JP2005238985A - Opening and closing control device of power source - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation stopping device suitable for a system using a power unit such as a fuel cell. <P>SOLUTION: An opening and closing control device of a power source housing part (4) is provided with the housing part (4), an opening and closing cover (2), a cover lock part (11), and a restriction-lifting part. The housing part houses the power source (20), and the opening and closing cover (2) is arranged at least at one part of the housing part (4). Then the cover lock part restricts the opening of the cover, and the restriction-lifting part allows the cover lock part to lift restrictions on opening of the opening and closing cover, based on whether predetermined conditions are met or not. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an opening / closing control device for an opening / closing cover provided in a housing portion that houses a power source, and more particularly, to a cover opening / closing control device for a housing portion in a power source housing portion for a moving body.

As a mechanism for locking or unlocking a bonnet in a conventional automobile, an electric one is known in addition to a mechanism for unlocking a lock member from an inner chamber of the automobile by a wire. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-73611 has a configuration in which a lock member can be unlocked by an actuator, and the actuator can be controlled via a switching member disposed in an interior of an automobile (Patent Document 1). .
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-73611

  However, the bonnet opening mechanism in the prior art has opened the bonnet regardless of the operating state of the power source (internal combustion engine), but the power source (for example, internal combustion engine, electric motor, fuel cell, high voltage device, It is not always preferable to allow the bonnet to be opened without taking into consideration the operating state or the stopped state (for example, temperature, voltage, presence or absence of residue inside the power source, etc.) of the battery.

  For example, if the power source is a high voltage device that generates a high voltage, such as a fuel cell or an inverter, there is a portion that generates a high voltage, so the bonnet opening is permitted without considering the situation of these high voltage power supply devices. That is not preferable.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an open / close control device suitable for a system using a power source.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention is an opening / closing control device for a power source housing unit, a housing unit in which a power source is housed, and an openable / closable cover provided in at least a part of the housing unit, A cover lock portion for restricting the opening of the cover and a restriction releasing portion for releasing the restriction on the opening and closing of the open / close cover based on whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied are provided.

  According to the above configuration, the restriction releasing unit is configured to release the opening restriction of the cover lock unit based on whether or not the predetermined condition is satisfied, so that opening of the cover is prohibited when the condition is not satisfied. Is done. For this reason, by setting the condition so that the state in which the cover should not be opened can be determined, the safety can be improved because the opening of the cover can be permitted only when the cover can be opened.

  Here, the “power source” is not limited, and examples thereof include high voltage devices such as an internal combustion engine, a battery, an electric motor, a fuel cell, an inverter, and a converter.

  A “cover” is a general covering member that can prevent a person from touching a power source and its peripheral members, and its structure is not limited. For example, when the device is mounted on a moving body, It corresponds to the hood (hood cover) of the mechanism chamber that houses the power source.

  Further, there is no restriction on the structure and mounting position of the “cover lock part”, and any form that can release the cover opening restriction may be used. For example, it can be used for the operation of a latch mechanism of a lock member that locks or unlocks the cover. In addition, the electric actuator can be applied to the operation of a locking mechanism that prohibits human access to the operation unit that mechanically opens the cover.

  Here, as the “predetermined condition”, any condition that causes inconvenience when the cover is opened can be set. For example, the predetermined condition may be related to the operating state of the power source. For example, the operating state of the power source includes whether or not the power source has stopped, the temperature of the power source, the ambient temperature around it, the charging state of the power source, and the like.

  For example, the opening / closing control device is mounted on a moving body, and the moving body can be stopped under a predetermined condition. With such a configuration, the cover opening restriction is released only when it can be determined that the moving body has stopped reliably, so that safety can be improved.

  Further, the predetermined condition may be that the power source is further stopped. According to such a configuration, since the opening restriction of the cover is released only when a condition for determining that the operation of the power source has stopped reliably is satisfied, safety can be improved.

