JP2018088090A - Firmware providing system, control method of firmware providing system, server, and electric power supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To cause an electric power system to generate power efficiently irrespective of an installation location.SOLUTION: A firmware providing system includes an electric power supply device, a controller that controls the electric power supply device, and a server that transmits control information of both the electric power supply device and the controller to the controller via a network. The server transmits control information depending on the installation location of the electric power supply device to the controller.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present disclosure relates to a firmware providing system, a firmware providing system control method, a server, and a power supply system.

  In a power supply system such as a fuel cell system, components constituting the power supply system are controlled by control software such as firmware.

  Conventionally, the update operation of the control software for the fuel cell system is often performed by a worker visiting the installation site. However, if it is necessary for the worker to go to the installation location, even if the control software is improved in the manufacturer, the control software is not updated to the latest one until the worker goes to the site.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an invention for updating control software of a fuel cell system via a network. Patent Document 1 discloses that the control software is updated efficiently and safely by restricting the operation mode of each component device during the update of the control software.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-185352

  Fuel cell systems are required to generate power efficiently. Further, the fuel cell system is required to be able to prevent freezing of water such as reforming water and circulating water used therein when installed in a cold region.

  The surrounding environment of the fuel cell system, such as air temperature (atmospheric temperature) and atmospheric pressure (atmospheric pressure), varies depending on the installation location of the fuel cell system. In addition, the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell system depends on temperature, atmospheric pressure, and the like. Therefore, in order to efficiently generate power in the fuel cell system, it is better to control the fuel cell system with firmware and control parameters suitable for the temperature and pressure at the installation location.

  However, where the fuel cell system is installed is often unknown at the time of shipment, conventionally, fuel cell devices have been shipped with firmware and control parameters suitable for the national average temperature, etc. It was.

  An object of the present disclosure made in view of such a point is to provide a firmware providing system, a firmware providing system control method, a server, and a power supply system that can efficiently generate power regardless of the installation location. .

  A firmware providing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a power supply device, a controller that controls the power supply device, and a server that transmits control information of the power supply device and the controller to the controller via a network. Prepare. The server transmits the control information corresponding to an installation location of the power supply device to the controller.

  A control method for a firmware providing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a control method for a firmware providing system in a firmware providing system that includes a power supply device, a controller that controls the power supply device, and a server. The control method includes a step in which the server selects control information of the power supply device and the controller according to an installation location of the power supply device, and a step of transmitting the control information to the controller.

  A server according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a communication unit and a control unit. The communication unit communicates with a controller that controls the power supply device. The control unit transmits control information of the power supply device and the controller to the controller via the communication unit. The control unit transmits the control information corresponding to an installation location of the power supply device to the controller.

  A power supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a power supply device and a controller that controls the power supply device. The controller receives control information of the power supply device and the controller from a server via a network. The control information is information corresponding to an installation location of the power supply device.

  According to the firmware providing system, the firmware providing system control method, the server, and the power supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the power supply system can efficiently generate power regardless of the installation location.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a firmware providing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. It is a figure explaining the difference of the temperature and atmospheric pressure by area. It is a figure which shows an example of the data which the server of FIG. 1 has memorize | stored. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an operation of a firmware providing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic configuration of a firmware providing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The firmware providing system 1 includes a fuel cell system (power supply system) 10, a server 40, a first external server (climate information server) 50, and a second external server (map information server) 60. The fuel cell system 10, the server 40, the first external server 50, and the second external server 60 can transmit and receive information via the network 70.

  In FIG. 1, one fuel cell system 10 is connected to the network 70, but this is an example, and a plurality of fuel cell systems 10 may be connected to the network 70.

  The fuel cell system 10 receives firmware and control parameters from the server 40 via the network 70.

  The firmware is software for controlling the operation of the controller 30 or the fuel cell device 20. There are firmware for the controller 30 and for the fuel cell device 20. Based on the firmware for the controller 30, the controller 30 determines each component and the sequence of each process when controlling the entire controller 30. Based on the firmware for the fuel cell device 20, the fuel cell device 20 determines each component and the sequence of each process when controlling the entire fuel cell device 20. The firmware for the controller 30 and the firmware for the fuel cell device 20 are not limited to one and may be plural.

