Cold start auxiliary integrated end plate, control method and automobile

Abstract

The application discloses a cold start auxiliary integrated end plate, a control method and an automobile, and belongs to the technical field of fuel cell stacks. The integrated end plate comprises an anode end plate and a cathode end plate; the anode end plate and the cathode end plate are arranged on both sides of the integrated end plate; a first cooling liquid heating flow field is arranged on the anode end plate in a mode that passes through the middle and is uniformly distributed around; a first sensor is arranged around the anode end plate; a first heater is arranged at the central position of the anode end plate; a communication valve is arranged at the position of a cooling liquid inlet and outlet of the anode end plate; a cooling liquid water pump is arranged between the communication valve and the cooling liquid inlet of the anode end plate; a second cooling liquid heating flow field is arranged on the cathode end plate in a mode that passes through the middle and is uniformly distributed around; a second sensor is arranged around the cathode end plate; and a second heater is arranged at the central position of the cathode end plate.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of fuel cell stacks, in particular to a cold start auxiliary integrated end plate, a control method and a vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] The fuel cell stack is stacked by bipolar plates, membrane electrodes, insulating plates, current collecting plates and end plates, and the cathode end plate and the anode end plate are respectively located on the two sides of the stack, and the fuel cell end plate mainly plays a role of controlling the contact pressure and integrating and assembling various components. The fuel cell utilizes the charge transfer generated by the oxidation-reduction reaction of hydrogen and oxygen in the bipolar plate flow field area to form an electric current. The oxidation-reduction reaction of hydrogen and oxygen occurring inside the hydrogen fuel cell is an exothermic reaction, and the product is pure water. During the operation of the fuel cell, a large amount of waste heat is released, and most of the generated water flows out from the outlet in gaseous form with air and hydrogen, and a circulating cooling liquid is needed to cool the stack during the operation of the stack. However, when the temperature is low and the stack is not started, the generated water remaining in the bipolar plate flow field area will freeze into ice, blocking the bipolar plate flow field, so that part of the reaction gas cannot undergo oxidation-reduction reaction, thereby affecting the normal operation of the stack. Therefore, accelerating the cold start of the stack under low temperature conditions plays a key role.

[0003] However, there are defects in the operation of the stack: since the anode and cathode end plates are located on the two sides of the stack and are mostly made of aluminum alloy, the heat dissipation is fast, resulting in high temperature in the middle of the stack and low temperature on the two sides, affecting the efficiency of the whole stack. SUMMARY

[0004] The present application solves the problem that in the existing fuel cell stack operation process, the anode and cathode end plates are located on the two sides of the stack and are mostly made of aluminum alloy, the heat dissipation is fast, resulting in high temperature in the middle of the stack and low temperature on the two sides, affecting the efficiency of the whole stack.

[0005] The integrated end plate comprises an anode end plate and a cathode end plate.

[0006] The anode end plate and the cathode end plate are arranged on the two sides of the integrated end plate.

[0007] The anode end plate comprises a first cooling liquid heating flow field 1, a first sensor unit 2, a first heater 3, a communication valve 4 and a cooling liquid pump 5.

[0008] The first cooling liquid heating flow field 1 is arranged on the anode end plate in a manner that penetrates the middle and is uniformly distributed around.

[0009] The first sensor 2 is arranged around the anode end plate.

[0010] The first heater 3 is arranged at the center of the anode end plate;

[0011] The communication valve 4 is arranged at the position of the anode end plate cooling liquid inlet and outlet;

[0012] The cooling liquid water pump 5 is arranged between the communication valve 4 and the anode end plate cooling liquid inlet;

[0013] The cathode end plate comprises a second cooling liquid heating flow field 6, a second sensor unit 7 and a second heater 8;

[0014] The second cooling liquid heating flow field 6 is arranged on the cathode end plate in a way that it is through the middle and uniformly distributed around;

[0015] The second sensor 7 is arranged around the cathode end plate;

[0016] The second heater 8 is arranged at the center of the cathode end plate.

