unacceptable, and the return unit 95 returns (rejects). The exchange fee is inserted from the coin insertion slot 96. The reproduction accepting device 2 'can be installed indoors or outdoors. Incidentally, the type to be exchanged is selected by the type selection button 97 (for example, selected before insertion) as in a normal vending machine, and is exchanged with a regenerated fuel fuel cell of the same type. In FIG. 11, the type selection button 97 includes, for example, buttons 1 to 4 for selecting four types of fuel cells.
[0033]
Next, with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. 12, the operation of the reproduction accepting device 2 ′ of FIG. 11 will be described more specifically.
First, in step S911, the reproduction accepting device 2 'reads the ID of the fuel cell loaded from the reproduction accepting unit 91 from the wireless tag or the barcode for reproduction, and transmits the ID to the distribution management server 40. In S912, the distribution management server 40 compares the data on the number of times of reproduction of the fuel cell associated with the ID with the data on the number of times of reproduction permitted (stored in the distribution management server 40) to determine whether or not to accept the reproduction. The reception determination result is transmitted to the reproduction reception device 2 '. In S913, the reproduction accepting device 2 'makes a decision according to the result of the acceptance determination. If the acceptance determination result is not OK (no), the fuel cell inserted from the return unit 95 is returned (S914). That is, the fuel cell is returned according to the result of the reception determination based on the number of times the fuel cell is brought in. On the other hand, if the reception is OK (yes), the fee is collected in the same manner as a normal vending machine (S915, fee collection unit). If the fee has been collected, the reproduction is accepted (S916). As a result, the regenerated fuel cell is discharged from the replacement unit 94. It is to be noted that the regeneration accepting device 2 ′ sorts and reproduces each type corresponding to the type selection button 97 in a reproduced fuel cell storage unit (not shown) so that the same type of regenerated fuel cell is discharged from the replacement unit 94. Spent fuel cells are stored. In this respect, it is the same as a vending machine for beverages and the like.
[0034]
Next, an operation of the reproduction accepting device 2 'different from that of FIG. 12 will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. Note that the flowchart of FIG. 12 is different from the flowchart of FIG. 13 in step S921, and therefore, the different parts will be described.
That is, in S921 of the flowchart of FIG. 13, the reproduction accepting device 2 'is brought in from the IC memory chip for reproduction and reads the reproduction history including the number of times of reproduction of the fuel cell inserted from the reproduction accepting unit 91, and reads the same IC. The acceptability is determined by comparing with the allowable number of reproductions written in the memory chip. Subsequent steps are the same as those in FIG. The fuel cell in the flowchart of FIG. 13 is stored in the IC memory chip in such a manner that the number of times of reproduction can be additionally recorded, and the permissible number of times of reproduction of the fuel cell is stored.
[0035]
The present invention described above can be widely modified without being limited to the above embodiment. For example, in addition to the service of the above-described embodiment in which a fuel cell brought in for regeneration is replaced with the same type and the same number of regenerated fuel cells as the fuel cell, in addition to the service of replacing different types and different numbers of regenerated fuel cells with a fee.・ Free services may be added. The fuel cell to be replaced may include an unused (new) fuel cell. Further, the type of the fuel cell to be replaced may be automatically determined based on the ID of the fuel cell and replaced automatically.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, by improving the infrastructure for refueling, the burden on the user when refueling the fuel cell is reduced, and hydrogen is supplied to the user. Refueling can be performed without handling.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram cited for explaining a business model for realizing a fuel cell distribution management method of the present invention and a relationship between its use entities.
FIG. 2 is a diagram cited for explaining a connection form of a fuel cell distribution management system according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the distribution management server 40 shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the shop terminal 20 or the factory terminal 30 shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram cited for explaining an example of mounting an IC memory chip on a fuel cell and a connection mode when a battery main body is inserted into an IC card reader / writer socket.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of reproduction history data recorded on an IC memory chip 70 or a wireless tag.
FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram cited for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram cited for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram cited for explaining the operation of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing an operation in the reproduction shop of FIG. 1;
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a reproduction reception area where reception and exchange of reproduction are automatically performed.
FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the reproduction accepting machine of FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation of the reproduction accepting device different from that of FIG. 12;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... User, 2 ... Reproduction reception shop, 3 ... Reproduction factory (reproduction site), 4 ... Management center, 5 ... Inventory adjustment center, 7 ... Fuel cell main body, 8 ... IC reader / writer (IC-R / W), Reference numeral 20: store terminal (reproduction management terminal device), 30: factory terminal (reproduction management terminal device), 31 (41): communication interface unit, 32: entry / exit data transmission unit, 33: IC card / read / write control unit, 34 ... Life determination unit, 40 ... Distribution management server, 42 Entry / exit data receiving unit, 43 Inventory adjustment instruction unit, 44 Inventory management DB, 50 ... Inventory adjustment terminal, 60 ... Internet, 70 ... IC memory chip, 80 ... Socket, Reference numeral 331: playback history recording unit, 332: playback history reading unit

