Control method of a hydrogen filling device and hydrogen filling device

Abstract

The present application provides a control method of a hydrogen filling device and a hydrogen filling device. In a control method of a hydrogen filling device (12) for filling hydrogen into a hydrogen tank (14) of a vehicle (10), the temperature of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank during the filling of hydrogen is estimated, and in a case where the estimated temperature of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank is higher than a determination curve, it is predicted that overheat of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank will occur before the hydrogen tank is filled, and in a case where it is predicted that overheat will occur, the speed of filling hydrogen is suppressed more than before it is predicted that overheat will occur. Accordingly, the filling control of hydrogen can be properly performed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a control method of a hydrogen filling device and a hydrogen filling device. BACKGROUND

[0002] A hydrogen filling device is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-147005. The hydrogen filling device is used to fill hydrogen into a hydrogen tank of a fuel cell vehicle. The hydrogen filling device performs hydrogen filling control in accordance with the temperature inside the hydrogen tank. The temperature inside the hydrogen tank is measured by a temperature measuring mechanism provided inside the hydrogen tank. SUMMARY

[0003] In the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-147005, the hydrogen filling control is performed in accordance with the temperature inside the hydrogen tank transmitted from the fuel cell vehicle. Therefore, in a case where the temperature inside the hydrogen tank transmitted from the fuel cell vehicle is inaccurate due to illegal modification of the fuel cell vehicle or the like, it can be impossible to properly perform the hydrogen filling control.

[0004] An object of the present application is to solve the above-described technical problem.

[0005] A first aspect of the present application is a control method of a hydrogen filling device for filling hydrogen into a hydrogen tank of a vehicle, comprising a determination curve acquisition step, a filling start step, a temperature estimation step, an overheating prediction step, and a filling rate suppression step, wherein in the determination curve acquisition step, a determination curve, which is a model of a time change of a temperature of the hydrogen inside the hydrogen tank during filling of the hydrogen, is acquired from a storage; in the filling start step, filling of the hydrogen is started; in the temperature estimation step, a temperature of the hydrogen inside the hydrogen tank during filling of the hydrogen is estimated; in a case where the temperature of the hydrogen inside the hydrogen tank estimated in the temperature estimation step is higher than the determination curve, in the overheating prediction step, it is predicted that overheating of the hydrogen inside the hydrogen tank will occur before the hydrogen tank is filled; and in a case where it is predicted that the overheating will occur, in the filling rate suppression step, the rate of filling the hydrogen is suppressed or filling of the hydrogen is stopped more than before it is predicted that the overheating will occur.

[0006] A second aspect of the present application is a hydrogen filling device for filling hydrogen into a hydrogen tank of a vehicle, having a filling control section for controlling a rate of filling of the hydrogen, a determination curve acquisition section for acquiring a time variation model, i.e., a determination curve, of a temperature of the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank during a filling process of the hydrogen from a storage section, a temperature estimation section for estimating the temperature of the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank during the filling process of the hydrogen, and an overheating prediction section for predicting that overheating of the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank occurs before the hydrogen tank is filled to the brim when the temperature of the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank estimated in the temperature estimation section is higher than the determination curve, wherein the filling control section suppresses the rate of filling of the hydrogen or stops the filling of the hydrogen when it is predicted that the overheating occurs.

[0007] According to the present application, the filling control of hydrogen can be properly performed.

[0008] The above objects, features and advantages will be easily understood from the following description of the embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a fuel cell vehicle and a hydrogen filling device.

[0010] Figure 2 is a control block diagram of a filling control device.

[0011] Figure 3 is a graph showing a determination curve.

[0012] Figure 4 is a graph showing a determination curve.

[0013] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of a filling control process performed in a filling control device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] [First Embodiment]

[0015] [Structure of Fuel Cell Vehicle and Hydrogen Filling Device]

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a fuel cell vehicle 10 and a hydrogen filling device 12. The hydrogen filling device 12 fills hydrogen into a hydrogen tank 14 of the fuel cell vehicle 10. The hydrogen filling device 12 is provided at a hydrogen station. The fuel cell vehicle 10 corresponds to a vehicle of the present application.

[0017] The fuel cell vehicle 10 has an infrared communication control device 16. The temperature of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 14 (hereinafter, referred to as a gas temperature) and the pressure of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 14 (hereinafter, referred to as a gas pressure) are input to the infrared communication control device 16. The gas temperature is detected by a gas temperature detecting portion 18 provided to the hydrogen tank 14. The gas pressure is detected by a gas pressure detecting portion 20. The gas pressure detecting portion 20 is provided to the hydrogen tank 14 or a fuel pipe 33 connected to the hydrogen tank 14.

