Method and apparatus for supporting a refueling process of a vehicle having a fuel cell

Abstract

According to the invention, the technology disclosed herein relates to an arrangement (101) for supporting a refueling process of a vehicle (100) having a fuel cell (104). Here, a shutdown process of the fuel cell (104) is to be performed before the refueling process is started. The arrangement (101) is arranged to determine that the refueling process is to be performed. Furthermore, the arrangement (101) is arranged to, in response thereto, cause one or more measures to be taken, which measures are intended to reduce a delay duration caused by the shutdown process of the fuel cell (104) for the start of the refueling process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed herein relates to methods and apparatus for supporting users of vehicles with fuel cell systems or fuel cells during refueling. Background Technology

[0002] Electric vehicles may include fuel cell systems with fuel cells configured to generate electricity for the vehicle's electric drive motor, based on fuel, particularly hydrogen. The vehicle includes containers, particularly pressure vessels, for containing fuel, wherein the containers can be filled with fuel at a refueling station during the refueling process.

[0003] Before refueling, the fuel cell system, especially the fuel cell itself, is typically shut off to ensure a safe refueling process. This shutdown process can also be called a shutdown. The shutdown process can take a relatively long time, especially at relatively low ambient temperatures (around or below freezing), which means vehicle users must wait a relatively long time for the shutdown process to finish before the refueling process can begin. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The preferred objective of the technology disclosed herein is to reduce or eliminate at least one drawback of prior known solutions or to propose an alternative solution. In particular, the preferred objective of the technology disclosed herein is to reduce the waiting time before the refueling process of a vehicle equipped with a fuel cell begins.

[0005] Other preferred tasks can be derived from the beneficial effects of the techniques disclosed herein.

[0006] According to one aspect, an apparatus for supporting the refueling process of a vehicle equipped with a fuel cell is described. The fuel cell can operate using fuel, particularly hydrogen or H2. Within the scope of the refueling process, fuel can be filled into the vehicle's fuel container to increase the fuel level.

[0007] Before starting the refueling process, a fuel cell shutdown procedure must be performed (e.g., for safety reasons). This shutdown procedure may take a relatively long time, especially at relatively low ambient temperatures (e.g., 5°C or lower), because in such cases, a so-called winter shutdown procedure and / or fuel cell conditioning (Konditionierung) must be performed.

[0008] The device is configured to determine when a refueling process should be performed. Specifically, the device can be configured to determine when the refueling process should be performed at the vehicle's current stop (when the vehicle has already stopped) or at the vehicle's next impending stop (when the vehicle is still moving). Furthermore, the device can be configured to determine an upcoming time point and / or an upcoming position in the vehicle's direction of travel at which the refueling process should be performed.

[0009] The device may be configured to determine fuel level information about the vehicle's fuel container (e.g., indicating that the vehicle must be refueled in the near future because the fuel level is below a threshold). Alternatively or supplementarily, the device may be configured to determine navigation information about the vehicle's planned route (e.g., indicating that the vehicle is en route to a refueling station). Alternatively or supplementarily, the device may be configured to determine usage information about the vehicle's typical past use (e.g., indicating that the user always refuels the vehicle at specific times, on specific days of the week, and / or at specific locations).

[0010] Alternatively or supplementarily, the device may be configured to determine sensor data regarding the vehicle's environment. For example, sensor data (especially image data from a camera) may indicate that the vehicle is moving toward the refueling station. Alternatively or supplementarily, the device may be configured to determine communication data regarding communication between the vehicle and the refueling station used for the refueling process. For example, it may be determined that the refueling column remains at the refueling station within the communication range.

[0011] The device can be configured to determine, based on liquid level information, navigation information, usage information, sensor data, and / or communication data, whether a refueling process should be performed (within the range of the vehicle's next stop). This allows for the prediction of upcoming refueling processes with exceptional precision.

[0012] Alternatively or additionally, the device may be configured to determine (within the range of the vehicle's next stop) to perform a refueling procedure based on user input (e.g., operational input and / or voice input) at the vehicle's user interface. For example, the user may communicate the intention to perform a refueling procedure through input. This input may be given directly by the user or in response to a user inquiry by the device (e.g., because the refueling procedure has already been predicted by the device). By involving the user, the planned refueling procedure can be predicted with particular accuracy.

