JP2010020910A - Hydrogen detection device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hydrogen detection device for vehicle for safety check in a hydrogen station at a time of hydrogen gas loading. <P>SOLUTION: A fuel cell vehicle 10 includes a hydrogen filling inlet 31, a hydrogen tank 14 connected to the hydrogen filling inlet 31, a keyless entry system vehicle-mounted unit 11 connected to various sensors of an antenna 18, a door lock 19 and the hydrogen filling inlet 31, a fuel cell controller 13 connected to a pressure sensor 15 and a valve 16, and a vehicle controller 12. Also, the hydrogen filling inlet 31 includes an adapter for hydrogen 32 for connection with a hydrogen loading equipment of the hydrogen station, an on-off switch 33 for detection of opening and closing of a fuel lid, a hydrogen sensor 34, and an infrared sensor 35 for detection of heat sources such as flame. A keyless entry system portable device 21 for communication with the keyless entry system vehicle-mounted unit 11 of the fuel cell vehicle 10 includes the antenna 22 and an indicator 23. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle hydrogen detection device that detects hydrogen gas in the vicinity of a hydrogen filling port of a fuel cell vehicle.

  In recent years, fuel cell vehicles equipped with fuel cells have been put into practical use. Fuel cell vehicles and natural gas vehicles are equipped with high-pressure tanks that store hydrogen gas and natural gas as fuel gas in order to achieve the same mileage as gasoline vehicles. In order to fill the high-pressure tank with hydrogen gas, hydrogen gas is filled using a high-pressure filling facility provided in the hydrogen station.

  Further, as a method of filling the vehicle with hydrogen gas, there is a method in which an operator receives a hydrogen socket of a high-pressure filling facility by a hydrogen adapter provided in the vehicle and supplies the hydrogen gas to the vehicle through the hydrogen adapter. is there. In such a hydrogen station, workers who have received special training are charged with hydrogen gas to ensure sufficient safety measures.

  In order to promote the spread of fuel cell vehicles, it is desired to install a hydrogen station that can be filled with hydrogen and to realize self-service use similar to a gas station. However, the current hydrogen station does not support the use of self-service, which is a problem for future infrastructure development.

  On the other hand, in the fuel cell vehicle, as shown in Patent Document 1, prior to the start of the fuel cell vehicle, for example, a safety inquiry such as detection that hydrogen supplied to the fuel electrode side of the fuel cell is not leaked is performed. A technique for quickly starting a vehicle while performing it is known.

  In Patent Document 1, for example, a portable radio device that has received a call signal transmitted from an in-vehicle wireless device within a predetermined range including a vehicle, such as a keyless entry system, returns a response signal, and this response signal is transmitted to the in-vehicle system. When the wireless device receives the signal, the vehicle gas sensor starts to detect hydrogen gas, thereby realizing a quick start of the vehicle.

JP 2004-23873 A

  According to Patent Document 1 described above, since the gas sensor of the vehicle starts operating when the driver carries the portable wireless device and approaches the vehicle, the hydrogen gas from the gas sensor is not disturbed without interfering with the operation and will of the driver. The safety confirmation process based on the leakage detection of the vehicle is completed, and the vehicle can be started smoothly.

  However, since hydrogen gas cannot be determined by smell unlike gasoline, a hydrogen detector is indispensable. However, in the fuel cell vehicle described in Patent Document 1, safety of hydrogen gas filling at a self-service hydrogen station is not possible. The confirmation process was not taken into consideration, and the safety confirmation after filling was limited.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle hydrogen detection device that can confirm the safety of a driver who will perform hydrogen gas filling in a hydrogen station.

  In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle hydrogen detection device according to the present invention is a vehicle hydrogen detection device that detects hydrogen gas in the vicinity of a hydrogen fill port of a fuel cell vehicle. An open / close detecting means for detecting, a hydrogen sensor provided near the hydrogen filling port, for detecting hydrogen gas, and acquiring information from the open / close detecting means and the hydrogen sensor and communicating with a keyless entry portable device carried by the operator. A keyless entry in-vehicle device that controls at least locking and unlocking of the vehicle key, and the keyless entry in-vehicle device detects hydrogen gas from the hydrogen sensor when the opening / closing detection means detects that the hydrogen filling port is opened. Measures the concentration of the product and communicates with the keyless entry portable device when a predetermined threshold value is exceeded. And characterized in that.