  Further, when it is determined that the stop condition is satisfied, it is preferable to release the cover opening restriction after performing the scavenging process. According to the above configuration, when the power source is, for example, a fuel cell, the scavenging process is performed in advance when the power source is stopped. Therefore, the scavenging process for removing moisture is not required when the next power source is started, and the starting time can be shortened. In addition, since the cover is locked while the scavenging process is performed, safety can be improved.

  In addition, the present invention is a power source opening / closing control device, comprising a housing part in which the power source is housed, and an openable / closable cover provided in at least a part of the housing part, and there is a request for opening the cover. In this case, the power source is stopped. According to the above configuration, when there is a request to open the cover, the power source is first stopped, so that safety can be improved.

  Further, it is preferable to allow the cover to be opened after the power source is stopped. According to the said structure, since it is after the stop of a power source that a cover is open | released, safety | security can be improved.

  Further, it is preferable to perform the scavenging process before stopping the power source. According to the above configuration, for example, when the power source is a fuel cell, moisture is generated by an electrochemical reaction. If the operation is immediately stopped in response to a cover opening request, the moisture from the electrochemical reaction during operation is transferred to the system. It will stay. In this respect, according to the present invention, since the moisture is removed by the scavenging process before the operation is stopped, the time for removing the moisture at the next power source startup becomes unnecessary, and the start time can be shortened.

  The “scavenging process” refers to a process of removing impurities that are not desirable when present at the start of operation of the power source as well as removal of moisture.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the restriction on the opening of the cover is released according to the conditions, so that the opening of the cover of the power source can be safely and reliably permitted to improve safety.

  Next, preferred embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment of the present invention, the open / close control device of the present invention is applied to a fuel cell system mounted on a moving body such as an electric vehicle. The following embodiment is merely one embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto and can be applied.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows an overall view of an electric vehicle equipped with a fuel cell system according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the electric vehicle main body 1 includes a fuel cell stack 20 (an inverter, a converter, and a drive motor are not shown) corresponding to a power source of the present invention and a control unit 10 that controls the fuel cell stack 20. (Power source compartment) is housed, and the housing 4 is covered with a hood cover 2 so as to be freely opened and closed.

  An electric actuator 11 is provided as a lock opening / closing mechanism of the hood cover 2 of the storage unit 4, and whether the control unit 10 satisfies a predetermined condition based on the operation of the operation unit 12 provided in the inner chamber of the electric vehicle. It is determined whether or not, and the electric actuator 11 is instructed to open the hood cover 2.

  A more specific description will be given with reference to the overall view of the fuel cell system 1 in FIG.

The fuel cell stack 20 is part of the power source of the present invention, hydrogen gas, air, and a separator having a flow path of the cooling water, MEA sandwiched by a pair of separators (M embrane E lectrode A ssembly; film & A stack structure in which a plurality of cells composed of electrode assemblies are stacked. The fuel cell stack 20 includes a system for supplying air as an oxygen source, a system for supplying hydrogen gas as a fuel gas, and a system for cooling the fuel cell stack. FIG. 2 shows only a part of the system for supplying air.

  The system for supplying air to the fuel cell stack 20 includes an air cleaner 15 and a compressor 16. The air cleaner 15 purifies the outside air and takes it into the fuel electric system. The compressor 16 sends out the air taken in based on the compressor control signal Cc from the control unit 10 and supplies the air into the fuel cell stack 20.

  The secondary battery 21, the converter 23, the inverter 24, and the like also correspond to a part of the power source of the present invention. The secondary battery 21 is a power source capable of charging / discharging electric power, such as a nickel metal hydride battery, and supplies operating power together with the fuel cell stack 20. The converter 23 is a high-voltage DC-DC converter composed of modules such as IPM and IGBT, and converts the voltage of the secondary battery 21 and outputs it so as to be connected in parallel with the fuel cell stack 20. The diode 22 prevents reverse current flow.