[0013] The device is also configured, in response to this, to determine (in the case of the next stop of the vehicle that has occurred or will occur) to perform a refueling process, prompting one or more measures aimed at reducing the duration of the delay caused by the shutdown process of the fuel cell at the start of the refueling process. The delay duration may here be the duration between the point in time when the vehicle stops and the earliest possible point in time at which the refueling process begins (after the fuel cell shutdown process has ended).

[0014] The (if possible) early identification of the fact that the refueling process is performed within the range of the vehicle's (already completed or next) stop (and the vehicle is therefore not expected to be parked for an extended period) enables the implementation of one or more measures to reduce the duration of the delay, thereby improving the comfort for vehicle users and / or reducing fuel cell aging due to the (if possible unnecessary) shutdown process.

[0015] The device can be configured to prohibit extended winter shutdown processes as a measure to reduce the duration of the delay when a refueling process is determined to be performed (within the range where the vehicle is stationary). Alternatively or supplementarily, the device can be configured to prohibit fuel cell adjustments (for removing water residue from the fuel cell) as a measure to reduce the duration of the delay when a refueling process is determined to be performed (within the range where the vehicle is stationary). Fuel cell adjustments can be configured to adjust or regulate the water balance of the fuel cell. Here, the fuel cell can be dehumidified (especially at relatively cold temperatures) to protect the fuel cell when parked (especially when stationary). Fuel cell adjustments can therefore include drying or dehumidifying the fuel cell.

[0016] In this context, “adjustment” is interpreted as typically involving the regulation of the water balance (e.g., dehumidifying the fuel cell at low temperatures while it is parked to protect it).

[0017] In particular, the device can be configured to determine temperature information regarding the ambient temperature of the environment surrounding the fuel cell (if possible, directly). Based on this temperature information, it can then be determined whether to perform a winter shutdown process and / or adjustments (especially drying) for the fuel cell, particularly when the fuel cell is shut down for a longer period than the maximum permissible duration. Here, the maximum permissible duration is related to the ambient temperature. Typically, the maximum permissible duration increases with increasing ambient temperature. The maximum permissible duration can be determined by the device.

[0018] The device may, for example, be configured to determine, when it is identified based on temperature information that the ambient temperature is less than or equal to a specific temperature threshold (e.g., 5°C), to perform a winter shutdown process and / or adjustment (especially drying or dehumidification) for the fuel cell.

[0019] Furthermore, the device can be configured to, despite this, prohibit the execution of the winter shutdown process and / or the adjustment (especially drying) of the fuel cell if it has been determined (within the range of vehicle closure) that a refueling process is to be performed (and therefore taking into account the reactivation of the fuel cell within the maximum permissible duration).

[0020] By prohibiting relatively lengthy winter shutdown processes and / or relatively lengthy fuel cell adjustments, the potential delay in the start of the refueling process can be significantly reduced. Furthermore, fuel cell aging can be reduced. Instead of winter shutdown processes, normal or standard shutdown processes are typically performed (during which no or only partial adjustments to the fuel cell (especially drying) are made).

[0021] The device can be configured to check whether the fuel cell has been reactivated no later than the maximum permissible duration after performing the (standard) shutdown procedure. Furthermore, the device can be configured to trigger at least a portion of the winter shutdown procedure and / or (if possible) a complete adjustment of the fuel cell if it is detected that the fuel cell has not been reactivated within the maximum permissible duration. This reliably avoids negative impacts on the fuel cell.

[0022] The device can be configured to determine when the refueling process will be performed and / or at an upcoming point in the vehicle's direction of travel. Therefore, the refueling process can be predicted in advance (at the next stop of the refueling process).

[0023] As a measure to reduce the duration of the delay, the fuel cell shutdown process can be initiated before the upcoming time point and / or before reaching the upcoming refueling location. Therefore, the shutdown process can begin before the vehicle stops and / or before reaching the refueling station (thus reducing the remaining duration of the shutdown process after the vehicle stops). The initiation of the fuel cell shutdown process can (directly) result in no further electrical energy being generated by the fuel cell.