[0017] Further, in an embodiment of the present application, the first sensor 2 and the second sensor 7 are at least four respectively;

[0018] The first sensor 2 and the second sensor 7 are both temperature sensors.

[0019] The control method of the cold start auxiliary integrated end plate of the present application is realized by the above-mentioned cold start auxiliary integrated end plate, and comprises the following steps:

[0020] Step S1, after ignition start, the first sensor 2 and the second sensor 7 respectively collect the temperature around the anode end plate and the cathode end plate to obtain the average temperature signals of the anode end plate and the cathode end plate;

[0021] Step S2, it is judged whether the specified condition is met, if yes, the controller controls the communication valve 4 to be closed, which starts the cooling liquid internal circulation mode, and the first heater 3 and the second heater 8 respectively heat with W max power to assist the cold start of the fuel cell stack, if not, step S3 is executed;

[0022] Step S3, it is judged whether the specified condition is met, if yes, the controller controls the communication valve 4 to be closed, which starts the cooling liquid internal circulation mode, and the first heater 3 and the second heater 8 respectively heat with W min power to assist the cold start of the fuel cell stack, if not, step S4 is executed;

[0023] Step S4, the controller controls the communication valve 4 to be opened, which starts the cooling liquid internal and external circulation mode, and the first heater 3 and the second heater 8 respectively heat with W minThe power is used to assist the fuel cell stack to operate until the specified condition is met, and the first heater 3 and the second heater 8 are turned off;

[0024] In step S5, after the cold start of the fuel cell stack, the controller monitors the temperatures of the middle and both sides of the end plates of the fuel cell stack in real time, and if the specified condition is met, the cooling liquid water pump 5 is accelerated to circulate until the temperatures of the middle and both sides of the end plates of the fuel cell stack reach balance, and then the cooling liquid water pump 5 returns to normal speed.

[0025] Further, in an embodiment of the present application, the average temperature signals of the anode end plate and the cathode end plate are obtained by respectively calculating the arithmetic mean of the four surrounding temperatures collected by the first sensor 2 and the second sensor 7.

[0026] Further, in an embodiment of the present application, in step S2, the specified condition is:

[0027] The average temperature signal of the anode end plate is less than the cooling liquid start internal circulation temperature, and the average temperature signal of the cathode end plate is less than the cooling liquid start internal circulation temperature.

[0028] Further, in an embodiment of the present application, in step S3, the specified condition is:

[0029] The average temperature signal of the anode end plate is less than the normal temperature start temperature, or the average temperature signal of the cathode end plate is less than the normal temperature start temperature.

[0030] Further, in an embodiment of the present application, in step S4, the specified condition is:

[0031] The temperature difference signal of the anode end plate is less than or equal to the termination temperature difference, and the temperature difference signal of the cathode end plate is less than or equal to the termination temperature difference;

[0032] The temperature difference signal of the anode end plate is the difference between the normal operation temperature of the fuel cell stack and the average temperature signal of the anode end plate;

[0033] The temperature difference signal of the cathode end plate is the difference between the normal operation temperature of the fuel cell stack and the average temperature signal of the cathode end plate.

[0034] Further, in an embodiment of the present application, in step S5, the specified condition is:

[0035] The temperature difference signal inside the anode end plate is greater than or equal to the start temperature difference, and the temperature difference signal inside the cathode end plate is greater than or equal to the start temperature difference;

[0036] The temperature difference signal inside the anode end plate is the difference between the internal temperature of the fuel cell stack and the average temperature signal of the anode end plate;

[0037] The temperature difference signal inside the cathode end plate is the difference between the internal temperature of the fuel cell stack and the average temperature signal of the cathode end plate.

[0038] The automobile has the integrated end plate.

[0039] The application solves the problem that the existing fuel cell stack has high temperature in the middle and low temperature on both sides during operation, which affects the efficiency of the whole stack.

