JP5166972B2 - Fuel cell system and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell system and a control method thereof.

For example, a fuel cell system provided in a fuel cell vehicle includes a cooling line including a radiator and a cooling pipe for cooling a fuel cell. In such a cooling line, the refrigerant passing through the fuel cell is caused to flow through the cooling pipe, and the heat radiation of the fuel cell is conveyed to the radiator by the refrigerant, and heat is exchanged with the outside air by the radiator to radiate the heat to the atmosphere.
The cooling line is provided with a refrigerant pump for flowing the refrigerant through the cooling pipe, and the refrigerant flows through the cooling pipe by driving the refrigerant pump.

  Such a cooling line is required to stop the cooling of the fuel cell when the temperature of the fuel cell is low, such as when the fuel cell system is started. For example, Patent Literature 1 controls the cooling operation in the cooling line by controlling the driving of the refrigerant pump to adjust the flow rate of the refrigerant. That is, the cooling of the fuel cell can be stopped by stopping the driving of the refrigerant pump and stopping the flow of the refrigerant.

However, in order to reduce the size of the fuel cell system, there is a fuel cell system in which a refrigerant pump that is driven by a pump driving device (for example, a motor) that drives a compressor that supplies air to the fuel cell is incorporated. Drives integrally with the compressor.
Since the compressor is always driven during the operation of the fuel cell system, the refrigerant pump is always driven during the operation of the fuel cell system. For this reason, for example, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot be applied to control the driving of the refrigerant pump, and the flow rate of the refrigerant cannot be adjusted.
Therefore, the cooling pipe is provided with a refrigerant flow control valve, and the opening of the refrigerant flow control valve is adjusted to adjust the refrigerant flow rate in the cooling pipe.

The refrigerant flow rate control valve is, for example, a butterfly valve whose opening degree is adjusted by a control device, and the opening degree of the refrigerant flow rate control valve is detected by an opening degree sensor and input to the control device.
The control device performs feedback control so as to keep the refrigerant flow control valve at a predetermined opening based on the opening of the refrigerant flow control valve input from the opening sensor.
JP 2005-518077 gazette

However, when a detection error occurs in the opening sensor, the control device cannot acquire the exact opening of the refrigerant flow control valve, and an error occurs in the adjustment of the opening of the refrigerant flow control valve, and the cooling There is a problem that the flow rate of the refrigerant in the pipe cannot be adjusted with high accuracy.
In addition, even when the refrigerant flow control valve is maintained in a fully opened state, power is supplied to the refrigerant flow control valve and the opening degree is controlled, so that there is a problem that power consumption in the refrigerant flow control valve is large. .

  Therefore, the present invention can suppress power consumption in the refrigerant flow control valve, and absorbs a detection error of an opening sensor provided in the refrigerant flow control valve, thereby providing a fuel having a refrigerant flow control valve capable of accurately adjusting the refrigerant flow rate. It is an object to provide a battery system and a control method thereof.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a fuel cell stack, a compressor for supplying air to the fuel cell stack, and a refrigerant flow rate for adjusting a flow rate of a refrigerant flowing through a cooling pipe via the fuel cell stack. A control valve, an opening degree detecting means for detecting an opening degree of the refrigerant flow rate control valve, a refrigerant pump for passing the refrigerant through the cooling pipe, and a control device for adjusting the opening degree of the refrigerant flow rate control valve; The fuel cell system is configured such that the compressor and the refrigerant pump share one pump driving device and are driven integrally. Then, immediately after the fuel cell system is started, the control device fully closes the refrigerant flow control valve, acquires the detection value of the opening degree detection means in the fully closed state as a first reference value, and The opening degree of the refrigerant flow control valve is adjusted based on one reference value.

  According to this invention, immediately after the start of the fuel cell system, the control device sets the refrigerant flow rate control valve to a fully closed state, and obtains a first reference value that is a detection value of the opening degree detection means in the fully closed state. Thus, the opening degree of the refrigerant flow control valve can be adjusted based on the first reference value. With this configuration, even when a detection error occurs in the opening detection means, the opening of the refrigerant flow control valve can be adjusted based on the first reference value including the detection error of the opening detection means. The detection error of the degree detection means is suitably absorbed, and the opening degree of the refrigerant flow control valve can be adjusted with high accuracy.

  Further, according to the present invention, the control device sets the refrigerant flow rate control valve to a fully closed state, acquires the first reference value, sets the refrigerant flow rate control valve to a fully open state, and opens the opening degree detection means in the fully open state. The detected value is acquired as a second reference value, and the opening of the refrigerant flow control valve is adjusted based on the first reference value and the second reference value.

  According to this invention, the control device acquires the first reference value, further sets the refrigerant flow control valve to the fully open state, and acquires the second reference value that is the detection value of the opening degree detection means when in the fully open state. Thus, the opening degree of the refrigerant flow control valve can be adjusted based on the first reference value and the second reference value. With this configuration, even when a detection error occurs in the opening degree detection means, the opening degree of the refrigerant flow control valve is adjusted based on the first reference value and the second reference value including the detection error of the opening degree detection means. Since it can be adjusted, the detection error of the opening degree detecting means is suitably absorbed, and the opening degree of the refrigerant flow control valve can be adjusted with high accuracy.

  Further, according to the present invention, the control device corrects a correlation between a preset opening degree of the refrigerant flow control valve and a detection value of the opening degree detection means based on the first reference value, and On the basis of the correlation, the opening degree of the refrigerant flow rate control valve is adjusted.

  According to the present invention, the correlation between the opening degree of the refrigerant flow rate control valve and the detection value of the opening degree detection means that are set in advance can be corrected with the first reference value. Therefore, the correlation between the opening degree and the detected value can be corrected to include the detection error of the opening degree detecting means. Since the opening degree of the refrigerant flow control valve can be adjusted based on the correlation between the corrected opening degree and the detected value, the detection error of the opening degree detecting means can be suitably absorbed, and the opening degree of the refrigerant flow control valve can be accurately obtained. Can be adjusted.

  Further, according to the present invention, the refrigerant flow control valve includes a valve element that operates by driving the valve element driving unit, and a power supply unit that supplies electric power to the valve element driving unit based on a command from the control device. And an urging means for urging the valve body so that the refrigerant flow rate control valve is in a fully opened state, and the control device is a refrigerant flow rate control valve unused mode for making the refrigerant flow rate control valve in a fully opened state. And when the mode detection unit detects the refrigerant flow rate control valve unused mode, the control device acquires the first reference value and the second reference value, A command is given to the power supply means to stop the supply of power to the valve body driving means, and the refrigerant flow control valve is fully opened.

  According to the present invention, when the mode detecting means detects the refrigerant flow control valve unused mode in which the refrigerant flow control valve is fully opened, the control device acquires the first reference value and the second reference value, and then supplies power. A command can be given to the means to stop the supply of electric power to the valve body driving means. Therefore, in the refrigerant flow control valve unused mode, power consumption can be suppressed without supplying power to the refrigerant flow control valve.

  Further, according to the present invention, the control device fully closes the refrigerant flow control valve immediately after the fuel cell system is started, even when the mode detection unit detects the refrigerant flow control valve unused mode. The first reference value is acquired in a state, the refrigerant flow rate control valve is fully opened, and the second reference value is acquired.

  According to the present invention, the control device can acquire the first reference value and the second reference value immediately after the start of the fuel cell system, regardless of whether or not the refrigerant flow rate control valve unused mode is detected by the mode detecting means. it can. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the opening of the refrigerant flow control valve with high accuracy by suitably absorbing the detection error of the opening detection means.

  In addition, the present invention is characterized in that the control device acquires the first reference value when the pump drive device is not operating immediately after the fuel cell system is started.

  According to the present invention, the refrigerant is not flowing through the cooling pipe even when the refrigerant flow control valve is fully closed so that the control device acquires the first reference value. There is no effect.

  The present invention also includes a fuel cell stack, a compressor for supplying air to the fuel cell stack, a refrigerant flow rate control valve for adjusting a flow rate of a refrigerant flowing through a cooling pipe via the fuel cell stack, An opening degree detecting means for detecting an opening degree of the refrigerant flow control valve, a refrigerant pump for passing the refrigerant through the cooling pipe, and a control device for adjusting the opening degree of the refrigerant flow rate control valve. And the refrigerant pump share one pump driving device and are driven integrally, the refrigerant flow rate control valve is based on a valve body that operates by driving valve body driving means, and a command from the control device A control method for a fuel cell system, comprising: power supply means for supplying electric power to the valve body drive means; and urging means for urging the valve body so that the refrigerant flow rate control valve is fully opened. It was. Then, immediately after the fuel cell system is started, the control device detects the opening degree detecting means when the refrigerant flow rate control valve is fully closed and the refrigerant flow rate control valve is fully closed. The control device has a step of acquiring the detected value as a first reference value, and the control device has a step of fully opening the refrigerant flow rate control valve.

