JP2019135132A - Grille shutter system and fuel battery vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a grille shutter system that can optimize supply of air to a cell stack and a fuel battery vehicle.SOLUTION: The grille shutter system comprises: a cell stack 5 having a plurality of battery cells 8 laminated in a lamination direction D1; a grille shutter 7 that can open and close an opening 6 through which air is taken into the cel stack 5; a power generation efficiency-distribution calculating part that calculates a distribution of power generation efficiency Ev in the lamination direction D1 of the cell stack on the basis of voltages obtained from the plurality of battery cells 8 respectively; and a grille shutter operation control part that controls operation of the grille shutter 7 according to the distribution of the power generation efficiency Ev.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a grill shutter system and a fuel cell vehicle.

  In Patent Document 1, a cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked, a hydrogen supply system that supplies hydrogen to the cell stack, a control unit that controls the operation of the first grill shutter and the operation of the second front shutter, And a fuel cell vehicle that preferentially supplies air from the first front shutter to the cell stack and preferentially supplies air from the second front shutter to the hydrogen supply system.

JP 2017-204346 A

  Patent Document 1 attempts to reduce the temperature difference between the cell stack and the hydrogen supply system in order to suppress the generation of condensed water. However, in Patent Document 1, it has not been studied to control the supply of air to the cell stack except for the viewpoint of suppressing the generation of condensed water. That is, Patent Document 1 has room for improvement from the viewpoint of optimizing the supply of air to the cell stack.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a grill shutter system and a fuel cell vehicle capable of optimizing the supply of air to the cell stack.

  A first aspect of the present invention that solves the above problems includes a cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked in a predetermined stacking direction, a grille shutter that can open and close an opening for taking air into the cell stack, Based on the voltage obtained from each of a plurality of battery cells, a power generation efficiency distribution calculation unit that calculates a distribution of power generation efficiency in the stacking direction of the cell stack, and controls the operation of the grill shutter according to the distribution of the power generation efficiency And a grill shutter operation control unit.

  In the first aspect, it is possible to eliminate unevenness in the power generation efficiency of the cell stack, thereby improving the cell voltage obtained from the cell stack as a whole. Therefore, it is possible to optimize the supply of air to the cell stack. In addition, suppression of partial deterioration of the cell stack is expected by eliminating the unevenness of the power generation efficiency of the cell stack. In addition, since the cell voltage obtained from the cell stack can be improved, it is expected that it can be suitably used even in an air-cooled cell stack or a small cell stack. Further, the grill shutter can be configured by using all or a part of members already provided in the vehicle, and in this case, the burden of adding a new member can be reduced.

  A second aspect of the present invention is the grille shutter system according to the first aspect, wherein the grille shutter operation control unit is arranged in the stacking direction in a portion where the power generation efficiency in the stacking direction of the cell stack is low. In the grille shutter system, the supply of the air to the cell stack is controlled so that more air is supplied than in the portion where the power generation efficiency is high.

  In the second aspect, it becomes easy to eliminate unevenness in the power generation efficiency of the cell stack, and as a whole, it becomes easy to improve the cell voltage obtained from the cell stack. Therefore, it becomes easy to optimize the supply of air to the cell stack.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the grill shutter system according to the first aspect or the second aspect, wherein the temperature distribution calculation calculates a temperature distribution in a cell plane of at least one of the battery cells. The grille shutter operation control unit controls the operation of the grille shutter according to the power generation efficiency distribution and the temperature distribution.

  In the third aspect, the unevenness in power generation efficiency of the cell stack can be eliminated, and the unevenness in temperature in the cell plane can be suppressed. As a whole, it becomes easy to improve the cell voltage obtained from the cell stack. Therefore, it becomes easy to optimize the supply of air to the cell stack.

  A fourth aspect of the present invention is the grille shutter system according to the third aspect, wherein a plurality of the air flow paths are arranged in a predetermined parallel direction in the cell stack, and the air The flow path of the grill shutter operation control unit is more in the part of the cell stack where the temperature in the juxtaposed direction is higher than in the part where the temperature in the juxtaposed direction is low. In the grill shutter system, the supply of the air to the cell stack is controlled so that the air is supplied.

  In the fourth aspect, it is possible to eliminate unevenness in power generation efficiency of the cell stack and to easily suppress unevenness in temperature within the cell surface. As a whole, it becomes easy to improve the cell voltage obtained from the cell stack. Therefore, it becomes easy to optimize the supply of air to the cell stack.