[0024] Furthermore, the device can be configured, as a measure to reduce the duration of the delay, to cause the vehicle's electric drive motor to operate (if possible, only) using electrical energy from the vehicle's electrical accumulator (e.g., from a high-voltage accumulator) from the start of the fuel cell shutdown process, so as to move the vehicle to the upcoming location for the refueling process. Thus, the vehicle can (if possible, only) operate from the electrical accumulator until it reaches the refueling station.

[0025] By introducing the fuel cell shutdown process early, the delay duration until the possible start of the refueling process can be reliably reduced (and, if possible, completely avoided).

[0026] The device can be configured to determine the shutdown duration required to perform the shutdown process of the fuel cell. The shutdown duration may be related to the state of the fuel cell and / or the ambient temperature of the fuel cell environment.

[0027] The shutdown process can begin at a time point and / or location related to the determined shutdown duration (before arriving at the refueling station for the refueling process). The start time point and / or location of the shutdown process for the fuel cell can be determined here based on the determined shutdown duration such that the shutdown process ends precisely when the vehicle stops for the refueling process and / or precisely at the time when the user typically wants to begin the refueling process after the vehicle has stopped. This allows the delay duration to be reduced to zero in a resource-efficient manner.

[0028] The device can be configured to determine information regarding the duration and / or distance of travel following the refueling process. This information can be determined, for example, based on navigation information and / or vehicle usage information. Furthermore, the device can be configured to perform or disable the reactivation of the fuel cell after the refueling process based on the determined information. In particular, reactivation of the fuel cell can be disabled during a relatively short travel distance following the refueling process. This can reduce fuel cell aging caused by the execution of a shutdown process.

[0029] According to another aspect, a (road) motor vehicle (especially a passenger car, truck, or bus) is described, which includes the device described in this document.

[0030] According to another aspect, a method for supporting the refueling process of a vehicle equipped with a fuel cell is described, wherein a fuel cell shutdown process is performed before the refueling process begins. For example, the shutdown process may require a shutdown duration between 10 and 60 seconds. The shutdown duration may be related to the state of the fuel cell and / or the ambient temperature.

[0031] The method includes determining (within the range of the vehicle's current or next stop) that a refueling process needs to be performed. Furthermore, the method includes prompting one or more measures in response to this, said one or more measures aimed at reducing the duration of the delay caused by the fuel cell shutdown process at the start of said refueling process. Here, said one or more measures may be prompted selectively (if possible only) for situations where a refueling process has been identified as needing to be performed while the vehicle is stopped. If it has been identified that the vehicle stop will be performed without a refueling process, or is to be performed without a refueling process, said one or more measures may be omitted if possible.

[0032] According to another aspect, a software (SW) program is described. The software program can be configured to execute on a processor, and thereby implement the methods described in this document.

[0033] According to another aspect, a storage medium is described. The storage medium may include a storage program (SW) configured to execute on a processor and thereby implement the methods described in this document.

[0034] It should be noted that the methods, apparatuses, and systems described herein can be used not only individually but also in combination with other methods, apparatuses, and systems described herein. Furthermore, any aspect of the methods, apparatuses, and systems described herein can be combined with each other in various ways. Attached Figure Description

[0035] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to embodiments. In the accompanying drawings:

[0036] Figure 1a Exemplary components of the vehicle are shown;

[0037] Figure 1b An exemplary system for performing the dispensing process is shown; and

[0038] Figure 2 A flowchart is shown as an exemplary method for performing a refueling process for a vehicle with a fuel cell. Detailed Implementation

[0039] As stated at the beginning, this document relates to improving the comfort of the refueling process for fuel containers used in vehicle fuel cell systems. In this context, Figure 1a An exemplary vehicle 100 is shown. Vehicle 100 includes a fuel container 103, particularly a pressure vessel, for containing fuel, particularly hydrogen. Container 103 can be refueled via a coupling element 102 configured to connect with a complementary coupling element 122 on a refueling hose 121 of a refueling station 120 for the refueling process (see [link to documentation]). Figure 1b ).

