Vehicle system, vehicle system control method, and storage medium

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicle system, a vehicle system control method, and a storage medium that improves fuel cell system drive control when power is supplied to a load separate from a drive unit, thereby suppressing degradation in the fuel cell system's durability. The vehicle system comprises: a fuel cell system; a battery; a drive unit operated by power; a load separate from the drive unit; a position information acquisition mechanism; a driving route setting mechanism; and a control device that controls the power supplied from the fuel cell system and the battery to the load based on position information acquired by the position information acquisition mechanism and a driving route set by the driving route setting mechanism.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle system, a control method of the vehicle system, and a storage medium. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a technology related to the control of a fuel cell system mounted on a vehicle.

[0003] Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-343401) describes an energy output device equipped with multiple energy output sources, including a fuel cell. The device aims to provide a technique for suppressing energy efficiency reduction caused by energy consumption during the fuel cell's warm-up operation and energy loss after the fuel cell is stopped. The energy output device includes: a determination unit that determines whether the fuel cell should be started based on predetermined information input at startup of the energy output device, which is information related to the amount of energy required between startup and shutdown; and a prohibition unit that prohibits startup of the fuel cell if the determination unit determines that the fuel cell should not be started.

[0004] Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-276357) describes a navigation device that aims to efficiently utilize multiple fuel cells mounted on a vehicle. The navigation device includes motors that individually drive four or more wheels, multiple fuel cells that supply power to the motors, and a drive control mechanism that controls the driving of the motors. Furthermore, the navigation device includes a route guidance mechanism that searches for a route from a set departure point to a destination and provides route guidance; and a control plan creation mechanism that, upon finding the guide route, creates a control plan for each motor so that the utilization ratio of each of the multiple fuel cells is equalized at the time the vehicle completes its journey along the guide route.

[0005] During execution of the route guidance, communication is performed with the drive control mechanism to control the drive of the motor based on the control plan and the current position of the host vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] The technologies described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 have room for improvement in the drive control of the fuel cell system when power is supplied to a load other than the drive device, such as a refrigeration device of a refrigeration vehicle.

[0008] The present invention was completed in consideration of this situation, and its purpose is to provide a vehicle system, a control method for the vehicle system, and a storage medium that improves the drive control of the fuel cell system when power is supplied to a load different from the drive device, thereby suppressing the reduction in durability performance of the fuel cell system.

[0009] Solutions to Problems

[0010] The vehicle system, the vehicle system control method, and the storage medium of the present invention employ the following structures.

[0011] (1) A vehicle system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a fuel cell system; a battery; a drive unit that operates on electricity; a load different from the drive unit; a position information acquisition mechanism; a driving route setting mechanism; and a control device that controls the power supplied from the fuel cell system and the battery to the load based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition mechanism and the driving route set by the driving route setting mechanism.

[0012] According to this vehicle system, since the electric power supplied from the fuel cell system and the battery to the load is adjusted according to the driving situation, a decrease in the durability performance of the fuel cell system can be suppressed.

[0013] (2) In the above-mentioned aspect (1), the travel route setting means may set either an urban route for traveling in an urban area or an out-of-urban route for traveling in an out-of-urban area.

[0014] According to this structure, the power supplied from the fuel cell system and battery to the load is adjusted based on the area where the vehicle is repeatedly parked for short periods of time (urban area) and the area where the vehicle is continuously traveling (outside urban area), thereby suppressing the degradation of the durability of the fuel cell.

[0015] (3) In the above-mentioned scheme (2), it is also possible that there is a battery temperature information acquisition unit for acquiring temperature information of the battery, and when the urban route for driving in an urban area is set by the driving route setting unit and the temperature of the battery acquired by the battery temperature information acquisition unit is lower than the set prescribed temperature, power is supplied to the load from both the fuel cell system and the battery.

[0016] This configuration allows the battery to be warmed up early by outputting power in areas where the vehicle is repeatedly parked for short periods of time (e.g., urban areas), while also suppressing variations in the amount of power output from the fuel cell system. Consequently, degradation of the fuel cell system can be suppressed.

[0017] (4) In the above-mentioned scheme (2), the vehicle system may also include a battery temperature information acquisition unit for acquiring temperature information of the battery, and when the driving route setting unit sets an urban route for driving in an urban area and the temperature of the battery acquired by the battery temperature information acquisition unit is above the set specified temperature, the operating status of the fuel cell system is changed according to the remaining capacity of the battery.

[0018] According to this configuration, when the battery is warmed up, the operating state of the fuel cell system is controlled according to the remaining capacity of the battery that can supply power to the load, thereby limiting unnecessary operation of the fuel cell system and suppressing degradation of the durability of the fuel cell system.

[0019] (5) In the above aspect (4), the fuel cell system may be stopped when the remaining capacity of the battery is higher than a predetermined remaining capacity set based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit.

[0020] According to this configuration, when the remaining capacity of the battery required in association with the position information is sufficient, the load is driven only by power from the battery, thereby limiting unnecessary operation of the fuel cell system and suppressing degradation of the durability of the fuel cell system.

[0021] (6) In the above-mentioned scheme (4), when the remaining capacity of the battery is lower than the specified remaining capacity set based on the position information obtained by the position information acquisition unit, the output of the fuel cell system may be higher than the output when the efficiency of the fuel cell system is maximized.

[0022] According to this configuration, when the capacity is insufficient for the remaining capacity of the battery required in association with the position information, the output of the fuel cell system is increased and output is performed, thereby charging the battery and stably supplying power to the load.