  According to the present invention, immediately after starting the fuel cell system, the control device sets the refrigerant flow control valve to the fully closed state, and the detection value detected by the opening degree detection means when the refrigerant flow control valve is in the fully closed state. The control device acquires the first reference value, and the control device fully opens the refrigerant flow control valve, and the control device can acquire the first reference value.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the fuel provided with the refrigerant | coolant flow control valve which can suppress the power consumption in a refrigerant | coolant flow control valve, can absorb the detection error of the opening degree sensor with which a refrigerant | coolant flow control valve is equipped, and can adjust the flow volume of a refrigerant | coolant accurately. A battery system and a control method thereof can be provided.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a fuel cell system according to the present embodiment. A fuel cell system 1 according to this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on a fuel cell vehicle (moving body) (not shown). The fuel cell system 1 includes a fuel cell stack 10, an anode system that supplies and discharges hydrogen (fuel gas and reaction gas) to and from the anode of the fuel cell stack 10, and air that contains oxygen with respect to the cathode of the fuel cell stack 10. A cathode system for supplying and discharging (oxidant gas, reaction gas) and a cooling line for cooling the refrigerant passing through the fuel cell stack 10;
Furthermore, the control apparatus 3 which controls the fuel cell system 1 is provided.

The control device 3 includes, for example, a computer and a program including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like (not shown), peripheral circuits, etc., and a program stored in the ROM Controlled by.
The fuel cell system includes adjustment of the opening degree of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 provided in the cooling line, drive control of the compressor 31 provided in the anode system and a motor (pump driving device) 65 that drives the refrigerant pump 61 provided in the cooling line. 1 has the function of controlling the whole.

<Fuel cell stack>
The fuel cell stack 10 is a stack formed by stacking a plurality of (for example, 200 to 400) solid polymer type single cells, and the plurality of single cells are electrically connected in series. The single cell includes an MEA (Membrane Electrode Assembly) and two conductive anode separators and cathode separators sandwiching the MEA.

  The MEA includes an electrolyte membrane (solid polymer membrane) made of a monovalent cation exchange membrane (for example, perfluorosulfonic acid type), and an anode and a cathode sandwiching the electrolyte membrane. The anode and the cathode are mainly composed of a conductive porous material such as carbon paper, and contain a catalyst (Pt, Ru, etc.) for causing an electrode reaction in the anode and the cathode.

The anode separator is formed with a through-hole (called an internal manifold) extending in the stacking direction of the single cells and a groove extending in the surface direction of the single cells in order to supply and discharge hydrogen to the anode of each MEA. These through holes and grooves function as the anode flow path 11 (fuel gas flow path).
The cathode separator is formed with a through-hole (referred to as an internal manifold) extending in the stacking direction of the single cells and a groove extending in the surface direction of the single cells in order to supply and discharge air to and from the cathode of each MEA. These through holes and grooves function as the cathode channel 12 (oxidant gas channel).

When hydrogen is supplied to each anode via the anode channel 11, an electrode reaction of the following formula (1) occurs, and when air is supplied to each cathode via the cathode channel 12, An electrode reaction of the following formula (2) occurs, and a potential difference (OCV (Open Circuit Voltage), open circuit voltage) is generated in each single cell. When the fuel cell stack 10 and an external circuit such as a travel motor are electrically connected and current is taken out, the fuel cell stack 10 generates power.
2H ₂ → 4H ⁺ + 4e ⁻ (1)
O ₂ + 4H ⁺ + 4e ⁻ → 2H ₂ O (2)

  When the fuel cell stack 10 generates power in this way, a part of the water (water vapor) generated at the cathode permeates the electrolyte membrane and moves to the anode. Therefore, both the cathode offgas discharged from the cathode and the anode offgas discharged from the anode are humid.

<Anode system>
The anode system is provided upstream of the fuel cell stack 10, the hydrogen tank 21, the normally closed shut-off valve 22, the ejector 23, and the gas-liquid separator 24 provided downstream of the fuel cell stack 10, A normally closed purge valve 26 is provided.

The hydrogen tank 21 is connected to the inlet side of the anode channel 11 through a pipe 21a, a shutoff valve 22, a pipe 22a, an ejector 23, and a pipe 23a. The piping 22a is provided with a pressure reducing valve (not shown) for reducing hydrogen to a predetermined pressure, and the pressure of air toward the cathode flow path 12 is input to the pressure reducing valve as a signal pressure (pilot pressure). The pressure reducing valve controls the pressure of the air and the pressure of hydrogen in the anode channel 11 so as to keep the differential pressure between the electrodes.
Then, when the ignition of the fuel cell vehicle is turned on and the shutoff valve 22 is opened when the start of the fuel cell stack 10 is requested, hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 21 is supplied to the anode flow path 11 via the pipe 21a and the like. It has become so.

The outlet of the anode channel 11 is connected to the suction port of the ejector 23 via a pipe 24a, a gas-liquid separator 24, and a pipe 24b. The anode off gas containing unreacted hydrogen discharged from the anode channel 11 (anode) is separated from the liquid water accompanying the anode off gas in the gas-liquid separator 24, and then upstream of the fuel cell stack 10. Is returned to the ejector 23.
The anode off-gas returned to the ejector 23 is mixed with hydrogen from the hydrogen tank 21 and then re-supplied to the anode channel 11. That is, in this embodiment, the hydrogen circulation line which circulates and recycles hydrogen is comprised by the piping 24a and the piping 24b.
In addition, the part close to the gas-liquid separator 24 side of the pipe 24b is arranged in the vertical direction so that when moisture accompanying hydrogen is contained, it is returned to the gas-liquid separator 24 by its own weight. It has become.

  On the other hand, the water separated by the gas-liquid separator 24 is temporarily stored in the gas-liquid separator 24, and then the pipe 25a and the normally closed drain valve 25 and the pipe 25b that are appropriately opened by the control device 3. And is discharged to the upper side of a diluter 33 to be described later.

The purge valve 26 is a normally closed solenoid valve that discharges impurities (water vapor, nitrogen, etc.) contained in the anode off-gas (hydrogen) circulating through the pipe 24a and the pipe 24b when the fuel cell stack 10 generates power (purge). ) Is a valve opened by the control device 3. The upstream side of the purge valve 26 is connected to the pipe 24b via the pipe 26a, and the downstream side is connected to the upper side of the diluter 33 described later via the pipe 26b.
Here, for example, when the voltage (cell voltage) of the single cells constituting the fuel cell stack 10 is equal to or lower than a predetermined cell voltage, the control device 3 determines that the impurities need to be discharged, and sets the purge valve 26 It is set to open. The cell voltage is detected, for example, via a voltage sensor (cell voltage monitor) that detects the voltage of a single cell, and is input to the control device 3.

<Cathode system>
The cathode system includes a compressor 31, a diluter 33, and a humidifier (not shown).

The compressor 31 is connected to the inlet of the cathode channel 12 via a pipe 31a and a humidifier (not shown). When operated according to a command from the control device 3, the compressor 31 takes in oxygen-containing air and supplies the air to the cathode channel 12. The compressor 31 functions as a scavenging means for scavenging the fuel cell stack 10 when scavenging.
The compressor 31 is operated by a motor 65 that uses a high-voltage battery (not shown) as a power source for charging and discharging the fuel cell stack 10 and / or the power generated by the fuel cell stack 10.

  The outlet of the cathode channel 12 is connected to the diluter 33 via a pipe 32b and a humidifier (not shown). The humid cathode off gas discharged from the cathode channel 12 (cathode) is supplied to the diluter 33 through the pipe 32b and the like. The pipe 32b is provided with a back pressure valve (not shown) such as a butterfly valve that controls the air pressure in the cathode flow path 12.

  A humidifier (not shown) includes a hollow fiber membrane for exchanging moisture between the air traveling from the compressor 31 toward the cathode flow path 12 and the air flowing toward the cathode flow path 12 and the humid cathode offgas.

<Diluter>
The diluter 33 is a container that mixes the anode off-gas introduced from the purge valve 26 and the cathode off-gas (dilution gas) introduced from the pipe 32b to dilute hydrogen in the anode off-gas with the cathode off-gas, A dilution space 33a is provided therein. Specifically, the diluter 33 has a pipe 33b through which the cathode off gas flows vertically below the dilution space 33a. The pipe 33b has a communication hole 33c that communicates the inside with the dilution space 33a. Has been.