[0040] The fuel cell 104 of vehicle 100 can operate using fuel from container 103 to generate electrical energy, which can be stored in the electric storage device 106 of vehicle 100 and / or the electric drive motor 107 of vehicle 100 can operate using the electrical energy.

[0041] Before the refueling process of container 103 can be performed, fuel cell 104 must typically be shut down or turned off first. For this purpose, a shutdown process can be performed. The shutdown process can be designed to place fuel cell 104 in a shutdown state, in which fuel cell 104 is protected as much as possible from the negative impacts of environmental influences.

[0042] The shutdown process can be related to the current environmental conditions of the fuel cell 104 or the vehicle 100. In particular, at relatively low ambient temperatures (especially at or below freezing), the shutdown process may include drying the anode of the fuel cell 104 to remove water from the fuel cell 104 (which could damage the fuel cell 104 due to freezing). Therefore, the duration of the shutdown process may be relatively long (e.g., 30 seconds or longer), especially at relatively low ambient temperatures.

[0043] The shutdown process of fuel cell 104 can be achieved by one or more actuators 105 (e.g., via a ventilator). The control unit 101 of vehicle 100 can be configured to operate the one or more actuators 105 to perform the shutdown process. Furthermore, the control unit 101 can be configured to recognize that the shutdown process has ended. In response, the refueling process for fuel container 103 can be released.

[0044] The shutdown process of fuel cell 104, especially at relatively low ambient temperatures, can therefore cause users of vehicle 100 to have to wait a relatively long time after parking or stopping vehicle 100 at refueling station 102 before the refueling process of container 103 can begin. This is generally inconvenient for users of vehicle 100.

[0045] Control unit 101 can be configured to determine whether to perform a refueling process before or upon arrival at refueling station 120. For example, the refueling process can be predicted or determined based on the current liquid level in container 103, the planned route of vehicle 100 in vehicle navigation device 108, historical usage data of vehicle 100, vehicle-to-infrastructure communication (e.g., vehicle-to-infrastructure communication between vehicle 100 and refueling station 120), and sensor data from one or more environmental sensors (especially cameras) of vehicle 100. In particular, the refueling process of vehicle 100 can be predicted to be performed within a specific upcoming time period (e.g., 10 minutes or less).

[0046] Alternatively or supplementarily, the user of vehicle 100 may be able to instruct the refueling process to be performed via the user interface 109 of vehicle 100. For this purpose, operational input may be made on the operating elements of the user interface 109 and / or the user may make voice input.

[0047] Alternatively or additionally, the user interface 109 of vehicle 100 may be used to inquire (e.g., in response to the aforementioned prediction of an upcoming refueling process) whether the refueling process should indeed be performed. The user can then be enabled to indicate whether the refueling process should be performed via the user interface 109 (e.g., through operational input and / or through voice input).

[0048] Control unit 101 can therefore be configured to determine (within a specific upcoming time period) to perform the refueling process for vehicle 100. This can then prompt one or more measures to reduce (or possibly eliminate) the delay duration between the parking of vehicle 100 at refueling station 120 and the possible start of the refueling process.

[0049] An exemplary measure here is to shut down the fuel cell 104 independently of ambient temperature and / or also at relatively low ambient temperatures using a (standard) shutdown procedure for relatively high ambient temperatures. In particular, even in winter, only a normal or standard shutdown procedure can be performed (rather than a relatively time-consuming winter shutdown procedure or winter shutdown). It can be assumed here that after the container 103 is filled, the fuel cell 104 is directly restarted or reactivated, without considering cooling the fuel cell 104 (and thus potentially being damaged by residual water in the fuel cell 104).

[0050] Control unit 101 can be configured to check whether the refueling process is actually performed and / or whether the fuel cell 104 is reactivated within a specific, permissible maximum downtime period. If it is identified that the fuel cell 104 is not reactivated within the specific downtime period, a winter shutdown process can be performed to avoid negative impacts on the fuel cell 104.

[0051] Alternatively or supplementarily, as a measure, the shutdown process of fuel cell 104 can be initiated en route (within a certain spatial distance (e.g., 100 meters) and / or time interval (e.g., 30-60 seconds)) before reaching refueling station 120. Vehicle 100 can then (if possible, solely) travel the remaining route to refueling station 120 using electrical energy from energy storage unit 106. This results in the shutdown process ending before the user intends to begin the refueling process.

