Apparatus, method and system for guiding a vehicle to a hydrogen refueling station

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus, method, and system for guiding a vehicle to a hydrogen station, wherein a guiding apparatus for selecting from among a plurality of hydrogen stations includes a first communication device configured to receive state information from a hydrogen fuel dispenser of each of the plurality of hydrogen stations, respectively; a second communication device configured to receive a guidance request for one hydrogen station from a vehicle terminal; and a controller configured to guide a hydrogen fuel vehicle equipped with the vehicle terminal to the selected one hydrogen station so that the hydrogen fuel vehicle can occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser having a reference pressure upon arrival.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus, a method and a system for guiding a hydrogen fuel vehicle to a selected hydrogen refueling station, i.e., an optimal hydrogen refueling station among a plurality of hydrogen refueling stations. BACKGROUND

[0002] Generally, a vehicle having an internal combustion engine operates by rotational power generated by burning gasoline, i.e., a fossil fuel, and oxygen in air, whereas a fuel cell vehicle operates by rotational power of an electric motor driven using electric power generated from a fuel cell stack.

[0003] The fuel cell stack is a power source of the fuel cell vehicle, which generates electric power through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen supplied from a high-pressure fuel tank in the vehicle and oxygen in air supplied through an air supply device.

[0004] In such a fuel cell vehicle, an important issue is to store hydrogen as a fuel more safely and more compactly. Therefore, in general, for the convenience of use, hydrogen is filled into a fuel tank which is light in weight and high in strength, and which withstands high pressure. In addition, in order to secure a passenger space and a sufficient driving distance, hydrogen is filled into and used at high pressure.

[0005] The fuel tank of the fuel cell vehicle generally has a specification of 350 bar or 700 bar. The tank body is manufactured by using a metal such as an aluminum (Al) alloy or a plastic. In order to secure sufficient pressure resistance, a reinforcing material such as carbon fiber is wound outside the tank body.

[0006] Meanwhile, as for a hydrogen fuel dispenser provided in a hydrogen refueling station, hydrogen from a hydrogen pipe is compressed and stored in a hydrogen tank (or cartridge), and when the hydrogen fuel dispenser is connected with a hydrogen inlet, the stored hydrogen in the hydrogen tank is supplied to a hydrogen fuel vehicle at a speed of 1 km per minute.

[0007] At the end of hydrogen refueling in one hydrogen fuel vehicle, such a hydrogen fuel dispenser must perform a step of increasing the internal pressure of the hydrogen tank to a reference pressure (for example, 700 bar) in order to fill hydrogen into another hydrogen fuel vehicle, since the internal pressure of the hydrogen tank is decreased (filling pressure is decreased) in the process of supplying hydrogen to the hydrogen fuel vehicle. In this case, the process of increasing the internal pressure of the hydrogen tank takes about 20 minutes.

[0008] A conventional guidance system of a hydrogen refueling station guides a hydrogen fuel vehicle to a hydrogen refueling station based only on a driving distance based on the amount of hydrogen remaining in the hydrogen fuel vehicle, a distance from a current position of the hydrogen fuel vehicle to the hydrogen refueling station, and a price of hydrogen. Therefore, the conventional guidance system does not consider an optimal hydrogen refueling station.

[0009] The matters described in the background art are to facilitate explanation and can include matters other than the related art known to those skilled in the art. SUMMARY

[0010] One aspect of the present application provides a guidance system and method to a hydrogen station, which is capable of providing guidance to an optimal hydrogen station by guiding a hydrogen fuel automobile to a hydrogen station within a drivable distance and enabling the hydrogen fuel automobile to occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser having a higher pressure than a reference pressure upon arrival, thereby immediately hydrogenating in the hydrogen fuel automobile without waiting.