[0040] 1. The cold start auxiliary integrated end plate can realize fast cold start at low temperature, effectively shorten the cold start time of the fuel cell stack, realize high power output at normal temperature, shorten the start time, and improve the efficiency of the fuel cell stack during operation.

[0041] 2. The cold start auxiliary integrated end plate directly processes the cooling liquid flow field on the cathode and anode end plates, and integrates the temperature sensor and the heater in the end plate, avoiding the use of a preheating plate to achieve high integration.

[0042] 3. The cold start auxiliary integrated end plate increases the sensor device in the end plate structure, and the sensor is located at four positions of the end plate, which can more accurately measure the temperature of the stack.

[0043] 4. The cold start auxiliary integrated end plate adds a heater device in the end plate structure, and the heater is located at the most central position of the end plate, which can most quickly realize the melting of the cooling liquid; the power of the heater is set to W max and W min two gears, according to the temperature of the cooling liquid to select the power, reasonably use the heater, and avoid the overheating of the internal temperature of the stack.

[0044] 5. The cold start auxiliary integrated end plate increases the communication valve at the inlet and outlet of the cooling liquid, so that the cooling liquid forms two circulation modes of internal circulation and external circulation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0045] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the application will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description, taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0046] Figure 1is the anode end plate structure described in the detailed description.

[0047] Figure 2 is the cathode end plate structure described in the detailed description.

[0048] In the figure, 1 is a first coolant heating flow field, 2 is a first sensor, 3 is a first heater, 4 is a communication valve, 6 is a second coolant heating flow field, 7 is a second sensor unit, and 8 is a second heater. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] Various embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described by reference to the drawings are exemplary and are intended to explain the present application, and should not be construed as limiting the present application.

[0050] The cold start auxiliary integrated end plate described in the embodiment includes an anode end plate and a cathode end plate.

[0051] The anode end plate and the cathode end plate are arranged on both sides of the integrated end plate.

[0052] The anode end plate includes a first coolant heating flow field 1, a first sensor unit 2, a first heater 3, a communication valve 4, and a coolant water pump 5.

[0053] The first coolant heating flow field 1 is arranged on the anode end plate in a manner of penetrating the middle and being uniformly distributed around the periphery.

[0054] The first sensor 2 is arranged around the periphery of the anode end plate.

[0055] The first heater 3 is arranged at the central position of the anode end plate.

[0056] The communication valve 4 is arranged at the position of the coolant inlet and outlet of the anode end plate.

[0057] The coolant water pump 5 is arranged between the communication valve 4 and the coolant inlet of the anode end plate.

[0058] The cathode end plate includes a second coolant heating flow field 6, a second sensor unit 7, and a second heater 8.

[0059] The second coolant heating flow field 6 is arranged on the cathode end plate in a manner of penetrating the middle and being uniformly distributed around the periphery.

[0060] The second sensor 7 is arranged around the periphery of the cathode end plate.

[0061] The second heater 8 is arranged at the central position of the cathode end plate.

[0062] In the embodiment, the first sensor 2 and the second sensor 7 are at least four respectively.

[0063] The first sensor 2 and the second sensor 7 are temperature sensors.

[0064] The control method of the cold start auxiliary integrated end plate in the embodiment is realized by the cold start auxiliary integrated end plate in the above method, and includes the following steps.

[0065] In step S1, the first sensor 2 and the second sensor 7 collect the temperatures around the anode end plate and the cathode end plate respectively after ignition and start, and obtain the average temperature signals of the anode end plate and the cathode end plate.

[0066] In step S2, it is judged whether the specified condition is met, if yes, the controller controls the communication valve 4 to be closed, the cooling liquid internal circulation mode is started, and the first heater 3 and the second heater 8 are heated with W max power respectively to assist the cold start of the fuel cell stack, if not, step S3 is executed.

[0067] In step S3, it is judged whether the specified condition is met, if yes, the controller controls the communication valve 4 to be closed, the cooling liquid internal circulation mode is started, and the first heater 3 and the second heater 8 are heated with W min power respectively to assist the cold start of the fuel cell stack, if not, step S4 is executed.

