JP2020043021A - Fuel cell vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

To reduce a possibility that produced water discharged from a fuel cell vehicle freezes on a road surface.SOLUTION: A fuel cell vehicle comprises: a fuel cell; a storage part for storing therein produced water produced as a result of power generation by the fuel cell; a drain valve that switches between a closed state, in which the produced water is stored in the storage part, and an opened state, in which the produced water stored is discharged from the storage part to the outside of the fuel cell vehicle; an outside air temperature acquisition part for acquiring an outside air temperature of the fuel cell vehicle; a position information acquisition part for acquiring current position information indicative of a current position of the fuel cell vehicle and stop position information indicative of a stop position at which the vehicle stops in accordance with a traffic rule; and a control part for controlling whether to set the drain valve in the opened state or the closed state. The control part sets the drain valve in the closed state when the outside air temperature acquired by the outside air temperature acquisition part is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature and a position relationship between the current position and the stop position based on the current position information and the stop position information acquired by the position information acquisition part corresponds with a predetermined proximity relationship.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell vehicle.

  For example, Patent Literature 1 describes a method of discharging generated water of a fuel cell system. In this method, the generated water generated in the fuel cell is temporarily stored in the storage unit, and when the water level in the storage unit exceeds a preset water level, the generated water in the storage unit is discharged.

JP 2002-313403 A

  In a fuel cell vehicle equipped with the above-described system, generated water may be discharged to a place where the vehicle brakes or starts, such as an intersection where a traffic signal is installed, and when the outside air temperature is low, In addition, there is a possibility that discharged product water is frozen in such a place.

  The present invention can be realized as the following modes.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a fuel cell vehicle is provided. The fuel cell vehicle includes a fuel cell, a storage unit configured to store generated water generated by power generation of the fuel cell, a closed state configured to store the generated water in the storage unit, and a storage unit configured to store the generated water. A drain valve that switches between an open state and an outside temperature for discharging the fuel cell vehicle out of the storage unit, an outside air temperature acquisition unit that obtains an outside air temperature of the fuel cell vehicle, and a current position indicating a current position of the fuel cell vehicle A position information acquisition unit that acquires information and stop position information indicating a stop position at which the vehicle stops in accordance with traffic rules; and a control unit that controls the open state and the closed state of the drain valve. The control unit is configured so that the outside air temperature acquired by the outside air temperature acquisition unit is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, and based on the current position information and the stop position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit. When the positional relationship between the current position and the stop position is a predetermined close relationship, the drain valve is closed.
According to the fuel cell vehicle of this aspect, when the outside air temperature is low, it is possible to suppress the generated water from being discharged from the fuel cell vehicle at the stop position. Therefore, the possibility that the generated water discharged from the fuel cell vehicle freezes on the road surface at the stop position can be reduced.
The present invention can be realized in various forms other than the fuel cell vehicle. For example, the present invention can be realized in the form of a method of controlling a fuel cell vehicle, a method of draining a fuel cell vehicle, and the like.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a fuel cell vehicle according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a fuel cell system according to a first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing the contents of drainage processing according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a drainage restriction area according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a fuel cell vehicle according to a second embodiment.

A. First embodiment:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a fuel cell vehicle 10 according to the first embodiment. The fuel cell vehicle 10 of the present embodiment includes a fuel cell system 20 including the fuel cell 100, a traveling motor 30, an outside air temperature sensor 40, a navigation device 50, and a control unit 500. The fuel cell vehicle 10 is driven by a traveling motor 30 that is supplied with electric power from the fuel cell 100.

  The outside air temperature sensor 40 acquires the outside air temperature of the fuel cell vehicle 10. Information about the outside air temperature acquired by the outside air temperature sensor 40 is sent to the control unit 500. Note that the outside air temperature sensor 40 may be referred to as an outside air temperature acquisition unit.

  The navigation device 50 includes a GNSS receiver. GNSS is an acronym for Global Navigation Satellite System, and refers to the Global Navigation Satellite System. The navigation device 50 acquires position information indicating the current position of the fuel cell vehicle 10 using a signal from a satellite received by the GNSS receiver. Hereinafter, the position information indicating the current position of the fuel cell vehicle 10 is referred to as current position information.