  A fifth aspect of the present invention is the grille shutter system according to the fourth aspect, wherein the grille shutter is rotated or rotated around a direction along the juxtaposed direction; A second louver that rotates or rotates around a direction along the stacking direction, and the grille shutter operation control unit independently controls the operation of the first louver and the operation of the second louver. There is a grill shutter system characterized by the above.

  In the fifth aspect, it becomes easy to eliminate unevenness in the power generation efficiency of the cell stack, and it becomes easy to suppress unevenness in temperature in the cell plane. As a whole, it becomes easy to improve the cell voltage obtained from the cell stack. Therefore, it becomes easy to optimize the supply of air to the cell stack.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention is the grille shutter system according to the fifth aspect, wherein the grille shutter operation control unit controls the operation of the first louver according to the voltage distribution, and the temperature The grille shutter system controls the operation of the second louver in accordance with the distribution of.

  In the sixth aspect, it becomes easy to eliminate unevenness in power generation efficiency of the cell stack, and it becomes easy to suppress unevenness in temperature in the cell plane. As a whole, it becomes easy to improve the cell voltage obtained from the cell stack. Therefore, it becomes easy to optimize the supply of air to the cell stack.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention is the grill shutter system according to the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect, wherein the first louver and the second louver are provided in the same opening, and The louver is in the grill shutter system, wherein the louver is provided upstream of the air flowing through the opening than the second louver.

  In the seventh aspect, the air flux formed by the first louver is less affected by the second louver. Therefore, it becomes easy to eliminate unevenness in the power generation efficiency of the cell stack, which makes it easy to improve the cell voltage obtained from the cell stack as a whole. Therefore, it becomes easy to optimize the supply of air to the cell stack.

  An eighth aspect of the present invention is the grille shutter system according to any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, wherein the first louver includes a plurality of first shafts and the first shaft. And a plurality of first plate-like members that rotate or rotate about the second louver, and the second louver rotates or rotates about the second axis and the second axis. A plurality of second plate members, wherein the grille shutter operation control unit can independently control each of the plurality of first plate members, and the plurality of second plates. In the grill shutter system, each of the members can be controlled independently.

  In the eighth aspect, it becomes easy to eliminate unevenness in power generation efficiency of the cell stack, and it becomes easy to suppress unevenness in temperature in the cell plane. As a whole, it becomes easy to improve the cell voltage obtained from the cell stack. Therefore, it becomes easy to optimize the supply of air to the cell stack.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the grill shutter system according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the cell stack is an air-cooled cell stack. In the grill shutter system.

  In the air-cooled cell stack as in the ninth aspect, the air supplied to the cell stack for power generation also serves as a refrigerant for cooling the battery cells. In the ninth aspect, the air supply can be optimized even for such an air-cooled cell stack.

  According to another aspect (tenth aspect) of the present invention for solving the above-described problem, a cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked in a predetermined stacking direction and an opening for taking air into the cell stack can be opened and closed. A power generation efficiency distribution calculating unit that calculates a distribution of power generation efficiency in the stacking direction of the cell stack based on a voltage obtained from each of the plurality of battery cells, and a grill according to the distribution of the power generation efficiency. A fuel cell vehicle comprising a grille shutter operation control unit for controlling the operation of the shutter.

  In the tenth aspect, it is possible to eliminate unevenness in the power generation efficiency of the cell stack, and as a whole, it is possible to improve the cell voltage obtained from the cell stack. Therefore, it is possible to optimize the supply of air to the cell stack. In addition, suppression of partial deterioration of the cell stack is expected by eliminating the unevenness of the power generation efficiency of the cell stack. In addition, since the cell voltage obtained from the cell stack can be improved, it is expected that the air-cooled fuel cell and the small fuel cell can be suitably used. Further, the grill shutter can be configured by using all or a part of members already provided in the vehicle, and in this case, the burden of adding a new member can be reduced.

  According to the grill shutter system and the fuel cell vehicle of the present invention, it is possible to optimize the supply of air to the cell stack.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example related to the fuel cell vehicle according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration example of a grille shutter according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an operation example of the grille shutter according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an operation example of the grille shutter according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a control example by a grill shutter operation control unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a control example by a grill shutter operation control unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a control example by a grille shutter operation control unit according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a control example by a grille shutter operation control unit according to the second embodiment.

  Each embodiment described below is one mode of the present invention, and can be arbitrarily changed within the scope of the present invention. In each figure and description, the same reference numerals are given to the same members, and descriptions thereof are omitted as appropriate. The scale and shape of each part in each figure may be changed for convenience for explanation.