[0023] (7) In the above-mentioned scheme (4), the vehicle system may also include a plurality of the fuel cell systems, and when the remaining capacity of the battery is lower than a specified remaining capacity set based on the position information obtained by the position information acquisition unit, the number of operating fuel cell systems is increased.

[0024] According to this configuration, when the capacity is insufficient for the remaining capacity of the battery required in association with the position information, the number of fuel cell systems in operation and output is increased, thereby charging the battery and stably supplying power to the load.

[0025] (8) In the above-mentioned aspects (5) to (7), the predetermined remaining capacity may be set based on at least one of the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit and the travel route set by the travel route setting unit.

[0026] According to this configuration, since the remaining capacity of the battery is set according to the usage pattern of the vehicle along the travel route, the frequency of power supply from the battery to the load can be increased, and degradation of the fuel cell system can be suppressed.

[0027] (9) In the above-mentioned schemes (2) to (7), when an out-of-city route for traveling in an out-of-city area is set by the driving route setting means, power may be supplied from the fuel cell system to the load, and the fuel cell system may be controlled to a specified power generation amount.

[0028] According to this configuration, when it is determined that the vehicle is traveling on a route where the load's required power remains stable for a long period of time, the fuel cell system output is stabilized to generate power, thereby suppressing degradation of the fuel cell system.

[0029] (10) A control method for a vehicle system according to one embodiment of the present invention causes a computer to perform the following processing: based on the position information obtained by the position information obtaining means and the driving route determined by the driving route setting means, control the power supplied from the fuel cell system and the battery to the load.

[0030] According to the vehicle system control method of this aspect, the electric power supplied from the fuel cell system and the battery to the load is adjusted according to the driving situation, thereby suppressing a decrease in the durability performance of the fuel cell system.

[0031] (11) One embodiment of the present invention relates to a storage medium storing a control program for a vehicle system, wherein the control program for the vehicle system causes a computer to perform the following processing: based on the position information obtained by the position information acquisition unit and the driving route set by the driving route setting unit, control the power supplied from the fuel cell system and the battery to the load.

[0032] According to the storage medium of this aspect, the electric power supplied from the fuel cell system and the battery to the load is adjusted according to the driving situation, thereby suppressing a decrease in the durability performance of the fuel cell system.

[0033] Effects of the Invention

[0034] According to the above aspects (1) to (11), it is possible to improve the drive control of the fuel cell system when power is supplied to a load different from the drive device, and to suppress a decrease in the durability of the fuel cell system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an electric vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0036] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration including units according to an embodiment.

[0037] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a fuel cell system according to an embodiment.

[0038] Figure 4 This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control unit according to the embodiment.

[0039] Figure 5 This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the ECU according to the embodiment.

[0040] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing an example of processing steps in the first example of the embodiment.

[0041] Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing an example of processing steps in the second example of the embodiment.

[0042] Figure 8 This is a flowchart showing an example of processing steps in the third example of the embodiment.

[0043] Figure 9 This is a flowchart showing an example of processing procedures in the fourth example of the embodiment.

[0044] Figure 10 This is an image for calculating the necessary SOC for an urban delivery route in the example of the embodiment.

[0045] Figure 11 This is a driving image when an urban route is selected in the example of the embodiment.

[0046] Figure 12 This is an image for calculating the required SOC for different loading and unloading areas (including rest areas) in the example of the embodiment.

[0047] Description of reference numerals:

[0048] 1...Electric vehicle, 2...Cab, 3...Transmission, 4...Unit, 4A...Unit, 4B...Unit, 5...Axle, 6...Frame, 7...Wheel, 12...Motor, 12A...Motor, 12B...Motor, 32...Converter, 32A...Converter, 32B...Converter, 34...BATVCU, 34A...BATVCU, 34B...BATVCU, 40...Battery, 40A...Battery, 40B...Battery, 45...DCDC converter, 45A...DCDC converter, 45B...DCDC converter, 46...Auxiliary machine, 46A...Auxiliary machine, 46B... Auxiliary machine, 80…control unit, 80A…control unit, 80B…control unit, 82…motor control unit, 84…brake control unit, 86…power control unit, 88…travel control unit, 101…fuel cell state acquisition unit, 102…battery state acquisition unit, 103…temperature acquisition unit, 104…comparison unit, 104…step, 105…power generation control unit, 105…step, 110…step, 111…step, 150…storage unit, 200…fuel cell system, 200A…fuel cell system, 200B…fuel cell system, 200C…fuel cell system, 2 00D...Fuel Cell System, 201...Fuel Cell, 201A...Fuel Cell, 201B...Fuel Cell, 201C...Fuel Cell, 201D...Fuel Cell, 210...Fuel Cell Stack, 210A...Anode, 210B...Cathode, 212a...Cathode Supply Port, 212b...Cathode Exhaust Port, 212c...Anode Supply Port, 212d...Anode Exhaust Port, 214...Compressor, 216...Sealing Inlet Valve, 218...Humidifier, 220...Gas-Liquid Separator, 222...Exhaust Circulation Pump, 226...Hydrogen Tank, 228...Hydrogen Supply Valve, 230...Hydrogen Circulation Unit, 232…gas-liquid separator, 240…temperature sensor, 242…contactor, 246…fuel cell control device, 248…output terminal, 250…oxidant gas supply path, 252…oxidant gas exhaust path, 254…exhaust gas recirculation path, 256…fuel gas supply path, 258…fuel gas exhaust path, 262…exhaust path, 264…exhaust pipe, 280…fuel cell cooling system, 461…vehicle sensor, 461A…vehicle sensor, 461B…vehicle sensor, 462…brake device, 462A…brake device, 462B…brake device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. An electric vehicle equipped with a vehicle system is, for example, a fuel cell vehicle that uses the electricity generated in the fuel cell as electricity for driving or for operating on-board equipment. An electric vehicle is an example of an electric device that is operated by electricity, and is a two-wheeled, three-wheeled, four-wheeled motor vehicle. For example, an electric vehicle may also be a commercial vehicle such as a bus or a truck that can carry a plurality of fuel cell systems described later. The vehicle system may also be mounted on an electric device other than an electric vehicle (for example, a trailer), and may also be mounted on a fixed-type fuel cell system.