  The cathode off gas flowing through the pipe 33b sucks the anode off gas staying in the dilution space 33a through the communication hole 33c, and generates a mixed gas of the cathode off gas and the anode off gas inside the pipe 33b. In this way, by generating a mixed gas of the cathode offgas and the anode offgas, hydrogen in the anode offgas is diluted and the hydrogen concentration is reduced. And the produced | generated mixed gas is discharged | emitted outside the vehicle through the piping 33d.

<Cooling line>
Further, the fuel cell system 1 is provided with a cooling line for cooling the refrigerant passing through the fuel cell stack 10. The cooling line is a system connected by a cooling pipe 63a so that the refrigerant can circulate between the fuel cell stack 10 and the radiator 63, and includes a refrigerant pump 61 that circulates the refrigerant.
The radiator 63 has a function of releasing heat of the fuel cell stack 10 to the atmosphere through heat exchange with the outside air via a refrigerant flowing through the cooling pipe 63a.
The refrigerant is, for example, cooling water.

The refrigerant pump 61 pressurizes the refrigerant to flow through the cooling pipe 63a, and circulates the refrigerant through the cooling line. Further, the cooling pipe 63a is provided with a refrigerant flow rate control valve 62 for adjusting the flow rate of the refrigerant.
The refrigerant pump 61 that causes the refrigerant to flow through the cooling pipe 63a is driven by, for example, a motor 65. To reduce the size of the fuel cell system 1, the motor 65 that drives the compressor 31 that supplies air to the fuel cell stack 10 is used. Therefore, the refrigerant pump 61 may be driven integrally with the compressor 31.

  In such a case, while the compressor 31 is being driven, the output of the refrigerant pump 61 cannot be controlled independently, so that the flow rate of the refrigerant in the cooling pipe 63a cannot be adjusted. Therefore, the refrigerant flow control valve 62 is provided in the cooling pipe 63a. The opening degree of the refrigerant flow rate control valve 62 is adjusted by the valve body, and the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the cooling pipe 63a is adjusted by the opening degree.

<Refrigerant flow control valve>
2A is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the refrigerant flow control valve, and FIG. 2B is a view showing the configuration of the movable plate. As shown in FIG. 2A, the refrigerant flow rate control valve 62 according to the present embodiment rotates integrally with a rotary shaft 62a horizontally mounted through the center of the cross section of the cooling pipe 63a having a substantially circular cross section. The opening degree is adjusted by a valve (valve element) 62b, and the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the cooling pipe 63a is adjusted.

The valve 62b is fixed to a rotating shaft 62a that is rotatably supported by the main body 62j of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 by a bearing 62c such as a ball bearing, and the refrigerant flowing direction (hereinafter referred to as a flow path direction) in the cooling pipe 63a. To the vertical direction.
Further, for example, an oil seal 62g is provided between the cooling pipe 63a and the bearing 62c, and seals the leakage of the refrigerant flowing through the cooling pipe 63a toward the bearing 62c.
In addition, what is necessary is just to comprise so that the edge part of the rotating shaft 62a on the opposite side to the bearing 62c may be rotatably supported by the main body 62j of the refrigerant | coolant flow control valve 62, for example by the resin bearing 62f.

The planar shape of the valve 62b is substantially equal to the cross-sectional shape of the cooling pipe 63a, and the valve 62b maximizes the refrigerant from the fully closed position where the refrigerant flowing through the cooling pipe 63a is not allowed to flow at all or hardly flows. It opens and closes between the fully open positions where the flow is limited.
In the fully closed position, the valve 62b stands substantially perpendicular to the flow direction of the cooling pipe 63a to block the flow of the refrigerant flowing through the cooling pipe 63a, and the opening of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 is fully closed. To the fully closed state. Further, at the fully open position, the valve 62b is substantially horizontal in the flow path direction of the cooling pipe 63a, thereby allowing the refrigerant to flow to the maximum extent, so that the opening degree of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 is fully opened. And the opening degree of the refrigerant | coolant flow control valve 62 is determined by the rotation angle with respect to the flow path direction of the cooling piping 63a of the valve 62b.

An opening sensor (opening detection means) 62h and a DC motor 62e are attached to the end of the rotating shaft 62a on the bearing 62c side, for example, and the rotating shaft 62a rotates (operates) by the rotational drive of the DC motor 62e.
Since the valve 62b is fixed to the rotating shaft 62a, the valve 62b is operated by the DC motor 62e. Therefore, the DC motor 62e serves as the valve body driving means described in the claims.

Further, the opening sensor 62h is not limited, and for example, an angle sensor that detects the rotation angle of the rotating shaft 62a can be used.
The opening sensor 62h detects the rotation angle of the rotating shaft 62a, converts the detected value into an angle signal such as an electric signal, and inputs the angle signal to the control device 3.
The control device 3 can acquire the opening degree of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 based on the angle signal input from the opening degree sensor 62h.

The DC motor 62e is driven by power supplied from, for example, a motor drive unit (power supply unit) 62e1, and the motor drive unit 62e1 supplies power to the DC motor 62e based on a command input from the control device 3. Then, the DC motor 62e is driven.
Furthermore, the motor drive unit 62e1 has a function of stopping the supply of power to the DC motor 62e based on a command input from the control device 3.

The output shaft of the DC motor 62e is directly connected to the rotating shaft 62a of the valve 62b and is connected by a screw or the like (not shown). Or the structure which connects the DC motor 62e and the rotating shaft 62a via the deceleration mechanism which is not shown in figure may be sufficient.
Between the bearing 62c and the DC motor 62e, a return spring (biasing means) 62d1 and an auxiliary spring 62d2 made of, for example, a coil spring are disposed so that their central axes coincide with the rotation shaft 62a. Yes.

A substantially disc-shaped movable plate 62a1 that rotates integrally with the rotary shaft 62a is provided at a substantially intermediate point between the bearing 62c and the DC motor 62e, and one end of a return spring 62d1 is locked to the movable plate 62a1.
The other end of the return spring 62d1 is locked to the main body 62j of the refrigerant flow control valve 62.

  The return spring 62d1 rotates the movable plate 62a1 around the rotation shaft 62a, and the movable plate 62a1 and the valve 62b that rotates together via the rotation shaft 62a open the cooling pipe 63a (hereinafter referred to as the valve opening direction). Energize).

One end of the return spring 62d1 and the auxiliary spring 62d2 disposed across the movable plate 62a1 is locked to the movable plate 62a1, and the other end of the auxiliary spring 62d2 is locked to the main body 62j of the refrigerant flow control valve 62. .
The auxiliary spring 62d2 rotates the movable plate 62a1 around the rotation shaft 62a, and the movable plate 62a1 and the valve 62b that rotates integrally via the rotation shaft 62a close the cooling pipe 63a (hereinafter referred to as the valve closing direction). Energize).

Thus, when the valve 62b urged by the return spring 62d1 and the auxiliary spring 62d2 via the movable plate 62a1 rotates in the valve opening direction by the urging force of the return spring 62d1, the auxiliary spring 62d2 is reduced in diameter, and the valve 62b The urging force that urges the valve in the valve closing direction increases. Then, the valve 62b stops in a state where the urging force of the return spring 62d1 that rotates the valve 62b in the valve opening direction and the urging force of the auxiliary spring 62d2 that biases the valve 62b in the valve closing direction are balanced.
And the refrigerant | coolant flow control valve 62 which concerns on this embodiment is set so that it may be in a fully open state, when the urging | biasing force of the return spring 62d1 and the urging | biasing force of the auxiliary spring 62d2 balance.

As shown in FIG. 2 (b), the movable plate 62a1 is formed with a rotation stop 62a4 with a part of the periphery protruding outward. For example, from the main body 62j of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 to the movable plate 62a1 side. Engages with the protruding stopper 62a5.
The rotation stop 62a4 and the stopper 62a5 of the movable plate 62a1 are arranged so as to engage when the valve 62b rotates in the valve closing direction and reaches the fully closed position. That is, when the rotation stop 62a4 and the stopper 62a5 of the movable plate 62a1 are engaged, the valve 62b is in the fully closed position, and the refrigerant flow control valve 62 is fully closed.

  When the refrigerant flow control valve 62 having such a configuration is fully closed, the DC motor 62e (FIG. 2 (a)) is set so that the valve 62b (see FIG. 2 (a)) rotates in the valve closing direction. Rotate the rotating shaft 62a. That is, the control device 3 (see FIG. 2A) gives a command to the motor drive unit 62e1 (see FIG. 2A), and drives the DC motor 62e with electric power supplied from the motor drive unit 62e1. .

