Hydrogen filling device and hydrogen filling method

Abstract

Provided is a hydrogen filling device and a hydrogen filling method. The hydrogen filling device (10) has an initial pressure acquisition section (32), a history acquisition section (34), a determination section (40), and a filling control section (42), wherein the initial pressure acquisition section acquires an initial pressure (PI) in a hydrogen tank (14); the history acquisition section acquires a filling history (28) of a request vehicle (12); the determination section determines whether the hydrogen tank (14) will overheat by hydrogen filling at a filling speed corresponding to the initial pressure (PI) based on the filling history (28); and the filling control section fills the hydrogen tank (14) with hydrogen at a filling speed slower than the filling speed corresponding to the initial pressure (PI) in the case where it is determined that the hydrogen tank (14) will overheat. Accordingly, the problem of overheat of the same hydrogen tank due to continuous hydrogen filling of the hydrogen tank can be solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hydrogen filling device for filling hydrogen tanks of vehicles and a hydrogen filling method that can be performed by the hydrogen filling device. Background Technology

[0002] A hydrogen filling device is a device used to fill the hydrogen tank of an FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle). The temperature inside the hydrogen tank (tank temperature) is affected by factors such as the heat of compression of the hydrogen being filled, and temporarily rises during the filling process.

[0003] Regarding the tank temperature, a threshold value representing the permissible temperature has been established. When the tank temperature exceeds this threshold, the hydrogen tank becomes overheated. Therefore, it is required that the hydrogen filling device fills the hydrogen tank in a manner that prevents the tank from overheating. In this regard, in the hydrogen filling device disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-2515, the hydrogen pressurization rate (filling speed) is determined based on the residual pressure (initial pressure) of the hydrogen in the tank at the start time of hydrogen filling and the ambient temperature. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Hydrogen filling devices sometimes fill the same hydrogen tank twice (or more) in a short period of time. In this case, the hydrogen tank, which was heated during the first hydrogen filling, is further heated during the second hydrogen filling.

[0005] In the hydrogen filling apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-2515, the filling speed for the second hydrogen filling is determined without taking into account the possibility that the hydrogen tank will be heated during the first hydrogen filling. Therefore, the hydrogen filling apparatus of Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-2515 may cause the hydrogen tank to overheat during the second hydrogen filling.

[0006] Furthermore, the protocol for transmitting tank temperature from the FCV to the hydrogen filling unit is known. Therefore, a method for determining the filling rate based on the tank temperature transmitted by the FCV can also be considered. However, in this method, the hydrogen tank may overheat if the tank temperature transmitted by the FCV is incorrect.

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to solve the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0008] A first aspect of the present invention is a hydrogen filling device that fills a hydrogen tank with hydrogen according to a filling control mapping, wherein the filling control mapping represents a filling rate of hydrogen corresponding to the initial pressure in the hydrogen tank of a requesting vehicle. The device includes an initial pressure acquisition unit, a history acquisition unit, a determination unit, and a filling control unit. The initial pressure acquisition unit acquires the initial pressure in the hydrogen tank; the history acquisition unit acquires the filling history of the requesting vehicle; the determination unit determines, based on the filling history of the requesting vehicle, whether the hydrogen tank will overheat if filled with hydrogen at a filling rate corresponding to the initial pressure in the hydrogen tank; if the determination unit determines that the hydrogen tank will overheat, the filling control unit fills the hydrogen tank with hydrogen at a filling rate slower than the filling rate corresponding to the initial pressure in the hydrogen tank.

[0009] A second aspect of the present invention is a hydrogen filling method, wherein hydrogen is filled into a hydrogen tank according to a filling control mapping, wherein the filling control mapping represents a hydrogen filling rate corresponding to the initial pressure in the hydrogen tank of a requesting vehicle. The method includes an initial pressure acquisition step, a history acquisition step, a determination step, and a filling control step. In the initial pressure acquisition step, the initial pressure in the hydrogen tank is acquired. In the history acquisition step, the filling history of the requesting vehicle is acquired. In the determination step, based on the filling history of the requesting vehicle, it is determined whether the hydrogen tank will overheat if hydrogen is filled at a filling rate corresponding to the initial pressure in the hydrogen tank. If the determination step determines that the hydrogen tank will overheat, in the filling control step, hydrogen is filled into the hydrogen tank at a filling rate slower than the filling rate corresponding to the initial pressure in the hydrogen tank.

[0010] According to the present invention, the problem of overheating of a hydrogen tank caused by continuous hydrogen filling can be solved.

[0011] The above-described objectives, features, and advantages should be readily understood from the following description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of the hydrogen filling device involved in the embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 It is a graph used to illustrate mathematical formula (1).