  The navigation device 50 stores map information in advance. In the map information, position information indicating a stop position is set. The stop position is, for example, a point where a traffic signal is provided, a point where a stop road sign is provided, a point where a stop road sign is provided, a point where a pedestrian crossing is provided, or a railroad crossing. Means a position where the vehicle stops in accordance with traffic regulations, such as a point provided with. Hereinafter, the position information indicating the stop position is referred to as stop position information.

  The navigation device 50 of the present embodiment acquires current position information using a GNSS receiver, and acquires stop position information using map information. The current position information and the stop position information acquired by the navigation device 50 are sent to the control unit 500. Note that the navigation device 50 may be referred to as a position information acquisition unit.

  The control unit 500 is configured as a computer including a CPU, a memory, and an input / output interface. The CPU controls power generation by the fuel cell system 20 by executing a control program stored in the memory. Further, the CPU executes a control program stored in the memory to execute a drainage process described later.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the fuel cell system 20 according to the first embodiment. The fuel cell system 20 according to the present embodiment includes a fuel cell 100, a hydrogen gas supply / discharge system 200, and an air supply / discharge system 300.

  The fuel cell 100 of the present embodiment is a polymer electrolyte fuel cell 100. The fuel cell 100 generates an electromotive force by an electrochemical reaction. As a reaction gas of the fuel cell 100, hydrogen gas is used as a fuel gas, and air is used as an oxidizing gas. The fuel cell 100 has a stack structure in which a plurality of unit cells 101 are stacked, and the unit cells 101 are connected in series. Each single cell 101 includes a membrane electrode assembly having electrode catalyst layers on both sides of an electrolyte membrane, and a pair of separators sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly. An anode channel through which hydrogen gas flows is formed between the membrane electrode assembly and the separator on the anode side. A cathode flow path through which air flows is formed between the membrane electrode assembly and the separator on the cathode side.

  The hydrogen gas supply / discharge system 200 includes a hydrogen tank 211, a hydrogen supply channel 212, a main stop valve 213, a hydrogen discharge channel 221, a first gas-liquid separator 231, a hydrogen circulation channel 241, A circulation pump 242, an exhaust / drainage flow path 232, and an exhaust / drainage valve 233 are provided. The hydrogen gas to be supplied to the fuel cell 100 is stored in the hydrogen tank 211. The hydrogen supply channel 212 is a channel that connects the hydrogen tank 211 and the inlet of the anode channel of the fuel cell 100. A main stop valve 213 is provided in the hydrogen supply channel 212. By opening the main stop valve 213, the hydrogen gas stored in the hydrogen tank 211 is supplied to the anode flow path of the fuel cell 100 via the hydrogen supply flow path 212.

  The hydrogen discharge channel 221 is a channel that connects the outlet of the anode channel of the fuel cell 100 and the first gas-liquid separator 231. The anode off-gas discharged from the fuel cell 100 flows through the hydrogen discharge channel 221. The anode off-gas includes, in addition to unconsumed hydrogen gas, nitrogen gas and water generated by power generation of the fuel cell 100. The first gas-liquid separator 231 separates unconsumed hydrogen gas contained in the anode off-gas from nitrogen gas and generated water. The separated product water is stored in the first gas-liquid separator 231. In the present embodiment, the first gas-liquid separator 231 may be referred to as a storage unit.

  The hydrogen circulation channel 241 is a channel that connects the first gas-liquid separator 231 and the main stop valve 213 in the hydrogen supply channel 212 with the fuel cell 100. A hydrogen circulation pump 242 is provided in the hydrogen circulation channel 241. The hydrogen gas separated from the anode off-gas by the first gas-liquid separator 231 is circulated to the hydrogen supply channel 212 by the hydrogen circulation pump 242.

  The exhaust / drain passage 232 is a passage that connects the first gas-liquid separator 231 and the air discharge passage 321 described below between the fuel cell 100 and the muffler 322. An exhaust / drain valve 233 is provided in the hydrogen discharge channel 221. By closing the exhaust / drain valve 233, the generated water is stored in the first gas-liquid separator 231. When the exhaust / drain valve 233 is opened, the anode off-gas containing the generated water stored in the first gas-liquid separator 231 is discharged to the outside of the fuel cell vehicle 10 through the air discharge passage 321. In the present embodiment, the exhaust / drain valve 233 may be referred to as a drain valve.