  When the rotation stop 62a4 of the movable plate 62a1 that rotates integrally with the rotary shaft 62a that rotates by driving of the DC motor 62e engages with the stopper 62a5, the rotation of the movable plate 62a1 is locked, and the movable plate 62a1 and the rotary shaft 62a. The valve 62b that rotates integrally through the valve is in the fully closed position, and the refrigerant flow control valve 62 is in the fully closed state.

When the control device 3 gives a command to the motor drive unit 62e1 to stop the supply of electric power to the DC motor 62e when the refrigerant flow control valve 62 is in the fully closed state, the motor drive unit 62e1 to the DC motor 62e. Is stopped, and the torque input from the DC motor 62e to the rotating shaft 62a disappears.
The movable plate 62a1 is rotated by the urging force of the return spring 62d1, and the valve 62b is rotated in the valve opening direction. The valve 62b is maintained in a state where the urging force of the return spring 62d1 and the urging force of the auxiliary spring 62d2 are balanced. The opening in this state is the standard opening of the refrigerant flow control valve 62, that is, the default opening.
As described above, the refrigerant flow control valve 62 according to the present embodiment is configured to be fully opened when the urging force of the return spring 62d1 and the urging force of the auxiliary spring 62d2 are balanced. When the valve 62 is set to the default opening, the refrigerant flow control valve 62 is fully opened.
Thus, the refrigerant flow control valve 62 is a normally open type valve because the default opening set when the supply of power to the DC motor 62e is stopped is fully open. become.

  In the refrigerant flow control valve 62 (see FIG. 1) configured as described above, the control device 3 (see FIG. 1) controls the rotation of the DC motor 62e via the motor drive unit 62e1, and the opening degree is adjusted. .

As shown in FIG. 2A, the refrigerant flow rate control valve 62 is provided with an opening degree sensor 62h that detects the rotation angle of the rotation shaft 62a that rotates integrally with the valve 62b, and the rotation angle of the rotation shaft 62a is set to an angle. The signal is input to the control device 3 as a signal. Therefore, the control device 3 can acquire the opening degree of the refrigerant flow rate control valve 62 based on the input rotation angle of the rotary shaft 62a, and based on this opening degree, the opening degree of the refrigerant flow rate control valve 62 is obtained. Can be adjusted.
And the control apparatus 3 controls rotation of the DC motor 62e via the motor drive part 62e1, and operates valve | bulb 62b so that the actual opening degree of the refrigerant | coolant flow control valve 62 may turn into a desired opening degree. .
The desired opening degree is for realizing a suitable refrigerant flow rate in the cooling pipe 63a calculated by the control device 3 based on the outside air temperature and the temperature of each part of the fuel cell system 1 (see FIG. 1). This is the opening degree of the refrigerant flow control valve 62.

As described above, the control device 3 adjusts the opening degree of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 based on the angle signal input from the opening degree sensor 62h. However, when there is a detection error in the opening sensor 62h, the control device 3 cannot accurately detect the rotation angle of the rotating shaft 62a, and as a result, the control device 3 accurately determines the opening of the refrigerant flow control valve 62. Cannot be adjusted.
In particular, since the individual error of each opening sensor 62h cannot be removed at the time of design, if the individual error is large, a large detection error always occurs in the detection value of the opening sensor 62h.
For example, when the refrigerant flow control valve 62 is shipped as a product, even if the individual error of each opening degree sensor 62h is corrected, the refrigerant flow control valve 62 is opened due to a change in temperature or humidity during operation of the refrigerant flow control valve 62, vibration, or the like. A detection error may occur in the degree sensor 62h, and the detection error may be accumulated to increase the detection error. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the individual error includes an error that occurs during operation of the refrigerant flow control valve 62.
Therefore, in order to absorb the detection error caused by the individual error of the opening sensor 62h, the control device 3 according to the present embodiment acquires the detection value of the opening sensor 62h when the valve 62b is in the reference state as the reference value. The operation is executed, and the opening degree of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 is adjusted based on the reference value.

(A) of FIG. 3 is a figure which shows the angle which a valve | bulb makes with the flow path direction of a refrigerant | coolant. As shown in FIG. 3A, when the valve 62b is in the fully closed position and the refrigerant flow control valve 62 is in the fully closed state, the angle θ _C that the valve 62b makes with the flow direction of the cooling pipe 63a is , there valve 62b is fully opened position, when a refrigerant flow rate control valve 62 is fully open (default opening), the angle theta _O formed between the flow direction of the cooling pipe 63a may be set as a design value.
In FIG. 3A, the angle θ _C and the angle θ _O are shown as angles with respect to the direction V perpendicular to the refrigerant flow direction in the cooling pipe 63a.

(B) of FIG. 3 is a figure which shows an example of the correlation of the opening degree of a refrigerant | coolant flow control valve, and the detected value of an opening degree sensor.
Between the opening of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 (see FIG. 2A) and the detected value of the opening sensor 62h (see FIG. 2A), the refrigerant flow control valve 62 and the opening sensor. There is a correlation based on the characteristics of 62h (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as a correlation), which can be shown as a graph as shown by a solid line in FIG.
This shows the relationship between the opening of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 and the detected value of the opening sensor 62h when no detection error occurs in the opening sensor 62h.

That is, when the valve 62b (see FIG. 3A) is in the fully closed position and the refrigerant flow control valve 62 (see FIG. 2A) is in the fully closed state, the opening degree sensor 62h (see FIG. 2). (a) reference), if occurs a detection error, and outputs an angle signal S _C as the detection value. The angle signal S _C is a detection value corresponding to the angle θ _C formed with the flow path direction of the cooling pipe 63a when the valve 62b is in the fully closed position.

Further, as the valve 62b (see FIG. 3A) of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 rotates in the valve opening direction, the detected value of the opening sensor 62h (see FIG. 2A) is, for example, rises linearly, in the valve 62b is fully opened position, when the refrigerant flow amount control valve 62 is set to the default opening degree, degree sensor 62h is an angle signal S _O as a detection value to be generated is detected errors Output. The angle signal S _O is a detection value corresponding to the angle θ _O formed with the flow direction of the cooling pipe 63a when the valve 62b is in the fully open position.

Then, the control device 3 (see FIG. 2A) detects the detected value of the opening sensor 62h (see FIG. 2A) based on the correlation indicated by the solid line in FIG. 3B, for example. And the opening degree of the refrigerant flow rate control valve 62 (see FIG. 2A) can be acquired, and the control device 3 adjusts the opening degree of the refrigerant flow rate control valve 62 based on the acquired opening degree. be able to.
That is, the control device 3 adjusts the opening of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 based on the correlation between the opening of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 and the detected value of the opening sensor 62h.

Here, when detecting the opening degree sensor 62h (see FIG. 2 (a)) error occurs, for example, when the refrigerant flow amount control valve 62 is fully closed, the angle signal opening sensor 62h is different from the angle signal S _C S ₁ may be output. That is, the detection error corresponding to the difference ΔS of the angle signal S _C and the angle signals S ₁ occurs in the detection value of the opening sensor 62h.

Such a detection error ΔS occurs over the entire region from the fully closed state of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 (see FIG. 2A) to the default opening. When a detection error ΔS occurs in the opening sensor 62h (see FIG. 2A), an error Δθ is generated in the opening of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 acquired by the control device 3 (see FIG. 2A). Arise.
Since the control device 3 adjusts the opening degree of the refrigerant flow rate control valve 62 based on the obtained opening degree of the refrigerant flow rate control valve 62, when an error Δθ occurs in the opening degree of the refrigerant flow rate control valve 62 to be obtained, An error also occurs in the opening degree of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 adjusted by the control device 3.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control device 3 (see FIG. 2A) is configured such that the valve 62b (see FIG. 2A) when the refrigerant flow control valve 62 (see FIG. 2A) is fully closed. ) reference) as a reference state, the refrigerant flow amount control valve 62 is a detection signals S ₁ by opening sensor 62h when the fully closed state, and acquires a reference value of the fully closed state (hereinafter, referred to as a first reference value) . Further, the control unit 3, the refrigerant flow amount control valve 62 is based on the first reference values S ₁ when the fully closed state, the correlation between the opening and the detected value of the opening sensor 62h of the refrigerant flow amount control valve 62, Corrections are made as indicated by broken lines in FIG.