  Hereinafter, the front-rear direction of the vehicle will be described as “front-rear direction”, the width direction of the vehicle as “left-right direction”, and the direction of gravity as “up-down direction”. These directions are orthogonal to each other. In each figure, the front-rear direction is represented by an arrow X, the left-right direction is represented by an arrow Y, and the up-down direction is represented by an arrow Z.

(Embodiment 1)
FIGS. 1A to 1B show a configuration example relating to a fuel cell vehicle (vehicle 1) according to the present embodiment. A hydrogen tank 2 provided in the vehicle 1 is connected to a cell stack 5 via a hydrogen supply line 3 and a pump 4. By controlling the driving of the pump 4, the supply of hydrogen from the hydrogen tank 2 to the cell stack 5 is controlled.

  A grill shutter 7 that can open and close an opening 6 for taking air into the cell stack 5 is provided in the vicinity of the front bumper of the vehicle 1. The grille shutter 7 includes a first louver 7a and a second louver 7b. By controlling the operation of the grill shutter 7, the supply of air to the cell stack 5 is controlled.

  The cell stack 5 is configured by stacking a plurality of battery cells 8 in a predetermined stacking direction D1. The battery cell 8 includes a separator 9, an anode electrode 10, an electrolyte layer 11, a cathode electrode 12, and a separator 13 that are stacked in the stacking direction D1. The surface on the electrolyte layer 11 side of the anode electrode 10 has a shape that is uneven in the stacking direction D1, and an air flow path (air flow path 10a) is configured by the unevenness. A plurality of air flow paths 10a are arranged in parallel in a predetermined parallel direction D2. Each of the plurality of air flow paths 10a is open to the atmosphere (for example, one end of the air flow path 10a is open to the opening 6 side). The surface on the anode electrode 10 side of the separator 9 may have a shape that is uneven in the stacking direction D1. In this case, an air flow path is constituted by the unevenness.

  The surface of the cathode electrode 12 on the electrolyte layer 11 side has a shape that is uneven in the stacking direction D1, and the unevenness forms a hydrogen flow path (hydrogen flow path 12a). A plurality of the hydrogen flow paths 12a are juxtaposed in a direction intersecting (for example, perpendicular) to the stacking direction D1 and the juxtaposed direction D2. The surface of the separator 13 on the cathode electrode 12 side may have a shape that is uneven in the stacking direction D1. In this case, a hydrogen flow path may be constituted by the unevenness.

  In the battery cell 8, an oxidation reaction of hydrogen occurs on the cathode electrode 12 side and an oxygen reduction reaction occurs on the anode electrode 10 side, and electricity is generated by these chemical reactions. The electric power generated by the cell stack 5 is supplied to the motor 14 and the battery 15. By controlling the supply of these electric powers, the drive of the motor 14 that is the travel drive source of the vehicle 1 is controlled. In the vehicle 1, the motor 14 is basically driven by the supply of power from the battery 15, and the cell 15 is used to prevent the battery 15 from running out when a high torque is required or the SOC of the battery 15 is lowered. Electric power is generated in the stack 5.

  When viewed along the stacking direction D1, the battery cell 8 is configured in a substantially rectangular shape in which the side in the parallel direction D2 of the air flow path 10a is a long side. In other words, the battery cell 8 is configured such that the length of the air channel 10a (air channel length L1) is shorter than the length of the hydrogen channel 12a (hydrogen channel length L2). Since the air flow path length L1 is shortened, the pressure loss of the air when air is taken into the air flow path 10a is reduced.

  The battery cell 8 may generate heat due to the chemical reaction. On the other hand, the cell stack 5 is configured as an air-cooled cell stack 5. In the air-cooled cell stack 5, the air supplied to the cell stack 5 for power generation also serves as a refrigerant for cooling the battery cells 8.

  Since the thermal conductivity of air is lower than the thermal conductivity of water, in general, a water-cooled cell stack is often used in vehicles (four wheels). On the other hand, in the vehicle 1, since the air supply can be optimized also for the cell stack 5, the air-cooled cell stack 5 can be suitably used. The air-cooled cell stack 5 is easier to reduce in size than the water-cooled cell stack because the water-cooling system can be omitted.

  The cell stack 5 is arranged such that the stacking direction D1 of the battery cells 8 is along the vertical direction (arrow Z direction), and the parallel direction D2 of the air flow paths 10a is along the horizontal direction (arrow Y direction). 1 is installed. The cell stack 5 has a voltage sensor 16 (see FIG. 5) for detecting the voltage obtained from each of the plurality of battery cells 8, and a temperature for detecting the temperature in the cell plane of at least one battery cell 8. A temperature sensor 17 (see FIG. 5) is provided. The vehicle 1 is provided with various sensors such as a vehicle speed sensor for detecting the speed of the vehicle 1 and an SOC sensor for detecting the SOC of the battery 15.