[0018] The infrared communication control device 16 controls the transmitter 22 to transmit the input gas temperature and gas pressure to the hydrogen filling device 12 by infrared communication. Hereinafter, the gas temperature transmitted from the transmitter 22 to the hydrogen filling device 12 is referred to as a gas temperature T IR. In addition, the gas pressure transmitted from the transmitter 22 to the hydrogen filling device 12 is referred to as a gas pressure P IR. The infrared communication control device 16 controls the transmitter 22 to transmit the capacity of the hydrogen tank 14 to the hydrogen filling device 12 by infrared communication. The capacity of the hydrogen tank 14 is a fixed value determined by the hydrogen tank 14 mounted on the fuel cell vehicle 10. Hereinafter, the capacity of the hydrogen tank 14 transmitted from the transmitter 22 to the hydrogen filling device 12 is referred to as a tank capacity V IR.

[0019] The hydrogen filling device 12 has a mass flow meter 24, a regulating valve 26, a pre-cooler 28, a nozzle 30, and a filling control device 32.

[0020] The mass flow meter 24 measures the mass flow rate m' of hydrogen delivered from an accumulator 23 provided to a hydrogen station where the hydrogen filling device 12 is provided to the pre-cooler 28. The regulating valve 26 is provided to a first supply pipe 34 connecting the mass flow meter 24 and the pre-cooler 28. The regulating valve 26 regulates the speed of filling hydrogen from the hydrogen filling device 12 to the hydrogen tank 14 (hereinafter, referred to as a filling speed). The pre-cooler 28 cools hydrogen to about -40°C. The nozzle 30 is connected to a hydrogen filling port 31 of the fuel cell vehicle 10. Hydrogen cooled by the pre-cooler 28 is filled from the nozzle 30 to the hydrogen tank 14. The pre-cooler 28 corresponds to the cooling portion of the present application.

[0021] The filling control device 32 controls the regulator valve 26 to adjust the filling rate. The filling rate is adjusted in accordance with a predetermined filling protocol. The filling control device 32 is inputted with the gas temperature T IR, the gas pressure P IR, and the tank volume V IR received by the receiver 36. The filling control device 32 is inputted with the mass flow rate m', the precooling temperature T PC, the filling pressure P S, and the outside air temperature T AMB. The precooling temperature T PC is the temperature of hydrogen discharged from the precooler 28 to the 2nd supply pipe 38. The 2nd supply pipe 38 connects the precooler 28 and the nozzle 30. The precooling temperature T PC is detected by a precooling temperature detection section 37 provided to the 2nd supply pipe 38. The filling pressure P S is the pressure of hydrogen within the 2nd supply pipe 38. The filling pressure P S is detected by a filling pressure detection section 39 provided to the 2nd supply pipe 38. T AMB is the outside air temperature. The outside air temperature T AMB is detected by an outside air temperature detection section 40 provided to the hydrogen station where the hydrogen filling device 12 is installed.

[0022] [Detailed structure of filling control device]

[0023] Figure 2 is a control block diagram of the filling control device 32. The filling control device 32 has an arithmetic section 42 and a storage section 44.

[0024] The arithmetic section 42 is, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or the like. The arithmetic section 42 has a volume estimation section 46, a pressure estimation section 48, a temperature estimation section 50, a determination curve acquisition section 52, an overheating prediction section 54, and a filling control section 56. The volume estimation section 46, the pressure estimation section 48, the temperature estimation section 50, the determination curve acquisition section 52, the overheating prediction section 54, and the filling control section 56 are realized by executing a program stored in the storage section 44 by the arithmetic section 42, respectively. At least a part of the volume estimation section 46, the pressure estimation section 48, the temperature estimation section 50, the determination curve acquisition section 52, the overheating prediction section 54, and the filling control section 56 can also be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or the like. At least a part of the volume estimation section 46, the pressure estimation section 48, the temperature estimation section 50, the determination curve acquisition section 52, the overheating prediction section 54, and the filling control section 56 can also be realized by an electronic circuit including discrete devices.

[0025] The storage section 44 is configured from a non-illustrated volatile memory and a non-illustrated non-volatile memory. The volatile memory is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) or the like. The volatile memory is used as a work memory of the processor, and temporarily stores data and the like required for processing or calculation. The non-volatile memory is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, or the like. The non-volatile memory is used as a storage memory for storing programs, tables, maps, and the like. At least a part of the storage section 44 can also be provided to the processor, the integrated circuit, or the like as described above.

[0026] The capacity estimation section 46 estimates the capacity of the hydrogen tank 14 of the fuel cell vehicle 10. Before the start of the official filling, the capacity estimation section 46 controls the regulator valve 26 to fill a small amount of hydrogen into the hydrogen tank 14. Hereinafter, this filling of hydrogen will be referred to as a capacity measurement filling. The capacity estimation section 46 estimates the capacity of the hydrogen tank 14 from the change in the filling pressure P S before and after the capacity measurement filling. Hereinafter, the capacity of the hydrogen tank 14 estimated in the capacity estimation section 46 will be referred to as an estimated tank capacity Ve. In the case where the difference between the estimated tank capacity Ve and the tank capacity V IR is within a prescribed error range, the tank capacity V IR can also be used as the estimated tank capacity Ve. Furthermore, in the estimation of the capacity of the hydrogen tank 14, it is preferable to take into account the expansion of the capacity of the hydrogen tank 14 due to the gas pressure within the hydrogen tank 14.

