Apparatus and method for managing power of fuel cell

Abstract

An apparatus and method for managing power of a fuel cell are provided. The apparatus includes a power conversion device that converts a high voltage into a low voltage and supplies the converted low voltage to a low voltage battery, a cooling device that flows a coolant to cool the power conversion device, and a controller that controls driving of the power conversion device and the cooling device based on a state of charge (SOC) remaining of the low voltage battery.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0141989, filed on October 22, 2021, with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for managing the power of a fuel cell. Background Technology

[0004] Typically, bidirectional high-voltage DC-DC converter (BHDC) packages include both BHDC and low-voltage DC-DC converter (LDC).

[0005] The BHDC (Bullet High Voltage Control Unit) boosts the voltage of the high-voltage battery and delivers the boosted voltage to the high-voltage junction box. It also reduces the amount of electricity regenerated from the vehicle's motor when charging the high-voltage battery. The LDC (Low Voltage Control Unit) reduces the high-voltage output from the fuel cell stack or BHDC to 12V to charge the low-voltage battery. Since the low-voltage battery powers the low-voltage drive systems in the vehicle, including the fuel cell system drive unit, it should be charged to a certain level or more before the driver starts the vehicle.

[0006] The high voltage generated in the high-voltage battery is used to drive the power balancing facility (E-BOP) to connect the fuel cell, while the low-voltage battery is charged with the help of the LDC.

[0007] Therefore, when the low-voltage battery is undercharged, electricity rapidly moves from the high-voltage battery to the low-voltage battery simultaneously with the high-voltage system being switched on. Since this electricity movement occurs regardless of whether the fuel cell is switched on, the BHDC is heated during the standby phase when the power required for the E-BOP is not desired. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This disclosure aims to address the aforementioned problems in the prior art while maintaining the advantages achieved by the prior art.

[0009] One aspect of this disclosure provides an apparatus and method for managing the power of a fuel cell to reduce unwanted power movement between the fuel cell system and the high-voltage battery, the unwanted power movement occurring during the start-up sequence of a fuel cell vehicle.

[0010] The technical problems to be solved by this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and any other technical problems not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0011] According to an aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus for managing power of a fuel cell can include a power conversion device that converts a high voltage into a low voltage and provides the converted low voltage to a low voltage battery, a cooling device that flows a coolant to cool the power conversion device, and a controller that controls driving of the power conversion device and the cooling device based on a state of charge (SOC) remaining of the low voltage battery.

[0012] In one embodiment, the power conversion device can include a bidirectional high voltage DC-DC converter (BHDC) that reduces regenerated power to charge a high voltage battery or steps up power of the high voltage battery to provide the stepped-up power to an electrical load, and a low voltage DC-DC converter (LDC) that converts output power of the BHDC into a low voltage to charge a low voltage battery.

[0013] In one embodiment, when the vehicle starts, when a hydrogen filling amount of a hydrogen tank is greater than a certain remaining amount, the controller can control to drive a low voltage power equalization facility (E-BOP) of the vehicle.

[0014] In one embodiment, when a voltage of an input terminal of the LDC is higher than a certain voltage and when a remaining SOC of the high voltage battery is greater than a certain range, the controller can drive the BHDC, and can drive the LDC to charge the low voltage battery.

[0015] In one embodiment, when a voltage of an input terminal of the LDC is higher than a certain voltage, when a remaining SOC of the high voltage battery is less than a certain range, and when a remaining SOC of the low voltage battery is less than a certain range, the controller can drive the BHDC, and can drive the LDC to charge the low voltage battery.

[0016] In one embodiment, the controller can first drive the cooling device before driving the LDC.

[0017] In one embodiment, when a voltage of an input terminal of the LDC is higher than a certain voltage, when a remaining SOC of the high voltage battery is less than a certain range, and when a remaining SOC of the low voltage battery is greater than a certain range, the controller can drive the BHDC, and can drive the fuel cell stack.

[0018] In one embodiment, the controller can drive the fuel cell stack, can drive the LDC, and can control so that the SOC of the low voltage battery is maintained within a certain range.