  A fan 18 is provided in the opening 6. When the fan 18 is driven, air is supplied to the cell stack 5 even when it is difficult to take in sufficient traveling wind from the opening 6 (for example, when the vehicle 1 is stopped, immediately after starting traveling, or during low-speed operation). As described above, the air flow path length L1 of the battery cell 8 is shortened, and the pressure loss of the air when the air is taken into the air flow path 10a is reduced. Even if it exists, air is suitably taken in into the air flow path 10a.

  The fan 18 is provided upstream of the air flowing through the opening 6 relative to the grill shutter 7. According to this, the air flux formed by the grill shutter 7 is not disturbed by the fan 18. However, the fan 18 may be provided downstream of the air flowing through the opening 6 rather than the grill shutter 7. Of course, the fan 18 may be omitted.

  Further, the edge 6 a of the opening 6 and the cell stack 5 communicate with each other by a duct 19 downstream of the air flowing through the opening 6 than the grill shutter 7. According to this, the air taken in from the opening 6 is efficiently supplied to the cell stack 5. However, the duct 19 may be omitted.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the grill shutter 7. The grille shutter 7 includes a shaft 20 extending in a predetermined direction, and a plate-like member 21 that rotates or rotates around the shaft 20. For example, the first louver 7a constituting the grill shutter 7 includes a first shaft 20a extending in the left-right direction (arrow Y direction) and a first plate member 21a provided on the first shaft 20a. Configured. A plurality of first shafts 20a are arranged side by side in the vertical direction (arrow Z direction), and a first plate member 21a is provided on each first shaft 20a. The end portion of the first shaft 20a is pivotally supported by a bearing portion (not shown) and is connected to the first actuator 22a (see FIG. 5). By controlling the driving of the first actuator 22a, the operation (rotation angle) of the first plate member 21a is controlled.

  The first plate-like members 21a are connected to each other by a link portion (not shown). Therefore, by driving the first actuator 22a, the first plate-like members 21a can be rotated in conjunction with each other. However, each 1st axis | shaft 20a may be connected to an actuator, respectively, and the rotation angle of each 1st plate-shaped member 21a may be comprised independently, respectively. The first plate-like member 21a may be configured to have two or more groups that can rotate in conjunction with each other.

  The second louver 7b constituting the grill shutter 7 includes a second shaft 20b extending in the vertical direction (arrow Z direction) and a second plate member 21b provided on the second shaft 20b. Configured. A plurality of second shafts 20b are juxtaposed in the left-right direction (arrow Y direction), and a second plate member 21b is provided on each second shaft 20b. An end portion of the second shaft 20b is pivotally supported by a bearing portion (not shown) and is connected to a second actuator 22b (see FIG. 5). By controlling the driving of the second actuator 22b, the operation (rotation angle) of the second plate member 21b is controlled.

  Each 2nd plate-shaped member 21b is mutually connected by the link part (not shown). Therefore, by driving the second actuator 22b, the second plate-like members 21b can be rotated in conjunction with each other. However, each 1st axis | shaft 20a may be connected to an actuator, respectively, and the rotation angle of each 1st plate-shaped member 21a may be comprised independently, respectively. The first plate-like member 21a may be configured to have two or more groups that can rotate in conjunction with each other.

  The 1st louver 7a and the 2nd louver 7b are provided in the same opening 6, and the 1st louver 7a is provided upstream of the air which flows through the opening 6 rather than the 2nd louver 7b. According to this, the air flux formed by the first louver 7a is hardly affected by the second louver 7b. However, the positional relationship between the first louver 7a and the second louver 7b may be reversed. A plurality of first louvers 7a may be provided, and a plurality of second louvers 7b may be provided. The first louver 7a and the second louver 7b may be provided in different openings 6. The second louver 7b may be omitted.

  3 (a) to 3 (d) and FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (d) show an example of the operation of the grill shutter 7, and in particular show an example of the operation of the first louver 7a. The 1st louver 7a will be in an open state at the rotation angle which a clearance gap produces between each 1st plate-shaped member 21a. In the open state, the flow velocity of the air is changed in the vertical direction according to the rotation angle of the first plate-like member 21a. For example, when the first plate-like member 21a is rotated in the predetermined direction P1, the flow velocity of the air is changed upward (see FIGS. 3B to 3C). Conversely, when the first plate-like member 21a is rotated in a predetermined direction P2 (a direction opposite to the predetermined direction P1), the air flow rate is changed downward (see FIGS. 4B to 4C). ).