  The control parameters are various parameters used when controlling the operation of the controller 30 or the fuel cell device 20. The control parameters include those for the controller 30 and those for the fuel cell device 20. For example, the fuel cell device 20 controls devices such as an air blower in the auxiliary machine 22 based on the control parameter.

  In the following description, information including either firmware or control parameters, or both firmware and control parameters is also referred to as “control information”.

  The fuel cell system 10 includes a fuel cell device (power supply device) 20 and a controller 30 that controls the operation of the fuel cell device 20.

  The fuel cell device 20 is, for example, a solid oxide fuel cell device (SOFC) or a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC). The fuel cell device 20 is installed in a customer facility such as a store or a residence.

  The fuel cell device 20 has different environmental conditions such as temperature and pressure depending on the installation location. For example, in the map of Japan shown in FIG. 2A, the north has a lower temperature and the south has a higher temperature. In the map shown in FIG. 2 (b), the location 101 has a high altitude (elevation) and therefore has a low atmospheric pressure, and the location 102 has a low altitude and has a high atmospheric pressure.

  In order to operate the fuel cell device 20 in a state where the power generation efficiency is high or to extend the life of the components, the fuel cell device 20 is based on firmware and control parameters according to the environment (such as temperature and pressure) of the installation site. The fuel cell device 20 may be operated. For example, since the ratio of the air composition changes depending on the atmospheric pressure, the flow rate of the air blower in the auxiliary machine 22 may be increased when the altitude of the installation site is high and the atmospheric pressure is low. Thus, in order to operate in a state suitable for the environment of the installation location, when the fuel cell device 20 receives control information corresponding to the installation location from the controller 30, the fuel cell device 20 updates the control information according to the installation location.

  The firmware and control parameters of the fuel cell device 20 can be updated after installation. Therefore, at the time of factory shipment, the firmware and control parameters of the fuel cell device 20 may be initial settings.

  The fuel cell device 20 includes a power generation unit 21, an auxiliary machine 22, an exhaust heat recovery unit 23, a power conversion unit 24, a communication unit 25, a storage unit 26, and a control unit 27.

  The power generation unit 21 includes a cell stack that generates electricity by causing an electrochemical reaction between gas and air. The power generation unit 21 generates power using gas, air, and reformed water blended at a predetermined ratio according to control parameters as fuel. The power generation unit 21 supplies the generated DC power to the power conversion unit 24.

  The auxiliary machine 22 is a peripheral device necessary for moving the power generation unit 21. The auxiliary machine 22 includes an air blower, a gas pump, a reforming water pump, a heater, and the like. The air blower supplies air to the power generation unit 21 at a flow rate set by the control parameter. The gas pump supplies gas to the power generation unit 21 at a flow rate set by the control parameter. The reforming water pump supplies the reforming water to the power generation unit 21 at a flow rate set by the control parameter. The heater warms the circulating water at an intensity according to the control parameter setting. In cold regions, the circulating water can be prevented from freezing by increasing the strength of the heater.

  The exhaust heat recovery unit 23 recovers the exhaust heat generated with the power generation in the power generation unit 21. The exhaust heat recovery unit 23 generates hot water by exchanging the recovered exhaust heat with the circulating water drawn from the outside.

  The power conversion unit 24 converts the DC power supplied from the power generation unit 21 into AC power. The power conversion unit 24 supplies the converted AC power to the load equipment of the customer facility where the fuel cell device 20 is installed.

  The communication unit 25 is connected to the controller 30 by wire or wireless. The communication unit 25 exchanges data with the controller 30. The communication unit 25 receives control information from the controller 30.

  The storage unit 26 holds (stores) firmware and control parameters for controlling the operation of the fuel cell device 20.

  The control unit 27 includes a processor that controls and manages the entire fuel cell device 20 including each functional block included in the fuel cell device 20. The program executed by the processor may be stored in a memory included in the control unit 27 or may be stored in the storage unit 26, for example.

  When the control unit 27 receives control information corresponding to the installation location from the controller 30, the control unit 27 updates the control information. When receiving the control information, the control unit 27 may automatically start the update work or may start the update work after receiving an instruction for the update work from the user.