  The inverter 24 is composed of modules such as IPM and IGBT, and has a DC-AC conversion function for converting a DC current supplied from the secondary battery 21 via the fuel cell stack 20 or the converter 23 into a three-phase AC. Since the inverter 24 generates a relatively high AC voltage, the inverter 24 is covered with a cover 28 that prevents a person from coming into direct contact with the high voltage. The inverter 24 is configured to change the amplitude and frequency of the three-phase alternating current according to the inverter control signal Ci from the control unit 10 and to stop the alternating current generation of the inverter.

  The motor 25 is a three-phase synchronous motor, and is driven by electric power supplied from the inverter 24, exerts a rotational force on the differential 26 via a drive shaft (not shown), and exerts a rotational drive force on the tire 30. The rotation of the tire is detected by a wheel speed sensor 27 and transmitted to the control unit 10 as a wheel speed pulse Sr.

  The vehicle auxiliary machine 32 is a collective term for various parts of the electric vehicle, and needs to operate regardless of the power generation of the fuel cell stack 20, that is, a door or a lamp that needs to be operated even when the fuel cell is stopped. Etc. The battery 31 is configured to be able to supply power to the vehicle auxiliary machine 32 independently of the secondary battery 21. The power source switch 33 is configured to switch the power source for the operation of the control unit 10 and the compressor 16 based on the power source switching control signal Cp from the control unit 10.

Control unit 10, ECU: a computer system for known motor vehicle control (E lectronic C ontrol U nit electronic control unit) or the like, comprising for example a central processing unit (CPU) 101, RAM 102, ROM 103, a drive circuit 104, etc. ing. The CPU 101 can implement the operation control method of the present invention by executing a computer program stored in the ROM 103 or RAM 102.

  As described above, the control unit 10 outputs the hood unlocking control signal Ch to the electric actuator 11 based on the hood opening request signal Sor from the operation unit 12, and also inputs the hood opening detection signal Sh from the opening detection switch 14. Whether the hood cover 2 is opened or not is detected. Further, the moving speed of the electric vehicle is determined based on the accelerator position signal Sa and the detection signal Sr of the wheel speed sensor 27, and the operation status of the electric vehicle (whether it is parking or the brake is applied) based on the shift position signal Ss. Operating conditions, etc.) can be determined.

  In the above configuration, when an operation of the operation unit 12 provided in the inner chamber of the electric vehicle is operated, the control unit 10 determines whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied, and the electric actuator 11 opens the hood cover 2. Is to direct. That is, as shown in FIG. 3A, the electric actuator 11 includes a solenoid 110 and a latch portion 111. When the fuel cell system is in operation, the latch portion 111 engages with a hook 3 provided on the hood cover 2, so that the hood Opening of the cover 2 is prohibited.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the control unit 10 determines that a predetermined condition, that is, a condition for determining that the electric vehicle is stopped, is satisfied, the electric actuator 11 receives the hood unlocking control signal Ch. Is output. When the hood unlocking control signal Ch is output, a current Ih flows through the solenoid 110, the latch portion 111 is driven, the engagement with the hook 3 is released, and the hood cover 2 is opened.

  The operation of the fuel cell system 1 according to the first embodiment including the opening control of the hood cover 2 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The flowchart exemplifies a portion related to the stop of the operation of the fuel cell in the sequence in which the control unit 10 controls the entire fuel cell system 1.

  While the operation of the fuel cell system 1 is continued (S1), it is determined whether or not the driver or the like has operated the operation unit 12 in the inner chamber (S2). That is, the control unit 10 monitors the hood opening request signal Sor input from the operation unit 12. As a result, if it is determined that the driver or the like has instructed to open the hood cover 2 by operating the operation unit 12 (S2: YES), the control unit 10 stops operation without causing a problem even if the hood cover 2 is opened. It is determined whether or not the condition is satisfied (S3). That is, the control unit 10 refers to the vehicle speed calculated based on the wheel speed pulse Sr input from the wheel speed sensor 27, and determines whether this is a speed slower than the predetermined threshold value Smin. Even if the vehicle speed is substantially zero, there are cases where the brakes are only stepped on. Therefore, the control unit 10 further refers to the shift position signal Ss to determine whether the shift lever is in the parking position, that is, whether the electric vehicle is substantially in a stopped state.