[0050] [Electric Vehicles]

[0051] Figure 1 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an electric vehicle 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 1 Thus, the electric vehicle 1 includes the cab 2 , the transmission 3 , the unit 4A, the unit 4B, the shaft 5 , the frame 6 , and the wheels 7 .

[0052] The cab 2 includes the driver's seat, etc. The transmission 3 is a transmission. Units 4A and 4B include a fuel cell system. In the following description, when one of the units 4A and 4B is not specified, it is referred to as unit 4. The shaft 5 is, for example, a transmission shaft, which is a component that connects the transmission 3 to the gears connected to the wheels 7. It should be noted that Figure 1 The schematic structure of the electric vehicle 1 shown is an example, and the structure is not limited thereto. For example, the number of units 4 is not limited to two, and one or more units may be provided.

[0053] [unit]

[0054] Next, a configuration example of the unit 4 will be described. Figure 2 : is a block diagram showing an example of a structure including unit 4 of this embodiment. Figure 2 Thus, unit 4A includes fuel cell system 200A, fuel cell system 200B, BATVCU 34A, converter 32A, motor 12A, DC-DC converter 45A, auxiliary machine 46A, and battery 40A. Unit 4B includes fuel cell system 200C, fuel cell system 200D, BATVCU 34B, converter 32B, motor 12B, DC-DC converter 45B, auxiliary machine 46B, and battery 40B.

[0055] The units 4A and 4B are connected to the ECU 100. The ECU 100 is connected to the storage unit 150. It should be noted that the ECU 100 is an example of a control device or a control unit.

[0056] Fuel cell system 200A includes FCVCU 244A, fuel cell 201A, and A / P 202A. Fuel cell system 200B includes FCVCU 244B, fuel cell 201B, and A / P 202B. Fuel cell system 200C includes FCVCU 244C, fuel cell 201C, and A / P 202C. Fuel cell system 200D includes FCVCU 244D, fuel cell 201D, and A / P 202D.

[0057] In the following description, when one of the unspecified fuel cell system 200A, fuel cell system 200B, fuel cell system 200C, and fuel cell system 200D is referred to as fuel cell system 200. When one of the unspecified BATVCU 34A and BATVCU 34B is referred to as BATVCU 34, it is referred to as BATVCU 34. When one of the unspecified motor 12A and motor 12B is referred to as motor 12. When one of the unspecified control unit 80A and control unit 80B is referred to as control unit 80. When one of the unspecified DC-DC converter 45A and DC-DC converter 45B is referred to as DC-DC converter 45. When one of the unspecified auxiliary machine 46A and auxiliary machine 46B is referred to as auxiliary machine 46. When one of the unspecified battery 40A and battery 40B is referred to as battery 40. When one of the FCVCUs 244A, 244B, 244C, and 244D is not specified, it is referred to as FCVCU 244. When one of the fuel cells 201A, 201B, 201C, and 201D is not specified, it is referred to as fuel cell 201. When one of the A / Ps 202A, 202B, 202C, and 202D is not specified, it is referred to as A / P 202.

[0058] The FCVCU (Fuel Cell Voltage Control Unit) 244 is, for example, a step-up DC-DC (direct current-to-direct current) converter that boosts the voltage of the fuel cell 201. The fuel cell 201 is, for example, an energy source that uses hydrogen as power generation energy. The A / P 202 is an air pump. A detailed structural example of the fuel cell system 200 will be described later.

[0059] Battery 40 is an energy source and is a battery capable of repeated charge and discharge, such as a nickel-metal hydride battery, a lithium-ion secondary battery, or a sodium-ion battery. Battery 40 is equipped with a battery sensor that detects the current, voltage, and temperature of battery 40. Battery 40 can also be connected to an external charger to receive power supplied by the charging and discharging device.

[0060] The BATVCU (Battery Voltage Control Unit) 34 is, for example, a step-up DC-DC converter. The BATVCU 34 steps up the DC voltage supplied from the battery 40 and supplies it to the converter 32. The BATVCU 34 outputs the regenerative voltage supplied from the motor 12 or the electric power supplied from the fuel cell system 200 to the battery 40.

[0061] The DC-DC converter 45 performs DC-DC conversion. The DC-DC converter 45 converts the DC voltage output from the battery 40 into a 12V DC voltage, for example.

[0062] The auxiliary machine 46 is other vehicle-mounted devices, etc., and is equipped with, for example, a vehicle sensor 461 (vehicle sensors 461A, 461B), a braking device 462 (brake devices 462A, 462B), etc. The vehicle sensor 461 may also include an acceleration sensor for detecting the acceleration of the electric vehicle 1, a yaw rate sensor for detecting the angular velocity around the vertical axis, an azimuth sensor for detecting the direction of the electric vehicle 1, etc. The vehicle sensor 461 may also include a position sensor (position information acquisition mechanism) for detecting the position of the electric vehicle 1. The position sensor obtains the position information of the electric vehicle 1 from, for example, a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver or a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver mounted on the electric vehicle 1. The vehicle sensor 461 may also include a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the fuel cell system 200.