[0019] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a method for managing power of a fuel cell can include controlling driving of a power conversion device that converts a high voltage into a low voltage and provides the converted low voltage to a low voltage battery, and based on a remaining SOC of the low voltage battery, controlling driving of a cooling device that flows a coolant to cool the power conversion device.

[0020] In one embodiment, the method can further include: reducing the regenerated electric power by the BHDC to charge the high-voltage battery, or boosting the electric power of the high-voltage battery by the BHDC to provide the boosted electric power to the electric load; and converting the output electric power of the BHDC to low voltage by the LDC to charge the low-voltage battery.

[0021] In one embodiment, the method can further include: when the vehicle starts, when the hydrogen filling amount of the hydrogen tank is greater than a certain residual amount, controlling to drive the low-voltage E-BOP of the vehicle.

[0022] In one embodiment, the method can further include: when the voltage of the input terminal of the LDC is higher than a certain voltage and when the residual SOC of the high-voltage battery is greater than a certain range, driving the BHDC and driving the LDC to charge the low-voltage battery.

[0023] In one embodiment, the method can further include: when the voltage of the input terminal of the LDC is higher than a certain voltage, when the residual SOC of the high-voltage battery is less than a certain range, and when the residual SOC of the low-voltage battery is less than a certain range, driving the BHDC and driving the LDC to charge the low-voltage battery.

[0024] In one embodiment, the method can further include: first driving the cooling device before driving the LDC.

[0025] In one embodiment, the method can further include: when the voltage of the input terminal of the LDC is higher than a certain voltage, when the residual SOC of the high-voltage battery is less than a certain range, and when the residual SOC of the low-voltage battery is greater than a certain range, driving the BHDC and driving the fuel cell stack.

[0026] In one embodiment, the method can further include: driving the fuel cell stack and driving the LDC so that the SOC of the low-voltage battery is maintained within a certain range. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a driving system mounted with a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating a cooling process mounted with a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for managing electric power of a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 4 is a graph illustrating a charging characteristic of a battery constituting an apparatus for managing power of a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0032] Figure 5 and Figure 6 is a graph illustrating a noise reduction state of an apparatus for managing power of a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and

[0033] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for managing power of a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that this is not intended to limit the disclosure to specific embodiments, but to include various modifications, equivalents, or alternatives of the embodiments of the disclosure.

[0035] It should be understood that various embodiments of the disclosure and terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features set forth herein to specific embodiments, but include various changes, equivalents, or replacements of the embodiments of the disclosure.

[0036] With regard to descriptions of the drawings, like reference numerals can be used to refer to like or similar elements. It should be understood that the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include one or more things unless the relevant context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0037] As used herein, each of the expressions "A or B," "at least one of A and B," "at least one of A or B," "A, B, or C," "at least one of A, B, and C," and "at least one of A, B, or C" can include all possible combinations of one or more of the items listed in the expression, as well as the corresponding expressions.

[0038] Terms such as "1st" and "2nd" or "first" and "second" can be used to simply distinguish a corresponding part from another, and do not limit the parts in other aspects (for example, importance or order) in other aspects. It should be understood that if any (for example, first) part is referred to as "coupled with," "coupled to," "connected with," or "connected to" another element, whether or not the term "operatively" or "communicatively" is used, it means that the element can be coupled directly (for example, wired), wirelessly, or via a third element.

[0039] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a driving system mounted with a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Figure 2 is a graph illustrating a cooling process of a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the disclosure.Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating a device for managing power of a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Figure 4 is a graph illustrating a charge characteristic of a battery constituting a device for managing power of a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0040] Referring to Figures 1 to 3 , a drive system in which a fuel cell is installed can be configured to include a fuel cell system 100, a power conversion device 200, a high-voltage battery 310, a low-voltage battery 320, a high-voltage junction device 400, a DC / DC converter 600, an inverter 700, and a motor 800.

[0041] The fuel cell system 100 can be a power generation system that generates chemical energy of a fuel by means of an electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen (oxygen in air) in a fuel cell stack 120 as electric power. The fuel cell system 100 can include the fuel cell stack 120, which is composed of an anode and a cathode for power generation, a hydrogen supply device (not shown) for supplying hydrogen stored in a hydrogen tank 110 to the anode, and an air supply device (not shown) for supplying air to the cathode.