[0027] The pressure estimation section 48 estimates the gas pressure within the hydrogen tank 14 of the fuel cell vehicle 10. The pressure estimation section 48 estimates the gas pressure within the hydrogen tank 14 before the start of the capacity measurement filling and the gas pressure within the hydrogen tank 14 at the time of hydrogen filling.

[0028] Before the start of the capacity measurement filling, the pressure estimation section 48 controls the regulator valve 26 to deliver a small amount of hydrogen into the second supply pipe 38. Hereinafter, this control will be referred to as a pre-shot control. By the pre-shot control, the pressure of the hydrogen within the second supply pipe 38 is made the same as the pressure of the hydrogen within the hydrogen tank 14. Then, the pressure estimation section 48 estimates the gas pressure of the hydrogen tank 14 before the capacity measurement filling, i.e., an initial gas pressure.

[0029] In addition, at the time of hydrogen filling, the pressure estimation section 48 estimates the gas pressure within the hydrogen tank 14 from the filling pressure P S at the time when the flow rate of the hydrogen within the second supply pipe 38 is zero. At the time of hydrogen filling, there are times when a hydrogen stop process of temporarily stopping the filling of hydrogen is performed. The hydrogen stop process is performed at the time of hydrogen leak inspection, switching of the accumulator 23, or the like. In order for the pressure estimation section 48 to estimate the gas pressure within the hydrogen tank 14, there are also times when the hydrogen stop process is intentionally performed. During the hydrogen stop process, the flow rate of the hydrogen within the second supply pipe 38 is zero. Hereinafter, the gas pressure estimated in the pressure estimation section 48 will be referred to as an estimated gas pressure Pe.

[0030] The hydrogen tank 14 and the second supply pipe 38 are connected via the fuel pipe 33 of the fuel cell vehicle 10, the hydrogen filling port 31 of the fuel cell vehicle 10, and the nozzle 30 of the hydrogen filling device 12. Therefore, after the pre-delivery control, the pressure in the hydrogen tank 14 is substantially the same as the filling pressure P_S of the second supply pipe 38. However, when hydrogen flows from the hydrogen filling device 12 to the hydrogen tank 14, a pressure loss occurs in the second supply pipe 38 or the like. Therefore, the pressure estimation section 48 estimates the pressure in the hydrogen tank 14 from the filling pressure P_S when the flow rate of hydrogen in the second supply pipe 38 is zero.

[0031] The temperature estimation section 50 estimates the gas temperature in the hydrogen tank 14 of the fuel cell vehicle 10. Hereinafter, the gas temperature estimated in the temperature estimation section 50 is referred to as an estimated gas temperature Te. The estimated gas temperature Te can be obtained by the following equation (1).

[0032]

[0033] Z in equation (1) is the compressibility factor of hydrogen. R in equation (1) is the gas constant. The compressibility factor Z is obtained from the pressure of hydrogen and the temperature of hydrogen. In equation (1), the estimated gas pressure Pe is used as the pressure of hydrogen, and the estimated gas temperature Te is used as the temperature of hydrogen. Here, the estimated gas temperature Te is an absolute temperature, and the unit is [K (Kelvin)].

[0034] m0 in equation (1) is the mass of hydrogen (hereinafter, referred to as a gas mass) in the hydrogen tank 14 before hydrogen is filled into the hydrogen tank 14. The gas mass m0 can be obtained by the following equation (2).

[0035] m0 = Ve x p(Pe0, Te0)... (2)

[0036] p in equation (2) is the density of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 14. The density p is obtained from the estimated gas pressure Pe0 and the estimated gas temperature Te0. The estimated gas pressure Pe0 is an estimated value estimated by the pressure estimation section 48 before hydrogen is filled into the hydrogen tank 14. The estimated gas temperature Te0 is an estimated value estimated by the temperature estimation section 50 before hydrogen is filled into the hydrogen tank 14. The estimated gas temperature Te0 is obtained by the following equation (3). T_hotsoak in equation (3) is a correction value specified by SAE J2601.

[0037] Te0 = T_amb + T_hotsoak... (3)

[0038] dm of formula (1) is the mass (gas mass) of hydrogen filled into the hydrogen tank 14 from the time point at which the filling of hydrogen into the hydrogen tank 14 is started to the current time point. The gas mass dm is found by the following formula (4). t of formula (4) is the elapsed time from the time point at which the filling of hydrogen into the hydrogen tank 14 is started. However, the elapsed time does not include the time during which the pre-delivery control is performed. This is because the mass (gas mass) of hydrogen filled into the hydrogen tank 14 by the pre-delivery control is extremely small.