[0011] The technical problems to be solved by the present application are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and the technical problems mentioned in the present application will be clearly understood from the following explanation of the related art by those skilled in the art. Furthermore, it can be easily understood that the subject matter and features of the present application are achieved by the means described in the appended claims and combinations of the means.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present application, a guidance device for selection from a plurality of hydrogen stations, comprising: a first communication device receiving state information from hydrogen fuel dispensers in the plurality of hydrogen stations, respectively; a second communication device receiving a guidance request to one hydrogen station from a vehicle terminal; and a controller configured to guide a hydrogen fuel automobile equipped with the vehicle terminal to the selected one hydrogen station so that the hydrogen fuel automobile is able to occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser having a reference pressure upon arrival.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present application, the controller is configured to provide guidance to a hydrogen station having the shortest hydrogenation time when there are a plurality of hydrogen stations enabling the hydrogen fuel automobile to occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser corresponding to the reference pressure.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present application, the controller is configured to: receive a pressure of a fuel tank from the vehicle terminal through the second communication device; and calculate a hydrogenation time based on a current pressure of a hydrogen tank and the received pressure of the fuel tank, wherein the current pressure of the hydrogen tank is contained in the state information of the hydrogen fuel dispenser.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present application, the controller can periodically update the state information of the hydrogen fuel dispenser stored in the memory.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present application, the state information of the hydrogen fuel dispenser can include at least one of a maximum pressure of the hydrogen tank, a current pressure of the hydrogen tank, a current state of the hydrogen tank (a hydrogen filling state, a pressure increasing state of the hydrogen tank, or a hydrogen filling waiting state), an expected time required to fill the hydrogen, an expected pressure of the hydrogen tank after the hydrogen is filled, an expected time required to increase the pressure of the hydrogen tank to a reference pressure after the hydrogen is filled in the hydrogen filling state, an expected time required to increase the pressure of the hydrogen tank to the reference pressure, and an expected pressure of the hydrogen tank after the hydrogen tank is completely pressurized in the pressure increasing state of the hydrogen tank.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present application, the controller is configured to provide guidance to a hydrogen filling station in which the hydrogen fuel vehicle equipped with the vehicle terminal is able to occupy the hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to the hydrogen tank having the reference pressure upon arrival, among the hydrogen filling stations located within a drivable distance of the hydrogen fuel vehicle.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present application, the controller is configured to provide guidance to a hydrogen filling station in which the hydrogen fuel vehicle equipped with the vehicle terminal is able to occupy the hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to the hydrogen tank having the reference pressure upon arrival, among the hydrogen filling stations having the hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to the hydrogen tank having a pressure higher than that of the fuel tank in the hydrogen fuel vehicle.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present application, the controller is configured to provide guidance to a hydrogen filling station in which the hydrogen fuel vehicle equipped with the vehicle terminal is able to occupy the hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to the hydrogen tank having the reference pressure upon arrival, among the hydrogen filling stations located within a drivable distance of the hydrogen fuel vehicle and having the hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to the hydrogen tank having a pressure higher than that of the fuel tank in the hydrogen fuel vehicle.

[0020] According to one aspect of the present application, a guidance method for selection from a plurality of hydrogen filling stations can include the steps of receiving state information of hydrogen fuel dispensers respectively from the plurality of hydrogen filling stations through a first communication device, receiving a guidance request for guidance to one hydrogen filling station from a vehicle terminal through a second communication device, and guiding a hydrogen fuel vehicle equipped with the vehicle terminal to the selected one hydrogen filling station so that the hydrogen fuel vehicle is able to occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser having a reference pressure upon arrival, through a controller.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present application, the guidance method can include providing guidance to a hydrogen filling station in which the hydrogen fuel vehicle is able to occupy the hydrogen fuel dispenser corresponding to the reference pressure when there are a plurality of hydrogen filling stations in which the hydrogen fuel vehicle is able to occupy the hydrogen fuel dispenser corresponding to the reference pressure.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present application, the guidance method can include receiving, by the second communication device, a pressure of the fuel tank from the vehicle terminal; and calculating, by the controller, a hydrogen refueling time based on a current pressure of the hydrogen tank and the received pressure of the fuel tank, wherein the current pressure of the hydrogen tank is included in the state information of the hydrogen fuel dispenser.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present application, the guidance method includes providing guidance to a hydrogen refueling station, wherein the hydrogen refueling station is a hydrogen refueling station in which a hydrogen fuel vehicle equipped with a vehicle terminal is able to occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank having a reference pressure upon arrival, among hydrogen refueling stations within a drivable distance of the hydrogen fuel vehicle.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present application, the guidance method can include providing guidance to a hydrogen refueling station, wherein the hydrogen refueling station is a hydrogen refueling station in which a hydrogen fuel vehicle equipped with a vehicle terminal is able to occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank having a reference pressure upon arrival, among hydrogen refueling stations having a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank having a pressure higher than a pressure of a fuel tank in the hydrogen fuel vehicle.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the present application, the guidance method can include providing guidance to a hydrogen refueling station, wherein the hydrogen refueling station is a hydrogen refueling station in which a hydrogen fuel vehicle equipped with a vehicle terminal is able to occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank having a reference pressure upon arrival, among hydrogen refueling stations within a drivable distance of the hydrogen fuel vehicle and having a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank having a pressure higher than a pressure of a fuel tank in the hydrogen fuel vehicle.

[0026] According to another aspect of the present application, a guidance system for selection from among a plurality of hydrogen refueling stations can include a hydrogen refueling station that collects state information of a fuel dispenser; a vehicle terminal that requests guidance to a hydrogen refueling station; and a guidance device configured to guide a hydrogen fuel vehicle equipped with the vehicle terminal to one hydrogen refueling station so that the hydrogen fuel vehicle is able to occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser having a reference pressure upon arrival.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the present application, the guidance device is configured to, when there are a plurality of hydrogen refueling stations in which the hydrogen fuel vehicle is able to occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser corresponding to the reference pressure, provide guidance to a hydrogen refueling station having the shortest hydrogen refueling time.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present application, the guidance device is configured to receive a pressure of a fuel tank from the vehicle terminal; and calculate a hydrogen refueling time based on a current pressure of the hydrogen tank and the received pressure of the fuel tank, wherein the current pressure of the hydrogen tank is included in the state information of the hydrogen fuel dispenser.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the present application, the guidance device is configured to provide guidance to a hydrogen station in which a hydrogen fuel automobile equipped with a vehicle terminal is able to occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank having a reference pressure upon arrival, among hydrogen stations in which the hydrogen fuel automobile is able to occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank having a pressure higher than that of a fuel tank in the hydrogen fuel automobile.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the present application, the guidance device is configured to provide guidance to a hydrogen station in which a hydrogen fuel automobile equipped with a vehicle terminal is able to occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank having a reference pressure upon arrival, among hydrogen stations in which the hydrogen fuel automobile is able to occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank having a pressure higher than that of a fuel tank in the hydrogen fuel automobile.