  The controller 30 controls the fuel cell device 20. The controller 30 is connected to the server 40 via the network 70. The controller 30 receives (downloads) control information corresponding to the installation location from the server 40. The controller 30 is connected to the fuel cell device 20 by wire or wirelessly. The controller 30 transmits the received control information for the fuel cell device 20 to the fuel cell device 20.

  The controller 30 includes a communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, a display unit 33, and a control unit 34.

  The communication unit 31 transmits and receives data to and from the server 40 via the network 70. The communication unit 31 receives control information corresponding to the installation location from the server 40. The communication unit 31 is connected to the fuel cell device 20 by wire or wirelessly. The communication unit 31 transmits the control information received from the server 40 for the fuel cell device 20 to the fuel cell device 20.

  The storage unit 32 holds (stores) firmware and control parameters for controlling the operation of the controller 30.

  The display unit 33 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electroluminescence) display. The display unit 33 displays information such as the operating status of the fuel cell device 20. The display unit 33 may include an input device such as a touch sensor and may receive an input from the user.

  The control unit 34 includes a processor that controls and manages the entire controller 30 including each functional block provided in the controller 30. The program executed by the processor may be stored in a memory included in the control unit 34 or may be stored in the storage unit 32, for example.

  When the control unit 34 receives control information corresponding to the installation location from the server 40, the control information for the controller 30 is stored in the storage unit 32, and the control information for the fuel cell device 20 is transmitted to the fuel cell device 20. When the control unit 34 receives the control information for the controller 30, the control unit 34 updates the control information. When receiving the control information for the controller 30, the control unit 34 may automatically start the update work or may start the update work after receiving an instruction for the update work from the user. The control unit 34 causes the display unit 33 to display a message such as “Firmware download is complete. Do you want to update?” And starts the update operation when the user selects to update. May be.

  When updating the firmware of the controller 30 or the fuel cell device 20, the control unit 34 stops the operation of the fuel cell device 20 before the update operation, if necessary.

  The server 40 transmits firmware and control parameters for controlling the fuel cell device 20 to the controller 30. Further, the server 40 transmits firmware and control parameters for controlling the controller 30 to the controller 30. The server 40 includes a communication unit 41, a storage unit 42, and a control unit 43.

  The communication unit 41 transmits / receives data to / from the controller 30, the first external server 50, and the second external server 60 via the network 70. The communication unit 41 transmits control information to the controller 30. The communication unit 41 receives the climate information of the installation location of the fuel cell device 20 from the first external server 50 that is a climate information server. The communication unit 41 receives information such as the altitude of the installation location of the fuel cell device 20 from the second external server 60 that is a map information server.

  The storage unit 42 holds (stores) control information for the fuel cell device 20 and control information for the controller 30. The storage unit 42 holds various versions of control information according to the installation location of the fuel cell device 20.

  The storage unit 42 holds information in which the installation number of the fuel cell device 20 is associated with the serial number of the fuel cell device 20. The information on the installation location is, for example, an address. For example, when the worker who installed the fuel cell device 20 performs registration work with the server 40, the storage unit 42 holds information that associates the installation number of the fuel cell device 20 with the serial number of the fuel cell device 20. can do.

  The storage unit 42 also stores a table in which the manufacturing number of the fuel cell device 20 is associated with the installation location of the fuel cell device 20, firmware and control parameters suitable for the installation location, and the priority order for transmitting the firmware. ing. FIG. 3 shows an example of a table stored in the storage unit 42.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, the firmware version for the fuel cell device 20 with the production number “BBBBB” installed in Hokkaido is 1.02, and “AAAAA” installed in Tokyo and Kyushu are installed. It is a newer version than the firmware version 1.00 of “CCCCC”.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, the control parameters of the fuel cell device 20 installed in Hokkaido are the “heater control” and “circulating water” control parameters of the fuel cell device 20 installed in Tokyo and Kyushu. It is a different value in “control”. In the example shown in FIG. 3, air flow rate, gas flow rate, water flow rate, heater control, and circulating water control are stored as control parameters. The air flow rate is a parameter for setting the flow rate of the air blower of the auxiliary machine 22. The gas flow rate is a parameter for setting the flow rate of the gas pump of the auxiliary machine 22. The water flow rate is a parameter that sets the flow rate of the reforming water pump of the auxiliary machine 22. The heater control is a parameter for setting the strength of the heater of the auxiliary machine 22. The circulating water control is a parameter for controlling the flow rate of the circulating water flowing through the exhaust heat recovery unit 23.