[0039]

[0040] The estimated gas temperature Te on the right side of formula (1) is included in formula (1) as desired to be found by formula (1). However, the estimated gas temperature Te can be converged by using a method described below or the like. First, in the initial calculation, an appropriate value is substituted as a provisional temperature for the estimated gas temperature Te on the right side of formula (1) to find the estimated gas temperature Te. Next, the value of the estimated gas temperature Te found in the previous calculation is substituted for the estimated gas temperature Te on the right side of formula (1) to find the estimated gas temperature Te. Such a loop calculation is repeated several times.

[0041] The determination curve acquisition section 52 acquires the determination curve stored in the storage section 44. Figure 3 is a graph showing the determination curve. The determination curve is a model of the time variation of the gas temperature in the hydrogen tank 14 during the hydrogen filling process. The determination curve is a model of the time variation in the case where the filling speed is as fast as possible within the range where the hydrogen tank 14 is not overheated. As shown in Figure 3 , the determination curve is a curve showing the relationship between the elapsed time from the time point at which the filling of hydrogen into the hydrogen tank 14 is started and the gas temperature in the hydrogen tank 14. In the simulation performed in advance, a plurality of determination curves are found by changing the combination of the outside air temperature T AMB and the pre-cooling temperature T PC of hydrogen at the time point at which the filling of hydrogen into the hydrogen tank 14 is started. Figure 3 In the above, four determination curves are described, but actually, several hundred or so determination curves are found.

[0042] Each determination curve is approximated by a polynomial. The polynomials of each determination curve are stored in the storage section 44 in a manner corresponding to the combination of the outside air temperature T AMB and the pre-cooling temperature T PC at the time point at which the filling of hydrogen into the hydrogen tank 14 is started. Since the storage section 44 stores each determination curve in the form of a polynomial, the information amount of each determination curve can be reduced. Therefore, the capacity of the storage section 44 can be reduced.

[0043] In a case where the determination curve corresponding to the combination of the outside air temperature T AMB at the time point when the filling of hydrogen into the hydrogen tank 14 is started and the precooling temperature T PC is stored in the storage section 44, the determination curve acquisition section 52 acquires the determination curve from the storage section 44. Next, the determination curve acquisition section 52 outputs the acquired determination curve to the superheat prediction section 54.

[0044] In a case where the determination curve corresponding to the combination of the outside air temperature T AMB at the time point when the filling of hydrogen into the hydrogen tank 14 is started and the precooling temperature T PC is not stored in the storage section 44, the determination curve acquisition section 52 generates a new determination curve. The determination curve acquisition section 52 acquires, from the storage section 44, among the plurality of determination curves stored in the storage section 44, determination curves that satisfy both of the following (A), (B).

[0045] (A) The outside air temperature corresponding to which the determination curve is established is within a prescribed temperature range with respect to the outside air temperature T AMB.

[0046] (B) The precooling temperature corresponding to which the determination curve is established is within a prescribed temperature range with respect to the precooling temperature T PC.

[0047] The prescribed temperature range of the (A), (B) conditions is, for example, set to a range of ±5°C.

[0048] The determination curve acquisition section 52 interpolates (for example, linearly interpolates) the acquired plurality of determination curves, and generates a new determination curve. Figure 4 is a graph showing a determination curve. Figure 4 The determination curve shown in Figure 3 is a determination curve generated by interpolating the four determination curves shown in

[0049] In a case where the estimated gas temperature Te is higher than the determination curve, the superheat prediction section 54 predicts that the superheat of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 14 occurs before the hydrogen tank 14 is filled.

[0050] The filling control section 56 controls the regulator valve 26 in accordance with the map acquired from the storage section 44, and adjusts the filling speed.

[0051] A plurality of maps with respect to the filling speed (hereinafter, referred to as filling speed maps) are prepared in accordance with the filling protocol. The storage section 44 stores the plurality of filling speed maps prepared. The plurality of filling speed maps are respectively maps showing the correspondence between the gas pressure of the hydrogen tank 14 before the filling of hydrogen is started and the pressure increase rate (filling speed) of the gas pressure of the hydrogen tank 14 at the time of the filling of hydrogen. The capacity of the hydrogen tank 14 differs depending on each vehicle model of the fuel cell vehicle 10. The plurality of filling speed maps are respectively prepared in a manner divided in correspondence with a plurality of capacities of the hydrogen tank 14 at the time of preparation of the filling protocol.

[0052] For each capacity division, a filling rate map with respect to the maximum capacity of the hydrogen tank 14 in the range of each capacity division and a filling rate map with respect to the minimum capacity of the hydrogen tank 14 in the range of each capacity division are prepared. The filling rates of these two filling rate maps are different. Hereinafter, of the two filling rate maps prepared for each capacity division, the filling rate map with the faster filling rate is referred to as the high-speed filling rate map, and the filling rate map with the slower filling rate is referred to as the low-speed filling rate map.