[0031] According to another aspect of the present application, a guidance device for selection from a plurality of hydrogen stations can include a first communication device to receive a maximum pressure and a current pressure of a hydrogen tank of each hydrogen station, a second communication device to receive a maximum pressure and a current pressure of a fuel tank from a vehicle terminal, and a controller to calculate a hydrogenation time for each hydrogen station based on the maximum pressure and the current pressure of the hydrogen tank provided in each hydrogen station and the maximum pressure and the current pressure of the fuel tank according to a guidance request of the vehicle terminal.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the present application, the controller is configured to provide guidance of a hydrogen station in which a hydrogenation time is the shortest upon arrival of a hydrogen fuel automobile equipped with a vehicle terminal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0033] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present application will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0034] FIG. 1 A view showing a configuration of a hydrogen station guidance system according to one embodiment of the present application;

[0035] FIG. 2 A view showing a detailed configuration of a guidance device included in a hydrogen station guidance system according to one embodiment of the present application;

[0036] FIG. 3 A flowchart showing a hydrogen station guidance method according to one embodiment of the present application; and

[0037] FIG. 4 A block diagram showing a computing system for performing a hydrogen station guidance method according to one embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] It should be understood that the terms "vehicle" or "vehicular" or other similar terminology used herein includes a motor vehicle, such as a passenger car, including sport utility vehicles (SUV), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, watercraft including boats and ships, an aircraft, etc., including a hybrid vehicle, electric vehicle, a combustion- engine vehicle, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, hydrogen vehicle and other alternative fuel vehicles (for example, vehicles that use some other source of power other than petroleum products).

[0039] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present application. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Throughout this specification, the word "comprise", and variations of the word, such as "comprising" or "comprises", means "including but not limited to", and is not used in the sense of "consist only of" or "consisting only of". In addition, the terms "unit", "-er", "-machine" and "module" in the present specification mean a unit for processing at least one function and operation, and can be implemented by hardware components or software components and combinations thereof.

[0040] Further, the control logic of the present application can be implemented as non-transitory computer readable media on a computer readable medium containing executable program instructions executed by a processor, controller, and the like. Examples of computer readable media include, but are not limited to, ROM, RAM, compact discs (CD)-ROM, tape, flash memories, smart cards, and optical data storage devices. The computer readable recording medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable media can be stored and executed using a distribution system, such as the Internet or Intranet, e.g., by way of a cloud of servers and / or a controller area network (CAN).

[0041] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Reference numerals added to components of each drawing are added to components of each drawing, and it should be noted that the same or equivalent components are designated by the same reference numerals even if they are shown on other drawings. Further, in explaining the embodiments of the present application, detailed descriptions of well-known features or functions will be omitted in order not to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present application.

[0042] Furthermore, according to embodiments of the present invention, the terms "first," "second," "A," "B," "(a)," and "(b)" may be used in the following description of components. These terms are intended only to distinguish one component from another, and they do not limit the nature, order, or sequence of the constituent components. Moreover, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art related to this invention. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning equivalent to that in the context of the relevant technical field and should not be interpreted as having an idealized or overly formal meaning unless such meaning is expressly defined in this application.

[0043] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a fuel tank refers to a tank installed in a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, while a hydrogen tank refers to a tank installed in a hydrogen refueling station.

[0044] FIG. 1 A view showing the configuration of a hydrogen refueling station guidance system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] like FIG. 1 As shown, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a guidance system 100 for selecting from a plurality of hydrogen refueling stations (i.e., providing guidance to a vehicle to the optimal hydrogen refueling station among the plurality of stations) may include a vehicle terminal 10, a guidance device 20, a first hydrogen refueling station 30, and a second hydrogen refueling station 40. Although two hydrogen refueling stations are used by way of example for ease of illustration, the number of hydrogen refueling stations in the present invention is not limited.

[0046] Regarding the components in the guidance system 100, the vehicle terminal 10 installed in the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle can be implemented, for example, in the form of a telematics terminal.

[0047] Vehicle terminal 10 can collect various information from the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and can request guidance device 20 to provide guidance to the best hydrogen refueling station based on the collected information. In this case, various information may include, for example, the maximum pressure of the fuel tank in the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, the current pressure of the fuel tank, the current location of the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (e.g., GPS location), the navigation destination (address, building name, or government office), the driving distance of the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, and the priority of guidance to the hydrogen refueling station.

[0048] In this case, the maximum pressure of the fuel tank is fixed information (default information) and can be obtained from an electronic control unit (ECU) provided in the hydrogen fuel vehicle. The current pressure of the fuel tank and the drivable distance of the hydrogen fuel vehicle can be obtained from a fuel cell energy management system (FC-EMS) provided in the hydrogen fuel vehicle. The current position of the hydrogen fuel vehicle and the navigation destination can be obtained from a navigation device provided in the hydrogen fuel vehicle. The guidance priority of the hydrogen refueling station, which includes a buffer priority, a short distance priority, or a price priority, can be obtained when the user selects from the buffer priority, the short distance priority, or the price priority. In addition, the guidance priority of the hydrogen refueling station can further include a partial refueling priority item, and the partial refueling priority item can include a time required for refueling (refueling time) and a pressure of a hydrogen tank.