  Since the cell stack 5 is arranged in the vehicle 1 so that the stacking direction D1 of the plurality of battery cells 8 is along the vertical direction (arrow Z direction), the rotation angle of the first plate member 21a is controlled. Thus, the supply of air in the stacking direction D1 to the cell stack 5 is controlled. The 1st louver 7a will be in a closed state at the rotation angle which does not produce a clearance gap between each 1st plate-shaped member 21a (refer FIG.3 (d) and FIG.4 (d)).

  The operation example of the second louver 7b is basically the same as the operation example of the first louver 7a. In the open state, the flow rate of air is changed in the left-right direction according to the rotation angle of the second plate-like member 21b. For example, when the second plate-like member 21b is rotated in a predetermined direction, the air flow rate is changed to the left. Conversely, when the second plate-like member 21b is rotated in the opposite direction, the air flow rate is changed to the right.

  Since the cell stack 5 is arranged in the vehicle 1 so that the parallel direction D2 of the air flow paths 10a is along the left-right direction (arrow Y direction), the rotation angle of the second plate member 21b is controlled. Thus, the supply of air in the juxtaposed direction D2 to the cell stack 5 is controlled. The 2nd louver 7b will be in a closed state at the rotation angle which does not produce a clearance gap between each 2nd plate-shaped member 21b.

  The operation of the first louver 7a and the operation of the second louver 7b can be controlled independently. Therefore, in the vehicle 1, the supply of air in the stacking direction D1 and the supply of air in the juxtaposed direction D2 to the cell stack 5 are controlled independently of each other.

  FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of the ECU 23 (control device) provided in the vehicle 1 using blocks. The ECU 23 is configured around a microcomputer, and each part is realized by execution of a program by the microcomputer. The ECU 23 is provided with a ROM in which various control programs are stored in advance, a timer counter, and the like. The ECU 23 is configured to be able to read information obtained from various sensors (voltage sensor 16, temperature sensor 17, vehicle speed sensor, SOC sensor, etc.) provided in the vehicle 1.

  The ECU 23 performs basic control of the vehicle 1. For example, the drive of the pump 4 is controlled based on information obtained from various sensors, and the supply of hydrogen to the cell stack 5 is controlled. Further, the ECU 23 controls driving of the motor 14 based on information obtained from various sensors. Further, the ECU 23 controls the power generation amount in the cell stack 5 based on information obtained from various sensors.

  The ECU 23 includes a power generation efficiency distribution calculation unit 24, a temperature distribution calculation unit 25, and a grill shutter operation control unit 26. Among these, the grill shutter operation control unit 26 includes a first louver operation control unit 26a and a second louver operation control unit 26b.

  The power generation efficiency distribution calculating unit 24 detects the voltage obtained from each of the plurality of battery cells 8 based on information obtained from the voltage sensor 16 or the like. Furthermore, the power generation efficiency distribution calculation unit 24 calculates the distribution of the power generation efficiency Ev of the cell stack 5 in the stacking direction D1 based on the detected voltage. Then, the power generation efficiency distribution calculating unit 24 obtains a portion of the cell stack 5 where the power generation efficiency Ev is high and a portion where the power generation efficiency Ev is low based on the calculated distribution of the power generation efficiency Ev.

  The temperature distribution calculation unit 25 calculates the distribution of the temperature Tc in the juxtaposed direction D2 within the cell plane of the battery cells 8 based on information obtained from the temperature sensor 17 and the like. Then, based on the calculated distribution of the temperature Tc, the temperature distribution calculation unit 25 obtains a portion of the cell stack 5 where the temperature Tc is high and a portion where the temperature Tc is low.

  The first louver operation control unit 26a outputs a signal to the first actuator 22a according to the distribution of the power generation efficiency Ev to control the operation of the first louver 7a. The second louver operation control unit 26b outputs a signal to the second actuator 22b according to the distribution of the temperature Tc, and controls the operation of the second louver 7b.

  6A to 6C show a first control example by the grill shutter operation control unit 26. FIG. When the power generation status of the plurality of battery cells 8 differs in the stacking direction D1, a difference occurs in the voltage obtained from the battery cell 8, and as a result, the power generation efficiency Ev of the cell stack 5 may be uneven. In FIG. 6A, although the power generation efficiency Ev is high in the central portion D1_C in the stacking direction D1 of the cell stack 5, the upper D1_U and the lower D1_D that are separated from the central portion D1_C in the stacking direction D1 are compared with the central portion D1_C. Therefore, the power generation efficiency Ev is low.