[0053] In addition to the filling rate maps corresponding to the capacity divisions of the hydrogen tank 14, a slowest filling rate map is prepared. The filling rate in the slowest filling rate map is set in such a manner that the slowest rate is selected from among the filling rates of the filling rate maps with respect to any capacity division.

[0054] [Fill Control Processing]

[0055] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the fill control processing performed in the fill control device 32.

[0056] In step S1, the fill control section 56 acquires the high-speed filling rate map corresponding to the capacity division corresponding to the tank capacity V IR transmitted from the fuel cell vehicle 10 from the storage section 44. Then, the processing proceeds to step S2.

[0057] In step S2, the fill control section 56 controls the regulator valve 26 in accordance with the acquired filling rate map, and starts filling hydrogen into the hydrogen tank 14. Then, the processing proceeds to step S3.

[0058] In step S3, the fill control section 56 determines whether or not the infrared communication is abnormal. In the case where the infrared communication is abnormal, the processing proceeds to step S14. In the case where the infrared communication is normal, the processing proceeds to step S4.

[0059] In step S4, the fill control section 56 determines whether or not the hydrogen tank 14 is full. In the case where the hydrogen tank 14 is full, the processing proceeds to step S10. In the case where the hydrogen tank 14 is not full, the processing proceeds to step S5.

[0060] In step S5, the fill control section 56 determines whether or not the hydrogen stop processing has started. In the case where the hydrogen stop processing has started, the processing proceeds to step S6. In the case where the hydrogen stop processing has not started, the processing returns to step S3.

[0061] The hydrogen stop processing is executed during the hydrogen filling process. During the hydrogen stop processing is being executed, the filling of hydrogen is temporarily stopped. In the hydrogen stop processing, it is also sometimes checked whether or not hydrogen leakage occurs in the hydrogen filling device 12 and the fuel cell vehicle 10. The check of whether or not hydrogen leakage occurs is performed based on a change in the filling pressure P_S during the period in which the filling of hydrogen is stopped.

[0062] In step S6, the capacity estimation section 46 estimates the capacity of the hydrogen tank 14 during the hydrogen stop processing is being executed. Then, the processing proceeds to step S7.

[0063] In step S7, the filling control section 56 determines whether or not the difference between the tank capacity V_IR and the estimated tank capacity Ve is less than the estimated tank capacity Ve ± 15%. In the case where the difference between the tank capacity V_IR and the estimated tank capacity Ve is less than the estimated tank capacity Ve ± 15%, the processing proceeds to step S9. In the case where the difference between the tank capacity V_IR and the estimated tank capacity Ve is the estimated tank capacity Ve ± 15% or more, the processing proceeds to step S8.

[0064] In step S8, the filling control section 56 acquires the slowest filling speed map from the storage section 44. Then, the processing proceeds to step S9.

[0065] In step S9, the overheat prediction section 54 estimates the gas temperature in the hydrogen tank 14 during the hydrogen stop processing is being executed. Also, the overheat prediction section 54 determines whether or not overheat of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 14 occurs. In the case where overheat occurs, the processing proceeds to step S10. In the case where overheat does not occur, the processing proceeds to step Sll. In the case where the estimated gas temperature Te is 85°C or more, the overheat prediction section 54 determines that overheat of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 14 occurs.

[0066] In step S10, the filling control section 56 stops the filling of hydrogen. Then, the filling control processing ends.

[0067] In step Sll, the overheat prediction section 54 determines whether or not it is predicted that overheat of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 14 occurs before the hydrogen tank 14 is filled. In the case where it is predicted that overheat occurs, the processing proceeds to step S12. In the case where it is not predicted that overheat occurs, the processing proceeds to step S13. Also, instead of the processing proceeding to step S12 in the case where it is predicted that overheat occurs, the processing can proceed to step S10 in the case where it is predicted that overheat occurs.

[0068] In step S12, the filling control section 56 acquires the low-speed filling speed map corresponding to the capacity division corresponding to the tank capacity V_IR transmitted from the fuel cell vehicle 10 from the storage section 44. Then, the processing proceeds to step S13.

[0069] In step S13, the filling control section 56 determines whether the hydrogen stop processing is completed. The processing returns to step S2 in the case where the hydrogen stop processing is completed. The processing of step S13 is repeated in the case where the hydrogen stop processing is not completed.

[0070] The processing returns to step S2 when the hydrogen stop processing is completed, and the filling control section 56 controls the regulator valve 26 according to the filling rate map, and starts filling hydrogen into the hydrogen tank 14 again. At this time, the filling control section 56 adopts the filling rate map in which the filling rate is the slowest among the obtained filling rate maps. For example, in the case where the filling control section 56 obtains three filling rate maps of a high-speed filling rate map, a low-speed filling rate map, and a slowest filling rate map, the filling control section 56 controls the regulator valve 26 according to the slowest filling rate map.