  The air supply / discharge system 300 includes an air supply flow path 311, an air discharge flow path 321, and a muffler 322. The air supply channel 311 is a channel connected to the inlet of the cathode channel of the fuel cell 100. The air introduced from the atmosphere into the air supply channel 311 is supplied to the cathode channel of the fuel cell 100.

  The air discharge channel 321 is a channel connected to the outlet of the cathode channel of the fuel cell 100. A muffler 322 for silencing is provided in the air discharge channel 321. The cathode off-gas discharged from the fuel cell 100 flows through the air discharge channel 321. The cathode off-gas includes water generated by the power generation of the fuel cell 100 in addition to air. The anode off-gas flows into the air discharge passage 321 upstream of the muffler 322 via the exhaust / drain passage 232. The cathode off-gas and anode off-gas flowing through the air discharge channel 321 are discharged to the atmosphere via the muffler 322.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the contents of the drainage processing in the first embodiment. This process is repeatedly executed at predetermined intervals by the control unit 500 during a period from when the start switch 510 for starting the fuel cell vehicle 10 is turned on to when the start switch 510 is turned off. The predetermined interval is, for example, one second.

  First, the control unit 500 acquires the amount of generated water stored in the first gas-liquid separator 231 (Step S110). The control unit 500 can acquire the amount of water stored in the first gas-liquid separator 231 using, for example, a level sensor provided in the first gas-liquid separator 231. Next, the control unit 500 determines whether or not the amount of generated water stored in the first gas-liquid separator 231 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount of water (step S120).

  When it is not determined that the amount of the generated water stored in the first gas-liquid separator 231 is equal to or more than the predetermined amount (step S120: NO), the control unit 500 closes the exhaust / drain valve 233. (Step S180). After step S180, the control unit 500 ends this processing, and after a predetermined interval has elapsed, starts the drainage processing again from step S110. On the other hand, when it is determined that the amount of the generated water stored in the first gas-liquid separator 231 is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount (step S120: YES), the control unit 500 uses the outside air temperature sensor 40. Then, the outside temperature is acquired (step S130).

  After step S130, control unit 500 determines whether or not the outside air temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature (step S140). In the present embodiment, the predetermined temperature is set to 2 degrees Celsius. Note that the predetermined temperature need not be 2 degrees Celsius, but may be 0 degrees Celsius, for example. The predetermined temperature can be set based on the temperature at which the generated water freezes.

  When it is not determined that the outside air temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature (step S140: NO), the control unit 500 opens the exhaust / drain valve 233 (step S170). After step S170, the control section 500 ends this processing, and after a predetermined interval has elapsed, starts the drainage processing again from step S110. On the other hand, when it is determined that the outside air temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature (step S140: YES), control unit 500 uses navigation device 50 to display the current position information and stop position information of fuel cell vehicle 10. Is acquired (step S150).

  After step S150, control unit 500 determines whether or not the positional relationship between the current position and the stop position is a predetermined close relationship based on the current position information and the stop position information (step S160). In the present embodiment, a circular area having a predetermined radius around the node representing the stop position is set in the map information stored in the navigation device 50. Hereinafter, this circular area is referred to as a drainage restriction area. The predetermined radius is, for example, 20 m. In the present embodiment, a positional relationship that the current position is located within the drainage restriction area is set as the predetermined proximity relationship. The control unit 500 refers to the map information of the navigation device 50, and determines that the positional relationship between the current position and the stop position is a predetermined proximity relationship when the current position is located within the drainage restriction area. On the other hand, if the current position is not located within the drainage restriction area, it is not determined that the positional relationship between the current position and the stop position is a predetermined close relationship. Note that the drainage restriction region does not have to be a circular region. For example, a predetermined section in an intersection and on a road connected to the intersection may be set as the drainage restriction area. The predetermined section may be, for example, a section from 20 m before the intersection to the intersection. Further, the drainage restriction area may be set regardless of the distance from the stop position. For example, the section from the stop position to the intersection located immediately before the stop position may be divided into two, and the section closer to the stop position may be set as the drainage restriction area.

