JP2005104354A - Temperature controller disposition structure of fuel cell vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To heat the water circulation system of a fuel cell without a dedicated heater. <P>SOLUTION: A radiator 19 installed in a motor room 5 in the front of the vehicle and a fuel cell system 9 disposed under the floor in the vehicle are connected to each other by a cooling water pipe 21. A heat generator 35 is installed in a motor room 5 in the rear of the radiator 19, and the heat generator 35 and a heater core 37 for blowing out the hot air to a cabin 6 are connected to each other by a temperature controlling fluid pipe 39. A cooling water pipe 21 and the temperature controlling pipe 39 are disposed close to each other, the cooling water pipe 21 is positioned on the side of the vehicle, and the temperature controlling pipe 39 is positioned rather closer to the inside of the vehicle than the cooling water pipe 21. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell cooling system for cooling a fuel cell and a temperature control device arrangement structure for a fuel cell vehicle provided with an indoor heating system for heating a vehicle interior.

In a conventional fuel cell vehicle, for example, as described in Patent Document 1 below, heaters are installed in a water tank and a water supply line in a water circulation system of a fuel cell, and water in the water circulation system is frozen in a cold region. Even in such a low temperature situation, the fuel cell is started by thawing the ice in the water circulation system with the heater.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-86214 (page 3-5, Fig. 1)

  However, in the conventional fuel cell vehicle described above, in order to heat the water circulation system of the fuel cell, it is necessary to separately install a dedicated heater, which increases the installation space and the weight and cost. is there.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to enable heating of the water circulation system of the fuel cell without installing a dedicated heater.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a radiator disposed at a front portion of a vehicle, a cooling fluid discharge passage for discharging a cooling fluid that has cooled a fuel cell to the radiator, and a heat radiator that dissipates heat. The fuel cell cooling system provided with the cooling fluid supply flow path for supplying the cooling fluid to the fuel cell is provided, the heater disposed at the front of the vehicle, and from the heater to the vehicle rear of the heater An indoor heating system provided with a temperature control fluid supply channel for supplying a temperature control fluid to the heat consumption unit, and a temperature control fluid discharge channel for discharging the temperature control fluid radiated by the heat consumption unit to the heater. The fuel cell cooling system and the indoor heating system are arranged close to each other.

  According to this invention, since the fuel cell cooling system and the indoor heating system are arranged close to each other, the temperature control fluid that flows through the flow path of the indoor heating system, and the cooling fluid that flows through the flow path of the fuel cell cooling system, However, heat exchange with each other is performed, whereby the cooling fluid in the fuel cell cooling system can be heated by the temperature control fluid in the indoor heating system. At this time, since it is not necessary to install a dedicated heater, it is possible to prevent an increase in installation space, weight and cost in the vehicle.

  In addition, because the heater for the indoor heating system is arranged in the front part of the vehicle, the assembly workability of the heater and the maintenance work such as replacement of various parts of the heater are improved. The thermal influence on the parts can be reduced, and the cooling performance of the heat generator itself can be secured.

  Furthermore, since the heat generator can be installed at a high position from the ground at the front of the vehicle, it is possible to reduce the flooding, and the heat generator can be mounted at a position where the vehicle retreats in the event of a vehicle collision, so that shock absorption can be expected.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a simplified side sectional view showing a temperature regulating device arrangement structure of a fuel cell vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view of the same. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a front wheel and reference numeral 3 denotes a rear wheel.

  Although not shown, a motor for driving the vehicle is mounted in the motor room 5 at the front of the vehicle. As a power source for driving the motor, a fuel cell system 9 is mounted under the vehicle floor at a position substantially corresponding to the front seat 7 installed in the passenger compartment 6. The fuel cell system 9 includes a fuel cell 11 and auxiliary devices 13 disposed adjacent to the front of the fuel cell 11. Examples of the supplementary notes 13 include a humidifier for supplying humidified water to the fuel cell 11.

  A hydrogen tank 17 for storing hydrogen to be supplied to the fuel cell 11 is mounted behind the rear seat 15. Further, this vehicle is equipped with a battery (not shown) serving as an auxiliary power source that can be charged by the power generation of the fuel cell 11.