[0014] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of the hydrogen filling method according to the example implementation.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of the hydrogen filling method involved in Example Variation 1.

[0016] Figure 5This is a schematic structural diagram of the hydrogen filling device involved in Variation Example 2.

[0017] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of the hydrogen filling method involved in Example Variation 2. Detailed Implementation

[0018] [Implementation Method]

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of the hydrogen filling device 10 according to the embodiment.

[0020] exist Figure 1 The diagram not only shows the hydrogen filling device 10, but also the vehicle (request vehicle) 12 that is the object of hydrogen filling. The request vehicle 12 is an FCV. The request vehicle 12 has a hydrogen tank 14.

[0021] The hydrogen filling device 10 is a device for filling hydrogen tank 14 with hydrogen. The hydrogen filling device 10 is installed, for example, in a hydrogen station. In addition, the hydrogen station includes not only the hydrogen filling device 10, but also equipment (accumulator, precooler, etc.) for compressing or precooling the hydrogen before it is filled into the hydrogen tank 14. However, the illustration of this equipment is omitted.

[0022] The hydrogen filling device 10 has a filling nozzle 16 and a control device 18. The hydrogen filling device 10 may also have multiple filling nozzles 16.

[0023] The filling nozzle 16 can be connected to the hydrogen tank 14. The hydrogen filling device 10 fills the hydrogen tank 14 with pre-cooled hydrogen through the filling nozzle 16.

[0024] The control device 18 is an electronic device (computer) that adjusts the hydrogen filling rate. The control device 18 has a storage unit 20 and an arithmetic unit 22.

[0025] The storage unit 20 has one or more memories. The storage unit 20 stores the control program 24 and the filling control map 26.

[0026] Control program 24 is a program for causing the hydrogen filling device 10 to perform the hydrogen filling method according to this embodiment.

[0027] Fill control mapping 26 represents the correspondence between ambient temperature, initial pressure PI in hydrogen tank 14, and hydrogen filling rate. Fill control mapping 26 represents multiple filling rates corresponding to combinations of ambient temperature and initial pressure PI.

[0028] The storage unit 20 also stores the filling history 28. The filling history 28 includes the last end time TE, the last filling speed RRP, and the last end filling pressure PP. The last end time TE represents the end time of the vehicle's last hydrogen filling. The last filling speed RRP represents the filling speed of the vehicle's last hydrogen filling. The last end filling pressure PP represents the filling pressure in the vehicle's hydrogen tank 14 at the end of the last hydrogen filling.

[0029] The storage unit 20 can also store multiple fill histories 28. The multiple fill histories 28 represent information related to different vehicles.

[0030] The arithmetic unit 22 has processing circuitry. This processing circuitry may include, for example, one or more processors. The arithmetic unit 22 includes an ambient temperature acquisition unit 30, an initial pressure acquisition unit 32, a history acquisition unit 34, a vehicle identification unit 36, a period determination unit 38, a judgment unit 40, a fill control unit 42, and a history update unit 44. The ambient temperature acquisition unit 30, initial pressure acquisition unit 32, history acquisition unit 34, vehicle identification unit 36, period determination unit 38, judgment unit 40, fill control unit 42, and history update unit 44 are implemented by the arithmetic unit 22 executing a control program 24.

[0031] The ambient temperature acquisition unit 30 acquires the ambient temperature. The ambient temperature acquisition unit 30 acquires the ambient temperature, for example, through a temperature sensor installed within the hydrogen station. If the time period from the start of heating of the hydrogen tank 14 corresponding to hydrogen filling until its heat is sufficiently dissipated is excluded, the ambient temperature essentially represents the tank temperature.

[0032] The storage unit 20 can also store the ambient temperature obtained by the ambient temperature acquisition unit 30.

[0033] The initial pressure acquisition unit 32 acquires the initial pressure PI within the hydrogen tank 14. The initial pressure PI is detected, for example, by a pressure sensor. This pressure sensor is, for example, installed in the hydrogen filling device 10 (pipeline 16a connected to the filling nozzle 16). The pressure sensor detects the initial pressure PI by detecting the pressure within the pipeline 16a connected to the hydrogen tank 14.

[0034] The storage unit 20 can also store the initial pressure PI obtained by the initial pressure acquisition unit 32.

[0035] The history acquisition unit 34 acquires the filling history 28 by referring to the storage unit 20. The history acquisition unit 34 acquires the filling history 28 related to the vehicle (last vehicle) that was last filled with hydrogen by the hydrogen filling device 10.

[0036] The vehicle identification unit 36 ​​determines whether the vehicle in question and the requesting vehicle 12 are the same vehicle based on the difference between the last completed filling pressure PP and the initial pressure PI. Here, the vehicle identification unit 36 ​​refers to the filling history 28 obtained by the history acquisition unit 34 as needed.