[0052] The control unit 101 can be configured to determine the distance traveled by the vehicle 100 after the refueling process until the vehicle 100 stops again. For example, it can be determined that the vehicle 100 is traveling towards the user's residence after the refueling process.

[0053] If it is identified that only a relatively short distance is covered after the refueling process, and this distance can be covered using only electrical energy from the energy storage unit 106, then restarting of the fuel cell 104 can be prevented. This avoids the need for re-execution of the shutdown process, the associated energy consumption, and the associated aging of the fuel cell 104.

[0054] Figure 2 A flowchart is shown of an exemplary (if possibly computer-implemented) method 200 for supporting the refueling process of a vehicle 100 having a fuel cell 104. In a vehicle 100 having a fuel cell 104, it is typically necessary to perform a shutdown process of the fuel cell 104 before the refueling process begins. The shutdown process here—especially in winter or at relatively low temperatures—may require a relatively long duration (to cause the fuel cell to dry out).

[0055] Method 200 includes determining 201 to perform the refueling process. For this purpose, data from the vehicle 100's navigation system 108 and / or data regarding the fuel level in the vehicle 100's fuel container 103 and / or user input at the vehicle 100's user interface 109 can be considered and / or evaluated. In particular, within the scope of method 200, it can be determined whether the vehicle 100 will perform the refueling process in the event of an existing stop or the next stop.

[0056] Furthermore, method 200 includes: in response to this, prompting 202 to take one or more measures, said one or more measures aimed at reducing the duration of the delay in initiation of the refueling process caused by the execution of the shutdown process of fuel cell 104. In other words, said one or more measures can help to start the refueling process as soon as possible after the vehicle stops, so that the user does not have to wait for the fuel cell shutdown process to end, or only has to wait for a reduced time.

[0057] To reduce the delay between vehicle stopping and the possible start of the refueling process, one measure could be to initiate a shutdown process for refueling while the vehicle is in motion, prior to arrival at the refueling station. Alternatively or supplementarily, a normal or standard shutdown process could be performed instead of a winter shutdown process (wherein a standard shutdown process is typically shorter than a winter shutdown process), even if a winter shutdown process is required due to temperature conditions in the vehicle's surrounding environment.

[0058] The method 200 described in this document can accelerate the refueling preparation of a vehicle 100 equipped with a fuel cell 104. Furthermore, it can reduce the number of winter shutdown processes of the fuel cell 104, the associated load or aging of the fuel cell 104, and the associated energy consumption. Therefore, the service life of the fuel cell 104 can be improved.

[0059] During the shutdown process, water may be ejected from the exhaust system of fuel cell 104, which could cause water to accumulate on the ground of refueling station 120 and potentially form ice in winter (especially if multiple vehicles 100 are refueled sequentially at the same refueling station 120). This water accumulation can be avoided or at least reduced by implementing the shutdown process before vehicles arrive at refueling station 120.

[0060] This invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. In particular, it should be noted that the specification and drawings are intended only to illustrate the principles of the proposed methods, apparatus, and systems.

Claims

1. A device (101) for supporting the refueling process of a vehicle (100) having a fuel cell (104); wherein, A shutdown procedure for the fuel cell (104) must be performed before the refueling process begins; wherein the device (101) is configured to, - Determine which refueling process to perform; and - In response to this, one or more measures are prompted to be taken, said one or more measures being designed to reduce the duration of the delay caused by the shutdown process of the fuel cell (104) at the start of the refueling process; The device (101) is configured such that even in winter, - When it has been determined that a refueling process must be performed, as a measure to reduce the duration of the delay, extended winter shutdown processes are prohibited; and / or - When it has been determined that a refueling process is to be performed, as a measure to reduce the duration of the delay, adjustments to the fuel cell (104) are prohibited, wherein the adjustments to the fuel cell include drying or dehumidifying the fuel cell; The device (101) is configured such that, after the shutdown process of the fuel cell (104) is executed, - Check whether the fuel cell (104) has been reactivated no later than the maximum allowed duration has elapsed; and - If it is detected that the fuel cell (104) has not been reactivated for the maximum allowed duration, then at least a portion of the winter shutdown process and / or adjustments to the fuel cell (104) are initiated. The device (101) is configured such that, - Determine the temperature information regarding the ambient temperature in the environment of the fuel cell (104); - Based on the temperature information, determine that: if the fuel cell (104) is shut down for a longer period than the maximum allowed duration, then a winter shutdown procedure for the fuel cell (104) and / or adjustments to the fuel cell shall be performed; and - Nevertheless, if it has been determined that the refueling process should be carried out, the execution of the winter shutdown process and / or the adjustment of the fuel cell (104) is still prohibited.