  A radiator 19 as a radiator is installed in the front part of the motor room 5, and the radiator 19 and the fuel cell system 9 described above are cooling water pipes through which cooling water as cooling fluid for cooling the fuel cell 11 flows. 21 is connected.

  The cooling water pipe 21 has a cooling water discharge passage 23 as a cooling fluid discharge passage for discharging the cooling water that has cooled the fuel cell 11 to the radiator 19, and the cooling water that has radiated heat from the radiator 19 to the fuel cell 11. A cooling water supply channel 25 as a cooling fluid supply channel to be supplied is provided. Although not shown, a cooling water pump that circulates cooling water from the radiator 19 toward the fuel cell system 9 is provided.

The above-described radiator 19 and the cooling water pipe 21 constitute a fuel cell cooling system 27.
The cooling water discharge channel 23 and the cooling water supply channel 25 are front channel 23a, 25a extending from the radiator 19 to the rear of the vehicle, respectively, and the left side in the vehicle width direction from the rear ends of the front channels 23a, 25a (see FIG. Middle flow passages 23b, 25b extending to the lower side in FIG. 2 and rear flow passages 23c extending from the left end in the vehicle width direction of the middle flow passages 23b, 25b to the rear of the vehicle and connected to the fuel cell system 9. 25c, respectively.

  The rear passages 23c and 25c of the cooling water pipe 21 described above are in a state of being integrated with each other, as shown in FIG. 2, a pair of side members 29 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction at the lower part of the vehicle side. 31 is disposed along one side member 29, and as shown in FIG. 1, the discharge-side rear flow channel 23c is disposed on the lower side, and the supply-side rear flow channel 25c is disposed on the upper side.

  On the other hand, as the indoor heating system 33, a heater 35 composed of an electric heater is installed on the connection portion between the above-described middle passages 23b and 25b and the rear passages 23c and 25c in the motor room 5. The heat generator 35 and the heater core 37 that is a heat consuming part are connected by a temperature control fluid pipe 39 through which the temperature control fluid flows. The heater core 37 blows warm air into the passenger compartment 6 and is installed in the vicinity of an instrument panel (not shown).

  The temperature control fluid pipe 39 described above includes a temperature control fluid supply channel 41 that supplies the temperature control fluid from the heater 35 to the heater core 37, and a temperature control fluid discharge that discharges the temperature control fluid radiated by the heater core 37 to the heater 35. Each channel 43 is provided. Moreover, although not shown in figure, the temperature control fluid pump which circulates the temperature control fluid toward the heater core 37 from the heater 35 is provided.

The above-described indoor heating system 33 is configured by the above-described heater 35 and the temperature control fluid piping 39.
The temperature control fluid supply channel 41 includes a front channel 41a extending from the heat generator 35 toward the rear of the vehicle, and a first middle flow extending from the rear end of the front channel 41a to the vehicle width direction right side (upper side in FIG. 2). A road 41b, a second middle channel 41c extending rearward from the vehicle width direction right end of the first middle channel 41b, and a rear part extending from the second middle channel 41c upward to the vehicle and connected to the heater core 37 Each channel 41d is provided. On the other hand, the temperature control fluid discharge channel 43 includes a front channel 43a extending from the heater 35 to the rear of the vehicle, a middle channel 43b extending from the rear end of the front channel 43a to the right in the vehicle width direction, and a middle channel. 43b, a rear passage 43c extending from the right end of the vehicle width direction to the upper side of the vehicle and connected to the heater core 37.

  The front flow paths 41a and 43a of the temperature control fluid pipe 39 described above are in an integrated structure with each other on the left side on the inner side in the vehicle width direction from the rear flow paths 23c and 25c of the cooling water pipe 21 described above. And the supply-side front channel 41a on the lower side and the discharge-side front channel 43a on the upper side.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the rear flow paths 23c and 25c of the cooling water pipe 21 and the front flow paths 41a and 43a of the temperature control fluid pipe 39, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. Equivalent to. That is, the rear flow paths 23 c and 25 c of the cooling water pipe 21 are arranged on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and the front flow paths 41 a and 43 a of the temperature control fluid pipe 39 are arranged on the inner side in the vehicle width direction from the cooling water pipe 21. .