  Moreover, the priority shown in FIG. 3 is higher in the order of S, A, B, and C, for example. The reason for setting the priority is that the firmware has a large amount of data, and it is difficult to transmit the firmware to all the fuel cell systems 10 managed by the server 40 at the same time. It takes time to complete the transmission of the firmware from the server 40 to the fuel electric system 10. Therefore, priorities are assigned so that the firmware can be updated in order from the fuel cell system 10 with the highest necessity for updating the firmware. In the example shown in FIG. 3, for example, “S”, which is a high priority, for installation locations where it is better to update the firmware as soon as possible because there is a risk of freezing of circulating water, such as Hokkaido, which is a cold region. Is set.

  The control unit 43 includes a processor that controls and manages the entire server 40 including each functional block provided in the server 40. The program executed by the processor may be stored in a memory included in the control unit 43 or may be stored in the storage unit 42, for example.

  When the fuel cell device 20 is installed and the installation location of the fuel cell device 20 is stored in the storage unit 42, the control unit 43 acquires environmental information of the installation location of the fuel cell device 20. Examples of environmental information include climate and altitude. The control unit 43 acquires the climate information of the installation location of the fuel cell device 20 from the first external server 50 that is a climate information server. Moreover, the control part 43 acquires the altitude information of the installation place of the fuel cell apparatus 20 from the 2nd external server 60 which is a map information server. The control unit 43 estimates the temperature from the climate information and estimates the atmospheric pressure from the altitude information. Based on the estimated temperature and pressure, the control unit 43 selects firmware, control parameters, and priorities suitable for the installation location and stores them in the storage unit 42.

  For example, for an installation location with a low atmospheric pressure, the control unit 43 selects a value larger than the value at the time of shipment as a control parameter for the air flow rate. Thereby, the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell device 20 can be increased, and the life of the power generation unit 21 of the fuel cell device 20 can be extended. For example, the control unit 43 selects a value larger than the value at the time of shipment as a heater control parameter for an installation place where the temperature is low. Thereby, freezing of water, such as circulating water inside the fuel cell device 20, can be prevented.

  The control unit 43 transmits control information corresponding to the installation location of the fuel cell device 20 to the controller 30 in order of priority. The control unit 43 transmits control information suitable for the installation location to the controller 30 at least once after the fuel cell device 20 is installed. Moreover, the control part 43 may transmit control information to the controller 30 for every predetermined period after that. For example, the control unit 43 may transmit control information suitable for the season to the controller 30 for each season.

  The first external server 50 is a climate information server and holds climate information of each place. The first external server 50 transmits / receives data to / from the server 40 via the network 70. When the first external server 50 receives a request for climate information of the installation location of the fuel cell device 20 from the server 40, the first external server 50 transmits the climate information to the server 40.

  The second external server 60 is a map information server and holds map information such as altitudes in various places. The second external server 60 transmits and receives data to and from the server 40 via the network 70. When the second external server 60 receives a request for altitude information on the installation location of the fuel cell device 20 from the server 40, the second external server 60 transmits the altitude information to the server 40.

  In FIG. 1, a configuration in which two external servers are connected to the network 70 is shown as an example, but this is an example. For example, two or more external servers may hold climatic information or map information in a distributed manner. For example, one external server may hold both climate information and map information. Further, for example, the server 40 may hold either one or both of the climate information and the map information.

  With reference to the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 4, an example of the operation of the firmware providing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The firmware providing system 1 performs the sequence shown in FIG. 4 at least once after the fuel cell device 20 is installed. The firmware providing system 1 may further perform the sequence shown in FIG. 4 every predetermined period, for example, every season.

  When the fuel cell device 20 is installed and the installation location of the fuel cell device 20 is stored in the storage unit 42, the server 40 acquires environmental information of the installation location of the fuel cell device 20. The control unit 43 selects control information and priority suitable for the installation location based on the acquired environment information (step S101).

  The server 40 transmits the selected control information to the controller 30 according to the priority order (step S102).