[0068] In step S4, the controller controls the communication valve 4 to be opened, the cooling liquid internal and external circulation mode is started, and the first heater 3 and the second heater 8 are heated with W min power respectively to assist the operation of the fuel cell stack, and when the specified condition is met, the first heater 3 and the second heater 8 are closed.

[0069] In step S5, after the cold start of the fuel cell stack, the controller monitors the temperatures of the middle and both sides of the end plate of the fuel cell stack in real time, if the specified condition is met, the cooling liquid water pump 5 is accelerated to circulate, and after the temperatures of the middle and both sides of the end plate of the fuel cell stack reach balance, the cooling liquid water pump 5 returns to normal speed.

[0070] In the embodiment, the average temperature signals of the anode end plate and the cathode end plate are obtained by respectively calculating the arithmetic mean of the temperatures collected by the first sensor 2 and the second sensor 7.

[0071] In step S2, the specified condition is:

[0072] The average temperature signal of the anode end plate is less than the cooling liquid start internal circulation temperature, and the average temperature signal of the cathode end plate is less than the cooling liquid start internal circulation temperature.

[0073] In the embodiment, in the step S3, the specified condition is:

[0074] The average temperature signal of the anode end plate < the normal temperature starting temperature, or the average temperature signal of the cathode end plate < the normal temperature starting temperature.

[0075] In the embodiment, in the step S4, the specified condition is:

[0076] The temperature difference signal of the anode end plate ≤ the ending temperature difference, and the temperature difference signal of the cathode end plate ≤ the ending temperature difference;

[0077] The temperature difference signal of the anode end plate is the difference between the normal operation temperature of the fuel cell stack and the average temperature signal of the anode end plate;

[0078] The temperature difference signal of the cathode end plate is the difference between the normal operation temperature of the fuel cell stack and the average temperature signal of the cathode end plate.

[0079] In the embodiment, in the step S5, the specified condition is:

[0080] The temperature difference signal inside the anode end plate ≥ the starting temperature difference, and the temperature difference signal inside the cathode end plate ≥ the starting temperature difference;

[0081] The temperature difference signal inside the anode end plate is the difference between the internal temperature of the fuel cell stack and the average temperature signal of the anode end plate;

[0082] The temperature difference signal inside the cathode end plate is the difference between the internal temperature of the fuel cell stack and the average temperature signal of the cathode end plate.

[0083] An automobile according to the embodiment is provided with the integrated end plate according to the above embodiment.

[0084] The embodiment provides an actual implementation of the cold start auxiliary integrated end plate according to the application.

[0085] End plate structure:

[0086] The anode end plate structure is shown in FIG. 1, and the cathode end plate structure is shown in FIG. 2. Figure 1 Figure 2 Compared with the original end plate, the newly designed anode end plate and cathode end plate are both provided with a coolant heating flow field 1, a sensor 2 and a heater 3, and the anode end plate further comprises a communication valve 4 and a coolant water pump 5.

[0087] Coolant heating flow field 1:

[0088] ​The coolant heating flow field 1 adopts a method of being open in the middle and evenly distributed around the perimeter. The coolant heating flow field 1 includes the open area and the flow field. The area S1 of the open area is approximately the same as that of the flow field (S1≈S2), which can achieve rapid and uniform thawing of the coolant.