  FIG. 4 is a control block diagram in the temperature control device arrangement structure of the fuel cell vehicle described above. The vehicle control unit 45 takes in the detected outside air temperature of the outside temperature sensor 47 installed at an appropriate position of the vehicle and the detected fluid temperature of the temperature adjusting fluid temperature sensor 49 installed at an appropriate position of the indoor heating system 33. . The vehicle control unit 45 also includes a fuel cell control unit 51 that controls the fuel cell system 9 including the coolant pump of the fuel cell cooling system 27, and an air conditioner in the passenger compartment 6 (the heater 35 and the temperature of the indoor heating system 33). The vehicle interior air conditioner control unit 53 that controls the fluid conditioning pump is controlled.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the vehicle control unit 45. The control operation here determines whether the ignition key of the vehicle is OFF, that is, whether the vehicle is stopped (when the fuel cell system 9 is stopped) (step 101). It is repeatedly executed every 10 msec).

  First, the timer is operated (step 102), and when the set time has elapsed (step 103), the timer is reset (step 104), and the outside temperature measured by the outside temperature sensor 47 is taken in (step 105).

  Here, it is determined whether or not the measured outside air temperature is equal to or lower than the set temperature (step 106). If the measured temperature is equal to or lower than the set temperature, whether or not the remaining amount of a battery (not shown) mounted on the vehicle is equal to or higher than a preset remaining battery level. Is determined (step 107).

  When the remaining battery level is equal to or higher than the set battery level, that is, when the outside air temperature is lower than the set temperature and the remaining battery level is equal to or higher than the set battery level, the heater 35 and the temperature control fluid pump are operated using the battery as a power source. (Step 108).

  Thereby, the temperature control fluid heated by the heat generator 35 circulates between the heat generator 35 and the heater core 37 through the temperature control fluid piping 39, and the cooling water in the cooling water piping 21 is heated by the heated temperature control fluid. To do.

  Thus, for example, when the vehicle ambient temperature (outside air temperature) during vehicle storage in a cold region is lower than the set temperature (at least 0 ° C. or lower), the heat generator 35 is operated, and the temperature control fluid between the heat generator 35 and the heater core 37 is operated. By warming the fluid in the pipe 39, heat exchange is performed directly or indirectly between the cooling water pipe 21 and the temperature control fluid pipe 39 to prevent the cooling water from freezing.

  If the remaining battery level is less than the set remaining level in step 107, the fuel cell system 9 is activated (step 109), and the power generator 35 is secured in the same manner as described above while securing the remaining power level of the battery by power generation. Then, the temperature control fluid pump is operated (step 108), and the cooling water is heated by the temperature control fluid. At this time, the cooling water can also be heated by heat generated by the activation of the fuel cell system 9.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the remaining amount of the battery is equal to or greater than the set remaining amount (step 110). If not, the fuel cell system 9 is activated in the same manner as described above (step 110). 114) When the amount exceeds the set remaining amount, the temperature of the temperature adjustment fluid measured by the temperature adjustment fluid temperature sensor 49 is taken in (step 111).

  Here, it is determined whether or not the temperature control fluid temperature has reached the set temperature or more (step 112). If the temperature control fluid temperature has not reached the set temperature or more, the heater 35 and the temperature control fluid pump are continuously operated. On the other hand, when the temperature control fluid temperature reaches the set temperature or higher, it is determined that the cooling water is sufficiently heated, and the heater 35 and the temperature control fluid pump (if activated) and the fuel cell system 9 are Each is stopped (step 113).