At this time, the control device 3 (see FIG. 2A) opens the opening sensor 62h (see FIG. 2A) with respect to a change in the opening of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 (see FIG. 2A). The correlation is corrected by assuming that the rate of change of the detected value does not change.
That is, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 3B, for example, when the correlation between the opening degree of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 and the detected value of the opening degree sensor 62h is indicated by a straight line, the inclination is not changed. 3, the refrigerant flow amount control valve 62 is at the fully closed state, to correct the correlation straight line as the detection value of the opening sensor 62h is the first reference value S _1.
And the control apparatus 3 adjusts the opening degree of the refrigerant | coolant flow control valve 62 based on the correct | amended correlation.

  With this configuration, even when a detection error occurs in the opening degree sensor 62h (see FIG. 2A), the control device 3 (see FIG. 2A) does not generate the error Δθ. The opening degree of the flow rate control valve 62 (see FIG. 2A) can be acquired, and as a result, an excellent effect that the opening degree of the refrigerant flow rate control valve 62 can be accurately adjusted is achieved.

The control apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment (see FIG. 2 (a)) acquires the first reference value S _1, the opening and opening of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 (in (a) refer to FIG. 2) For example, when the fuel cell system 1 is started (for example, when the ignition of the fuel cell vehicle is turned on), the operation of correcting the correlation of the detection values of the degree sensor 62h (see FIG. 2A) (hereinafter referred to as initial check) is performed. When).

Thus, when for example the fuel cell system 1 starts, the control unit 3 acquires the first reference value S _1, further based on the first reference value S _1, the refrigerant flow amount control valve 62 (FIG. 2 (a )) And the detection value of the opening sensor 62h (see FIG. 2A) is corrected to absorb the detection error caused by the individual error of the opening sensor 62h, and the refrigerant flow rate. There is an excellent effect that the opening degree of the control valve 62 can be accurately adjusted.

That is, correlation is corrected based on the first reference values S ₁ is from being corrected to absorb detection errors occurring in opening sensor 62h (see FIG. 2 (a)), the corrected correlation Based on the relationship and the detected value of the opening sensor 62h, no error Δθ occurs in the opening of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 acquired by the control device 3 (see FIG. 2A).
And the control apparatus 3 can acquire the opening degree of the refrigerant | coolant flow control valve 62, without producing error (DELTA) (theta), and can adjust the opening degree of the refrigerant | coolant flow control valve 62 based on the opening degree. Therefore, the control device 3 can absorb the detection error caused by the individual error of the opening sensor 62h, and can accurately adjust the opening of the refrigerant flow control valve 62.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the steps of the initial check. The initial check step will be described with reference to FIG. 4 (see FIGS. 1 to 3 as appropriate).

The control device 3 gives a command to the motor drive unit 62e1 to supply power to the DC motor 62e, drives the DC motor 62e, operates the valve 62b, and fully closes the refrigerant flow control valve 62 ( Step S1).
That is, the control device 3 rotates the valve 62b in the valve closing direction until the rotation stop 62a4 of the movable plate 62a1 is engaged with the stopper 62a5.
When the refrigerant flow control valve 62 is fully closed and the rotation stop 62a4 of the movable plate 62a1 is engaged with the stopper 62a5, the rotation of the movable plate 62a1 is locked by the stopper 62a5, and the rotating shaft rotates integrally with the movable plate 62a1. The rotation of 62a is also stopped.

  When the rotation of the rotation shaft 62a stops, the detection value of the opening sensor 62h does not change. Therefore, the control device 3 stops the change of the detection value of the opening sensor 62h. It can be detected that the closed state has been reached.

Control device 3, the refrigerant flow amount control valve 62 when it is fully closed, the angle signals S ₁ to opening sensor 62h outputs as the detection value is acquired as a first reference value (step S2). Then, the controller 3 stores the first reference values S ₁ obtained, in a storage unit (not shown).

Next, the control unit 3, the correlation between the detection value of the opening and the opening degree sensor 62h of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 is corrected based on the first reference value S ₁ (step S3).
That is, when the opening degree of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 and the detection value of the opening degree sensor 62h have a correlation as shown by a solid line in FIG. 3B, for example, the control device 3 causes a detection error indicated by ΔS. correspondingly, a refrigerant flow control valve 62 is corrected on the correlation through the first reference values S ₁ when the fully closed state (shown by broken lines in FIG. 3 (b)).

Thus, in the control device 3 initial check, acquires the first reference values S ₁ when the refrigerant flow amount control valve 62 is fully closed, based on the first reference values S _1, the refrigerant flow amount control valve 62 And the detected value of the opening sensor 62h are corrected.
And the control apparatus 3 can adjust the opening degree of the refrigerant | coolant flow control valve 62 accurately by adjusting the opening degree of the refrigerant | coolant flow control valve 62 based on the correct | amended correlation.

Note that in the initial check, first reference value S ₁ is, if significantly different from the values that are assumed, the control unit 3 determines that the failure of the opening sensor 62h, may be configured to notify the driver.
The method by which the control device 3 notifies the driver of the failure is not limited, and may be a lighting of a warning light or a warning sound.
In this case, the value is assumed as the first reference values S ₁ is a value determined by the performance of the opening degree sensor 62h.

Further, in the initial check, the control unit 3 (see FIG. 2 (a)), in addition to the first reference value S _1, (see (a) in FIG. 2) the refrigerant flow control valve 62 when the default opening Alternatively, the detection value detected by the opening sensor 62h (see FIG. 2A) may be acquired as the second reference value.

That is, the solid line in FIG. 3B is between the opening of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 (see FIG. 2A) and the detected value of the opening sensor 62h (see FIG. 2A). there is a correlation as shown in, a state where the opening degree of the refrigerant flow amount control valve 62 is detected values of the opening degree sensor 62h when the fully closed state is occurring detection error ΔS becomes S _1, the control device 3 according to the embodiment (shown in FIG. 2 (a) see) it is, at the time of initial check run, may obtain the second reference value S ₂ in addition to the first reference value S _1.

As described above, when the refrigerant flow control valve 62 (see FIG. 2A) is the default opening, that is, in the fully open state, the opening sensor 62h (see FIG. 2A) should not have a detection error. For example, the angle signal S _O is output as a detection value.
However, the detection error in the opening degree sensor 62h occurs, when the refrigerant flow amount control valve 62 is set to the default opening degree, degree sensor 62h outputs an angle signal S ₂ which is different from the angle signal S _O as the detection value There is a case.

Therefore, the control unit 3 (see FIG. 2 (a)), when the initial check performed after acquiring the first reference value S _1, (in see FIG. 2 (a)) the refrigerant flow rate control valve 62 a default open set each time, to obtain an angle signal S ₂ which opening sensor 62h at that time (in (a) refer to FIG. 2) is output as the detection value as the second reference value. Further, the control unit 3, a first reference values S ₁ and based on the second reference value S _2, the correlation between the opening and the detected value of the opening sensor 62h of the refrigerant flow control valve 62, in FIG. 3 (b ) Is corrected as indicated by the alternate long and short dash line.
That is, if the correlation is indicated by a straight line, the control unit 3, the correlation is corrected to a straight line connecting the first reference values S ₁ and the second reference value S _2.

Thus, on the basis of first reference values _{S 1} and the second reference value _{S 2,} the refrigerant flow amount control valve 62 (in FIG. 2 (a) see) opening and opening degree sensor 62h (in FIG. 2 (a) If the rate of change of the detected value of the opening sensor 62h with respect to the change of the opening of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 changes, that is, the refrigerant flow control valve 62 Even when the correlation between the opening degree and the detected value of the opening degree sensor 62h is indicated by a straight line, the correlation can be corrected with high accuracy.

And the control apparatus 3 (refer Fig.2 (a)) adjusts the opening degree of the refrigerant | coolant flow control valve 62 (refer Fig.2 (a)) based on the correct | amended correlation. That is, the control unit 3, based on the first reference value S ₁ and the second reference value S _2, adjusts the degree of opening of the refrigerant flow amount control valve 62.
With this configuration, the detection error of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 is absorbed, and an excellent effect is obtained that the opening degree of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 can be adjusted with high accuracy.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an initial check having a step of acquiring the second reference value.
Hereinafter, with reference mainly to FIG. 5, a step in which the control device 3 acquires the first reference value S <b> ₁ and the second reference value S <b> ₂ will be described (see FIGS. 1 to 4 as appropriate).
The same steps as those shown in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

Control device 3, the refrigerant flow amount control valve 62 is fully closed (step S1), and obtains the angle signals S ₁ to opening sensor 62h is output as the detection value as the first reference value (step S2). Then, the controller 3 stores the first reference values S ₁ obtained, in a storage unit (not shown).

