Deterioration detection device of fuel cell for vehicles

Abstract

The present invention provides a degradation detection device for a fuel cell for a vehicle. When the fuel cell mounted on the vehicle is degraded, the cause of the degradation is determined in detail, so that the degraded recovery operation can be performed under appropriate conditions. The target value of the output current of the fuel cell is changed in steps. The transient response of the output voltage of the fuel cell driven so as to follow the target value is measured, and the transient response is decomposed into a component with a fast response and a component with a slow response. Calculate the time constant T of the component with faster response 1 , the time constant T of the slower responding component 2 . Calculate the time constant and time constant T of the component with a faster response under normal conditions 1 The difference ΔT 1 , calculate the time constant and time constant T of the component with slower response in normal condition 2 The difference ΔT 2 . According to the difference ΔT 1 To determine the deterioration of the reaction state of the platinum catalyst of the fuel cell and the deterioration of the internal impedance change of the single cell, based on the difference ΔT 2 The deterioration of the change in the supply state of hydrogen and oxygen of the fuel cell is judged.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a degradation detection device for a fuel cell mounted on a vehicle. Background technique [0002] In recent years, in the field of vehicles such as two-wheeled vehicles and four-wheeled vehicles, vehicles equipped with, for example, a solid polymer fuel cell having a polymer membrane as a power source are known in consideration of the global environment. A solid polymer fuel cell constitutes a cell stack in which a plurality of single cells (cells) as basic units are stacked and connected in series. In a single cell, an anode (fuel electrode) and a cathode (air electrode) are pasted together with a polymer membrane (proton exchange membrane) interposed therebetween, and a supporting current collector made of carbon paper is arranged on the outside. In addition, a partition plate having a pipe through which cooling water flows is arranged on the outer side. The anode and cathode consist of an electrolyte and a catalys...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

As a result, the fuel cell may experience temporary or permanent performance degradation (deterioration) such as surface oxidation and leaching of the platinum catalyst, drying of the proton exchange membrane, opening of pores, excessive moisture in the cell, freezing of moisture, oxidation of the separator surface, etc.

Among these deteriorations, surface oxidation of the platinum catalyst, drying of the proton exchange membrane, excessive moisture inside the cell, and freezing of moisture are temporary deterioration of the fuel cell.

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