  According to the temperature control device arrangement structure of the fuel cell vehicle described above, the rear flow paths 23c and 25c that are part of the cooling water pipe 21, and the front flow paths 41a and 43a that are part of the temperature control fluid pipe 39, Are arranged close to each other, so that the temperature control fluid flowing through the flow path of the indoor heating system 33 and the cooling water flowing through the flow path of the fuel cell cooling system 27 exchange heat with each other, thereby the fuel cell cooling system. 27 cooling water can be heated by the temperature control fluid of the indoor heating system 33 to prevent freezing. At this time, since it is not necessary to install a dedicated heater for heating the cooling water, it is possible to prevent an increase in installation space, weight and cost in the vehicle. Further, the same effect can be obtained even if the heat generator 35 is arranged close to the fuel cell cooling system 27.

  Further, since the heater 35 of the indoor heating system 33 is installed in the motor room 5 in the front part of the vehicle, the workability of the assembly of the heater 35 and the maintenance work such as replacement of various parts of the heater 35 are improved. In addition, it is possible to reduce the thermal influence of the heat generator 35 on other components, and to ensure the cooling performance of the heat generator 35 itself.

  Furthermore, since the heat generator 35 can be installed at a high position from the ground at the front part of the vehicle, measures against flooding can be reduced, and the heat generator 35 can be mounted at a position where the vehicle retreats in the event of a vehicle collision. Shock absorption can be expected by destruction.

  In addition, the rear passages 23c and 25c that are part of the cooling water pipe 21 are arranged on the side of the vehicle, and the front passages 41a and 43a that are part of the temperature control fluid pipe 39 are connected to the rear passage 23c, Since it is arranged on the inner side in the vehicle width direction than 25c, cooling of the cooling water is promoted by outside air or running wind while the vehicle is running, and since many heat generating devices are arranged in the motor room 5, the temperature drop of the temperature adjusting fluid And the heat exchange rate between the cooling water pipe 21 and the temperature control fluid pipe 39 when the vehicle is stopped can be increased.

  Moreover, since the diameter of the cooling water pipe 21 is generally larger than the diameter of the temperature control fluid pipe 39, the rear flow paths 23c and 25c of the cooling water pipe 21 having a large diameter are arranged on the side of the vehicle, so that The disposed temperature control fluid pipe 39 is less affected by the traveling wind, and the temperature drop of the temperature control fluid flowing through the front passages 41a and 43a can be minimized.

Furthermore, by arranging the auxiliary machines 13 (temperature control system, fuel system, humidification system) in front of the fuel cell 11 intensively, the temperature control device arrangement structure of the fuel cell vehicle becomes more efficient.
In addition, the cooling water pipe 21 having a relatively large pipe diameter is disposed along the underfloor position and is connected to the front end of the fuel cell system 9 and is not disposed on the side of the fuel cell 11. The fuel cell 11 can be enlarged by effectively using the space on the side of the fuel cell 11 while securing the space and the minimum ground clearance of the vehicle.

  Thus, at least one of the cooling fluid supply channel and the cooling fluid discharge channel in the fuel cell cooling system, and at least one of the temperature control fluid supply channel and the temperature control fluid discharge channel in the indoor heating system, Since they are arranged close to each other, it is possible to further improve the heat exchange efficiency between the temperature control fluid flowing through the flow path of the indoor heating system and the cooling fluid flowing through the flow path of the fuel cell cooling system.

  Further, since the cooling fluid supply channel and the temperature control fluid discharge channel are disposed adjacent to each other, the temperature change of the fluid flowing through the channel (radiator) when the vehicle is running Temperature rise from 19 to the fuel cell 11 and temperature drop from the heater 35 to the heater core 37) can be minimized, power consumption of the radiator 19 and the heater 35 is suppressed, and heat exchange is performed when the fuel cell is stopped. Efficiency can be maintained.

Further, the temperature of the fluid flowing through the flow path can be maintained by integrating the cooling fluid supply flow path, the cooling fluid discharge flow path, the temperature adjustment fluid supply flow path, and the temperature adjustment fluid discharge flow path.
Furthermore, when the fuel cell is stopped, the heating fluid is operated when the outside air temperature is equal to or lower than the set temperature, whereby the cooling fluid is heated by the temperature control fluid, thereby preventing the cooling water from freezing. On the other hand, by starting the fuel cell when the remaining amount of the battery is less than the set remaining amount, it is possible to heat the cooling water by generating heat during power generation while securing the remaining amount of battery by the power generation.