  The vehicle hydrogen detection device according to the present invention further includes a combustion sensor for detecting a flame in the vicinity of the hydrogen filling port, and at least when combustion is detected by the combustion sensor, based on information from the keyless entry vehicle-mounted device. Thus, hydrogen filling of the fuel cell vehicle is stopped.

  In the vehicle hydrogen detection device according to the present invention, the keyless entry portable device communicates with the keyless entry vehicle-mounted device, and performs a keyless entry function for locking and unlocking a vehicle key by wireless communication, and a hydrogen detection device. As a function.

  Further, in the hydrogen detection device for a vehicle according to the present invention, the warning operation includes a message displayed on the indicator lamp and the indicator of the keyless entry vehicle-mounted device, a warning message and a warning sound by sound from the speaker of the keyless entry vehicle-mounted device, and And at least one of the following.

  Furthermore, in the vehicle hydrogen detection device according to the present invention, the keyless entry portable device has a function of detecting that the hydrogen filling port is opened by unlocking the cover that covers the hydrogen filling port. And

  By using this invention, there exists an effect that the hydrogen detection apparatus for vehicles which can confirm the safety | security of the driver | operator who will perform hydrogen gas filling in a hydrogen station is realizable.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as an embodiment) will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a vehicle hydrogen detection device. In the vehicle hydrogen detection device according to the present invention, the keyless entry vehicle-mounted device 11 determines information detected by the hydrogen sensor 34 disposed at the hydrogen filling port 31 of the fuel cell vehicle 10, and the vehicle controller 12 and the vehicle controller 12 are based on the determination. The safety is ensured by transmitting the determination result to the keyless entry portable device 21 carried by the driver and executing a predetermined warning operation.

  More specifically, the keyless entry system composed of the keyless entry vehicle-mounted device 11 and the keyless entry portable device 21 is operated as a keyless entry as a main operation, and the hydrogen detection is performed after the vehicle is stopped as a secondary operation and when hydrogen is charged. It operates as a device.

  The fuel cell vehicle 10 in FIG. 1 includes a hydrogen filling port 31, a hydrogen tank 14 connected to the hydrogen filling port 31, an antenna 18, a door lock 19, and a keyless entry vehicle connected to various sensors of the hydrogen filling port 31. A fuel cell controller 13 connected to the machine 11, a pressure sensor 15 and a valve 16, and a vehicle controller 12. In addition, the hydrogen filling port 31 detects a hydrogen adapter 32 for connection to the hydrogen filling facility of the hydrogen station, an open / close switch 33 for detecting opening / closing of a fuel lid, which will be described later, a hydrogen sensor 34, and a heat source such as a flame. An infrared sensor 35 is disposed. The keyless entry portable device 21 that communicates with the keyless entry vehicle-mounted device 11 of the fuel cell vehicle 10 includes an antenna 22, a display 23, and a speaker 26.

  FIG. 2 shows the appearance of the keyless entry portable device 21. The characteristic feature of the present embodiment is that the keyless entry portable device 21 is small and highly functional, so that it is possible to authenticate the driver and provide various information to the driver. This is an improvement in the safety of certain hydrogen gas filling operations.

  The keyless entry portable device 21 displays a radio signal intensity LED 41 for displaying a communication status between the hydrogen sensor 24 and the keyless entry vehicle-mounted device 11 mounted on the fuel cell vehicle 10, and an open / close status of the fuel lid of the fuel cell vehicle. An open / close LED 42 that can display various information, an UnLock switch 29 for unlocking the key lock, a Lock switch 28 for locking the key lock, and a trunk switch 27 for unlocking the trunk key And a speaker 26. The display 23 of FIG. 2 displays “no hydrogen gas leakage”, and the hydrogen gas concentration can be measured only by the keyless entry portable device 21.