[0071] In step S14, the filling control section 56 controls the regulator valve 26 according to the non-communication filling protocol, and fills hydrogen into the hydrogen tank 14. Then, the filling control processing is ended. Since the content of the non-communication filling protocol is known, the description of the content of the non-communication filling protocol is omitted.

[0072] [Effects]

[0073] When hydrogen is filled into the hydrogen tank 14, the gas pressure in the hydrogen tank 14 rises, and the gas temperature rises. The gas temperature in the hydrogen tank 14 during hydrogen filling needs to be less than 85°C. The hydrogen filling device 12 determines that the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 14 is overheated in the case where the gas temperature in the hydrogen tank 14 is 85°C or more, and stops filling of hydrogen. Therefore, the hydrogen filling device 12 needs to obtain information of the gas temperature in the hydrogen tank 14 during hydrogen filling.

[0074] The gas temperature of the hydrogen tank 14 during hydrogen filling is detected by the gas temperature detection section 18 provided to the hydrogen tank 14. The fuel cell vehicle 10 transmits the gas temperature of the hydrogen tank 14 detected by the gas temperature detection section 18 to the hydrogen filling device 12 as the gas temperature T IR.

[0075] In the case where the fuel cell vehicle 10 is owned by a general individual, the fuel cell vehicle 10 is not managed by an operating company or the like of a hydrogen station. In the case where the fuel cell vehicle 10 is illegally modified or the like, the gas temperature T IR transmitted from the fuel cell vehicle 10 to the hydrogen filling device 12 can be different from the actual gas temperature in the hydrogen tank 14. In the case where the hydrogen filling device 12 controls filling of hydrogen according to the gas temperature T IR different from the actual gas temperature in the hydrogen tank 14, the hydrogen filling device 12 cannot properly fill hydrogen.

[0076] In the hydrogen filling device 12 of the present embodiment, the temperature estimation section 50 of the filling control device 32 estimates the gas temperature of the hydrogen tank 14 of the fuel cell vehicle 10. The temperature estimation section 50 estimates the gas temperature without using the information transmitted from the fuel cell vehicle 10. The filling control section 56 of the filling control device 32 controls the filling of hydrogen in accordance with the gas temperature (estimated gas temperature Te) estimated by the temperature estimation section 50. Thus, even in a case where the gas temperature T IR transmitted from the fuel cell vehicle 10 to the hydrogen filling device 12 is different from the actual gas temperature in the hydrogen tank 14, the hydrogen filling device 12 can appropriately perform the filling of hydrogen.

[0077] In the hydrogen filling device 12 of the present embodiment, the overheat prediction section 54 of the filling control device 32 predicts whether overheat of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 14 occurs before the hydrogen tank 14 is filled. In a case where the estimated gas temperature Te is higher than the determination curve, the overheat prediction section 54 predicts that overheat of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 14 occurs before the hydrogen tank 14 is filled.

[0078] In a case where it is predicted that overheat occurs, the filling control section 56 controls the regulator valve 26 in accordance with the low-speed filling rate map to fill hydrogen into the hydrogen tank 14. The filling control section 56 can suppress the filling rate of hydrogen by controlling the regulator valve 26 in accordance with the low-speed filling rate map, as compared with a case where the regulator valve 26 is controlled in accordance with the high-speed filling rate map. Thus, the rising speed of the gas temperature in the hydrogen tank 14 after it is predicted that overheat occurs can be made slower than the rising speed of the gas temperature in the hydrogen tank 14 before it is predicted that overheat occurs. Thus, the hydrogen filling device 12 can fill hydrogen into the hydrogen tank 14 until the hydrogen tank 14 is filled without causing overheat of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 14.

[0079] In the hydrogen filling device 12 of the present embodiment, the determination curve is acquired from the storage section 44. In a case where the determination curve corresponding to the combination of the outside air temperature T AMB and the precooling temperature T PC at the time point at which the filling of hydrogen into the hydrogen tank 14 is started is stored in the storage section 44, the determination curve acquisition section 52 of the filling control device 32 acquires the determination curve from the storage section 44. Thus, the overheat prediction section 54 can predict overheat of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 14 in accordance with the determination curve corresponding to the combination of the outside air temperature T AMB and the precooling temperature T PC at the time point at which the filling of hydrogen into the hydrogen tank 14 is started.

[0080] In the hydrogen filling device 12 of the present embodiment, in a case where no determination curve corresponding to a combination of the outside air temperature T AMB at the time point when filling of hydrogen into the hydrogen tank 14 is started and the precooling temperature T PC is stored in the storage section 44, the determination curve acquisition section 52 of the filling control device 32 generates a new determination curve. The determination curve acquisition section 52 acquires determination curves that satisfy both of the above-mentioned (A) and (B) from the storage section 44. The determination curve acquisition section 52 linearly interpolates the acquired determination curves to generate a new determination curve. Thus, the number of determination curves stored in the storage section 44 can be reduced, and therefore the capacity of the storage section 44 can be reduced.