[0042] By means of such a configuration, the fuel cell system 100 can react hydrogen gas as a fuel with oxygen in air to generate electricity, and can discharge heat and water as reaction by-products.

[0043] The power conversion device 200 can include a bidirectional high-voltage DC / DC converter (BHDC) 210 and a low-voltage DC / DC converter (LDC) 220.

[0044] The BHDC 210 can function to step up the high-voltage battery 310 and deliver the stepped-up voltage to the high-voltage junction device 400, and when the high-voltage battery 310 is charged with power regenerated from the motor 800, can function to reduce the power regenerated from the motor 800. The BHDC 210 can supply power to an electric load such as the DC / DC converter 600, the inverter 700, and the motor 800 through the high-voltage junction device 400.

[0045] The LDC 220 can be a unidirectional DC / DC converter. The LDC 220 can convert an output voltage of the fuel cell stack 120 or an output voltage of the BHDC 210 to a low voltage of 12 V to charge the low-voltage battery 320, and can supply energy to an electric power balance facility (E-BOP) 60 constituting a fuel cell vehicle.

[0046] When the fuel cell vehicle is started, the LDC 220 can operate in a boost mode of boosting a low voltage applied from the low voltage battery 320 and applying a high voltage to each component of the high voltage battery 310, and can start the fuel cell vehicle. Except when the fuel cell vehicle is started, the LDC 220 can operate in a step-down mode for reducing a high voltage applied from the high voltage battery 310 to charge the low voltage battery 320 or to provide a voltage to the E-BOP 60 in the fuel cell vehicle. The LDC 220 can operate in the boost mode or the step-down mode by means of the step-up / step-down converter 170.

[0047] The high voltage battery 310 can be a large capacity lithium ion battery, and can allow the fuel cell vehicle to be operated using only the power of the high voltage battery 310 in an electric vehicle (EV) mode. The voltage provided from the high voltage battery 310 can be boosted to 250V to 400V by the BHDC 210, and then can be provided to the electrical load through the high voltage junction device 400.

[0048] Further, there can be two paths for providing high voltage power to the electrical load. As a first case, when the fuel cell vehicle is started and the fuel cell stack 120 is operated, the power generated from the fuel cell stack 120 can be boosted to 250V to 400V by the BHDC 210, and then can be provided to the electrical load through the high voltage junction device 400. As a second case, the power charged in the high voltage battery 310 can be boosted to 250V to 400V by the BHDC 210, and then can be provided to the electrical load through the high voltage junction device 400 without using the power of the fuel cell stack 120.

[0049] The low voltage battery 320 can be a lithium ion battery, and can be changed by a low voltage input from the LDC 220.

[0050] The low voltage battery 320 can be used as a driving energy source for the E-BOP 60, such as a vehicle interior air conditioning device, and can be used as a power source for important controllers of the fuel cell system 100, such as a fuel cell control unit (FCU) and a motor control unit (MCU), at the same time, and can play an important role in the initial driving of the fuel cell vehicle.

[0051] Since the low voltage battery 320 supplies power to low power driving devices in the fuel cell vehicle including the driving device of the fuel cell system 100, the amount of charge of the low voltage battery 320 should be ensured to exceed a certain amount before the fuel cell vehicle is started.

[0052] The high voltage junction device 400 can receive power from the fuel cell system 100 and the BHDC 210, and can distribute high voltage to the electrical load requiring high voltage.

[0053] The DC / DC converter 600 can convert an output voltage of the fuel cell system 100 or an output voltage of the BHDC 210 delivered through the high-voltage junction device 400 into a low voltage.

[0054] The inverter 700 can convert the DC power delivered through the DC / DC converter 600 into AC power capable of driving the motor 800.

[0055] The motor 800 can be provided in a front wheel or a rear wheel of the fuel cell vehicle, and can be electrically connected to the motor reducer through the inverter 700 to drive the fuel cell vehicle.

[0056] Meanwhile, the first thing to be performed in the start-up sequence of the fuel cell system 100 is to form a high voltage. The formed high voltage can be used to drive the E-BOP 60 to start up the fuel cell system 100, and can be simultaneously used to charge the low-voltage battery 320 through the LDC 220.