  FIG. 3 shows the appearance of the hydrogen filling port 31. The hydrogen filling port 31 is provided in the rear fender 52 in the vicinity of the rear tire 53 of the fuel cell vehicle, and is normally closed by a fuel lid 44, and the hydrogen adapter 32 is sealed by an adapter cover 36. A hydrogen sensor 34 and an infrared sensor 35 are disposed above the hydrogen filling port 31, and an opening / closing switch 33 that detects opening / closing of the fuel lid 44 is disposed below the hydrogen filling port 31. In general, since hydrogen has a specific gravity lower than that of air, when hydrogen leaks from the hydrogen adapter 32, it can be detected by the hydrogen sensor 34 above the hydrogen adapter 32. Further, the infrared sensor 35 of FIG. 3 is provided with a dome-shaped cover on which a color filter coating is applied to prevent malfunction due to direct sunlight.

  FIG. 4 shows a process flow of the vehicle hydrogen detection device, and a process flow between the keyless entry vehicle-mounted device 11 and the keyless entry portable device 21 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the keyless entry vehicle-mounted device 11 confirms that the vehicle is stopped by the vehicle controller that controls the entire vehicle in step S10 of FIG. If it is confirmed that the vehicle is stopped, the process proceeds to step S12 to determine whether the filling port can be opened. In order to open the filling port, it is necessary for the driver to open the fuel lid 44 and connect the hydrogen adapter 32. In step S12, when the filling port opening possibility determination is Yes, the process proceeds to step S14, and when the vehicle stop and the filling port opening possibility determination are No, the process returns to the beginning.

  When the keyless entry vehicle-mounted device 11 detects that the fuel lid 44 has been opened by the driver by the above process using the open / close switch 33 or other functions, the keyless entry vehicle-mounted device 11 proceeds to the filling mode in step S14. In the filling mode of step S14, the keyless entry vehicle-mounted device 11 transmits that the keyless entry portable device 21 has shifted to the filling mode prior to hydrogen filling, and lights the open / close LED 42 of the keyless entry portable device 21 to carry the keyless entry portable device. Measurement of the hydrogen concentration by the hydrogen sensor 24 of the machine 21 is started and displayed on the display 23. Furthermore, the keyless entry portable device 21 transmits the measured hydrogen concentration to the keyless entry vehicle-mounted device 11 at intervals of several seconds, for example.

  The keyless entry vehicle-mounted device 11 executes the initial warning operation by moving to the filling mode in step S14. The initial warning operation is a warning operation executed between steps S14 to S20. In the initial warning operation, measurement of the hydrogen concentration in the vicinity of the operator, measurement of the hydrogen concentration in the vicinity of the fuel lid 44, and detection of the heat source by the infrared sensor 35 are performed before the hydrogen filling is started. This is an operation that generates an alarm when a value exceeding% is detected or when a heat source is detected. In addition, the warning operation increases the warning level by detecting the increase in the hydrogen concentration and the infrared sensor, and closes the hydrogen tank valve 16 by stopping the hydrogen tank valve 16 in accordance with the determination of the keyless entry vehicle-mounted device 11 or the degree of urgency. Is possible.

  When the driver attaches the hydrogen socket of the high-pressure filling facility to the hydrogen adapter provided in the vehicle and starts supplying hydrogen gas to the vehicle via the hydrogen adapter 32, the fuel cell controller 13 uses the pressure sensor 15 to detect the hydrogen pressure. After confirming that the pressure has risen to a predetermined pressure, the valve 16 is opened to start filling the hydrogen tank. This information is transmitted from the fuel cell controller 13 to the vehicle controller 12, and the vehicle controller 12 informs the keyless entry vehicle-mounted device 11 that filling has started.

  When the keyless entry vehicle-mounted device 11 detects the start of filling, the process proceeds to step S16 to notify the keyless entry portable device 21 of the filling start, and the display of “filling start” is displayed on the display 23 of the keyless entry portable device 21. Is done. The progress of filling is transmitted from the fuel cell controller 13 to the keyless entry vehicle 11, and the keyless entry vehicle 11 is transmitted to the keyless entry portable device 21 and displayed on the display 23.

  When the driver finishes the hydrogen filling and removes the hydrogen socket attached to the vehicle, the keyless entry vehicle-mounted device 11 finishes the filling in step S18 based on information from the fuel cell controller 13, and the timer function, for example, 30 After confirming that there is no hydrogen gas leakage, the flow returns to the normal state in step S22, and the operation is switched to the normal keyless entry system operation.