Claims (9)

In order to regenerate the fuel cell brought in by the user, replace it with the same type and the same number of regenerated fuel cells at the reproduction reception area, request the reproduction area to regenerate the brought-in fuel cell, and reproduce A fuel cell distribution management system that manages distribution by receiving finished fuel cells and making them inventories for replacement,
From the reproduction reception area and the reproduction area, input and output data that is generated by operating a reproduction management terminal device of each of the reproduction reception area and the current storage number of the regenerated fuel cells and the number of received regenerated fuel cells received. Delivery data receiving means,
Performing a proper check of the inventory quantity data for each of the reproduction reception sites, and inventory quantity adjustment instruction means for creating instruction data for inventory quantity adjustment;
A distribution management system for a fuel cell, comprising: The fuel cell distribution management system according to claim 1, wherein the reproduction management terminal device adds a reproduction history including the number of times of reproduction to a memory chip mounted on the fuel cell each time the reproduction is performed. The playback management terminal device reads, from the memory chip, an ID assigned to each of the fuel cells and a playback history in which at least the number of playbacks is recorded, and compares the permissible number of playbacks to determine a life, 3. The fuel cell distribution management system according to claim 2, wherein the number is reflected in the number of received regenerated fuel cells. At the time of the regeneration of the fuel cell, at least the number of times of regeneration is managed in association with an ID unique to the fuel cell, which is written in an element mounted on the fuel cell in a non-rewritable manner or displayed in a non-rewritable manner on the fuel cell. 2. The fuel cell distribution management system according to claim 1, further comprising: In order to regenerate the fuel cell brought in by the user, replace it with the same type and the same number of regenerated fuel cells at the reproduction reception area, request the regeneration of the brought-in fuel cell to the reproduction area, and regenerate A fuel cell distribution management method for managing distribution by receiving a fuel cell and making it in stock for the replacement,
From the reproduction reception site and the reproduction site, received by entering and exiting data relating to the current number of regenerated fuel cells and the number of received regenerated fuel cells, generated by operating the respective reproduction management terminal devices,
Performing a proper check of the inventory quantity data for each of the reproduction reception sites, and creating instruction data for inventory adjustment,
A distribution management method for a fuel cell, comprising: In order to regenerate the fuel cell brought in by the user, replace it with the same type and the same number of regenerated fuel cells at the reproduction reception area, request the regeneration of the brought-in fuel cell to the reproduction area, and regenerate A program used for a fuel cell distribution management system that manages distribution by receiving fuel cells and making them inventories for replacement,
Receiving entry / exit data relating to the current number of regenerated fuel cells and the number of received regenerated fuel cells, generated by operating the respective regeneration management terminal devices, from the regeneration reception area and the reproduction area. When,
Performing a proper check of the inventory quantity data for each of the reproduction reception sites, and creating instruction data for inventory quantity adjustment;
A distribution management program for causing a computer to execute the following. A regeneration receiving unit for receiving regeneration of a fuel cell brought in for regeneration, and a pre-transmission storage unit for storing the received fuel cell until it is transmitted to a regeneration site for regenerating the fuel cell,
A regenerated fuel cell storage unit that stores the regenerated fuel cells that have been regenerated at the regeneration site,
An exchange unit for exchanging the regenerated fuel cell with a fuel cell brought in for the regeneration,
The fuel cell brought in for the regeneration, the same type as the fuel cell, to replace the same number of regenerated fuel cells,
A fuel cell regeneration reception area characterized by the following. The fuel cell reproduction reception area according to claim 7, wherein the reproduction reception unit, the pre-transmission storage unit, the regenerated fuel cell storage unit, and the replacement unit are housed in a housing. A return unit that returns the fuel cell according to the reception determination result based on the number of times the brought-in fuel cell has been reproduced, and a fee collection unit that receives a fee for replacing the brought-in fuel cell with a regenerated fuel cell, With
The fuel cell regeneration reception site according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the carried-in fuel cell is automatically replaced with a regenerated fuel cell.

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