[0057] When the charge amount of the low-voltage battery 320 is insufficient, power can be quickly moved from the high-voltage battery 310 to the low-voltage battery 320 while the high voltage is formed. In this case, when power movement from the high-voltage battery 310 to the low-voltage battery 320 occurs regardless of the start-up of the fuel cell system 100, heating can occur in the BHDC 210 although the E-BOP 60 is not driven in the start-up preparation step of the fuel cell system 100.

[0058] Therefore, the cooling device through which the coolant flows should be driven to cool the power electronics PE in which heating occurs before the start-up of the fuel cell system 100.

[0059] Meanwhile, referring to Figure 2 , as the temperature of the coolant cooling the PE in which heating occurs increases, and the coolant (whose temperature increases) flows along the cooling path 190, the temperature of the blower power control unit (BPCU) 160, the step-up / down converter 170, the air cooler (ACL) 180, etc., including the BHDC 210, the LDC 220, the high-voltage battery 310, and the low-voltage battery 320 can increase.

[0060] The cooling device can be configured to include a reservoir 130, a radiator 140, and a coolant electrically driven cooling pump (CPP) 150.

[0061] The reservoir 130 can be a water tank that stores the coolant circulating along the cooling path 190. The radiator 140 can cool the coolant, the temperature of which increases when flowing along the cooling path 190, by heat exchange with air. The CPP 150 can provide a driving force so that the coolant stored in the reservoir 130 is circulated to the fuel cell system 100, the PE, etc., through the cooling path 190.

[0062] The cooling device with this configuration can circulate the coolant cooled in the radiator 140 along the cooling path 190 by means of the operation of the CPP 150, thereby cooling the fuel cell system 100 and the PE without overheating. The cooling device can include a thermal management system (TMS).

[0063] When the coolant heated by cooling the PE before starting the fuel cell system 100 flows to the fuel cell system 100, the fuel cell system 100 can not be able to start stably at the start.

[0064] When the low-voltage battery 320 should be charged by the LDC 220, the controller 500 can prevent the flow of current for charging the low-voltage battery 320 from the LDC 220 before starting the fuel cell system 100, thereby preventing the PE from being heated.

[0065] Reference Figure 4 Because the low-voltage battery 320 is a lithium-ion polymer battery, the battery voltage characteristic according to the state of charge (SoC) is stable. In other words, although the amount of charge is not enough much, the voltage value can be maintained, and the power used to start the fuel cell system 100 is sufficient, although it is close to the over-discharge limit.

[0066] When the low-voltage battery 320 has only the amount of charge sufficient to drive the low-voltage E-BOP, the controller 500 can control so that the low-voltage battery 320 is not charged before the fuel cell system 100 starts. The controller 500 can include a hydrogen management system (HMU), a vehicle control unit (VCU), a fuel cell control unit (FCU), a motor control unit (MCU), etc.

[0067] When the ignition to prepare for starting is performed by means of the start input device 50 of the fuel cell vehicle, the controller 500 can determine that the low-voltage battery 320 is not discharged. Accordingly, the controller 500 can control so that the low-voltage battery 320 is not charged.

[0068] Next, the controller 500 can determine that it is able to drive the fuel cell vehicle using the power of the fuel cell system 100, and can identify the amount of hydrogen charged in the hydrogen tank 110.

[0069] When the amount of hydrogen charged in the hydrogen tank 110 (e.g., the state of fuel (SOF)) is greater than or equal to 20%, the controller 500 can determine that it is able to drive the fuel cell system 100. Because the amount of hydrogen charged in the hydrogen tank 110 can be used to drive the fuel cell system 100, the controller 500 can maintain the state in which the low-voltage battery 320 is not discharged.

[0070] When the ignition is performed by means of the start input device 50, the controller 500 can recognize a state in which the electric power of the low-voltage battery 320 is applied to the E-BOP 60 of the fuel cell vehicle.

[0071] Next, the controller 500 can drive the high-voltage battery 310 and can control so that the high-voltage output from the high-voltage battery 310 is applied to the BHDC 210.