[0089] Sensor 2:

[0090] Sensor 2 is a temperature sensor, arranged around the end plate, collecting temperature signals at four locations. The temperature signals of the anode end plate are denoted as T. 1.1 T 1.2 T 1.3 and T 1.4 The average temperature signal T of the anode plate average1 =(T 1.1 +T 1.2 +T 1.3 +T 1.4 ) / 4, the cathode end plate temperature signals are denoted as T. 2.1 T 2.2 T 2.3 and T 2.4 The average temperature signal T of the cathode plate average2 =(T 2.1 +T 2.2 +T 2.3 +T 2.4 ) / 4, T stack T represents the internal temperature of the fuel cell stack. internal recycle T is the temperature at which the coolant starts circulating internally. normal The normal operating temperature, T operation The temperature difference signal of the anode end plate represents the normal operating temperature of the fuel cell stack. △ T1 = T operation -T average1 Temperature difference signal of cathode plate △ T2 = T operation -T average2 Temperature difference signal inside the anode plate △ T difference1 =T stack -T average1 Temperature difference signal inside the cathode plate △ T difference2 =T stack -T average2 , △ T end To stop the temperature difference, △ T start To activate the temperature difference.

[0091] Heater 3:

[0092] Heater 3 is positioned in the central through-area of ​​the end plate, enabling rapid and uniform heating. It is divided into W... max With W min Two heating power levels are available, which can be switched according to different power requirements of the controller.

[0093] Connecting valve 4:

[0094] The connecting valve 4 is located at the coolant inlet and outlet of the anode plate. The coolant pump 5 is located between the connecting valve 4 and the coolant inlet. By controlling the opening and closing of the connecting valve 4, the coolant can be controlled to circulate internally (circulate only within the fuel cell stack) or externally (circulate between the fuel cell stack and the coolant storage tank). By controlling the speed of the coolant pump 5, the circulation speed of the coolant can be adjusted.

[0095] This embodiment, based on the control method of the integrated terminal board for cold start assistance described in this invention, provides a practical implementation method:

[0096] After the fuel cell vehicle is ignited and started, sensors collect temperature signals at various points on the endplate of the fuel cell stack and return them to the T sensor. average1 and T average2 Value:

[0097] 1) If T average1 <T internal recycle &&T average2 <T internal recycle Then, the coolant inlet / outlet connecting valve is closed, and the coolant internal circulation mode is started. Simultaneously, the heater operates at W... max Power is used for heating to assist in the cold start of the fuel cell;

[0098] 2) If T average1 <T normal ||T average2 <T normal Then, the coolant inlet / outlet connecting valve is closed, and the coolant internal circulation mode is started. Simultaneously, the heater operates at W... min Power is used for heating to assist in the cold start of the fuel cell;

[0099] 3) If condition 2) is not met (i.e., T) average1 ≥T normal &&T average2 ≥T normal If the coolant inlet / outlet valve is opened, the external circulation mode is activated, and the heater operates at W... min Power-assisted fuel cell stacks can operate at room temperature and rapidly at high power until... △ T1≤ △ T end && △ T2≤ △ Tend , the heater is turned off.

[0100] 4) After the start of the stack, the controller monitors the temperature of the middle and both sides of the end plate in real time, if △ T difference1 ≥ △ T start || △ T difference2 ≥ △ T start , the water pump speed is increased, the water pump is accelerated to circulate, the middle temperature of the stack and the temperature of both sides of the stack are balanced as soon as possible, so as to improve the efficiency of the fuel cell stack, and then the normal speed of the water pump is restored after the temperature of the stack is balanced.

[0101] The above describes in detail the cold start auxiliary integrated end plate, control method and automobile according to the present application. The principles and implementation modes of the present application are described by using specific examples. The above examples are only used to help understand the method and core idea of the present application. Meanwhile, for those skilled in the art, according to the idea of the present application, the specific implementation mode and application range will be changed. In summary, the content of the specification should not be understood as a limitation of the present application.