[0063] Other in-vehicle devices include a travel route setting unit. The travel route setting unit sets the travel route of the electric vehicle 1 to either an urban route for traveling in an urban area or an out-of-urban route for traveling in an out-of-urban area.

[0064] "Urban area" refers to an area with a high density of buildings, and the average building area ratio (the ratio of the total building area of ​​buildings in a block (referring to the smallest residential area surrounded by roads, rivers, parks, etc. with a width of four meters or more) to the area of ​​the block. The same applies hereinafter.) refers to a continuous area of ​​approximately ten percent or more blocks or an area where two or more quasi-urban areas are close to each other, and the population in the area is more than ten thousand (Article 2 of the Fire and Disaster Management Agency's notice "Guidelines for the Improvement of Firefighting Forces" on January 20, 2001). "Outside urban area" refers to areas outside the above-mentioned urban area, for example, including suburbs, expressways and general roads.

[0065] Other vehicle-mounted equipment and the like include loads different from the drive device, such as refrigeration equipment and air conditioning equipment.

[0066] The ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 100 controls the fuel cell system 200 based on, for example, the state of the fuel cell system 200, the state of the battery 40, and the power required by the fuel cell system 200. For example, the ECU 100 compares the required power with a threshold value stored in the storage unit 150 and controls the fuel cell system 200 based on the comparison result. The ECU 100 compares the state of the battery 40 with the threshold value in the storage unit 150 and controls the fuel cell system 200 based on the comparison result. An example of a control method will be described later. The ECU 100 controls the converter 32A, the motor 12A, the converter 32B, and the motor 12B. It should be noted that the unit 4A may include a control unit 80A (80, not shown) and the unit 4B may include a control unit 80B (80, not shown). In this case, the control unit of the unit 4A may also control the converter 32A and the motor 12A based on the control of the ECU 100. The control unit of the unit 4B may control the conversion unit 32B and the motor 12A according to the control of the ECU 100 .

[0067] The storage unit 150 stores, for example, various threshold values ​​used by the ECU 100 for control, programs used by the ECU 100 for control, etc. The storage unit 150 is implemented by, for example, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a flash memory, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory, ROM (Read Only Memory), or a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0068] ECU100 is implemented by executing a program (software) by a hardware processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Some or all of these components can be implemented by hardware (including circuitry) such as LSI (Large Scale Integration), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or by a combination of software and hardware. The program can be pre-stored in a storage device (a storage device having a non-temporary storage medium) such as a HDD or flash memory of the electric vehicle 1, or can be stored in a removable storage medium such as a DVD or CD-ROM, and installed in a drive device via the storage medium (non-temporary storage medium) and, for example, in a HDD or flash memory serving as the storage unit 150.

[0069] [Fuel Cell System]

[0070] Here, a configuration example of the fuel cell system 200 will be described. Figure 3 1 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the fuel cell system 200 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 As such, the fuel cell system 200 includes, for example, a fuel cell stack 210, a compressor 214, a sealed inlet valve 216, a humidifier 218, a gas-liquid separator 220, an exhaust gas circulation pump (P) 222, a hydrogen tank 226, a hydrogen supply valve 228, a hydrogen circulation unit 230, a gas-liquid separator 232, a temperature sensor (T) 240, a contactor 242, an FCVCU 244, a fuel cell control unit 246, and a fuel cell cooling system 280. It should be noted that Figure 3 The structure of is just an example, and the structure of the fuel cell system 200 is not limited thereto.

[0071] Compressor 214 includes a motor controlled by fuel cell controller 246. It draws in and compresses air from the outside using the motor's driving force. Compressor 214 delivers the compressed air to oxidant gas supply path 250 connected to cathode 210B, thereby pressurizing and delivering oxidant gas to the fuel cell.

[0072] The sealing inlet valve 216 is provided in the oxidant gas supply path 250 connecting the compressor 214 to the cathode supply port 212a capable of supplying air to the cathode 210B of the fuel cell stack 210. The sealing inlet valve 216 is opened and closed by the control of the fuel cell control device 246.

[0073] The humidifier 218 humidifies the air sent from the compressor 214 to the oxidant gas supply path 250. For example, the humidifier 218 includes a water-permeable membrane such as a hollow fiber membrane, and brings the air from the compressor 214 into contact with the air through the water-permeable membrane, thereby adding moisture to the air and humidifying the air.

[0074] The gas-liquid separator 220 discharges the cathode exhaust gas and liquid water that are not consumed by the cathode 210B and are discharged from the cathode outlet 212b to the oxidant gas discharge path 252 into the atmosphere via the cathode exhaust path 262. The gas-liquid separator 220 may also separate the cathode exhaust gas and liquid water discharged to the oxidant gas discharge path 252 and allow only the separated cathode exhaust gas to flow into the exhaust gas recirculation path 254.

[0075] The exhaust gas circulation pump 222 is provided in the exhaust gas recirculation path 254. The exhaust gas circulation pump 222 mixes the cathode off-gas flowing from the gas-liquid separator 220 into the exhaust gas recirculation path 254 with the air flowing from the sealing inlet valve 216 toward the cathode supply port 212a in the oxidant gas supply path 250, and supplies the air to the cathode 210B again.