  The portion where the power generation efficiency Ev is low is considered to be a situation where there is not enough air necessary for power generation. Therefore, the first louver operation control unit 26a of the grill shutter operation control unit 26 is configured so that more air is supplied to the portion of the cell stack 5 where the power generation efficiency Ev is lower than the portion where the power generation efficiency Ev is high. Control the supply of air to 5. In FIG. 6B, the operation of the first louver 7a is controlled so that more air is supplied to the upper portion D1_U of the cell stack 5 in the stacking direction D1 than in the central portion D1_C of the stacking direction D1.

  As a result, the voltage obtained from the upper part D1_U of the cell stack 5 in the stacking direction D1 can be increased, and the power generation efficiency Ev at the upper part D1_U can be increased. Accordingly, as a whole, the cell voltage VC obtained from the cell stack 5 can be improved as compared with the case of FIG. 6A (cell voltage VC_b in the case of FIG. 6B >> in FIG. 6A. Cell voltage VC_a).

  Thereafter, the first louver operation control unit 26a of the grill shutter operation control unit 26 performs the same type of control by grasping that the power generation efficiency Ev of the lower D1_D of the cell stack 5 in the stacking direction D1 is low. In FIG. 6C, the operation of the first louver 7a is controlled so that more air is supplied to the lower portion D1_D of the cell stack 5 in the stacking direction D1 than the upper portion D1_U of the stacking direction D1.

  As a result, the voltage obtained from the lower part D1_D of the cell stack 5 in the stacking direction D1 can be increased, and the power generation efficiency Ev at the lower part D1_D can be increased. As a result, the cell voltage VC obtained from the cell stack 5 can be improved as a whole as compared with the case of FIG. 6B (cell voltage VC_c in the case of FIG. 6C> in FIG. 6B). Cell voltage VC_b).

  7A to 7C show a second control example by the grill shutter operation control unit 26. FIG. The second control example is performed together with the first control. In the battery cell 8, when the calorific value and the heat radiation amount are different in the parallel direction D2, the temperature Tc in the cell plane may be uneven. In FIG. 7A, when viewed along the air flow, the temperature Tc of the right part D2_R, the temperature Tc of the left part D2_L, and the temperature Tc of the center part D2_C of the cell stack 5 in the parallel direction D2 are increased in this order. (The temperature of the right part D2_R <the temperature of the left part D2_L <the temperature of the center part D2_C).

  If the temperature in the cell plane increases excessively, it tends to be disadvantageous in terms of power generation efficiency. Therefore, the second louver operation control unit 26b of the grill shutter operation control unit 26 supplies the cell stack 5 with more air supplied to the portion of the cell stack 5 where the temperature Tc is higher than that of the portion where the temperature Tc is low. To control the air supply. In FIG. 7B, the operation of the second louver 7b is controlled so that more air is supplied to the left part D2_L in the juxtaposed direction D2 than in the right part D2_R of the cell stack 5 in the juxtaposed direction D2. ing.

  As a result, the left part D2_L of the cell stack 5 in the juxtaposed direction D2 can be actively cooled by air. Thereby, as a whole, an improvement in the cell voltage obtained from the cell stack 5 is expected as compared with the case of FIG.

  Thereafter, the second louver operation control unit 26b of the grill shutter operation control unit 26 performs the same kind of control by capturing that the temperature Tc of the right portion D2_R of the cell stack 5 in the juxtaposed direction D2 is high. In FIG. 7C, the operation of the second louver 7b is controlled so that more air is supplied to the right part D2_R in the juxtaposed direction D2 than in the left part D2_L of the cell stack 5 in the juxtaposed direction D2. ing.

  As a result, the right part D2_R of the cell stack 5 in the juxtaposed direction D2 can be positively cooled. Thereby, as a whole, an improvement in the cell voltage obtained from the cell stack 5 is expected as compared with the case of FIG.

  In the grill shutter system and the vehicle 1 described above, unevenness in the power generation efficiency Ev of the cell stack 5 can be eliminated, and unevenness in the temperature Tc degree in the cell plane can be suppressed. Thereby, as a whole, the cell voltage VC obtained from the cell stack 5 can be easily improved. Therefore, it becomes easy to optimize the supply of air to the cell stack 5. In addition, suppression of partial deterioration of the cell stack 5 is expected because unevenness of the power generation efficiency Ev of the cell stack 5 can be eliminated and unevenness of the temperature Tc degree in the cell plane can be suppressed.