Next, the control device 3 gives a command to the motor drive unit 62e1, stops the supply of power to the DC motor 62e, and sets the refrigerant flow control valve 62 to the default opening (step S4). When the supply of power to the DC motor 62e is stopped, the torque input from the DC motor 62e to the rotating shaft 62a of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 disappears, and the rotating spring 62d1 is attached to the movable plate 62a1 on the rotating shaft 62a. The valve 62b rotates in the valve opening direction integrally with the rotating shaft 62a.
Then, the rotation of the rotation shaft 62a stops at the rotation angle in which the urging forces of the return spring 62d1 and the auxiliary spring 62d2 are balanced, and the refrigerant flow control valve 62 is set to the default opening.
In the present embodiment, since the default opening of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 is in a fully open state, the refrigerant flow control valve 62 is in a fully open state.

  When the refrigerant flow control valve 62 is set to the default opening, the rotation of the rotating shaft 62a stops and the detection value of the opening sensor 62h does not change. Therefore, the control device 3 detects the detection value of the opening sensor 62h. Is no longer changed, it can be detected that the refrigerant flow rate control valve 62 is set to the default opening.

Control device 3, an angle signal S ₂ which opening sensor 62h is outputted as a detected value when the refrigerant flow amount control valve 62 is set to the default opening degree (fully opened state), and acquires the second reference value (step S5 ). Then, the controller 3 stores the second reference value S ₂ acquired, in a storage unit (not shown).

Next, the control unit 3, the correlation between the detection value of the opening and the opening degree sensor 62h of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 is corrected on the basis of the obtained first reference values S ₁ and the second reference value S ₂ ( Step S6).
That is, when the opening degree of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 and the detection value of the opening degree sensor 62h have a correlation as shown by a solid line in FIG. as indicated by the dashed line, the second reference value S when the refrigerant flow amount control valve 62 through the first reference value S ₁ when fully closed, and the refrigerant flow amount control valve 62 is set to the default opening _The correlation through ₂ is corrected.

Thus, in the control device 3 initial check, the second criterion when the first reference values S ₁ when the refrigerant flow amount control valve 62 is fully closed, set the refrigerant flow rate control valve 62 to the default opening get the value S _2, it is possible to first reference values S ₁ and based on the second reference value S _2, corrects the correlation between the opening and the detected value of the opening sensor 62h of the refrigerant flow control valve 62.
And the control apparatus 3 can adjust the opening degree of the refrigerant | coolant flow control valve 62 accurately by adjusting the opening degree of the refrigerant | coolant flow control valve 62 based on the correct | amended correlation.

  The control device 3 (see (a) of FIG. 2) executes such an initial check, and the opening degree of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 (see (a) of FIG. 2) and the opening degree sensor 62h (of FIG. 2). In the present embodiment, the control device 3 is configured to perform an initial check immediately after the fuel cell system 1 is started.

  For example, when the fuel cell system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on a fuel cell vehicle, even if the ignition of the fuel cell vehicle is turned on and the fuel cell system 1 is started, immediately after the start, for example, the initial state of the fuel cell system 1 During the setting period, the motor 65 that drives the compressor 31 of the fuel cell system 1 is not driven. Therefore, the refrigerant pump 61 is not driven, and the refrigerant does not flow through the cooling pipe 63a. Therefore, the DC motor 62e can drive the valve 62b of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 with a small driving force, and can reduce power consumption required for driving the valve 62b.

  Furthermore, since the compressor 31 is not driven, the fuel cell stack 10 is not generating power and is not generating heat. Therefore, even if the refrigerant flow control valve 62 is fully closed and the refrigerant circulation is interrupted, there is no influence on the fuel cell stack 10.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation at the start of the fuel cell system according to the present embodiment. With reference to FIG. 6, the operation | movement at the time of start-up of the fuel cell system 1 is demonstrated (refer suitably FIGS. 1-5).
When the fuel cell system 1 is provided in a fuel cell vehicle, for example, when the ignition of the fuel cell vehicle is turned on and the fuel cell system 1 is started (step S11), the control device 3 is in a mode in which the refrigerant flow rate control valve 62 is used. It is determined whether or not (step S12).

  When the outside air temperature or the temperature of each part of the fuel cell system 1 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, there is no need for a warm-up operation for warming up the fuel cell stack 10. Therefore, the control device 3 opens the refrigerant flow rate control valve 62 from the start of the fuel cell system 1 and allows the refrigerant to flow through the cooling pipe 63a at the maximum flow rate.

As described above, since the refrigerant flow control valve 62 according to the present embodiment is a normally open type valve, the refrigerant flow control valve 62 is used when the refrigerant flow control valve 62 is fully open (default opening). No mode (refrigerant flow control valve unused mode).
And the control apparatus 3 is provided with the mode detection means which detects refrigerant | coolant flow control valve unused mode based on the outside temperature or the temperature of each part of the fuel cell system 1.
Since the control device 3 detects the refrigerant flow rate control valve unused mode based on the outside air temperature and the temperature of each part of the fuel cell system 1, the fuel cell system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a temperature measurement unit (not shown). The structure which measures required temperature and notifies it to the control apparatus 3 is suitable.

  Returning to step S12, the control device 3 detects the refrigerant flow rate control valve unused mode when the outside air temperature or the temperature of each part of the fuel cell system 1 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (step S12 → Yes). Then, the “use mode” of the internal variable is set to 0 (refrigerant flow control valve non-use mode) (step S14).

On the other hand, when the outside air temperature or the temperature of each part of the fuel cell system 1 is lower than a predetermined value, the control device 3 is required to warm up the fuel cell stack 10. The valve 62b is closed, and the refrigerant flow rate in the cooling pipe 63a is limited. That is, the control device 3 does not detect the refrigerant flow rate control valve unused mode (step S12 → No). For example, the “use mode” of the internal variable is set to 1 (mode in which the refrigerant flow rate control valve 62 is used) (step S13).
The predetermined value of the temperature at which the control device 3 detects the refrigerant flow control valve non-use mode is based on, for example, performance required for a fuel cell vehicle (not shown) on which the fuel cell system 1 according to the present embodiment is mounted. Can be set as appropriate.

  And the control apparatus 3 performs an initial check (step S15). The initial check is executed in steps S1 to S4 shown in FIG. Or you may perform by the step of step S1 to step S6 shown in FIG.

  After executing the initial check, when the internal variable “use mode” is 1 (step S16 → Yes), the control device 3 gives a command to the motor drive unit 62e1 to supply power to the DC motor 62e. The DC motor 62e is driven, and the refrigerant flow control valve 62 is closed (step S17). The opening degree of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 at this time is calculated by the control device 3 based on the outside air temperature and the temperature of each part of the fuel cell system 1.

And the control apparatus 3 starts the electric power generation in the fuel cell stack 10 (step S19).
Specifically, the control device 3 opens the shut-off valve 22 to supply hydrogen from the hydrogen tank 21 to the anode of the fuel cell stack 10, and also drives the motor 65 to drive the compressor 31 so that air is supplied to the fuel cell stack. To 10 cathodes.

  Furthermore, if the refrigerant pump 61 is driven as the motor 65 is driven and the refrigerant flow rate control valve 62 is not fully closed, the refrigerant flows through the cooling pipe 63a.

On the other hand, when the “use mode” is not 1 (step S16 → No), that is, when the “use mode” is 0, the control device 3 detects the refrigerant flow rate control valve unused mode. A command is given to the motor drive unit 62e1, and the supply of power to the DC motor 62e is stopped (step S18).
As described above, when the supply of power to the DC motor 62e is stopped, the refrigerant flow rate control valve 62 is set to the default opening and is fully opened.

And the control apparatus 3 advances control to step S19.
When the control device 3 starts power generation in the fuel cell stack 10 in step S19, the refrigerant pump 61 is driven as described above.
Since the refrigerant flow control valve 62 is in a fully opened state, the refrigerant flows through the cooling pipe 63a at the maximum flow rate and circulates through the cooling line as the refrigerant pump 61 is driven.

  In FIG. 6, it is determined whether or not the control device 3 has detected the refrigerant flow rate control valve unused mode in step S12 before step S15 for executing the initial check, but this is not a limitation. For example, you may comprise so that the control apparatus 3 may determine whether the refrigerant | coolant flow control valve unused mode was detected by step S16 after performing an initial check.