[0037] If the difference between the last completed filling pressure PP and the initial pressure PI is not significant (PP≈PI), it is highly likely that the previous vehicle and the requesting vehicle 12 are the same vehicle. Therefore, if the difference between the last completed filling pressure PP and the initial pressure PI is within a specified range, the vehicle identification unit 36 ​​determines that the previous vehicle and the requesting vehicle 12 are the same vehicle. On the other hand, if the difference between the last completed filling pressure PP and the initial pressure PI is not within the specified range, the vehicle identification unit 36 ​​determines that the previous vehicle and the requesting vehicle 12 are different vehicles.

[0038] The period determination unit 38 determines the length of the specified period TL. In cases where it is determined that the previous vehicle and the requesting vehicle 12 are the same vehicle, the period determination unit 38 of this embodiment determines the length of the specified period TL. The specified period TL is the period required for sufficient heat dissipation from the hydrogen tank 14, which was heated during the previous hydrogen filling. The period determination unit 38 calculates the specified period TL that satisfies mathematical formula (1) (refer to mathematical formula 1).

[0039] TL≥(RRA-RRP)(PF-PI) / RRA·RRP…(1)

[0040] The values ​​represented by each character in mathematical formula (1) are as follows. TL is the specified period. PF is the maximum filling pressure. The maximum filling pressure PF represents the filling pressure of hydrogen that can be filled into hydrogen tank 14. Furthermore, the method for detecting the maximum filling pressure PF is known in the art. RRP is the last filling speed. The period determination unit 38 obtains the last filling speed RRP based on the filling history 28 of the last vehicle (=request vehicle 12). PI is the initial pressure in hydrogen tank 14. RRA is the filling speed (first filling speed) corresponding to the initial pressure PI. The period determination unit 38 obtains the first filling speed RRA based on the filling control mapping 26, the ambient temperature, and the initial pressure PI.

[0041] Figure 2 It is a graph used to illustrate mathematical formula (1).

[0042] Figure 2 The graph has a vertical axis representing the residual pressure (P) of hydrogen in hydrogen tank 14 and a horizontal axis (time axis) representing the passage of time (T). Figure 2 TS indicates the start time of the requested hydrogen filling. Figure 2 The value of 0 indicates the initial pressure of the hydrogen tank 14 during the last hydrogen filling. However, the initial pressure of the last hydrogen filling is not limited to 0.

[0043] Figure 2 The graph illustrates the specified period TL that satisfies mathematical formula (1). That is, during Figure 2 In this case, a specified period TL satisfying mathematical formula (1) is allowed between the last end time TE and the start time TS. In this case, the average filling rate between the last end time TE and the requested end time of this hydrogen filling (the expected end time) is below the last filling rate RRP. Furthermore, the requested end time of this hydrogen filling is the time when the residual pressure in the hydrogen tank 14 reaches the maximum filling pressure PF.

[0044] The storage unit 20 may also store the specified period TL calculated by the period determination unit 38.

[0045] The determination unit 40 determines, based on the filling history 28, whether filling hydrogen into the hydrogen tank 14 at the first filling rate RRA will cause the hydrogen tank 14 to overheat.

[0046] More specifically, the determination unit 40 compares whether the time difference TD between the last end time TE and the time when the hydrogen tank 14 was requested to be filled with hydrogen (the current time) reaches the specified period TL (TD≧TL).

[0047] When the time difference TD reaches the specified period TL, the hydrogen tank 14 dissipates heat to a degree that it will not overheat even when filled with hydrogen at the first filling rate RRA. Accordingly, when a request is made to fill the hydrogen tank 14 with hydrogen after the specified period TL has elapsed since the last end time TE, the determination unit 40 determines that the hydrogen tank 14 will not overheat even when filled with hydrogen at the first filling rate RRA.

[0048] If the time difference TD has not reached the specified period TL, the hydrogen tank 14 is in a state where the heat applied during the previous hydrogen filling has not been fully released. When hydrogen is filled into the hydrogen tank 14 in this state at the first filling rate RRA corresponding to the ambient temperature and initial pressure PI, the hydrogen tank 14 is likely to overheat. Therefore, when a request is made to fill the hydrogen tank 14 before the specified period TL has elapsed from the last end time TE, the determination unit 40 determines that the hydrogen tank 14 will overheat when filled with hydrogen at the first filling rate RRA.

[0049] If the determination unit 40 determines that the hydrogen tank 14 will not overheat even if it is filled with hydrogen at the first filling speed RRA, the filling control unit 42 fills the hydrogen tank 14 with hydrogen at the first filling speed RRA. Additionally, if the requesting vehicle 12 is identified as not being the same vehicle as the previous vehicle, the filling control unit 42 also fills the hydrogen tank 14 with hydrogen at the first filling speed RRA.