  When the outside air temperature is below the set temperature and the remaining battery level is above the set remaining level, the heater is activated, while when the outside temperature is below the set temperature and the remaining battery level is below the set level, the fuel cell By activating the fuel cell, it is possible to efficiently warm up by activating the fuel cell to the minimum necessary, and it is possible to heat the cooling fluid while ensuring the remaining battery level.

It is the simplified side sectional view showing the temperature control equipment arrangement structure of the fuel cell vehicle concerning one embodiment of this invention. It is the simplified plane sectional view which shows the temperature control apparatus arrangement structure of the fuel cell vehicle of FIG. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. It is a control block diagram in the temperature control apparatus arrangement structure of the fuel cell vehicle of FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a control operation of a vehicle control unit in the fuel cell vehicle of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

11 Fuel cell 19 Radiator (radiator)
23 Cooling water discharge channel (cooling fluid discharge channel)
25 Cooling water supply channel (cooling fluid supply channel)
27 Fuel cell cooling system 33 Indoor heating system 35 Heat generator 37 Heater core (heat consumption part)
41 Temperature control fluid supply channel 43 Temperature control fluid discharge channel

Claims (7)

  A radiator disposed at the front of the vehicle, a cooling fluid discharge channel for discharging a cooling fluid that has cooled the fuel cell to the radiator, and a cooling fluid that supplies the cooling fluid after heat dissipation to the fuel cell A fuel cell cooling system provided with a supply flow path is provided, and a temperature control fluid is supplied from the heat generator disposed in the front part of the vehicle to the heat consuming part disposed behind the heat generator in the vehicle. An indoor heating system provided with a fluid supply channel and a temperature-controlled fluid discharge channel for discharging the temperature-controlled fluid radiated by the heat consuming unit to the heat generator is provided, and the fuel cell cooling system and the room heating system Are arranged close to each other, and a temperature control device arrangement structure for a fuel cell vehicle.   The temperature control device arrangement structure for a fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a cooling fluid supply channel and a cooling fluid discharge channel of the fuel cell cooling system, and a temperature control fluid supply channel of the indoor heating system. And at least one of the temperature control fluid discharge channel and the temperature control fluid discharge channel are arranged close to each other.   3. The temperature control device arrangement structure for a fuel cell vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the cooling fluid supply channel and the cooling fluid discharge channel are arranged near a side of the vehicle, while the temperature control fluid supply channel and the A temperature control device arrangement structure for a fuel cell vehicle, wherein a temperature control fluid discharge channel is arranged inside the vehicle from the cooling fluid supply channel and the cooling fluid discharge channel.   4. The temperature control device arrangement structure for a fuel cell vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the cooling fluid supply channel and the temperature control fluid discharge channel are adjacent to each other, and the cooling fluid discharge channel and the temperature control fluid supply channel are adjacent to each other. A temperature control device arrangement structure for a fuel cell vehicle, characterized in that   5. The temperature control device arrangement structure for a fuel cell vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the cooling fluid supply channel, the cooling fluid discharge channel, the temperature control fluid supply channel, and the temperature control fluid discharge channel are integrated. A temperature control device arrangement structure for a fuel cell vehicle.   6. The temperature regulating device arrangement structure for a fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a battery that can be charged by power generation of the fuel cell is mounted on the vehicle, and the outside air temperature is reduced when the fuel cell is stopped. A temperature control device arrangement structure for a fuel cell vehicle, wherein the fuel cell is started when the heater is activated when the temperature is lower than a set temperature, and the remaining amount of the battery is less than the set remaining amount.   7. The temperature control device arrangement structure for a fuel cell vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the heater is operated when the outside air temperature is equal to or lower than a preset temperature and the remaining amount of the battery is equal to or greater than the preset remaining amount, while the outside air temperature is equal to the preset temperature. A fuel cell vehicle temperature control device arrangement structure characterized in that the fuel cell is activated when the remaining amount of the battery is less than a set remaining amount.

Images