As described above, by executing the initial check, the control device 3 (see FIG. 2 (a)) obtains the first reference values S ₁ for opening sensor 62h (in (a) refer to FIG. 2) , based on the first reference value S _1, corrects the correlation between the detection value of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 opening and opening degree sensor 62h in (in see FIG. 2 (a)) (see FIG. 2 (a)) It was set as the structure to do. The first reference values S ₁ is the detected value opening sensor 62h is output when the refrigerant flow amount control valve 62 is in the fully closed state, the detection value containing a detection error caused by the individual errors of the opening sensor 62h is there.

Therefore, the control device 3 can acquire the detection value of the opening degree sensor 62h when the refrigerant flow control valve 62 is in the fully closed state as a value including a detection error.
Then, the control unit 3, based on the first reference value _{S 1,} the detection of the opening and the opening degree sensor 62h of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 (in (a) refer to FIG. 2) (see FIG. 2 (a)) By correcting the correlation of the values and adjusting the opening of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 based on the corrected correlation, the detection error of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 is absorbed and the opening of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 is adjusted. It has an excellent effect that can be accurately adjusted.

Furthermore, the control device 3 (see FIG. 2 (a)), the time of initial check, obtains an opening degree sensor 62h first reference values _{S 1} and the second reference value _{S 2} of (in see FIG. 2 (a)) the first reference values _{S 1} and based on the second reference value _{S 2,} (shown in FIG. 2 (a) see) the refrigerant flow control valve 62 opening and opening degree sensor 62h (in see FIG. 2 (a)) of the It may be configured to correct the correlation of the detection values. With this configuration, the opening degree of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 can be adjusted with higher accuracy.

Moreover, in this embodiment, it was set as the structure which performs an initial check irrespective of the presence or absence of the detection of the medium flow control valve unused mode by the control apparatus 3 (refer Fig.2 (a)).
With this configuration, even when the control device 3 detects the refrigerant flow control valve non-use mode, when it is necessary to adjust the opening degree of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 (see FIG. 2A), The opening degree of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 can be adjusted with high accuracy.

  Further, since the initial check is always executed when the fuel cell system 1 (see FIG. 1) is started, when the fuel cell system 1 is started, the rotating shaft 62a of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 (see FIG. 2 (a)). ) Always rotates.

  As shown in FIG. 2 (a), an oil seal 62g is provided between the cooling pipe 63a and the bearing 62c. Therefore, when the rotation shaft 62a does not rotate for a long period of time, the oil seal 62g has a rotation shaft. 62a may stick.

  Since the refrigerant flow rate control valve 62 (see FIG. 2A) is a normally open type, the refrigerant flow rate control valve 62 is extended for a long time when there is no need for warm-up operation, such as in summer. The rotating shaft 62a (see FIG. 2A) may stick to the oil seal 62g (see FIG. 2A).

  In the present embodiment, when the fuel cell system 1 (see FIG. 1) is started, the rotating shaft 62a (see FIG. 2 (a)) always rotates, so that the oil seal 62g (see FIG. 2 (a)). There is an excellent effect that the rotation shaft 62a can be prevented from sticking.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the initial check is performed by the control device 3 (see FIG. 2A) regardless of whether or not the refrigerant flow control valve unused mode is detected. (See (a)) of the rotating shaft 62a can be more suitably prevented.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the initial check is executed once when the fuel cell system 1 is started, but this is not limited.
For example, when the fuel cell system 1 (see FIG. 1) is started a plurality of times a day, the initial check may be executed only at the first start of the day.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing steps in which the fuel cell system performs an initial check at the first start of the day. With reference to FIG. 7, the steps of the fuel cell system performing the initial check only at the first start of the day will be described (see FIGS. 1 to 6 as appropriate).
In the description of FIG. 7, detailed description of steps equivalent to those of FIG. 6 is omitted as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the fuel cell system 1 is started (step S31), the control device 3 determines whether or not the refrigerant flow control valve unused mode is detected, and detects the refrigerant flow control valve unused mode. When it is done (step S32 → Yes), for example, the “use mode” of the internal variable is set to 0 (step S34).

  On the other hand, when the refrigerant flow rate control valve unused mode is not detected (step S32 → No), the internal variable “use mode” is set to 1 (step S33).

Next, the control device 3 determines whether or not the previous initial check was executed on the same day (step S35). Specifically, the control device 3 has a clock function (not shown), and stores a date when the fuel cell system 1 is started in a storage unit (not shown). Then, when the date when the fuel cell system 1 was started last time is the same date as the start of the current fuel cell system 1, the control device 3 does not start the current fuel cell system 1 as the first start of the day. judge.
If the control device 3 determines that the current start of the fuel cell system 1 is not the first start of the day, the control device 3 determines that the previous initial check was performed on the same day (step S35 → Yes), and the control is stepped. Proceed to S37.

  On the other hand, if the date when the fuel cell system 1 was started last time is before the current day before the start of the current fuel cell system 1, the start of the current fuel cell system 1 is determined to be the first start of the day. That is, it is determined that the previous initial check has not been executed on the same day (step S35 → No). And the control apparatus 3 advances control to step S37, after performing an initial check (step S36).

  The initial check in step S36 is executed in steps S1 to S4 shown in FIG. Or you may perform by the step of step S1 to step S6 shown in FIG.

After executing the initial check, when the “use mode” of the internal variable is 1 (step S37 → Yes), the control device 3 closes the refrigerant flow control valve 62 (step S38).
And the control apparatus 3 starts the electric power generation in the fuel cell stack 10 (step S40).

  On the other hand, when the “use mode” is not 1 (step S37 → No), that is, when the “use mode” is 0, the control device 3 gives an instruction to the motor drive unit 62e1 to supply power to the DC motor 62e. Is stopped (step S39).

  And the control apparatus 3 advances control to step S40, and starts the electric power generation in the fuel cell stack 10. FIG.

  In this way, the control device 3 performs the initial check only when the fuel cell system 1 is started at the beginning of the day, so that the power consumption is higher than when the initial check is performed every time the fuel cell system 1 is started. Can be reduced.

  In FIG. 7, the initial check is performed when the fuel cell system 1 is started at the beginning of the day, but this is not limited. For example, the initial check may be executed when the fuel cell system 1 is started after a predetermined time (for example, 10 hours) has elapsed since the previous initial check.

  In the present embodiment, the control device 3 (see FIG. 2A) maintains the refrigerant flow control valve 62 (see FIG. 1) in a fully open state during normal operation of the fuel cell system 1 (see FIG. 1). In this case, the refrigerant flow control valve 62 is set to the default opening.

As shown in FIG. 2A, when the supply of power to the DC motor 62e is stopped, the valve 62b sets the refrigerant flow control valve 62 to the default opening degree by the urging force of the return spring 62d1. Thus, during normal operation of the fuel cell system 1, the control device 3 gives a command to the motor drive unit 62e1 and stops supplying power to the DC motor 62e.
As described above, the fuel cell system 1 (see FIG. 1) is cooled by the radiator 63 (see FIG. 1) by always allowing the refrigerant to flow through the cooling pipe 63a (see FIG. 1) in a normal operation state. Therefore, the refrigerant flow rate control valve 62 is maintained for a long time.

  Therefore, by stopping the supply of power to the DC motor 62e and maintaining the refrigerant flow rate control valve 62 in the fully open state, the time for stopping the supply of power to the DC motor 62e is lengthened, and the fuel cell stack 10 (FIG. 1), the amount of power generated by the DC motor 62e is reduced. As a result, the amount of power consumed by the fuel cell stack 10 can be suppressed.

  Further, by setting the refrigerant flow rate control valve 62 to the default opening and maintaining the fully opened state, for example, during operation of the fuel cell system 1 (see FIG. 1), the opening sensor 62h (see (a) in FIG. 2). ) Can be absorbed.

Conventionally, when the refrigerant flow control valve 62 is fully opened, the control device 3 shown in FIG. 2A maintains the refrigerant flow control valve 62 in the vicinity of the fully open state based on the detection value of the opening sensor 62h. It was controlled to do.
However, when the fuel cell system 1 (see FIG. 1) operates continuously for a long time, a detection error occurs in the opening sensor 62h due to, for example, heat or vibration generated around the refrigerant flow control valve 62, and the detection error is reduced. It may be accumulated as an individual error.

  If a detection error in the plus direction (valve opening direction) occurs in the opening degree sensor 62h when the refrigerant flow control valve 62 is fully open, the control device 3 detects the generated detection error as a deviation in the plus direction. The degree of opening of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 is changed in a direction that cancels. That is, the control device 3 operates the valve 62b in the valve closing direction, and the opening degree of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 becomes small. As the opening degree of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 decreases, the refrigerant flow rate in the cooling pipe 63a (see FIG. 1) decreases, and the cooling efficiency in the radiator 63 (see FIG. 1) decreases.