[0081] 〔Invention that can be achieved according to the embodiment〕

[0082] Hereinafter, the invention that can be achieved according to the above-mentioned embodiment is described.

[0083] A control method of a hydrogen filling device (12) for filling hydrogen into a hydrogen tank (14) of a vehicle (10) has a determination curve acquisition step, a filling start step, a temperature estimation step, an overheating prediction step, and a filling speed suppression step, in which, in the determination curve acquisition step, a time change model of a temperature of the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank during filling of the hydrogen, i.e., a determination curve, is acquired from a storage section (44); in the filling start step, filling of the hydrogen is started; in the temperature estimation step, a temperature of the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank during filling of the hydrogen is estimated; in the case where the temperature of the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank estimated in the temperature estimation step is higher than the determination curve, in the overheating prediction step, it is predicted that overheating of the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank occurs before the hydrogen tank is filled; and in the case where it is predicted that the overheating occurs, in the filling speed suppression step, the speed of filling of the hydrogen is suppressed or filling of the hydrogen is stopped more than before it is predicted that the overheating occurs. Thus, the hydrogen filling device can fill hydrogen into the hydrogen tank until the hydrogen tank is filled without causing the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank to be overheated.

[0084] In the control method of the above-mentioned hydrogen filling device, the storage section can store a plurality of determination curves in a manner corresponding to a combination of an outside air temperature and a temperature of the hydrogen cooled by a cooling section that cools the hydrogen, and in the determination curve acquisition step, the determination curve corresponding to the outside air temperature at the time when filling of the hydrogen is started and the temperature of the hydrogen cooled by the cooling section is acquired from the storage section. Thus, the overheating prediction section can predict overheating of the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank based on a determination curve corresponding to a combination of the outside air temperature at the time point when filling of hydrogen into the hydrogen tank is started and the temperature of the hydrogen cooled by the cooling section.

[0085] In the control method of the hydrogen filling device described above, in the case where the storage section does not store the determination curve corresponding to the outside air temperature at the time when the filling of the hydrogen is started and the temperature of the hydrogen cooled by the cooling section, in the determination curve acquisition step, two or more determination curves are acquired from the plurality of determination curves in accordance with the outside air temperature at the time when the filling of the hydrogen is started and the temperature of the hydrogen cooled by the cooling section, and a new determination curve is generated in accordance with the two or more acquired determination curves and the outside air temperature at the time when the filling of the hydrogen is started and the temperature of the hydrogen cooled by the cooling section. Thus, the number of determination curves stored in the storage section can be reduced, and the capacity of the storage section can be reduced.

[0086] A hydrogen filling device for filling hydrogen into a hydrogen tank of a vehicle, having a filling control section (56) for controlling the speed of filling the hydrogen, a determination curve acquisition section (52) for acquiring a determination curve of a time variation model of the temperature of the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank during the filling of the hydrogen from a storage section (44), a temperature estimation section (50) for estimating the temperature of the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank during the filling of the hydrogen, and an overheating prediction section (54) for predicting that the overheating of the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank occurs before the hydrogen tank is filled to the brim in the case where the temperature of the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank estimated in the temperature estimation section is higher than the determination curve, and for inhibiting the speed of filling the hydrogen or stopping the filling of the hydrogen before the overheating is predicted to occur. Thus, the hydrogen filling device can fill the hydrogen into the hydrogen tank until the hydrogen tank is filled to the brim without causing the overheating of the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank.

[0087] In the hydrogen filling device described above, the storage section can store a plurality of determination curves in a manner corresponding to the combination of the outside air temperature and the temperature of the hydrogen cooled by a cooling section (28) for cooling the hydrogen, and the determination curve acquisition section can acquire the determination curve corresponding to the outside air temperature at the time when the filling of the hydrogen is started and the temperature of the hydrogen cooled by the cooling section from the storage section. Thus, the overheating prediction section can predict the overheating of the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank in accordance with the determination curve corresponding to the combination of the outside air temperature at the time point when the filling of the hydrogen into the hydrogen tank is started and the temperature of the hydrogen cooled by the cooling section.

[0088] In the hydrogen filling device described above, in a case where the storage section does not store the determination curve corresponding to the outside air temperature at the start of the hydrogen filling and the temperature of the hydrogen cooled by the cooling section, the determination curve acquisition section can acquire two or more determination curves from among the plurality of determination curves based on the outside air temperature at the start of the hydrogen filling and the temperature of the hydrogen cooled by the cooling section, and generate a new determination curve based on the two or more acquired determination curves and the outside air temperature at the start of the hydrogen filling and the temperature of the hydrogen cooled by the cooling section. Thus, the number of determination curves stored in the storage section can be reduced, and the capacity of the storage section can be reduced.