[0072] Meanwhile, the controller 500 can determine that it is able to drive the fuel cell vehicle using the electric power stored in the high-voltage battery 310 or can drive the high-voltage battery 310 to control so that the high-voltage output from the high-voltage battery 310 is applied to the BHDC 210 when the amount of hydrogen (e.g., SOF) of the hydrogen tank 110 is less than 20%.

[0073] When the high-voltage output from the high-voltage battery 310 is applied to the BHDC 210, the electric power of the high-voltage battery 310 can be boosted to conform to the electric power output from the fuel cell system 100. In this case, the fuel cell system 100 can be in a state of not being driven, and the high-voltage battery 310 and the low-voltage battery 320 can be in a state of being driven.

[0074] In this case, the controller 500 can maintain a state in which the low-voltage battery 320 is not charged.

[0075] Next, the controller 500 can recognize the voltage at the input terminal of the LDC 220. The voltage of the input terminal of the LDC 220 and the output voltage of the BHDC 210 should be the same as each other. Thus, only when the voltage of the input terminal of the LDC 220 is greater than 300 V, the controller 500 can determine that it is normal. When the voltage of the input terminal of the LDC 220 is less than 300 V, the controller 500 can determine that the charge amount of the high-voltage battery 310 is insufficient or that the state of the high-voltage battery 310 is not good.

[0076] When the voltage of the input terminal of the LDC 220 is greater than 300 V, the controller 500 can determine that the state of the high-voltage battery 310 is normal and can recognize the charge amount of the high-voltage battery 310.

[0077] When the charge amount of the high-voltage battery 310 is greater than 85%, because the controller 500 is able to drive the fuel cell vehicle using the electric power of the high-voltage battery 310 without driving the fuel cell system 100, the controller 500 can drive the LDC 220 to control so that the low-voltage battery 320 is charged. In this case, the charging speed of the low-voltage battery 320 can be 10 A per second.

[0078] When the charge amount of the high-voltage battery 310 is less than 85%, the controller 500 can recognize the charge amount of the low-voltage battery 320.

[0079] When the charge amount of the low-voltage battery 320 is greater than 10%, because the controller 500 is able to drive the E-BOP 60 even though the low-voltage battery 320 is not charged, the state in which the low-voltage battery 320 is not charged can be maintained. In this case, since the low-voltage battery 320 is not charged, because the low-voltage battery 320 is not heated, the controller 500 can not be able to drive the cooling device.

[0080] When the charge amount of the low-voltage battery 320 is less than 10%, the controller 500 can drive the LDC 220 to control so that the low-voltage battery 320 is charged. In this case, the charging speed of the low-voltage battery 320 can be 10 A per second. Because the low-voltage battery 320 is heated when the low-voltage battery 320 is charged due to driving of the LDC 220, the controller 500 can maximally drive the cooling device before driving the LDC 220.

[0081] Next, the controller 500 can drive the fuel cell system 100. When the fuel cell system 100 is driven, because power is sufficiently generated in the fuel cell system 100, the controller 500 can drive the LDC 220 to control so that the low-voltage battery 320 is charged. In this case, the charging speed of the low-voltage battery 320 can be 5 A per second.

[0082] The controller 500 can drive the LDC 220 to control so that the low-voltage battery 320 is charged while the charge amount of the low-voltage battery 320 is maintained to be 80% to 85% while the fuel cell vehicle is traveling.

[0083] Figure 5 and Figure 6 A graph showing a noise reduction state of an apparatus for managing power of a fuel cell by means of an embodiment according to the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0084] Referring to Figure 5 , in the process of starting Figure 1 the fuel cell system 100, when power movement from Figure 3 the high-voltage battery 310 to Figure 3 the low-voltage battery 320 occurs, since Figure 3 the BHDC 210 of the fuel cell system 100 is heated to drive the cooling device, although Figure 3 the E-BOP 60 of the fuel cell system 100 is not driven, it can be seen that a large amount of noise is generated.

[0085] However, referring to Figure 6In the process of starting the fuel cell system 100, when no power movement from the high-pressure battery 310 to the low-pressure battery 320 occurs, the noise can be seen to be relatively reduced because the cooling device is not driven since the BHDC 210 is not heated.