In the present embodiment, since the refrigerant flow control valve 62 is set to the default opening and is maintained in the fully opened state, even if a detection error occurs in the opening sensor 62h, the refrigerant flow control valve 62 is set to the default opening. Maintained. That is, even if a detection error occurs in the opening sensor 62h, the refrigerant flow rate control valve 62 can be kept fully open, and the refrigerant flow rate in the cooling pipe 63a (see FIG. 1) does not decrease. Therefore, the cooling efficiency in the radiator 63 (see FIG. 1) does not decrease.
Thus, in this embodiment, even if a detection error occurs in the opening degree sensor 62h, there is an excellent effect that the cooling efficiency in the radiator 63 does not decrease.

Further, the control device 3 (see FIG. 2A) is configured such that, for example, when the refrigerant flow control valve 62 (see FIG. 2A) is set to the default opening, the opening sensor 62h (FIG. 2). The angle signal output by (see (a)) can be constantly monitored. Accordingly, the control device 3, in the configuration to obtain a second reference value S ₂ in the initial check, by detecting that the angle signal opening sensor 62h is output is changed from the second reference value S _2, opens A change in the magnitude of the detection error of the degree sensor 62h can always be detected.

And the control apparatus 3 (refer Fig.2 (a)) respond | corresponds to the change of the magnitude | size of the detection error of the opening degree sensor 62h (refer Fig.2 (a)), and the refrigerant | coolant flow control valve 62 (FIG. 2). The correlation between the opening degree (see (a)) and the detected value of the opening degree sensor 62h can be always corrected.
That is, even when the magnitude of the detection error of the opening degree sensor 62h is changed, the control device 3 can quickly correct the correlation in response to the change, thereby The device 3 has an excellent effect that the opening degree of the refrigerant flow control valve 62 can always be adjusted with high accuracy.

Further, for example, when the magnitude of the detection error generated in the opening degree sensor 62h (see FIG. 2A) is larger than an assumed value set in advance or the occurrence frequency of the detection error is high, the control device 3 ( 2 (see FIG. 2A) may be configured to determine that the opening sensor 62h is out of order and notify the driver.
The method by which the control device 3 notifies the driver of the failure is not limited, and may be a lighting of a warning light or a warning sound.

As described above, the fuel cell system according to this embodiment includes the normally open type refrigerant flow rate control valve that adjusts the flow rate of the refrigerant circulating through the cooling line via the fuel cell stack. Then, the control device of the fuel cell system, for example, at the time of starting the fuel cell system, sets the refrigerant flow control valve to a fully closed state, acquires the first reference value of the opening sensor provided in the refrigerant flow control valve, and obtains the first reference Based on the value, the correlation between the opening of the refrigerant flow control valve and the detected value of the opening sensor is corrected.
Further, the control device sets the refrigerant flow control valve to a default opening, obtains a second reference value of the opening sensor, and opens the refrigerant flow control valve based on the first reference value and the second reference value. And the correlation between the values detected by the opening sensor are corrected.
Furthermore, the control device adjusts the opening of the refrigerant flow control valve based on the corrected correlation. This produces an excellent effect that the opening degree of the refrigerant flow control valve can be accurately adjusted.

In addition, when the fuel cell system is started, the initial check is performed before the refrigerant circulates in the cooling line, so that the valve does not rotate against the circulation of the refrigerant, and the power consumption in the initial check There is an excellent effect that can be suppressed.
Furthermore, even when the refrigerant flow control valve is fully closed during the initial check, since the refrigerant is not circulating, there is an excellent effect that there is almost no influence on the cooling of the fuel cell stack.

  And in this embodiment, when making a refrigerant | coolant flow control valve into a full open state, a control apparatus gives a command to a motor drive part, stops supply of the electric power to a DC motor, and makes a refrigerant | coolant flow control valve into default opening. The configuration is set. With this configuration, during the normal operation of the fuel cell system, the supply of power to the DC motor is stopped, and there is an excellent effect that consumption of power generated by the fuel cell stack can be suppressed.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the fuel cell system which concerns on this embodiment. (A) is sectional drawing which shows the structure of a refrigerant | coolant flow control valve, (b) is a figure which shows the structure of a movable plate. (A) is a figure which shows the angle which a valve | bulb makes with the flow path direction of a refrigerant | coolant, (b) is a figure which shows an example of the correlation of the opening degree of a refrigerant | coolant flow control valve, and the detected value of an opening degree sensor. It is a flowchart which shows the step of an initial check. It is a flowchart which shows the initial check which has a step which acquires a 2nd reference value. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation at the start of the fuel cell system according to the present embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the step which a fuel cell system performs an initial check at the time of the first start of a day.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fuel cell system 3 Control apparatus (mode detection means)
10 Fuel Cell Stack 31 Compressor 61 Refrigerant Pump 62 Refrigerant Flow Control Valve 62b Valve (Valve)
62d1 Return spring (biasing means)
62e DC motor (valve drive means)
62e1 motor drive unit (power supply means)
62h Opening sensor (opening detection means)
63a Cooling piping 65 Motor (pump drive device)
S ₁ first reference value S ₂ second reference value

Claims (7)

A fuel cell stack;
A compressor for supplying air to the fuel cell stack;
A refrigerant flow rate control valve for adjusting the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the cooling pipe via the fuel cell stack;
An opening degree detecting means for detecting an opening degree of the refrigerant flow control valve;
A refrigerant pump for passing the refrigerant through the cooling pipe;
A controller for adjusting the opening of the refrigerant flow control valve,
The compressor and the refrigerant pump are fuel cell systems that share one pump driving device and drive as a unit,
The control device closes the refrigerant flow control valve immediately after starting the fuel cell system, acquires the detection value of the opening degree detection means in the fully closed state as a first reference value, and the first reference A fuel cell system, wherein an opening degree of the refrigerant flow control valve is adjusted based on a value.   The control device sets the refrigerant flow control valve to a fully closed state to acquire the first reference value, sets the refrigerant flow control valve to a fully open state, and sets the detection value of the opening degree detection means in the fully open state to a second value. 2. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the fuel cell system is acquired as a reference value, and an opening degree of the refrigerant flow rate control valve is adjusted based on the first reference value and the second reference value. The control device corrects a correlation between a preset opening degree of the refrigerant flow control valve and a detection value of the opening degree detection means based on the first reference value,
3. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the opening degree of the refrigerant flow rate control valve is adjusted based on the corrected correlation. 4. The refrigerant flow control valve is
A valve element that operates by driving the valve element drive means;
Power supply means for supplying power to the valve body drive means based on a command from the control device;
Urging means for urging the valve body so that the refrigerant flow rate control valve is fully opened,
The control device includes mode detection means for detecting a refrigerant flow rate control valve unused mode for fully opening the refrigerant flow rate control valve,
When the mode detecting unit detects the refrigerant flow rate control valve unused mode, the control device supplies power to the valve body driving unit after acquiring the first reference value and the second reference value. 4. The fuel cell system according to claim 2, wherein a command is given to the power supply means to stop the operation, and the refrigerant flow control valve is fully opened. 5. The controller is
Even when the mode detection means detects the refrigerant flow control valve unused mode, immediately after the fuel cell system is started, the refrigerant flow control valve is fully closed to obtain the first reference value. 5. The fuel cell system according to claim 4, wherein the second reference value is acquired by fully opening the refrigerant flow control valve. The controller is
6. The fuel according to claim 1, wherein the first reference value is acquired immediately after starting the fuel cell system when the pump driving device is not operating. Battery system. A fuel cell stack;
A compressor for supplying air to the fuel cell stack;
A refrigerant flow rate control valve for adjusting the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the cooling pipe via the fuel cell stack;
An opening degree detecting means for detecting an opening degree of the refrigerant flow control valve;
A refrigerant pump for passing the refrigerant through the cooling pipe;
A controller for adjusting the opening of the refrigerant flow control valve,
The compressor and the refrigerant pump share one pump driving device and are driven as a unit,
The refrigerant flow control valve is
A valve element that operates by driving the valve element drive means;
Power supply means for supplying power to the valve body drive means based on a command from the control device;
An urging means for urging the valve body so that the refrigerant flow rate control valve is in a fully open state, and a control method for a fuel cell system,
Immediately after starting the fuel cell system, the control device fully closes the refrigerant flow control valve; and
When the control device acquires a detection value detected by the opening degree detection means as a first reference value when the refrigerant flow control valve is in a fully closed state;
The control device fully opening the refrigerant flow control valve;
A control method for a fuel cell system, comprising:

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