  In addition, since the cell voltage VC obtained from the cell stack 5 can be improved, it is expected that the cell voltage VC can be suitably used even in an air-cooled cell stack or a small cell stack. Furthermore, the grill shutter 7 can be configured using all or a part of the members already provided in the vehicle 1, and in this case, the burden of adding a new member can be reduced.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the grille shutter 7 rotates or rotates centering on the direction along the lamination direction D1, and the 1st louver 7a rotated or rotated centering on the direction along the parallel direction D2. In this example, the grill shutter operation control unit 26 independently controls the operation of the first louver 7a and the operation of the second louver 7b. According to this, it becomes easy to eliminate unevenness of the power generation efficiency Ev of the cell stack 5 and to easily suppress unevenness of the temperature Tc in the cell plane.

(Embodiment 2)
In the grill shutter system and the fuel cell vehicle according to the present embodiment, the operation of each plate-like member 21 of the grill shutter 7A can be controlled independently.

  In the first louver 7a of the grill shutter 7A, the plurality of first shafts 20a are each independently connected to the plurality of first actuators 22a. In the second louver 7b of the grille shutter 7, the plurality of second shafts 20b are independently connected to the plurality of second actuators 22b, respectively. The grill shutter operation control unit independently controls the rotation angle of each first plate member 21a of the first louver 7a, and independently controls the rotation angle of each second plate member 21b of the second louver 7b. Control.

  FIGS. 8A to 8C show a first control example by the grill shutter operation control unit 26. In the open state, the rotation angle of each first plate-like member 21a of the first louver 7a can be controlled. For example, the upper part D1_U (see FIG. 8A) in the stacking direction D1, the lower part D1_D, the central part D1_C ( Further, air can be easily supplied by targeting a predetermined portion in the stacking direction D1, such as both the upper portion D1_U and the lower portion D1_D (see FIG. 8C) excluding the central portion D1_C. .

  Therefore, for example, the ECU 23 can specify the portion of the cell stack 5 with the lowest power generation efficiency Ev and supply air aiming at the portion with the lowest power generation efficiency Ev. This makes it easy to improve the cell voltage obtained from the cell stack 5 as a whole.

  9A to 9C show a second control example by the grille shutter operation control unit 26. FIG. In the open state, the rotation angle of each of the second plate-like members 21b of the second louver 7b can be controlled. For example, the left portion D2_L (see FIG. 9A) or the right portion D2_R in the juxtaposed direction D2 Aiming at a predetermined part in the juxtaposed direction D2, such as the part D2_C (see FIG. 9B), and further, both the left part D2_L and the right part D2_R (see FIG. 9C) excluding the central part D2_C, It becomes easy to supply air.

  Therefore, for example, the ECU 23 can specify the portion of the cell stack 5 having the highest temperature Tc, and supply air targeting the portion having the highest temperature Tc. This makes it easy to improve the cell voltage obtained from the cell stack 5 as a whole.

  In the grill shutter system and the vehicle described above, it becomes easier to improve the cell voltage obtained from the cell stack 5 than in the first embodiment. Therefore, it becomes easier to optimize the supply of air to the cell stack 5 than in the first embodiment.

(Other embodiments)
As mentioned above, although the one aspect | mode of the grill shutter system and fuel cell vehicle (vehicle 1) of this invention was demonstrated, this invention is not limited to the said Embodiment 1-2. The above-mentioned Embodiments 1 and 2 can be combined with each other partially or entirely within the scope of the present invention.

  The configuration of the cell stack 5 is not limited to that of the above embodiment. For example, the number of stacked battery cells 8 can be changed according to the specifications of the cell stack 5 and the like. Further, the air flow path length L1 and the hydrogen flow path length L2 may be the same, or the hydrogen flow path length L2 may be made longer. A water-cooled cell stack 5 may be adopted as the cell stack 5.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the cell stack 5 is arranged so that the stacking direction D1 is along the vertical direction (arrow Z direction) has been described, but the cell stack 5 is arranged so that the stacking direction D1 is along the other direction. May be. Similarly, in the above embodiment, the example in which the cell stack 5 is arranged so that the juxtaposed direction D2 is along the left-right direction (arrow Y direction) has been described. A stack 5 may be arranged. Regardless of how the cell stack 5 is arranged in the vehicle 1, the first louver 7a and the second louver 7b can be arranged so as to correspond to the stacking direction D1 and the juxtaposed direction D2 of the cell stack 5.