[0086] Further, Figure 3 The controller 500 can control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware or software component) of the apparatus for managing power of a fuel cell and can perform various data processing or calculation.

[0087] According to an embodiment, as at least a part of the data processing or calculation, the controller 500 can store a command or data received from another component (e.g., a sensor) in a volatile memory; can process the command or data stored in the volatile memory; and can store result data in a non-volatile memory.

[0088] According to an embodiment, the controller 500 can include a main processor (e.g., a central processing unit or an application processor) or an auxiliary processor (e.g., a graphic processing unit, an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, a communication processor) capable of operating independently or together therewith. For example, when the controller 500 includes the main processor and the auxiliary processor, the auxiliary processor can be configured to use lower power than the main processor or be dedicated to a designated function. The auxiliary processor can be implemented independently of or as a part of the main processor.

[0089] Although not illustrated in the drawings, according to an embodiment, the apparatus for managing power of a fuel cell can further include a memory.

[0090] The memory can store an instruction to control the apparatus for managing power of a fuel cell, a control instruction code, control data, or user data. For example, the storage can include at least one of an application program, an operating system (OS), middleware, and a device driver.

[0091] The memory can include one of a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory.

[0092] The volatile memory can include a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a static RAM (SRAM), a synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), a phase change RAM (PRAM), a magnetic RAM (MRAM), a resistive RAM (RRAM), a ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), or the like.

[0093] The non-volatile memory can include a read only memory (ROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a flash memory, or the like.

[0094] The memory can further include a non-volatile medium, such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid-state drive (SSD), an embedded Multi-Media Card (eMMC), or a Universal Flash Storage (UFS).

[0095] Hereinafter, a method for managing power of a fuel cell according to another embodiment of the disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 7 A detailed description of a method for managing power of a fuel cell according to another embodiment of the disclosure will be described.

[0096] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for managing power of a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0097] Hereinafter, it is assumed that Figure 3 the device for managing power of a fuel cell performs Figure 7 the process of the controller 500.

[0098] First, when an ignition to prepare for a start is performed in S101 by means of the start input device 50 of the fuel cell vehicle, Figure 3 the controller 500 can determine that it is able to drive the fuel cell vehicle using Figure 1 the power of the fuel cell system 100. Figure 3 In S103, the controller 500 can identify the hydrogen filling amount of the hydrogen tank 110.

[0099] When the ignition is performed by means of the start input device 50, in S104, the controller 500 can identify a state in which Figure 3 the power of the low voltage battery 320 is applied to the E-BOP 60 of the fuel cell vehicle.

[0100] Next, in S105, the controller 500 can drive Figure 3 the high voltage battery 310, and can control to apply a high voltage output from the high voltage battery 310 to Figure 3 the BHDC 210.

[0101] Meanwhile, the controller 500 can determine that it is able to drive the fuel cell vehicle using the power stored in the high voltage battery 310, or can drive the high voltage battery 310 to control so that the high voltage output from the high voltage battery 310 is applied to the BHDC 210 when the hydrogen filling amount (e.g., SOF) of the hydrogen tank 110 is less than 20%.

[0102] Next, in S106, the controller 500 can identify Figure 3 the voltage at the input terminal of the LDC 220.

[0103] When the voltage of the input terminal of the LDC 220 is less than 300 V, the controller 500 can determine that the charge amount of the high-voltage battery 310 is insufficient or that the state of the high-voltage battery 310 is not good in S107.

[0104] When the voltage of the input terminal of the LDC 220 is greater than 300 V, the controller 500 can determine that the state of the high-voltage battery 310 is normal and can identify the charge amount of the high-voltage battery 310 in S108.

[0105] When the charge amount of the high-voltage battery 310 is greater than 85%, because the controller 500 is able to drive the fuel cell vehicle using the power of the high-voltage battery 310 without driving the fuel cell system 100, the controller 500 can drive the LDC 220 to control so that the low-voltage battery 320 is charged in S109.

[0106] When the charge amount of the high-voltage battery 310 is less than 85%, the controller 500 can identify the charge amount of the low-voltage battery 320 in S110.