  When it is not determined that the positional relationship between the current position and the stop position is in a predetermined proximity relationship (step S160: NO), the control unit 500 opens the exhaust / drain valve 233 (step S170). On the other hand, when it is determined that the positional relationship between the current position and the stop position is in a predetermined proximity relationship (step S160: YES), control unit 500 closes exhaust / drain valve 233 (step S180). . After step S170 or step S180, the control section 500 ends this processing, and after a predetermined interval has elapsed, starts the drainage processing again from step S110.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the drainage restriction area 630 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 shows a map 600 stored in the navigation device 50. On the map 600, a current position 610 of the fuel cell vehicle 10, a traveling route 615 of the fuel cell vehicle 10, a road 620, an intersection 625 where a traffic signal is installed, and a drainage restriction area 630 are shown. . In the map 600 stored in the navigation device 50, points such as intersections 625 are represented by nodes, and roads 620 are represented as links connecting the nodes. In the present embodiment, a drainage restriction area 630 is set around an intersection 625 where a traffic signal is installed.

  In the state shown in FIG. 4, the current position 610 of the fuel cell vehicle 10 is not located in the drainage restriction area 630. Therefore, when the amount of water in the first gas-liquid separator 231 is equal to or more than the predetermined amount of water, the exhaust / drain valve 233 is opened. On the other hand, when the fuel cell vehicle 10 travels along the traveling route 615 and the current position 610 is located in the drainage restriction area 630, the amount of water in the first gas-liquid separator 231 becomes equal to or more than the predetermined amount of water. Even in the case where the outside air temperature is equal to or lower than 2 degrees Celsius, the exhaust / drain valve 233 is closed.

  According to the fuel cell vehicle 10 of the present embodiment described above, it is determined that the outside air temperature is 2 degrees Celsius or less and the current position 610 of the fuel cell vehicle 10 is located in the drainage restriction area 630. In this case, the control unit 500 closes the exhaust / drain valve 233, so that the generated water discharged from the anode flow channel of the fuel cell 100 is prevented from being discharged to the outside of the fuel cell vehicle 10. Therefore, the possibility that the generated water discharged from the fuel cell vehicle 10 freezes on the road surface at the stop position can be reduced. Therefore, the possibility of causing a slip due to the freezing of the road surface can be reduced.

B. Second embodiment:
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a fuel cell vehicle 10b according to the second embodiment. In the fuel cell vehicle 10b according to the second embodiment, the fuel cell system 20b includes the generated water flow path 411, the tank 420, and the drain valve 430, and the muffler 322b includes a second gas-liquid separator. This is different from the first embodiment. Other configurations of the fuel cell vehicle 10b according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment unless otherwise specified.

  A second gas-liquid separator 323 is provided in the muffler 322b of the present embodiment. The second gas-liquid separator 323 of the present embodiment includes a baffle plate, and the cathode offgas and the anode offgas flowing in the muffler 322b are sprayed on the baffle plate, so that generated water contained in the cathode offgas and the anode offgas is reduced. Separated as water droplets. Note that the second gas-liquid separator 323 may be configured to separate generated water contained in the cathode off-gas or the anode off-gas by centrifugation.

  The generated water flow path 411 is connected to the muffler 322b of the present embodiment. A tank 420 for storing generated water is connected to an end of the generated water flow path 411 on the side opposite to the muffler 322b. A drain valve 430 is provided at the bottom of the tank 420. In the present embodiment, the tank 420 instead of the first gas-liquid separator 231 may be referred to as a storage unit. In the present embodiment, the drain valve 430 instead of the exhaust / drain valve 233 may be referred to as a drain valve.

  The contents of the drainage treatment in the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment except that the storage part is not the first gas-liquid separator 231 but the tank 420 and the drainage valve is not the exhaust drainage valve 233 but the drain valve 430. This is the same as the content of the drainage treatment in the first embodiment described with reference to FIG.

  According to the fuel cell vehicle 10b of the present embodiment described above, it is determined that the outside air temperature is 2 degrees Celsius or less and the current position 610 of the fuel cell vehicle 10b is located in the drainage restriction area 630. In this case, the control unit 500 closes the drain valve 430, so that the generated water discharged from the anode flow path and the cathode flow path of the fuel cell 100 is prevented from being discharged to the outside of the fuel cell vehicle 10b. Is done. Therefore, the possibility that the generated water discharged from the fuel cell vehicle 10b freezes on the road surface at the stop position can be further reduced.