[0076] The hydrogen tank 226 stores hydrogen in a compressed state. A hydrogen supply valve 228 is provided on a fuel gas supply path 256 that connects the hydrogen tank 226 to the anode supply port 212c capable of supplying hydrogen to the anode 210A of the fuel cell stack 210. When the hydrogen supply valve 228 is opened under the control of the fuel cell controller 246, the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank 226 is supplied to the fuel gas supply path 256.

[0077] The hydrogen circulator 230 is, for example, a pump that circulates and supplies fuel gas to the fuel cell 201. The hydrogen circulator 230 circulates anode off-gas that is not consumed by the anode 210A and is discharged from the anode outlet 212d to the fuel gas discharge path 258 to the fuel gas supply path 256 that flows into the gas-liquid separator 232.

[0078] The gas-liquid separator 232 separates the anode off-gas, which circulates from the fuel gas discharge path 258 to the fuel gas supply path 256 by the action of the hydrogen circulation unit 230, from liquid water. The gas-liquid separator 232 supplies the anode off-gas separated from the liquid water to the anode supply port 212c of the fuel cell stack 210. The liquid water discharged from the gas-liquid separator 232 is discharged into the atmosphere through the exhaust pipe 264.

[0079] The temperature sensor 240 detects the temperatures of the anode 210A and the cathode 210B of the fuel cell stack 210 and outputs a detection signal (temperature information) to the fuel cell control device 246 .

[0080] Contactors 242 are provided between anode 210A of fuel cell stack 210 and FCVCU 244 and between cathode 210B of fuel cell stack 210 and FCVCU 244 . Contactors 242 electrically connect or disconnect fuel cell stack 210 and FCVCU 244 based on control from fuel cell control device 246 .

[0081] The FCVCU 244 is disposed between the anode 210A of the fuel cell stack 210 and the electrical load via the contactor 242, and between the cathode 210B of the fuel cell stack 210 and the electrical load via the contactor 242. The FCVCU 244 boosts the voltage of an output terminal 248 connected to the electrical load to a target voltage determined by the fuel cell control unit 246. For example, the FCVCU 244 boosts the voltage output from the fuel cell stack 210 to the target voltage and outputs it to the output terminal 248.

[0082] The fuel cell control device 246 controls the start and end of power generation, the amount of power generated, and other aspects of the fuel cell system 200 in accordance with power generation control performed by the ECU 100. The fuel cell control device 246 uses the fuel cell cooling system 280 to control the temperature of the fuel cell system 200. The fuel cell control device 246 can also be replaced with a control device such as an FC-ECU. The fuel cell control device 246 can also cooperate with the ECU 100 to control power generation in the electric vehicle 1.

[0083] The fuel cell cooling system 280 cools the fuel cell system 200 under the control of the fuel cell control device 246, for example, when the temperature of the fuel cell stack 210 detected by the temperature sensor 240 is above a predetermined threshold. For example, the fuel cell cooling system 280 cools the fuel cell stack 210 by circulating a cooling medium through a flow path provided within the fuel cell stack 210 to remove heat from the fuel cell stack 210. The fuel cell cooling system 280 can also control heating or cooling of the fuel cell stack 210 while the fuel cell system 200 is generating electricity, so as to maintain the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 240 within a predetermined temperature range.

[0084] [Control device]

[0085] Next, a configuration example of the control unit 80 will be described when the units 4A and 4B include the control unit 80 ( 80A and 80B). Figure 4 This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control unit 80 of this embodiment. The control unit 80 includes, for example, a motor control unit 82, a brake control unit 84, a power control unit 86, and a travel control unit 88. It should be noted that, when the control unit 80 is not included, the ECU 100 performs the following control.

[0086] The control device position controls the power supplied from the fuel cell system and the battery to a load other than the drive device based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means and the travel route set by the travel route setting means.

[0087] The motor control unit 82 calculates the driving force required for the motor 12 based on the output of the vehicle sensor 461 and controls the motor 12 so as to output the calculated driving force.

[0088] The brake control unit 84 calculates the braking force required for the brake device 462 based on the output of the vehicle sensor 461 and controls the brake device 462 so as to output the calculated braking force.

[0089] The power control unit 86 manages the charge status (charge storage status) of the battery 40. For example, the power control unit 86 calculates the SOC (State of Charge) of the battery 40 based on the output of the battery sensor included in the battery 40. For example, when the SOC of the battery 40 is less than a specified value, the power control unit 86 controls the battery 40 using power generated by the fuel cell system 200 or issues a message to the occupants urging them to charge using power supplied by an external charger. The power control unit 86 can also control the battery 40 to stop charging control when the SOC of the battery 40 is greater than a specified value, or to consume excess power generated by the fuel cell system 200 using auxiliary equipment, etc.

[0090] The driving control unit 88 performs driving control on the electric vehicle 1 based on, for example, information obtained by the vehicle sensor 461. In addition to the information obtained by the vehicle sensor 461, the driving control unit 88 may also perform driving control on the electric vehicle 1 based on map information and information obtained from a monitoring unit (not shown). The monitoring unit includes, for example, a camera that captures the space outside the electric vehicle 1, a radar or LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) that uses the outside of the electric vehicle 1 as a detection range, and an object recognition device that performs sensor fusion processing based on their outputs. The monitoring unit estimates the types of objects (especially vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles) that exist around the electric vehicle 1, and outputs the types of objects together with information on their position and speed to the driving control unit 88. Driving control causes the electric vehicle 1 to travel, for example, by controlling one or both of the steering and acceleration / deceleration of the electric vehicle 1.