[0049] The vehicle terminal 10 can be connected with the guidance device 20 to provide the various information, and can request (guidance request) the guidance device 20 to provide guidance to the best hydrogen refueling station corresponding to the various information. In this case, the information provided by the vehicle terminal 10 to the guidance device 20 is shown in Table 1 below by way of example.

[0050] Table 1

[0051] Category Hydrogen fuel automobile Maximum pressure of fuel tank 500 Bar Current pressure of fuel tank 200 Bar Current location of hydrogen fuel automobile Seoul Jung-gu office Destination of hydrogen fuel automobile Seoul National Museum Driveable distance of hydrogen fuel automobile 100 km User guidance priority Buffering priority

[0052] Table 1 shows a case where the user selects the buffer priority.

[0053] The guidance device 20 can provide guidance to the hydrogen refueling station so that the hydrogen fuel vehicle equipped with the vehicle terminal 10 can occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected with a hydrogen tank having a reference pressure (for example, 700 bar, 350 bar, or a pressure required to fill the fuel tank in the hydrogen fuel vehicle) upon arrival, according to the guidance request of the vehicle terminal 10. In this case, a plurality of hydrogen refueling stations can be provided. Each hydrogen refueling station can provide a plurality of hydrogen fuel dispensers, and each hydrogen fuel dispenser can have a hydrogen tank (or cartridge) respectively.

[0054] When there are a plurality of hydrogen refueling stations that enable the hydrogen fuel vehicle to occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser corresponding to the reference pressure, the guidance device 20 can provide guidance to the hydrogen refueling station having the shortest refueling time. In this case, the guidance device 20 can receive the pressure of the fuel tank from the vehicle terminal 10, and can calculate the refueling time based on the current pressure of the hydrogen tank included in the state information of the hydrogen fuel dispenser and the received pressure of the fuel tank. In this case, the guidance device 20 can calculate the refueling time based on the current pressure of the hydrogen tank and the pressure of the fuel tank upon arrival of the hydrogen fuel vehicle equipped with the vehicle terminal 10.

[0055] The guidance device 20 can provide guidance to a hydrogen refueling station according to a guidance request of the vehicle terminal 10, among hydrogen refueling stations in which a hydrogen fuel automobile equipped with the vehicle terminal 10 can occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank having a reference pressure upon arrival, among hydrogen refueling stations located within a drivable distance of the hydrogen fuel automobile.

[0056] The guidance device 20 can provide guidance to a hydrogen refueling station according to a guidance request of the vehicle terminal 10, among hydrogen refueling stations in which a hydrogen fuel automobile equipped with the vehicle terminal 10 can occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank having a reference pressure upon arrival, among hydrogen refueling stations having a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank having a pressure higher than that of a fuel tank in the hydrogen fuel automobile.

[0057] The guidance device 20 can provide guidance to a hydrogen refueling station according to a guidance request of the vehicle terminal 10, among hydrogen refueling stations in which a hydrogen fuel automobile equipped with the vehicle terminal 10 can occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank having a reference pressure upon arrival, among hydrogen refueling stations located within a drivable distance of the hydrogen fuel automobile and having a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank having a pressure higher than that of a fuel tank in the hydrogen fuel automobile.

[0058] The guidance device 20 can periodically receive state information of each of the hydrogen refueling stations 30 and 40 (position information, price information, and state information of each hydrogen fuel dispenser) from the hydrogen refueling stations 30 and 40. In this case, the state information of the hydrogen refueling stations 30 and 40 received by the guidance device 20 is state information of the hydrogen fuel dispensers provided in the relevant hydrogen refueling station. The state information can include a maximum pressure of a hydrogen tank, a current pressure of a hydrogen tank, and a current state (a hydrogen refueling state, a pressure increasing state of a hydrogen tank, or a hydrogen refueling waiting state). In the hydrogen refueling state, the state information can include an expected time required to fill hydrogen, an expected pressure of a hydrogen tank after hydrogen is filled, or an expected time required to increase the pressure of the hydrogen tank to a reference pressure after hydrogen is filled. In the pressure increasing state of a hydrogen tank, the state information can include an expected time required to increase the pressure of the hydrogen tank to a reference pressure, and an expected pressure of a hydrogen tank after the pressure of the hydrogen tank is completely increased.

[0059] For example, the state information received from the first hydrogen refueling station 30 is shown in Table 2 by way of example.

[0060] Table 2

[0061]

[0062]

[0063] In Table 2, the information of the first hydrogen fuel dispenser or the information of the second hydrogen fuel dispenser can further include the number of vehicles waiting at the current time point and the total waiting time.

[0064] A terminal (not shown) provided in the first hydrogen refueling station 30 can periodically collect the price information of hydrogen gas (which is set by the owner) and the state information of each hydrogen fuel dispenser, and can transmit the collected information to the guidance device 20.