  As a result of the determination, when the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than Smin, that is, when the vehicle is moving, or when the shift position is not parked, that is, when stop is not instructed (S3: NO), driving is performed. It is conceivable that the driver is erroneously instructed to unlock the hood cover 2 even when the user is moving, or the driver thinks that the vehicle is stopped but is not in the parking mode. Therefore, in these cases, the control unit 10 continues the operation state (S1 to S4) unless the stop of the fuel cell system 1 is instructed separately (S4: NO). The same applies when the hood lock release request is not issued (S2: NO).

  On the other hand, when the vehicle speed is smaller than Smin and the shift position is parking, that is, when the vehicle is substantially stopped (S3: YES), or the fuel cell system 1 is instructed to stop by a key operation or the like. When it is done (S4: YES), the control unit 10 enters the operation stop processing mode of the present invention.

  In the operation stop processing mode, first, prior to the stop of the fuel cell stack 20, the control unit 10 performs a scavenging process for removing water remaining in the fuel cell stack 20 and its air system (S5). The control unit 10 outputs a compressor control signal Cc to the compressor 16 to compress and supply air, and discharges moisture together with the exhaust gas. During a certain time that is considered to be sufficient for water to evaporate (S6: NO), the control unit 10 continues the scavenging process (S5) and stops the compressor 16 after the certain time has elapsed (S6: YES).

  When scavenging is completed by the above processing, power supply switching processing is executed. In other words, the electric vehicle consumes a certain amount of power because it operates for the stop process, but if this power is supplemented by the power generation of the fuel cell stack 20, moisture due to the electrochemical reaction continues to be generated. Therefore, after the scavenging process that requires collective power is completed, the control unit 10 supplies the power source switching control signal Cp to the power source selector switch 33 to supply power for the control unit 10 and other circuits related to the stop processing. Then, the fuel cell system is switched to the battery 31 for the vehicle auxiliary machine 32 (S7). This power switching substantially eliminates power consumption in the system connected to the fuel cell stack 20, so that no further electrochemical reaction occurs and generation of moisture can be avoided. Next, the control unit 10 supplies the inverter control signal Ci to the inverter 24 to immediately stop the voltage conversion operation (S8). As a result of this processing, a high voltage is not generated at the terminal of the inverter 24, so that it is safe even if the hood cover 2 is opened.

  Finally, the control unit 10 supplies the hood unlocking control signal Ch to the electric actuator 11 to drive the latch unit 111, removes the latch unit 111 from the hook 3, and releases the opening restriction of the hood cover 2 (S9). And the power supply of the said control part 10 is interrupted | blocked as needed, and a system is stopped.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the fact that the vehicle speed is sufficiently low and the shift position is parking is set as the operation stop condition before entering the system shutdown, so that safety can be improved.

  Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the power source is switched to the battery 31 independent from the fuel cell system after the scavenging process is completed, so that the fuel cell can be stopped early.

  Furthermore, since the hood cover 2 is unlocked and stopped after a series of scavenging processes, the water in the fuel cell system 1 has already been removed when the operation is stopped. For this reason, it is not necessary to perform a scavenging process for removing moisture at the next start-up, so that the start-up time can be greatly shortened.

  In addition, since the lock of the hood cover 2 is not manually unlocked by the operation lever, and the unlocking is performed after the control unit 10 determines the unlockable conditions, the hood cover 2 is inadvertently operated during traveling by operating the hood cover. The cover 2 is not opened and half-opened.

(Embodiment 2)
In the second embodiment of the present invention, an electric actuator is provided in an operation unit for unlocking the hood cover, instead of making the lock member of the hood cover electric.