[0091] [ECU]

[0092] Next, a configuration example of the ECU 100 will be described. Figure 51 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of the ECU 100 according to the present embodiment. Figure 5 Thus, the ECU 100 includes a fuel cell state acquisition unit 101 , a battery state acquisition unit 102 , a temperature acquisition unit 103 , a comparison unit 104 , and a power generation control unit 105 .

[0093] The fuel cell state acquisition unit 101 acquires information on the state of each fuel cell system 200 .

[0094] The battery state acquisition unit 102 acquires information on the state of the battery 40. The state of the battery 40 includes, for example, information on the temperature of the battery.

[0095] The temperature acquisition unit 103 acquires information related to the temperature of the fuel cell system 200 .

[0096] Comparison unit 104 compares the calculated SOC with the threshold stored in storage unit 150. Comparison unit 104 compares the calculated required power with the threshold stored in storage unit 150. Comparison unit 104 compares the temperature with the threshold stored in storage unit 150.

[0097] The power generation control unit 105 calculates the required amount of power required of the battery 40 and the fuel cell system 200 based on the output of the vehicle sensor 461. For example, the power generation control unit 105 calculates the torque that the motor 12 should output based on the throttle opening and the vehicle speed, and calculates the required amount of power by adding the drive shaft load power obtained from the torque and the rotational speed of the motor 12 and the power required by the auxiliary machine 46. For example, the power control unit 86 calculates the SOC of the battery 40 based on the output of the battery sensor provided by the battery 40. It should be noted that the power generation control unit 105 can also obtain SOC information from the control unit 80. The power generation control unit 105 controls the fuel cell system 200 to be in the open state or the closed state based on the comparison result of the comparison unit 104. It should be noted that part of the processing performed by the power generation control unit 105 can also be performed by the control unit 80.

[0098] [First example of vehicle system]

[0099] A first example of the vehicle system according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing an example of processing steps in the first example of the embodiment.

[0100] exist Figure 6In the first example shown, a driving route (delivery route) is first set by the driving route setting unit (step S101). The driving route is set to either an urban route for driving within an urban area or an out-of-urban route for driving outside an urban area. An urban route is a route with frequent driving and parking, while an out-of-urban route is a route with less frequent parking.

[0101] Next, the position information acquiring means acquires the position information (navigation information) of the electric vehicle (step S102). GPS or the like is used for the position information.

[0102] The control unit 80 determines whether an out-of-city route is set (selected) as the travel route (delivery route) (step S103 ).

[0103] When the out-of-city route is selected, the control unit 80 determines whether the vehicle has arrived at the loading and unloading area (including the rest area) based on the travel route and the position information (step S104).

[0104] When the control unit 80 determines that the vehicle has arrived at the loading and unloading area (including the rest area), it determines whether the battery temperature (TBAT) acquired by the battery temperature information acquisition unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (step S105 ).

[0105] When the temperature of the battery is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, it is determined whether the remaining capacity (SOC) of the battery is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (step S106 ).

[0106] When it is determined in step S106 that the SOC of the battery is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the control unit 80 controls the battery to supply electric power to the load and stops the fuel cell system (step S107 ).

[0107] If the SOC of the battery is less than a predetermined value, the control unit 80 controls the fuel cell to supply high power to the load (step S109 ) and charges the battery with power generated by the fuel cell (step S110 ).

[0108] If it is determined in step S104 that the electric vehicle has not arrived at the loading and unloading area (including the rest area), the control unit 80 controls the fuel cell system to perform constant load power generation and supply power to the load (step S108 ).

[0109] If the battery temperature (TBAT) is lower than a predetermined value in step S105 , the fuel cell generates power and supplies low-power electricity (step 111 ).

[0110] [Second example of vehicle system]

[0111] A second example of the vehicle system according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing an example of processing steps in the second example of the embodiment.

[0112] exist Figure 7 In the second example shown, a driving route (delivery route) is first set by the driving route setting unit (step S201). The driving route is set to either an urban route for driving within an urban area or an out-of-urban route for driving outside an urban area. An urban route is a route with frequent driving and parking, while an out-of-urban route is a route with less frequent parking.

[0113] Next, the position information acquiring means acquires the position information (navigation information) of the electric vehicle (step S202). GPS or the like is used for the position information.

[0114] The control unit 80 determines whether an out-of-city route is set (selected) as the travel route (delivery route) (step S203 ).

[0115] When the out-of-city route is selected, the control unit 80 determines whether the vehicle has arrived at the loading and unloading area (including the rest area) based on the travel route and the position information (step S204).

[0116] When the control unit 80 determines that the vehicle has arrived at the loading and unloading area (including the rest area), it determines whether the battery temperature (TBAT) acquired by the battery temperature information acquisition unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (step S205 ).

[0117] When the battery temperature TBAT is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, it is determined whether the fuel cell system temperature TFC is equal to or lower than a predetermined value (step S206 ).

[0118] When it is determined in step S206 that the temperature TFC of the fuel cell system is equal to or lower than the predetermined value, the control unit 80 controls the fuel cell to supply power to the load at low power (step S212 ).

[0119] If it is determined in step S206 that the temperature TFC of the fuel cell system is higher than the predetermined value, it is determined whether the SOC of the battery is equal to or higher than the predetermined value (step S207 ).

[0120] When it is determined in step S207 that the SOC of the battery is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the control unit 80 controls the battery to supply power to the load and stops the fuel cell (step S208 ).