[0065] A terminal (not shown) provided in the second hydrogen refueling station 40 can periodically collect the price information of hydrogen gas (which is set by the owner) and the state information of each hydrogen fuel dispenser, and can transmit the collected information to the guidance device 20.

[0066] Meanwhile, since the pressure of the hydrogen tank provided in the hydrogen refueling station is higher, the time required for hydrogen filling (hydrogen filling time) in the fuel tank provided in the hydrogen fuel vehicle is shortened, and since the pressure of the hydrogen tank provided in the hydrogen refueling station is lower, the time required for hydrogen filling (hydrogen filling time) in the fuel tank provided in the hydrogen fuel vehicle is increased. In this case, the maximum pressure of each hydrogen tank provided in the hydrogen refueling station can be different because there is a difference in capacity between the hydrogen tanks provided in the hydrogen refueling station. In other words, the hydrogen filling time can vary depending on the maximum pressure and the current pressure of the hydrogen tank in each hydrogen refueling station and the maximum pressure and the current pressure of the fuel tank provided in the hydrogen fuel vehicle.

[0067] Therefore, the guidance device 20 can calculate the hydrogen filling time with respect to each hydrogen refueling station based on the maximum pressure and the current pressure of the hydrogen tank provided in each hydrogen refueling station and the maximum pressure and the current pressure of the fuel tank provided in the hydrogen fuel vehicle, and can provide guidance to direct to the hydrogen refueling station having the shortest hydrogen filling time.

[0068] FIG. 2 A view showing a detailed configuration of a guidance device included in a guidance system of a hydrogen refueling station according to an embodiment of the present application is illustrated.

[0069] As FIG. 2 illustrated, the guidance device 20 provided in the guidance system of the hydrogen refueling station according to an embodiment of the present application can include a storage device 21, a hydrogen refueling station communication device 22, a vehicle communication device 23, and a controller 24. In this case, according to the embodiment of the present application, these components can be combined with each other to be implemented in one form, or some components can be omitted depending on the reproduction mode of the guidance system 100 directing to the hydrogen refueling station. In particular, the hydrogen refueling station communication device 22 can be integrated with the vehicle communication device 23, and further implemented in one communication module.

[0070] With respect to these components, the storage 21 can store various information received from the hydrogen fuel automobile (e.g., information in Table 1) and various information received from each hydrogen refueling station (e.g., information in Table 2). In this case, the information received from each hydrogen refueling station can be periodically updated.

[0071] The storage 21 can store various logics, various algorithms, and various programs required in a process of providing guidance to a hydrogen refueling station that enables a hydrogen fuel automobile equipped with the vehicle terminal 10 to occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank having a reference pressure upon arrival, according to a guidance request of the vehicle terminal 10.

[0072] The storage 21 can store various logics, various algorithms, and various programs required in a process of providing guidance to a hydrogen refueling station that enables a hydrogen fuel automobile equipped with the vehicle terminal to occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank having a reference pressure upon arrival, according to a guidance request of the vehicle terminal, among hydrogen refueling stations located within a drivable distance of the hydrogen fuel automobile.

[0073] The storage 21 can store various logics, various algorithms, and various programs required in a process of providing guidance to a hydrogen refueling station that enables a hydrogen fuel automobile equipped with the vehicle terminal to occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank having a reference pressure upon arrival, according to a guidance request of the vehicle terminal, among hydrogen refueling stations having a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank having a pressure higher than that of a fuel tank in the hydrogen fuel automobile.

[0074] The storage 21 can store various logics, various algorithms, and various programs required in a process of providing guidance to a hydrogen refueling station that enables a hydrogen fuel automobile equipped with the vehicle terminal to occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank having a reference pressure upon arrival, according to a guidance request of the vehicle terminal, among hydrogen refueling stations located within a drivable distance of the hydrogen fuel automobile and having a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank having a pressure higher than that of a fuel tank in the hydrogen fuel automobile.

[0075] The storage 21 can include at least one storage medium among a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a micro type, a card type (e.g., a secure digital (SD) card or an extreme digital card), a random access memory (RAM), a static RAM (SRAM), a read only memory (ROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a magnetic RAM (MRAM), a magnetic disk type memory, or an optical disk type memory, etc.

[0076] The hydrogen station communication device 22 is a module that provides a communication interface for a terminal (not shown) provided in each hydrogen station, and can receive state information of the hydrogen station in real time. In this case, the hydrogen station communication device 22 can be referred to as a first communication device.

[0077] The vehicle communication device 23 is a module that provides a communication interface for a vehicle terminal 10 provided in each hydrogen fuel vehicle, and can receive state information (e.g., pressure of a fuel tank) of the hydrogen fuel vehicle from the vehicle terminal 10. In other words, the vehicle communication device 23 can receive a guidance request for a hydrogen station from the vehicle terminal 10. In this case, the vehicle communication device 23 can be referred to as a second communication device.

[0078] The vehicle communication device 23 can include at least one of a mobile communication module, a wireless Internet module, and a short-range communication module.

[0079] The mobile communication module can communicate with a mobile communication network constructed based on a technical standard or a communication scheme of mobile communication. For example, the technical standard or the communication scheme of mobile communication can include Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000), Enhanced Voice-Data Optimized or Enhanced Voice-Data Only (EV-DO), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A), 4th-Generation Mobile Communication (4G), or 5th-Generation Mobile Communication (5G).