[0107] When the charge amount of the low-voltage battery 320 is greater than 10%, because the controller 500 is able to drive the E-BOP 60 although the low-voltage battery 320 is not charged, the low-voltage battery 320 can be maintained in a state of not being charged. In this case, since the low-voltage battery 320 is not charged, because the low-voltage battery 320 is not heated, the controller 500 can not be able to drive the cooling device.

[0108] When the charge amount of the low-voltage battery 320 is less than 10%, the controller 500 can maximally drive the cooling device before driving the LDC 220 to control so that the low-voltage battery 320 is charged in S111.

[0109] Next, the controller 500 can drive the fuel cell system 100 in S113.

[0110] Next, the controller 500 can drive the LDC 220 to control so that the low-voltage battery 320 is charged in S114.

[0111] Next, the controller 500 can drive the LDC 220 to control so that the low-voltage battery 320 is charged while the charge amount of the low-voltage battery 320 is maintained to be 80% to 85% while the fuel cell vehicle is traveling in S115.

[0112] Various embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented as software (e.g., a program or application) comprising instructions stored in a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., memory). For example, a machine can invoke at least one of one or more instructions stored in the storage medium and can execute the invoked instructions. This allows the machine to operate according to the invoked at least one instruction to perform at least one function. The one or more instructions may include code generated by a compiler or code executable by an interpreter.

[0113] Machine-readable storage media may be provided in the form of non-transitory storage media. Here, the term "non-transitory storage media" simply means that the storage media is a tangible device and does not include signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves), but the term does not distinguish between cases where data is stored semi-permanently in the storage media and cases where data is stored temporarily in the storage media.

[0114] According to embodiments, methods according to various embodiments disclosed herein can be included and provided in a computer program product. The computer program product can be traded as a product between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product can be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., an optical disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)) or via an application store (e.g., the Play Store). TM Online distribution (e.g., downloading or uploading) or direct distribution between two user devices (e.g., smartphones). If distributed online, at least a portion of the computer program product may be temporarily generated or at least temporarily stored in a machine-readable storage medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an app store's server, or a relay server.

[0115] According to various embodiments, each component of the above-described components (e.g., a module or program) may include a single entity or multiple entities, and some of the multiple entities may be divided and arranged in another component.

[0116] According to various embodiments, one or more of the above-described components or operations may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added.

[0117] Alternatively or additionally, multiple components (e.g., modules or programs) can be integrated into a single component. In this case, the integrated component can still perform one or more functions of each of the multiple components in the same or similar manner as if they had been performed by their corresponding counterparts before integration.

[0118] According to various embodiments, operations performed by a module, program, or other component may be performed sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or heuristically, or one or more operations may be performed in a different order or omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

[0119] As described above, according to the embodiment, it is possible to enhance unnecessary power movement between the fuel cell system and the high-voltage battery occurring in the start-up sequence of the fuel cell vehicle. Thus, it is possible to improve the stability of the initialization setting of the fuel cell system based on the reduced radiation noise due to the high current of the electronic circuit.

[0120] The present technology can enhance unnecessary power movement between the fuel cell system and the high-voltage battery occurring in the start-up sequence of the fuel cell vehicle, and thus improve the stability of the initialization setting of the fuel cell system based on the reduced radiation noise due to the high current of the electronic circuit.

[0121] Furthermore, it is possible to provide various effects determined directly or indirectly by the present disclosure.

[0122] In the foregoing, although the present disclosure has been described with reference to the example embodiments and the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, but various modifications and changes can be made by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as claimed in the appended claims.