[0121] If it is determined in step S207 that the battery SOC is less than a predetermined value, the control unit 80 controls the fuel cell to supply high power to the load (step S210). The battery is then charged with power generated by the fuel cell (step S211).

[0122] If the vehicle has not arrived at the loading and unloading area (including the rest area) in step S204 , the control unit 80 controls the vehicle to supply power by fuel-fired power generation and to generate power at a constant load (step S209 ).

[0123] [Third example of vehicle system]

[0124] A third example of the vehicle system according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 8 This is a flowchart showing an example of processing steps in the third example of the embodiment.

[0125] exist Figure 8 In the third example shown, a driving route (delivery route) is first set by the driving route setting unit (step S301). The driving route is set to either an urban route for driving within an urban area or an out-of-urban route for driving outside an urban area. An urban route is a route with frequent driving and parking, while an out-of-urban route is a route with less frequent parking.

[0126] Next, the position information acquiring means acquires the position information (navigation information) of the electric vehicle (step S302). GPS or the like is used for the position information.

[0127] The control unit 80 determines whether an out-of-city route is set (selected) as the travel route (delivery route) (step S303 ).

[0128] When the out-of-city route is selected, the control unit 80 determines whether the vehicle has arrived at the loading and unloading area (including the rest area) based on the travel route and the position information (step S304).

[0129] When the control unit 80 determines that the vehicle has arrived at the loading and unloading area (including the rest area), it determines whether the battery temperature (TBAT) acquired by the battery temperature information acquisition unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (step S305 ).

[0130] When the battery temperature TBAT is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, it is determined whether the fuel cell system temperature TFC is equal to or lower than a predetermined value (step S306 ).

[0131] When it is determined in step S306 that the temperature TFC of the fuel cell system is equal to or lower than the predetermined value, power is supplied from the fuel cell at low power (step S315 ).

[0132] If it is determined in step S306 that the temperature TFC of the fuel cell system is higher than the predetermined value, it is determined in step S304 whether or not the vehicle has arrived at the loading and unloading area (including the rest area) (step S307 ).

[0133] In step S307 , when it is determined in step S304 that the vehicle has arrived at a loading and unloading area (including a rest area), the control unit 80 calculates the required SOC for each loading and unloading area (including a rest area) (step S308 ).

[0134] In step S307 , when it is determined in step S304 that the vehicle has not arrived at the loading and unloading area (including the rest area), the control unit 80 calculates the required SOC for each urban delivery route (step S309 ).

[0135] After step S308 or step S309 , it is determined whether the SOC of the battery is equal to or higher than the required SOC (step S310 ).

[0136] When it is determined in step S310 that the SOC of the battery is equal to or higher than the required SOC, the control unit 80 performs control so as to supply electric power from the battery to the load (step S311 ).

[0137] If it is determined in step S310 that the battery SOC is lower than the required SOC, the control unit 80 controls the fuel cell system load to supply high-power electricity (step S313). The battery is then charged with the high-power electricity generated by the fuel cell (step S314).

[0138] If it is determined in step S304 that the electric vehicle has not arrived at the loading and unloading area (including the rest area), the control unit 80 controls the fuel cell system to generate constant load power and supply power to the load (step S312 ).

[0139] [Fourth example of vehicle system]

[0140] A fourth example of the vehicle system according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 9 This is a flowchart showing an example of processing procedures in the fourth example of the embodiment.

[0141] exist Figure 9 In the fourth example shown, a driving route (delivery route) is first set by the driving route setting unit (step S401). The driving route is set to either an urban route for driving within an urban area or an out-of-urban route for driving outside an urban area. An urban route is a route with frequent driving and parking, while an out-of-urban route is a route with less frequent parking.

[0142] Next, the position information acquiring means acquires the position information (navigation information) of the electric vehicle (step S402). GPS or the like is used for the position information.

[0143] The control unit 80 determines whether an out-of-city route is set (selected) as the travel route (delivery route) (step S403 ).

[0144] When the out-of-city route is selected, the control unit 80 determines whether the vehicle has arrived at the loading and unloading area (including the rest area) based on the travel route and the position information (step S404).

[0145] When the control unit 80 determines that the vehicle has arrived at the loading and unloading area (including the rest area), it determines whether the battery temperature (TBAT) acquired by the battery temperature information acquisition unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (step S405 ).

[0146] When the battery temperature TBAT is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, it is determined whether the fuel cell system temperature TFC is equal to or lower than a predetermined value (step S406 ).

[0147] When it is determined in step S406 that the temperature TFC of the fuel cell system is equal to or lower than the predetermined value, power is supplied from the fuel cell at low power (step S416 ).

[0148] If it is determined in step S406 that the temperature TFC of the fuel cell system is higher than the predetermined value, it is determined in step S404 whether or not the vehicle has arrived at the loading and unloading area (including the rest area) (step S407 ).

[0149] In step S407 , when it is determined in step S404 that the vehicle has arrived at the loading and unloading area (including the rest area), the control unit 80 determines whether the vehicle standby power (instantaneous power) is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (step S408 ).

[0150] When it is determined in step S408 that the vehicle standby power (instantaneous power) is equal to or greater than the prescribed value, the control unit 80 controls the fuel cell to generate power at a constant load and supply power to the load (step S413 ).

[0151] If it is determined in step S408 that the vehicle standby power (instantaneous power) is less than the prescribed value, the required SOC for each loading and unloading area (including the rest area) is calculated (step S409).