[0080] The wireless Internet module is a module for wireless Internet access, and can communicate by means of Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi Direct, Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA), Wireless Broadband (WiBro), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), or Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A).

[0081] The short-range communication module can support short-range communication by at least one of Bluetooth TM , Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, Near Field Communication (NFC), or Wireless Universal Serial Bus (USB).

[0082] The controller 24 can perform overall control such that the components normally perform corresponding functions. In addition, the controller 24 can be implemented in the form of hardware or software, and can be implemented in the form of a combination of hardware and software. Preferably, the controller 24 can be implemented together with a microprocessor, but the present application is not limited thereto.

[0083] The controller 24 can perform various control operations required in a process of providing guidance to a hydrogen refueling station according to a guidance request of the vehicle terminal 10, which is a hydrogen refueling station enabling a hydrogen fuel vehicle equipped with the vehicle terminal 10 to occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank having a reference pressure at the time of arrival.

[0084] When there are a plurality of hydrogen refueling stations enabling a hydrogen fuel vehicle to occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank having a reference pressure, the controller 24 can provide guidance to a hydrogen refueling station having the shortest hydrogen refueling time. In this case, the controller 24 can receive a pressure of a fuel tank from the vehicle terminal 10, and can calculate a hydrogen refueling time based on a current pressure of a hydrogen tank included in the state information of the hydrogen fuel dispenser and the received pressure of the fuel tank. In this case, the controller 24 can calculate a hydrogen refueling time based on a current pressure of a hydrogen tank and a pressure of a fuel tank at the time of arrival of a hydrogen fuel vehicle equipped with the vehicle terminal 10.

[0085] The controller 24 can perform various control operations required in a process of providing guidance to a hydrogen refueling station according to a guidance request of the vehicle terminal 10, which is a hydrogen refueling station enabling a hydrogen fuel vehicle equipped with the vehicle terminal 10 to occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank having a reference pressure at the time of arrival, among hydrogen refueling stations within a drivable distance of the hydrogen fuel vehicle.

[0086] The controller 24 can perform various control operations required in a process of providing guidance to a hydrogen refueling station according to a guidance request of the vehicle terminal 10, which is a hydrogen refueling station enabling a hydrogen fuel vehicle equipped with the vehicle terminal 10 to occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank having a reference pressure at the time of arrival, among hydrogen refueling stations having a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank having a pressure higher than that of a fuel tank in the hydrogen fuel vehicle.

[0087] The controller 24 can perform various control operations required in a process of providing guidance to a hydrogen refueling station according to a guidance request of the vehicle terminal 10, which is a hydrogen refueling station enabling a hydrogen fuel vehicle equipped with the vehicle terminal 10 to occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank having a reference pressure at the time of arrival, among hydrogen refueling stations within a drivable distance of the hydrogen fuel vehicle and having a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank having a reference pressure (higher than that of a fuel tank in the hydrogen fuel vehicle).

[0088] Meanwhile, the controller 24 can perform various control operations required in a process of calculating a hydrogen refueling time of each hydrogen refueling station based on a maximum pressure and a current pressure of a hydrogen tank provided in each hydrogen refueling station and a maximum pressure and a current pressure of a fuel tank provided in the hydrogen fuel vehicle, and providing guidance to a hydrogen refueling station having the shortest hydrogen refueling time according to a guidance request of the vehicle terminal 10.

[0089] FIG. 3 A flowchart showing a guidance method of a hydrogen station according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0090] First, the hydrogen station communication device 22 receives state information of the hydrogen fuel dispensers from the hydrogen stations 30 and 40 (301).

[0091] Next, the vehicle communication device 23 can receive a guidance request for the hydrogen station from the vehicle terminal 10 (302).

[0092] Next, the controller 24 provides guidance to the hydrogen station so that the hydrogen fuel automobile equipped with the vehicle terminal 10 can occupy the hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to the hydrogen tank having the reference pressure at the time of arrival (303).

[0093] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a computing system that executes a guidance method of a hydrogen station according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0094] Referring to FIG. 4 , according to an embodiment of the present application, a guidance method of a hydrogen station can be implemented by a computing system. The computing system 1000 can include at least one processor 1100, a memory 1300, a user interface input device 1400, a user interface output device 1500, a storage 1600, and a network interface 1700, which are connected to each other via a system bus 1200.

[0095] The processor 1100 can be a central processing unit (CPU) or a semiconductor device for processing instructions stored in the memory 1300 and / or the storage 1600. Each of the memory 1300 and the storage 1600 can include various types of volatile or non-volatile storage media. For example, the memory 1300 can include read-only memory (ROM) 1310 and random access memory (RAM) 1320.

[0096] Accordingly, the operations of the method or algorithm described in connection with the processor 1100 implemented by the processor 1100 can be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by the processor 1100, or in a combination of the two. A software module can reside in a storage medium (i.e., memory 1300 and / or storage 1600), such as RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), registers, hard disk, a solid state drive (SSD), a removable disk, or a compact disc ROM (CD-ROM). The example storage medium can be coupled to the processor 1100. The processor 1100 can read information from the storage medium and can write information to the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium can be integrated into the processor 1100. The processor and the storage medium can reside in an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The ASIC can reside in a user terminal. Alternatively, the processor and the storage medium can reside as discrete components in the user terminal.