  FIG. 5 shows an overall view of the fuel cell system 1 according to the second embodiment. This fuel cell system has almost the same configuration as that of the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the electric actuator is not used for the lock member of the hood cover 2, and a conventional mechanical hood opening mechanism is employed. That is, when the operation unit 12 provided in the compartment of the electric vehicle is operated, the force is transmitted to the latch unit that latches the hook 3 of the hood cover 2 by the wire, and the hood cover 2 is unlocked. Equipped with a mechanism.

  In the present embodiment, an electric actuator 13 is provided for permitting the operation of the operation unit 12 in the passenger compartment. That is, in the present embodiment, there is a configuration in which a restriction is imposed on the operation of the operation unit, and the restriction can be released according to conditions. Various forms of the electric actuator 13 are conceivable. For example, a rod-like member or cover interlocked with the electric actuator 13 is provided in front of the lever of the operation unit 12 so that the operation unit 12 can be moved in and out. The structure which drives a member and a cover and prohibits a driver | operator's access to an operation part can be considered. The operation unit 12 mechanically opens the hood cover 2, and the operation state is configured to be transmitted to the control unit 10 as a hood open request signal Sor.

  Since other structures are the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the operation of the fuel cell system 1 in Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The flowchart exemplifies a portion related to the stop of the operation of the fuel cell in the sequence in which the control unit 10 controls the entire fuel cell system 1.

  In the second embodiment, while the operation of the fuel cell system 1 is continued, the hood cover 2 is closed by the mechanical lock member (S20). The control unit 10 maintains the locked state of the hood cover 2 (S20) unless an instruction to stop the operation of the fuel cell system 1 is issued by a key operation or the like as in the first embodiment (S21: NO). ). Since the operation unit 12 that mechanically opens the hood cover 2 is locked by the electric actuator 13, the operation unit 12 cannot be operated even if the driver attempts to open the hood cover 2 during operation.

  Here, when a driver etc. instruct | indicate the stop of a system (S21: YES), the control part 10 enters into the driving | operation stop processing mode of this invention.

  In the operation stop processing mode, as in the first embodiment, the control unit 10 outputs a compressor control signal Cc to the compressor 16 to perform a scavenging process for removing water remaining in the fuel cell stack 20 and its air system. This is carried out until a predetermined time elapses (S23: NO) (S22). When a certain time has elapsed (S23: YES), the control unit 10 stops the compressor 16.

  Next, the control unit 10 supplies a power source switching control signal Cp to the power source selector switch 33 to supply power for the control unit 10 and other circuits related to stop processing from the fuel cell system to the vehicle auxiliary machine 32. Switching to the battery 31 (S24). This power switching substantially eliminates power consumption in the system connected to the fuel cell stack 20, so that no further electrochemical reaction occurs and generation of moisture can be avoided. Next, the control unit 10 supplies the inverter control signal Ci to the inverter 24 to immediately stop the voltage conversion operation (S25).

  Since a high voltage is not generated at the terminal of the inverter 24 due to the inverter stop process or the like, it is safe even if the hood cover 2 is opened. Therefore, the control unit 10 supplies the key release signal Ckl to the electric actuator 13 that has locked the operation unit 12 directly connected to the mechanism that opens the hood cover 2 to drive the electric actuator 13 to restrict access to the operation unit 12. Is canceled (S26). Then, the control unit 10 stops the entire system.

  As a result of the above processing, there is no high-voltage part in the fuel cell housing 4 in the hood cover 2, so it is safe for the driver or the like to operate the operation unit 12 and mechanically open the hood cover 2. Can increase the sex.

  According to the second embodiment, the power source is switched to the battery 31 independent from the fuel cell system after the scavenging process is completed, so that the fuel cell can be stopped early.

  Furthermore, since the hood cover 2 is unlocked and stopped after a series of scavenging processes, the water in the fuel cell system 1 has already been removed when the operation is stopped. For this reason, it is not necessary to perform a scavenging process for removing moisture at the next start-up, so that the start-up time can be greatly shortened.

  Further, since the control unit 10 controls the unlocking of the operation unit 12, the hood cover 2 is not opened and half-opened by inadvertently operating the operation unit during traveling.