C. Other embodiments:
(C1) In the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 10b in each of the above-described embodiments, the control unit 500 acquires the outside air temperature of the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 10b using the outside air temperature sensor 40. On the other hand, the control unit 500 acquires the current positions of the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 10b by the GSNN receiver mounted on the navigation device 50, and connects the acquired current position information with the navigation device 50. The outside temperature of the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 10b may be acquired using the weather forecast information acquired using the communication device.

(C2) In the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 10b in each of the above-described embodiments, the control unit 500 acquires the current position information and the stop position information using the navigation device 50. On the other hand, a stereo camera is provided in front of the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 10b, and the control unit 500 obtains information indicating the distance between the current position and the stop position using the stereo camera. Good. Information indicating the distance between the current position and the stop position is information indicating how close the current position is to the stop position, in other words, how close the stop position is to the current position. It can also be considered as information that indicates In this case, if the distance between the current position and the stop position is within a predetermined distance, control unit 500 determines that the positional relationship between the current position and the stop position is a predetermined close relationship. May be. The predetermined distance may be, for example, 20 m. Note that the control unit 500 may obtain the distance between the current position and the stop position using a monocular camera and a distance measuring device such as a radar or LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) instead of a stereo camera.

(C3) In the fuel cell vehicle 10 according to the first embodiment described above, the controller 500 sets the exhaust / drain valve 233 when the generated water overflows or flows backward from the first gas-liquid separator 231. It may be in an open state. In the fuel cell vehicle 10b according to the second embodiment described above, the control unit 500 may open the drain valve 430 when there is a possibility that the generated water overflows from the tank 420 or flows backward. For example, in the drainage processing described with reference to FIG. 3, when it is determined that the period in which the exhaust / drain valve 233 is closed is longer than a predetermined period, the control unit 500 determines the outside air temperature, Regardless of the positional relationship between the current position and the stop position, the exhaust / drain valve 233 may be opened. In the wastewater treatment described with reference to FIG. 3, if the amount of water in the first gas-liquid separator 231 is equal to or more than a second amount of water that is larger than the predetermined amount of water used in step S <b> 120, control is performed. The unit 500 may open the exhaust / drain valve 233 regardless of the outside air temperature or the positional relationship between the current position and the stop position.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented with various configurations without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each embodiment described in the summary of the invention may be used to solve some or all of the above-described problems, or to provide one of the above-described effects. In order to achieve a part or all, replacement or combination can be appropriately performed. Unless the technical features are described as essential in the present specification, they can be deleted as appropriate.

10, 10b: fuel cell vehicle, 20, 20b: fuel cell system, 30: running motor, 40: outside temperature sensor, 50: navigation device, 100: fuel cell, 101: single cell, 200: hydrogen gas supply / discharge system , 211: hydrogen tank, 212: hydrogen supply channel, 213: main stop valve, 221: hydrogen discharge channel, 231: first gas-liquid separator, 232: exhaust drain channel, 233: exhaust drain valve, 241 Hydrogen circulation channel, 242 hydrogen circulation pump, 300 air supply / discharge system, 311 air supply channel, 321 air discharge channel, 322, 322b muffler, 323 second gas-liquid separator, 411 generation Water flow path, 420 tank, 430 drain valve, 500 control unit, 510 start switch, 600 map, 610 current position, 615 travel route, 620 road, 625 intersection , 630 ... drainage restriction area.

Claims (1)

A fuel cell vehicle,
A fuel cell,
A storage unit that stores generated water generated along with the power generation of the fuel cell,
A drain valve that switches between a closed state in which the generated water is stored in the storage unit and an open state in which the stored generated water is discharged from the storage unit to the outside of the fuel cell vehicle,
An outside temperature acquisition unit that acquires the outside temperature of the fuel cell vehicle,
Current position information indicating the current position of the fuel cell vehicle, and a position information acquisition unit that acquires stop position information indicating a stop position at which the vehicle stops according to traffic rules,
A control unit that controls the open state and the closed state of the drain valve,
With
The control unit is configured so that the outside air temperature acquired by the outside air temperature acquisition unit is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, and based on the current position information and the stop position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit. When the positional relationship between the current position and the stop position is in a predetermined proximity relationship, the drain valve is closed.
Fuel cell vehicle.

Images