[0097] As described above, in the hydrogen station guiding system and the guiding method according to the embodiment of the present application, it is possible to provide guidance to the optimal hydrogen station by guiding the hydrogen fuel automobile to the hydrogen station within the drivable distance and enabling the hydrogen fuel automobile to occupy the hydrogen fuel dispenser having a higher pressure than the reference pressure at the time of arrival, thereby hydrogen filling in the hydrogen fuel automobile immediately without waiting.

[0098] Therefore, the exemplary embodiments of the present application are provided to explain the spirit and scope of the present application, and the spirit and scope of the present application are not limited to these embodiments. The scope of protection of the present application is interpreted based on the appended claims, and all technical concepts within the equivalent scope of these claims should be included in the scope of the present application.

[0099] In the above, although the present application has been described with reference to the exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings, the present application is not limited thereto, but various modifications and changes can be made by those skilled in the art to which the present application pertains without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application as claimed in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A guidance device for selecting from a plurality of hydrogen stations, the guidance device comprising: a first communication device configured to receive in real time state information of a hydrogen fuel dispenser respectively from each of the plurality of hydrogen stations, wherein the state of the hydrogen fuel dispenser includes a current pressure of a hydrogen tank connected to the hydrogen fuel dispenser; a second communication device configured to receive a guidance request to one hydrogen station from a vehicle terminal; and a controller configured to: receive from the first communication device the current pressure of the hydrogen tank connected to the hydrogen fuel dispenser of each of the plurality of hydrogen stations; and guide a hydrogen fuel vehicle equipped with the vehicle terminal to one hydrogen station selected from the plurality of hydrogen stations that includes a hydrogen fuel dispenser with a reference pressure connected to a hydrogen tank when the hydrogen fuel vehicle arrives.

2. The guide device of claim 1, wherein, the controller is configured to: when there are a plurality of hydrogen stations with the hydrogen fuel dispenser with the reference pressure that enables the hydrogen fuel vehicle to occupy, provide guidance to the hydrogen station with the shortest hydrogenation time.

3. The guide device of claim 2, wherein, the controller is configured to: receive from the second communication device the pressure of the fuel tank of the vehicle terminal; and calculate the hydrogenation time based on the current pressure of the hydrogen tank and the received pressure of the fuel tank, wherein the current pressure of the hydrogen tank is included in the state information of the hydrogen fuel dispenser.

4. The guide device of claim 1, wherein, The state information of the hydrogen fuel dispenser further includes: at least one of the maximum pressure of the hydrogen tank, the current state of the hydrogen tank being a hydrogenation state, the hydrogen tank being in a pressure increasing state, the hydrogen tank being in a hydrogenation waiting state, the expected time required to hydrogenate, the expected pressure of the hydrogen tank after hydrogenation, the expected time required to increase the pressure of the hydrogen tank to the reference pressure after hydrogenation, the expected time required to increase the pressure of the hydrogen tank to the reference pressure in the hydrogenation state, and the expected pressure of the hydrogen tank after the hydrogen tank is fully pressurized in the pressure increasing state of the hydrogen tank.

5. The guide device of claim 1, wherein, the controller is configured to: provide guidance to a hydrogen station, wherein the hydrogen station is a hydrogen station that enables a hydrogen fuel vehicle equipped with the vehicle terminal to occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank with the reference pressure when it arrives, a hydrogen station within a drivable distance of the hydrogen fuel vehicle.

6. The guide device of claim 1, wherein, the controller is configured to: provide guidance to a hydrogen station, wherein the hydrogen station is a hydrogen station that enables a hydrogen fuel vehicle equipped with the vehicle terminal to occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank with the reference pressure when it arrives, a hydrogen station with a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank with a pressure higher than that of the fuel tank in the hydrogen fuel vehicle.

7. The guide device of claim 1, wherein, the controller is configured to: provide guidance to a hydrogen station, wherein the hydrogen station is a hydrogen station that enables a hydrogen fuel vehicle equipped with the vehicle terminal to occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank with the reference pressure when it arrives, a hydrogen station within a drivable distance of the hydrogen fuel vehicle and with a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank with a pressure higher than that of the fuel tank in the hydrogen fuel vehicle.

8. A guidance method for selecting from a plurality of hydrogen stations, the guidance method comprising the steps of: receiving, in real time, through a first communication device, state information from a hydrogen fuel dispenser of each of the plurality of hydrogen stations, respectively, wherein the state of the hydrogen fuel dispenser includes a current pressure of a hydrogen tank connected to the hydrogen fuel dispenser; receiving, through a second communication device, a guidance request to a hydrogen station from a vehicle terminal; receiving, through a controller, from the first communication device, the current pressure of the hydrogen tank connected to the hydrogen fuel dispenser of each of the plurality of hydrogen stations; and guiding, through the controller, a hydrogen fuel vehicle equipped with the vehicle terminal to a hydrogen station selected from the plurality of hydrogen stations that includes a hydrogen fuel dispenser with a reference pressure connected to a hydrogen tank when the hydrogen fuel vehicle arrives.