Claims

1. A control method of a cold start assist integrated end plate, the control method being implemented by the cold start assist integrated end plate, characterized by, The integrated end plate comprises an anode end plate and a cathode end plate; The anode end plate and the cathode end plate are arranged on both sides of the integrated end plate; The anode end plate comprises a first cooling liquid heating flow field (1), a first sensor unit (2), a first heater (3), a communication valve (4) and a cooling liquid water pump (5); The first cooling liquid heating flow field (1) is arranged on the anode end plate in a manner of penetrating through the middle and being uniformly distributed around; The first sensor (2) is arranged around the anode end plate; The first heater (3) is arranged at the middle position of the anode end plate; The communication valve (4) is arranged at the position of the cooling liquid inlet and outlet of the anode end plate; The cooling liquid water pump (5) is arranged between the communication valve (4) and the cooling liquid inlet of the anode end plate; The cathode end plate comprises a second cooling liquid heating flow field (6), a second sensor unit (7) and a second heater (8); The second cooling liquid heating flow field (6) is arranged on the cathode end plate in a manner of penetrating through the middle and being uniformly distributed around; The second sensor (7) is arranged around the cathode end plate; The second heater (8) is arranged at the middle position of the cathode end plate; The method comprises the following steps: In step S1, after ignition starting, the first sensor (2) and the second sensor (7) respectively collect the temperature around the anode end plate and the cathode end plate to obtain the average temperature signals of the anode end plate and the cathode end plate; Step S2, if yes, the controller controls the on-off valve (4) to close, and the coolant internal circulation mode is started, and the first heater (3) and the second heater (8) are respectively controlled to heat the auxiliary fuel cell stack with W max power, if no, step S3 is performed. Step S3, if yes, the controller controls the on-off valve (4) to close, and the coolant internal circulation mode is started, and the first heater (3) and the second heater (8) are respectively controlled to heat the auxiliary fuel cell stack with W min power, if no, step S4 is performed. Step S4, the controller controls the communication valve (4) to open, which starts the coolant internal and external circulation mode, while the first heater (3) and the second heater (8) respectively operate at W min Power to assist the fuel cell stack operation, until the specified conditions are met, the first heater (3) and the second heater (8) are turned off; In step S5, after the cold starting of the fuel cell stack, the controller monitors the temperature of the middle and both sides of the end plate of the fuel cell stack in real time, and if the specified condition is reached, the cooling liquid water pump (5) is accelerated to circulate until the temperature of the middle and both sides of the end plate of the fuel cell stack reaches balance, and then the normal speed of the cooling liquid water pump (5) is restored; In the step S2, the specified condition is: The average temperature signal of the anode end plate < the cooling liquid starting internal circulation temperature, and the average temperature signal of the cathode end plate < the cooling liquid starting internal circulation temperature; In the step S3, the specified condition is: The average temperature signal of the anode end plate < the normal temperature starting temperature, or the average temperature signal of the cathode end plate < the normal temperature starting temperature; In the step S4, the specified condition is: The temperature difference signal of the anode end plate ≤ the termination temperature difference, and the temperature difference signal of the cathode end plate ≤ the termination temperature difference; The temperature difference signal of the anode end plate is the difference between the normal running temperature of the fuel cell stack and the average temperature signal of the anode end plate; The temperature difference signal of the cathode end plate is the difference between the normal running temperature of the fuel cell stack and the average temperature signal of the cathode end plate; In the step S5, the specified condition is: The temperature difference signal inside the anode end plate ≥ the starting temperature difference, and the temperature difference signal inside the cathode end plate ≥ the starting temperature difference; The temperature difference signal inside the anode end plate is the difference between the internal temperature of the fuel cell stack and the average temperature signal of the anode end plate; The temperature difference signal inside the cathode end plate is the difference between the internal temperature of the fuel cell stack and the average temperature signal of the cathode end plate.

2. The control method of a cold start assist integrated end plate according to claim 1, characterized by, The first sensor (2) and the second sensor (7) are at least four respectively; The first sensor (2) and the second sensor (7) are both temperature sensors.

3. The control method of a cold start assist integrated end plate according to claim 1, characterized by, The average temperature signals of the anode end plate and the cathode end plate are obtained by calculating the arithmetic mean of the four surrounding temperatures acquired by the first sensor (2) and the second sensor (7), respectively. The average temperature signals of the anode end plate and the cathode end plate are obtained by calculating the arithmetic mean of the four surrounding temperatures acquired by the first sensor (2) and the second sensor (7), respectively.

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