  As described above, by using the vehicle hydrogen detection device according to the present embodiment, hydrogen is electrically detected from the problem that the leakage state that is a problem when filling hydrogen gas cannot be grasped by smell. In this way, the safety of the driver who will be filling the hydrogen gas at the hydrogen station can be confirmed by text information, voice and warning sound. Note that the hydrogen sensor 24 and the display 23 built in the keyless entry portable device 21 display the concentration digitally, and when the detected value exceeds a preset threshold value, a warning sound is generated. You may output in steps, and, of course, you may sound a warning sound in cooperation with the keyless entry vehicle equipment 11.

  In the present embodiment, a typical process flow has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this process. Information transmission by a wireless function of a keyless entry system or a mobile phone, and safety improvement by a vehicle hydrogen detection device, Needless to say, a configuration for achieving the above may be used. In addition, when hydrogen leakage is detected during hydrogen filling, it is preferable not only to close the valve of the fuel cell vehicle but also to automatically close the valve of the hydrogen station by a communication function.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the hydrogen detection apparatus for vehicles which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an external view which shows the external appearance of the keyless entry portable machine which comprises the hydrogen detection apparatus for vehicles which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an external view which shows the external appearance of the hydrogen filling port which comprises the hydrogen detection apparatus for vehicles which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart figure explaining the flow of processing of the hydrogen detection device for vehicles concerning the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Fuel cell vehicle, 11 Keyless entry vehicle equipment, 12 Vehicle controller, 13 Fuel cell controller, 14 Hydrogen tank, 15 Pressure sensor, 16 Valve, 18, 22 Antenna, 19 Door lock, 21 Keyless entry portable machine, 23 Display, 24 Hydrogen Sensor, 26 Speaker, 27 Trunk Switch, 28 Lock Switch, 29 UnLock Switch, 31 Hydrogen Filling Port, 32 Hydrogen Adapter, 33 Open / Close Switch, 34 Hydrogen Sensor, 35 Infrared Sensor, 36 Adapter Cover, 41 Signal Strength LED, 42 Open / close LED, 44 Fuel lid, 52 Rear fender, 53 Rear tire.

Claims (5)

In a vehicle hydrogen detection device that detects hydrogen gas in the vicinity of a hydrogen filling port of a fuel cell vehicle,
Open / close detecting means for detecting opening / closing of the hydrogen filling port;
A hydrogen sensor provided near the hydrogen filling port for detecting hydrogen gas;
A keyless entry vehicle-mounted device that acquires information from the open / close detection means and the hydrogen sensor, and communicates with a keyless entry portable device carried by an operator to control at least locking and unlocking of a vehicle key;
With
When the keyless entry in-vehicle device detects that the hydrogen filling port has been opened by the open / close detection means, it measures the hydrogen gas concentration by the hydrogen sensor, and if it exceeds a predetermined threshold, the keyless entry portable device A hydrogen detection apparatus for a vehicle, characterized in that a keyless entry portable machine performs a warning operation by communicating with a machine. The vehicle hydrogen detection device according to claim 1,
It further has a combustion sensor for detecting a flame near the hydrogen filling port,
A hydrogen detection apparatus for a vehicle characterized in that, when combustion is detected by at least a combustion sensor, hydrogen filling of a fuel cell vehicle is stopped based on information from a keyless entry vehicle-mounted device. The vehicle hydrogen detection device according to claim 1,
A keyless entry portable device includes a keyless entry function that communicates with a keyless entry vehicle-mounted device and performs locking and unlocking of a vehicle key by wireless communication, and a function as a hydrogen detection device. Hydrogen detector. The vehicle hydrogen detection device according to claim 1,
The warning operation is at least one of a message displayed on the indicator lamp and the indicator of the keyless entry vehicle-mounted device, and a warning message and a warning sound by sound from the speaker of the keyless entry vehicle-mounted device. Hydrogen detector. The vehicle hydrogen detection device according to claim 1,
The keyless entry portable device has a function of detecting that the hydrogen filling port is opened by unlocking the cover that covers the hydrogen filling port.

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