9. The guidance method of claim 8, wherein, The step of guiding the hydrogen fuel vehicle includes: when there are a plurality of hydrogen stations with the hydrogen fuel dispensers with the reference pressure that enable the hydrogen fuel vehicle to occupy, providing guidance to a hydrogen station with the shortest hydrogenation time.

10. The guidance method of claim 9, wherein, The step of providing guidance to the hydrogen station includes: receiving, through the second communication device, a pressure of a fuel tank from the vehicle terminal; and calculating, through the controller, a hydrogenation time based on the current pressure of the hydrogen tank and the received pressure of the fuel tank, wherein the current pressure of the hydrogen tank is included in the state information of the hydrogen fuel dispenser.

11. The guidance method of claim 8, wherein, The state information of the hydrogen fuel dispenser further includes: at least one of a maximum pressure of a hydrogen tank, a current state of the hydrogen tank being in a hydrogenation state, the hydrogen tank being in a pressure increasing state, the hydrogen tank being in a hydrogenation waiting state, an expected time required to hydrogenate, an expected pressure of the hydrogen tank after hydrogenation, an expected time required to increase the pressure of the hydrogen tank to the reference pressure in the hydrogenation state, an expected time required to increase the pressure of the hydrogen tank to the reference pressure, and an expected pressure of the hydrogen tank after the hydrogen tank is fully pressurized in the pressure increasing state of the hydrogen tank.

12. The guidance method according to claim 8, wherein the step of guiding the hydrogen fuel vehicle includes: providing guidance to a hydrogen station, wherein the hydrogen station is a hydrogen station that enables the hydrogen fuel vehicle equipped with the vehicle terminal to occupy, upon arrival, a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank with the reference pressure, among hydrogen stations within a drivable distance of the hydrogen fuel vehicle.

13. The guidance method according to claim 8, wherein the step of guiding the hydrogen fuel vehicle includes: providing guidance to a hydrogen station, wherein the hydrogen station is a hydrogen station that enables the hydrogen fuel vehicle equipped with the vehicle terminal to occupy, upon arrival, a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank with the reference pressure, among hydrogen stations having a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank with a pressure higher than a pressure of a fuel tank in the hydrogen fuel vehicle.

14. The guidance method according to claim 8, wherein the step of guiding the hydrogen fuel vehicle includes: provide guidance to a hydrogen station, wherein the hydrogen station is a hydrogen station in which a hydrogen fuel vehicle equipped with the vehicle terminal is able to occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank having the reference pressure upon arrival, a hydrogen station located within a drivable distance of the hydrogen fuel vehicle and having a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank having a pressure higher than a pressure of a fuel tank in the hydrogen fuel vehicle.

15. A guidance system for selecting from a plurality of hydrogen stations, the guidance system comprising: a hydrogen station configured to collect, in real time, status information of a hydrogen fuel dispenser, wherein the status of the hydrogen fuel dispenser includes a current pressure of a hydrogen tank connected to the hydrogen fuel dispenser; a vehicle terminal configured to request guidance to one of the hydrogen stations; and a guidance device configured to: receive, from the hydrogen station, the current pressure of the hydrogen tank connected to the hydrogen fuel dispenser of each of the plurality of hydrogen stations; and guide a hydrogen fuel vehicle equipped with the vehicle terminal to one of the plurality of hydrogen stations that includes a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank having a reference pressure upon arrival of the hydrogen fuel vehicle.

16. The guidance system of claim 15, wherein the guidance device is configured to: provide guidance to a hydrogen station having the shortest hydrogenation time when there are a plurality of hydrogen stations in which the hydrogen fuel vehicle is able to occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser corresponding to the reference pressure.

17. The guidance system of claim 16, wherein the guidance device is configured to: receive a pressure of a fuel tank from the vehicle terminal; and calculate a hydrogenation time based on the current pressure of the hydrogen tank and the received pressure of the fuel tank, wherein the current pressure of the hydrogen tank is included in the status information of the hydrogen fuel dispenser.

18. The guidance system of claim 15, wherein the guidance device is configured to: provide guidance to a hydrogen station, wherein the hydrogen station is a hydrogen station in which a hydrogen fuel vehicle equipped with the vehicle terminal is able to occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank having the reference pressure upon arrival, a hydrogen station located within a drivable distance of the hydrogen fuel vehicle.

19. The guidance system of claim 15, wherein the guidance device is configured to: provide guidance to a hydrogen station, wherein the hydrogen station is a hydrogen station in which a hydrogen fuel vehicle equipped with the vehicle terminal is able to occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank having the reference pressure upon arrival, a hydrogen station having a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank having a pressure higher than a pressure of a fuel tank in the hydrogen fuel vehicle.

20. The guidance system of claim 15, wherein the guidance device is configured to: provide guidance to a hydrogen station, wherein the hydrogen station is a hydrogen station in which a hydrogen fuel vehicle equipped with the vehicle terminal is able to occupy a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank having the reference pressure upon arrival, a hydrogen station located within a drivable distance of the hydrogen fuel vehicle and having a hydrogen fuel dispenser connected to a hydrogen tank having a pressure higher than a pressure of a fuel tank in the hydrogen fuel vehicle.

Images