  Further, as the first louver 7a and the second louver 7b, the configuration example in which the shaft 20 is the rotation center of the plate-like member 21 has been described, but the configuration of the first louver 7a and the second louver 7b is limited to such a configuration. Not. The shaft 20 may be configured to be the center of rotation of the plate-like member 21.

  The present invention can also be applied to a vehicle in which a plurality of openings 6 for taking air into the cell stack 5 are formed. For example, there is a vehicle in which different openings 6 corresponding to each of an upper grill and a lower grill are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction. Also for such a vehicle, the grill shutter 7 can be provided in either one or both of the opening corresponding to the upper grill and the opening corresponding to the upper grill.

  The present invention can be used in the industrial field related to a grill shutter system and a fuel cell vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle 2 Hydrogen tank 3 Hydrogen supply line 4 Pump 5 Cell stack 6 Opening 6a Edge 7, 7A Grill shutter 7a 1st louver 7b 2nd louver 8 Battery cell 9 Separator 10 Anode electrode 10a Air flow path 11 Electrolyte layer 12 Cathode electrode 12a Hydrogen flow path 13 Separator 14 Motor 15 Battery 16 Voltage sensor 17 Temperature sensor 18 Fan 19 Duct 20 Axis 20a First axis 20b Second axis 21 Plate member 21a First plate member 21b Second plate member 22a First actuator 22b Second actuator 23 ECU
24 power generation efficiency distribution calculation unit 25 temperature distribution calculation unit 26 grill shutter operation control unit 26a first louver operation control unit 26b second louver operation control unit

Claims (10)

A cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked in a predetermined stacking direction;
A grille shutter capable of opening and closing an opening for taking air into the cell stack;
Based on the voltage obtained from each of the plurality of battery cells, a power generation efficiency distribution calculation unit that calculates a distribution of power generation efficiency in the stacking direction of the cell stack;
And a grill shutter operation control unit for controlling the operation of the grill shutter according to the distribution of the power generation efficiency. The grill shutter system according to claim 1,
The grill shutter operation control unit includes:
The supply of the air to the cell stack is controlled so that more air is supplied to a portion of the cell stack in which the power generation efficiency in the stacking direction is low than in a portion of the stacking direction in which the power generation efficiency is high. Grill shutter system characterized by this. The grill shutter system according to claim 1 or 2,
A temperature distribution calculation unit for calculating a temperature distribution in the cell plane of at least one of the battery cells;
The grille shutter operation control unit controls the operation of the grille shutter according to the distribution of power generation efficiency and the distribution of temperature. The grill shutter system according to claim 3,
In the cell stack, a plurality of the air flow paths are juxtaposed in a predetermined juxtaposition direction,
The air flow path is open to the atmosphere;
The grill shutter operation control unit includes:
Controlling the supply of the air to the cell stack so that more air is supplied to a portion of the cell stack having a high temperature in the juxtaposed direction than a portion having a low temperature in the juxtaposed direction. A grill shutter system. The grill shutter system according to claim 4,
The grill shutter is
A first louver that rotates or pivots around a direction along the parallel direction;
A second louver that rotates or pivots around a direction along the stacking direction,
The grill shutter operation control unit controls operations of the first louver and the second louver independently. The grill shutter system according to claim 5,
The grill shutter operation control unit includes:
Controlling the operation of the first louver according to the voltage distribution;
A grill shutter system, wherein operation of the second louver is controlled in accordance with the temperature distribution. The grill shutter system according to claim 5 or 6,
The first louver and the second louver are provided in the same opening,
The grill shutter system characterized in that the first louver is provided upstream of the air flowing through the opening than the second louver. A grill shutter system according to any one of claims 5 to 7,
The first louver includes a plurality of first shafts and a plurality of first plate-like members that rotate or rotate around the first shaft,
The second louver includes a plurality of second shafts and a plurality of second plate-like members that rotate or rotate around the second shaft,
The grill shutter operation control unit can control each of the plurality of first plate-like members independently, and can control each of the plurality of second plate-like members independently. Grill shutter system. A grill shutter system according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The grille shutter system, wherein the cell stack is an air-cooled cell stack. A cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked in a predetermined stacking direction;
A grille shutter capable of opening and closing an opening for taking air into the cell stack;
Based on the voltage obtained from each of the plurality of battery cells, a power generation efficiency distribution calculation unit that calculates a distribution of power generation efficiency in the stacking direction of the cell stack;
A fuel cell vehicle comprising: a grill shutter operation control unit that controls the operation of the grill shutter according to the distribution of the power generation efficiency.

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