  The controller 30 receives the control information (step S103), stores the control information for the controller 30 in the storage unit 32, and transmits the control information for the fuel cell device 20 to the fuel cell device 20 (step S104). The fuel cell device 20 receives control information for the fuel cell device 20 (step S105).

  The controller 30 and the fuel cell device 20 update the control information (Steps S106 and S107).

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the server 40 transmits control information according to the installation location of the fuel cell device 20 to the controller 30. When the controller 30 receives the control information corresponding to the installation location of the fuel cell device 20 and updates the control information, the fuel cell device 20 can operate with firmware and control parameters suitable for the installation location. . As a result, the fuel cell device 20 can efficiently generate power regardless of the installation location. Further, by operating the fuel cell device 20 with firmware and control parameters suitable for the installation location, for example, the heater can be controlled at an intensity corresponding to the temperature even when installed in a cold region, and the water inside the device can be controlled. Can be prevented from freezing. Further, by operating the fuel cell device 20 with firmware and control parameters suitable for the installation location, for example, it is possible to suppress the life deterioration of the cell stack included in the power generation unit 21. Even if the fuel cell device 20 is moved, the controller 30 receives control information corresponding to the installation location of the transfer destination of the fuel cell device 20, so that the fuel cell device 20 is independent of the installation location of the transfer destination. It can generate electricity efficiently.

  Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can easily make various variations and modifications based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these variations and modifications are included in the scope of the present invention. For example, the functions included in each component, each step, etc. can be rearranged so that there is no logical contradiction, and a plurality of components, steps, etc. can be combined or divided into one It is. Further, although the present invention has been described mainly with respect to the apparatus, the present invention is a method including steps executed by each component of the apparatus, a method executed by a processor included in the apparatus, a program, or a storage medium storing the program. Can also be realized. It should be understood that these are included within the scope of the present invention.

  In the above-described embodiment, the fuel cell device 20 has been described as an example of the power supply device. However, the fuel cell device 20 may be another power supply device that has different appropriate firmware and control parameters depending on the installation location. In this case, the fuel cell system 10 may be another power supply system including a power supply device having different firmware and control parameters depending on the installation location, and a controller that controls the power supply device. Examples of other power supply devices include a solar power generation device and a power storage device.

1 Firmware provision system 10 Fuel cell system (power supply system)
20 Fuel cell device (power supply device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Power generation part 22 Auxiliary machine 23 Waste heat recovery part 24 Power conversion part 25 Communication part 26 Storage part 27 Control part 30 Controller 31 Communication part 32 Storage part 33 Display part 34 Control part 40 Server 41 Communication part 42 Storage part 43 Control part 50 First external server (climate information server)
60 Second external server (map information server)
70 network

Claims (9)

A power supply;
A controller for controlling the power supply device;
A server that transmits control information of the power supply device and the controller to the controller via a network, and
The server provides a firmware providing system in which the control information corresponding to an installation location of the power supply device is transmitted to the controller. The firmware providing system according to claim 1,
The firmware providing system, wherein the control information includes any one of firmware and control parameters, or both firmware and control parameters. The firmware providing system according to claim 1 or 2,
The firmware providing system, wherein the server selects the control information according to at least one of temperature and pressure of the installation location, and transmits the selected control information to the controller. The firmware providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The firmware providing system, wherein the server transmits the control information to the controller every predetermined period. In the firmware provision system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The firmware providing system includes a plurality of power supply devices,
The firmware providing system, wherein the server sets a priority order according to a place where the power supply apparatus is installed, and transmits the control information in the order of the priority order. The firmware providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The power supply apparatus and the controller are firmware providing systems in which the control information is initially set at the time of shipment. A firmware providing system control method in a firmware providing system comprising a power supply device, a controller for controlling the power supply device, and a server,
The server is
Selecting control information of the power supply device and the controller according to an installation location of the power supply device;
Transmitting the control information to the controller. A communication unit that communicates with a controller that controls the power supply;
A control unit that transmits control information of the power supply device and the controller to the controller via the communication unit;
The said control part is a server which transmits the said control information according to the installation place of the said power supply device to the said controller. A power supply;
A controller for controlling the power supply device,
The controller receives control information of the power supply device and the controller from a server via a network,
The power supply system, wherein the control information is information corresponding to an installation location of the power supply device.

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