(Other embodiments)
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It is possible to change and implement variously.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the operation control device of the present invention is applied to the fuel cell system. However, the present invention can also be applied to a system having a structure other than the fuel cell as a power source. As the power source, an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, a battery, an inverter, a converter, a fuel cell reformer, or the like can be applied. In these cases, when there is a request to unlock the cover from the operator, the situation when the power source is operating or stopped is detected, and the unlocking restriction is released when the conditions for permitting unlocking are satisfied. Constitute. Here, the situation can include the temperature of the power source, the ambient temperature around it, the charged state of the power source, and the like. That is, if any inconvenience occurs when the cover of the power source is opened, the safety of the system can be enhanced by limiting the opening of the cover until a condition that can be opened is satisfied.

  Further, the cover lock mechanism is not limited to the structure of the above embodiment. For example, in the case of a structure in which the cover lock mechanism of the hood cover is connected to a cover opening operation member (lever) provided in the vicinity of the moving body driver via a metal wire, the metal is used until a predetermined condition regarding the state of the power source is satisfied. You may comprise so that operation | movement of a wire may be restrict | limited.

  Further, the conditions for stopping the power source include not only the speed and the like, but also whether the temperature is lower than a predetermined value, the voltage is a predetermined value, the ambient temperature value, the charging state of the power source, Alternatively, it is possible to make various judgments based on whether the residue inside the power source is detected or the amount of the remaining amount.

1 is an overall system diagram of a driving control device applied to an electric vehicle according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a fuel cell system including an operation control device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. Operation | movement explanatory drawing at the time of locking of the operation control apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. Operation | movement explanatory drawing at the time of unlocking of the operation control apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the operation control apparatus according to the first embodiment. The block diagram of a fuel cell system provided with the operation control apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the operation control apparatus according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  Cc: Compressor control signal, Ch: Hood unlocking control signal, Cp: Power supply switching control signal, Ci: Inverter control signal, Ckl: Key release signal, Sa ... Accelerator position signal, Sh ... Hood open detection signal, Sor ... Hood open Request signal, Sr ... wheel speed pulse signal, Ss ... shift position signal, 1 ... fuel cell system (electric vehicle), 2 ... hood cover, 3 ... hook, 4 ... housing part, 10 ... control part, 11, 13 ... electric Actuator, 12 ... operation unit, 14 ... open detection switch, 15 ... air cleaner, 16 ... compressor, 20 ... fuel cell stack, 21 ... secondary battery, 22 ... diode, 23 ... converter, 24 ... inverter, 25 ... three-phase Motor, 26 ... Differential, 27 ... Wheel speed sensor, 28 ... High pressure part cover, 30 ... Tire, 31 ... Auxiliary battery 32 ... vehicle accessory, 33 ... power changeover switch, 34 ... super capacitor, 101 ... CPU, 102 ... RAM, 103 ... ROM, 104/105 ... drive circuit

Claims (9)

An opening / closing control device for a power source housing unit,
An accommodating portion in which the power source is accommodated;
An openable / closable cover provided in at least a part of the accommodating portion;
A cover lock for restricting the opening of the cover;
An opening / closing control device comprising: a restriction releasing unit that releases an opening restriction of the opening / closing cover with respect to the cover lock unit based on whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied.   The opening / closing control device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition relates to an operating state of the power source. The opening / closing control device is mounted on a moving body,
The opening / closing control device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is that the moving body has stopped.   The opening / closing control device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is that the power source is stopped.   The operation control device according to claim 3, wherein when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, a scavenging process is performed, and then the opening restriction of the cover is released. A power source switching control device,
An accommodating portion in which the power source is accommodated;
An openable / closable cover provided on at least a part of the accommodating portion,
An opening / closing control device for a power source, wherein the power source is stopped when there is a request to open the cover.   The opening / closing control apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the opening of the cover is permitted after the power source is stopped.   The opening / closing control device according to claim 6, wherein a scavenging process is executed before the power source is stopped. The switching control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the power source is a high-voltage power supply device.

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