[0123] Therefore, the embodiments of the present application are not intended to limit the technical spirit of the present application, but are provided for illustrative purposes only. The scope of protection of the present disclosure should be based on the appended claims, and any technical idea equivalent thereto should be included in the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An apparatus for managing the power of a fuel cell, the apparatus comprising: A power conversion device is configured to convert a high voltage to a low voltage lower than the high voltage and to supply the converted low voltage to a low-voltage battery; A cooling device is configured to allow coolant to flow in order to cool the power conversion device; as well as The controller is configured to control the drive of the power conversion device and the cooling device based on the remaining state of charge of the low-voltage battery; The power conversion equipment includes: A bidirectional high-voltage DC-DC converter is configured to reduce regenerative power to charge a high-voltage battery, the high-voltage battery operating at a voltage higher than that of a low-voltage battery, or to boost the power of the high-voltage battery to supply the boosted power to an electrical load; and A low-voltage DC-DC converter is configured to convert the output power of the bidirectional high-voltage DC-DC converter into a low voltage to charge the low-voltage battery. Specifically, when 1) the voltage at the input terminal of the low-voltage DC-DC converter is higher than a specific voltage, and 2) the remaining state of charge of the high-voltage battery is greater than a specific state of charge, the controller drives the bidirectional high-voltage DC-DC converter, and then drives the low-voltage DC-DC converter to charge the low-voltage battery.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, When the vehicle is started, if the hydrogen tank is filled with more hydrogen than a certain remaining amount, the controller activates the vehicle's low-voltage power balancing system.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, When 1) the voltage at the input terminal of the low-voltage DC-DC converter is higher than a specific voltage, 2) the remaining state of charge of the high-voltage battery is less than a specific range, and 3) the remaining state of charge of the low-voltage battery is less than the specific range, the controller drives the bidirectional high-voltage DC-DC converter and then drives the low-voltage DC-DC converter to charge the low-voltage battery.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The controller first drives the cooling device before driving the low-voltage DC-DC converter.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, The controller first drives the cooling device before driving the low-voltage DC-DC converter.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, When 1) the voltage at the input terminal of the low-voltage DC-DC converter is higher than a specific voltage, 2) the remaining state of charge of the high-voltage battery is less than a specific range, and 3) the remaining state of charge of the low-voltage battery is greater than the specific range, the controller drives the bidirectional high-voltage DC-DC converter and then drives the fuel cell stack.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, The controller drives the fuel cell stack and then drives the low-voltage DC-DC converter, so that the state of charge of the low-voltage battery is maintained within the specific range.

8. A method for managing the electricity of a fuel cell, the method comprising: Control the drive of a power conversion device, the power conversion device being configured to convert a high voltage to a low voltage lower than the high voltage, and to provide the converted low voltage to a low-voltage battery; as well as The driving of the cooling device is controlled based on the remaining state of charge of the low-voltage battery, and the cooling device is configured to allow coolant to flow to cool the power conversion device; The method further includes: The bidirectional high-voltage DC-DC converter reduces the regenerative power to charge the high-voltage battery, the high-voltage battery having a higher operating voltage than the low-voltage battery; or the bidirectional high-voltage DC-DC converter boosts the power of the high-voltage battery to provide the boosted power to the electrical load. The output power of the bidirectional high-voltage DC-DC converter is converted to low voltage via a low-voltage DC-DC converter to charge the low-voltage battery; and When 1) the voltage at the input terminal of the low-voltage DC-DC converter is higher than a specific voltage, and 2) the remaining state of charge of the high-voltage battery is greater than a specific state of charge, the bidirectional high-voltage DC-DC converter is driven, and then the low-voltage DC-DC converter is driven to charge the low-voltage battery.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: When the vehicle starts, if the hydrogen tank is filled with more hydrogen than a certain remaining amount, the system controls the low-voltage power balancing device of the vehicle to operate.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising: When 1) the voltage at the input terminal of the low-voltage DC-DC converter is higher than a specific voltage, 2) the remaining state of charge of the high-voltage battery is less than a specific range, and 3) the remaining state of charge of the low-voltage battery is less than the specific range, the bidirectional high-voltage DC-DC converter is driven, and then the low-voltage DC-DC converter is driven to charge the low-voltage battery.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising: The cooling device is driven first, before the low-voltage DC-DC converter is driven.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising: The cooling device is driven first, before the low-voltage DC-DC converter is driven.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising: When 1) the voltage at the input terminal of the low-voltage DC-DC converter is higher than a specific voltage, 2) the remaining state of charge of the high-voltage battery is less than a specific range, and 3) the remaining state of charge of the low-voltage battery is greater than the specific range, the bidirectional high-voltage DC-DC converter is driven, and then the fuel cell stack is driven.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: The fuel cell stack is driven, and then the low-voltage DC-DC converter is driven, so that the state of charge of the low-voltage battery is maintained within the specific range.

Images