[0152] In step S307 , when it is determined in step S304 that the vehicle has not arrived at the loading and unloading area (including the rest area), the control unit 80 calculates the required SOC for each urban delivery route (step S309 ).

[0153] In step S407, if it is determined in step S404 that the vehicle has not arrived at the loading and unloading area (including the rest area), the required SOC for each urban delivery route is calculated (step S410).

[0154] After step S409 or step S410 , it is determined whether the SOC of the battery is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (step S411 ).

[0155] When it is determined in step S411 that the SOC of the battery is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the control unit 80 controls the battery to supply power to the load and stops the fuel cell system (step S412 ).

[0156] If it is determined in step S411 that the battery SOC is less than a predetermined value, the control unit 80 controls the fuel cell system to supply high-power electricity to the load (step S414). Furthermore, the battery is charged with the high-power electricity generated by the fuel cell (step S415).

[0157] If it is determined in step S404 that the electric vehicle has not arrived at the loading and unloading area (including the rest area), the control unit 80 controls the fuel cell system to generate constant load power and supply power to the load (step S413 ).

[0158] When the remaining capacity of the battery is lower than a predetermined remaining capacity set based on the position information acquired by the position information acquiring means, the output of the fuel cell system can be increased compared to the output when the efficiency of the fuel cell system is maximized.

[0159] The relationship between the efficiency and the amount of power generated (generated power) during power generation of a general fuel cell system is as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-056771. Figure 3 That is, the amount of power generated by the fuel cell stack (generated electric power) is limited so that the efficiency of the fuel cell system as a whole during power generation is within a predetermined efficiency range including a maximum value.

[0160] [Specific example]

[0161] Figure 10 This image calculates the required SOC for an urban delivery route. This example shows a route from a loading / unloading area, passing through Store A and Point E, and then returning to the loading / unloading area. The required SOC for each section is shown.

[0162] Figure 11 This is a driving image when an urban route is selected. The horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents battery SOC.

[0163] Figure 12This image calculates the required SOC for different loading and unloading areas (including rest areas). The horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the required SOC.

[0164] As a result, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the drive control of the fuel cell system when power is supplied to a load other than the drive device, and to suppress a decrease in the durability performance of the fuel cell system.

[0165] While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments at all, and various modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vehicle system, wherein: The vehicle system comprises: Fuel cell systems; batteries; a drive device, which operates by means of electricity; A load different from the drive device; Location information acquisition agency; Driving route setting mechanism; a control device that controls the power supplied from the fuel cell system and the battery to the load based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit and the travel route set by the travel route setting unit; and a battery temperature information acquisition unit for acquiring the temperature information of the battery; The driving route setting means sets either an urban route for driving in an urban area or an out-of-urban area for driving in an out-of-urban area, wherein the urban area is an area where the vehicle repeatedly stops for a short period of time, and the out-of-urban area is an area where the vehicle continuously drives. When the driving route setting unit sets an urban route in an urban area and the battery temperature acquired by the battery temperature information acquiring unit is lower than a predetermined set temperature, power is supplied to the load from both the fuel cell system and the battery.

2. The vehicle system according to claim 1, wherein: When an urban route in an urban area is set by the driving route setting means and the temperature of the battery acquired by the battery temperature information acquiring means is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the operating status of the fuel cell system is changed according to the remaining capacity of the battery.

3. A vehicle system, wherein: The vehicle system comprises: Fuel cell systems; batteries; a drive device, which operates by means of electricity; A load different from the drive device; Location information acquisition agency; Driving route setting mechanism; a control device that controls the power supplied from the fuel cell system and the battery to the load based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit and the travel route set by the travel route setting unit; and a battery temperature information acquisition unit for acquiring the temperature information of the battery; The driving route setting means sets either an urban route for driving in an urban area or an out-of-urban area for driving in an out-of-urban area, wherein the urban area is an area where the vehicle repeatedly stops for a short period of time, and the out-of-urban area is an area where the vehicle continuously drives. When an urban route in an urban area is set by the driving route setting means and the temperature of the battery acquired by the battery temperature information acquiring means is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the operating status of the fuel cell system is changed according to the remaining capacity of the battery.

4. The vehicle system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The fuel cell system is stopped when the remaining capacity of the battery is higher than a predetermined remaining capacity set based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit.

5. The vehicle system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: When the remaining capacity of the battery is lower than a predetermined remaining capacity set based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit, the output of the fuel cell system is increased to a level higher than the output when the efficiency of the fuel cell system is maximized.

6. The vehicle system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The vehicle system includes a plurality of the fuel cell systems, and increases the number of operating fuel cell systems when the remaining capacity of the battery is lower than a predetermined remaining capacity set based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit.

7. The vehicle system according to claim 4, wherein: The predetermined remaining capacity is set based on at least one of the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit and the travel route set by the travel route setting unit.

8. The vehicle system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: When an extra-urban route for traveling in an extra-urban area is set by the travel route setting means, electric power is supplied from the fuel cell system to the load, and the fuel cell system is controlled to have a predetermined power generation amount.

9. A method for controlling a vehicle system, wherein: The vehicle system control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The vehicle system control method causes the computer to perform the following processing: Based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit and the travel route set by the travel route setting unit, the power supplied from the fuel cell system and the battery to the load is controlled.

10. A storage medium storing a control program for a vehicle system, wherein: The vehicle system control program is a vehicle system control program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The control program of the vehicle system causes the computer to perform the following processing: Based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit and the travel route set by the travel route setting unit, the power supplied from the fuel cell system and the battery to the load is controlled.

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