[0089] Furthermore, the present application is not limited to the above-described aspects, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present application.

Claims

1. A control method of a hydrogen filling device (12) for filling hydrogen into a hydrogen tank (14) of a vehicle (10), characterized by comprising a determination curve acquisition step, a filling start step, a temperature estimation step, an overheating prediction step, and a filling speed suppression step, wherein, in the determination curve acquisition step, a time variation model, i.e., a determination curve, of a temperature of the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank during a filling process of the hydrogen is acquired from a storage section (44); in the filling start step, the filling of the hydrogen is started; in the temperature estimation step, a temperature of the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank during the filling process of the hydrogen is estimated; in the case where the temperature of the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank estimated in the temperature estimation step is higher than the determination curve, in the overheating prediction step, it is predicted that overheating of the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank occurs before the hydrogen tank is full; and in the case where it is predicted that the overheating occurs, in the filling speed suppression step, a speed of filling the hydrogen is suppressed or the filling of the hydrogen is stopped more than before it is predicted that the overheating occurs, the estimation of the temperature of the hydrogen is performed according to an expression constituted by a pressure in the hydrogen tank, a capacity of the hydrogen tank, a compressibility of the hydrogen, a mass of the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank before the hydrogen is filled into the hydrogen tank, a mass of the hydrogen filled into the hydrogen tank from a time point at which the filling of the hydrogen into the hydrogen tank is started to a current time point, and a gas constant.

2. The control method of the hydrogen filling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, the storage section stores a plurality of the determination curves in a manner corresponding to combinations of an outside air temperature and a temperature of the hydrogen cooled by a cooling section that cools the hydrogen, and in the determination curve acquisition step, the determination curve corresponding to the outside air temperature at the time when the filling of the hydrogen is started and the temperature of the hydrogen cooled by the cooling section is acquired from the storage section.

3. The control method of the hydrogen filling device according to claim 2, characterized in that, in the case where the determination curve corresponding to the outside air temperature at the time when the filling of the hydrogen is started and the temperature of the hydrogen cooled by the cooling section is not stored in the storage section, in the determination curve acquisition step, two or more determination curves are selected from the plurality of the determination curves according to the outside air temperature at the time when the filling of the hydrogen is started and the temperature of the hydrogen cooled by the cooling section, and a new determination curve is generated according to the two or more determination curves acquired and the outside air temperature at the time when the filling of the hydrogen is started and the temperature of the hydrogen cooled by the cooling section.

4. A hydrogen filling device for filling hydrogen into a hydrogen tank of a vehicle, characterized by comprising a filling control section (56), a determination curve acquisition section (52), a temperature estimation section (50), and an overheating prediction section (54), wherein, the filling control section (56) is configured to control a speed of filling the hydrogen; ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The determination curve acquisition section (52) acquires a time change model of the temperature of the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank during the filling of the hydrogen, that is, a determination curve, from the storage section; The temperature estimation section (50) estimates the temperature of the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank during the filling of the hydrogen; When the temperature of the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank estimated in the temperature estimation section is higher than the determination curve, the overheating prediction section (54) predicts that the overheating of the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank occurs before the hydrogen tank is filled, When it is predicted that the overheating occurs, the filling control section suppresses the speed of filling the hydrogen or stops the filling of the hydrogen more than before it is predicted that the overheating occurs, The estimation of the temperature of the hydrogen is performed according to an expression constituted by the pressure in the hydrogen tank, the capacity of the hydrogen tank, the compressibility of the hydrogen, the mass of the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank before the hydrogen is filled into the hydrogen tank, the mass of the hydrogen filled into the hydrogen tank from the time point at which the filling of the hydrogen into the hydrogen tank is started to the current time point, and a gas constant, to estimate the temperature of the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank during the filling of the hydrogen into the hydrogen tank.

5. The hydrogen filling device according to claim 4, wherein The storage section stores a plurality of determination curves in a corresponding manner with combinations of an outside air temperature and a temperature of the hydrogen cooled by a cooling section (28) that cools the hydrogen, The determination curve acquisition section acquires the determination curve corresponding to the outside air temperature at the start of the filling of the hydrogen and the temperature of the hydrogen cooled by the cooling section from the storage section.

6. The hydrogen filling device according to claim 5, wherein When the determination curve corresponding to the outside air temperature at the start of the filling of the hydrogen and the temperature of the hydrogen cooled by the cooling section is not stored in the storage section, the determination curve acquisition section selects and acquires two or more determination curves from the plurality of determination curves according to the outside air temperature at the start of the filling of the hydrogen and the temperature of the hydrogen cooled by the cooling section, and generates a new determination curve according to the two or more acquired determination curves and the outside air temperature at the start of the filling of the hydrogen and the temperature of the hydrogen cooled by the cooling section.

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