2. The apparatus (101) according to claim 1, wherein, The device (101) is configured such that, - Determine the time and / or the location to be filled in the direction of travel of the vehicle (100) in the upcoming time; as well as - As a measure to reduce the duration of delay, the shutdown process of the fuel cell (104) is initiated before the upcoming time point and / or before reaching the upcoming location.

3. The apparatus (101) according to claim 2, wherein, The device (101) is configured to cause the electric drive motor (107) of the vehicle (100) to operate using electrical energy from the electric storage device (106) of the vehicle (100) from the start of the shutdown process of the fuel cell (104) as a measure to reduce the duration of the delay, so as to move the vehicle (100) to the upcoming position for the refueling process.

4. The apparatus (101) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The device (101) is configured such that, - Determine the shutdown duration required to perform the shutdown process of the fuel cell (104); as well as - The shutdown process begins at a time point and / or location related to the identified shutdown duration.

5. The apparatus (101) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The device (101) is configured such that, - Determine the liquid level information regarding the liquid level in the fuel container (103) of the vehicle (100); and / or - Determine navigation information regarding the planned route for the vehicle (100); and / or -Ascertain usage information regarding the vehicle (100) in its typical past use; and / or - Determine sensor data regarding the environment of the vehicle (100); and / or - Ascertain the communication data relating to the communication between the vehicle (100) and the refueling station (120) used for the refueling process; as well as - The refueling process to be performed is determined based on the liquid level information, the navigation information, the usage information, the sensor data, and / or the communication data.

6. The apparatus (101) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The device (101) is configured to determine the refueling process to be performed based on input from the user at the user interface (109) of the vehicle (100).

7. The apparatus (101) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The device (101) is configured such that, - Determine information regarding the duration and / or distance traveled after the refueling process; as well as - Based on the information obtained, perform or prohibit the reactivation of the fuel cell (104) after the refueling process.

8. A method (200) for supporting a refueling process of a vehicle (100) having a fuel cell (104); wherein, A shutdown procedure for the fuel cell (104) must be performed before the refueling process begins; wherein the method (200) includes: - Determine (201) to perform the refueling process; and - In response to this, prompting (202) to take one or more measures, said one or more measures aimed at reducing the duration of the delay caused by the shutdown process of the fuel cell (104) at the start of the refueling process; The method (200) further includes: even in winter, - When it has been determined that a refueling process must be performed, as a measure to reduce the duration of the delay, extended winter shutdown processes are prohibited; and / or - When it has been determined that a refueling process is to be performed, as a measure to reduce the duration of the delay, adjustments to the fuel cell (104) are prohibited, wherein the adjustments to the fuel cell include drying or dehumidifying the fuel cell; The method (200) further includes: After the shutdown process of the fuel cell (104) is executed, - Check whether the fuel cell (104) has been reactivated no later than the maximum allowed duration has elapsed; and - If it is detected that the fuel cell (104) has not been reactivated for the maximum allowed duration, then at least a portion of the winter shutdown process and / or adjustments to the fuel cell (104) are initiated. The method (200) further includes: - Determine the temperature information regarding the ambient temperature in the environment of the fuel cell (104); - Based on the temperature information, determine that: if the fuel cell (104) is shut down for a longer period than the maximum allowed duration, then a winter shutdown procedure for the fuel cell (104) and / or adjustments to the fuel cell shall be performed; and - Nevertheless, if it has been determined that the refueling process should be carried out, the execution of the winter shutdown process and / or the adjustment of the fuel cell (104) is still prohibited.

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