[0050] On the other hand, if the determination unit 40 determines that the hydrogen tank 14 will overheat when filled with hydrogen at the first filling speed RRA, the filling control unit 42 fills the hydrogen tank 14 with hydrogen at the second filling speed RRB. Here, the second filling speed RRB is a filling speed that is slower than the first filling speed RRA corresponding to the obtained ambient temperature and initial pressure PI (RRB < RRA).

[0051] The second fill speed RRB is predetermined based on the first fill speed RRA. For example, from the multiple fill speeds contained in the fill control map 26, the fill speed that is a predetermined amount slower than the first fill speed RRA is determined as the second fill speed RRB.

[0052] The slower the filling speed, the less likely the tank temperature will rise during the hydrogen filling process. Therefore, the hydrogen filling device 10 fills hydrogen at a second filling speed RRB when the hydrogen tank 14 may overheat when filling at the first filling speed RRA, thereby preventing the hydrogen tank 14 from overheating.

[0053] In addition, the hydrogen filling device 10 reduces power consumption by filling hydrogen at the second filling rate RRB compared to the case where hydrogen is filled at the first filling rate RRA.

[0054] Furthermore, as described above, the tank temperature is less likely to rise when hydrogen is filled at the second filling rate RRB. Therefore, there is room to increase the pre-cooling temperature of the hydrogen. That is, the hydrogen filling device 10 can reduce the power consumption of the pre-cooler.

[0055] The history update unit 44 updates the filling history 28 of the requesting vehicle 12 based on the hydrogen filling performed by the filling control unit 42.

[0056] The hydrogen filling device 10 is described above.

[0057] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of the hydrogen filling method according to the example implementation.

[0058] The hydrogen filling device 10 is capable of performing Figure 3 Hydrogen filling method. Figure 3 The hydrogen filling method includes an ambient temperature acquisition step S1, an initial pressure acquisition step S2, a history acquisition step S3, a vehicle identification step S4, a period determination step S5, a judgment step S6, a filling control step S7, and a history update step S8. Furthermore, the order of the ambient temperature acquisition step S1, the initial pressure acquisition step S2, and the history acquisition step S3 is arbitrary.

[0059] In the ambient temperature acquisition step S1, the ambient temperature acquisition unit 30 acquires the ambient temperature.

[0060] In the initial pressure acquisition step S2, the initial pressure acquisition unit 32 acquires the initial pressure PI inside the hydrogen tank 14.

[0061] In the history acquisition step S3, the history acquisition unit 34 acquires the previous vehicle's filling history 28.

[0062] In vehicle identification step S4, vehicle identification unit 36 ​​determines whether the previous vehicle and the requested vehicle 12 are the same vehicle. If the previous vehicle and the requested vehicle 12 are the same vehicle, hydrogen filling device 10 sequentially executes period determination step S5 and determination step S6. If the previous vehicle and the requested vehicle 12 are different vehicles, hydrogen filling device 10 executes first filling control step S71 (described later).

[0063] In the period determination step S5, the period determination unit 38 determines the length of the specified period TL. The period determination unit 38 determines the length of the specified period TL according to the mathematical formula (1).

[0064] In determination step S6, the determination unit 40 determines whether hydrogen filling at the first filling speed RRA will cause the hydrogen tank 14 to overheat. The determination unit 40 determines whether hydrogen filling at the first filling speed RRA will cause the hydrogen tank 14 to overheat based on the filling history 28 of the requesting vehicle 12 and the specified period TL. Furthermore, if the previous vehicle is different from the requesting vehicle 12, the determination unit 40 determines, regardless of the specified period TL, that hydrogen filling at the first filling speed RRA will not cause the hydrogen tank 14 to overheat.

[0065] In the filling control step S7, the filling control unit 42 controls the hydrogen filling device 10 to fill the hydrogen tank 14 with hydrogen. The filling control step S7 includes a first filling control step S71 and a second filling control step S72.

[0066] If the determination step S6 determines that the hydrogen tank 14 will not overheat, or if the previous vehicle and the requesting vehicle 12 are different vehicles, the hydrogen filling device 10 executes the first filling control step S71. In the first filling control step S71, the hydrogen filling device 10 fills the hydrogen tank 14 with hydrogen according to the first filling speed RRA.

[0067] If the determination step S6 determines that the hydrogen tank 14 will overheat, the hydrogen filling device 10 executes the second filling control step S72. In the second filling control step S72, the hydrogen filling device 10 fills the hydrogen tank 14 with hydrogen according to the second filling rate RRB. Accordingly, even if the hydrogen tank 14 is continuously filled with hydrogen, it will not overheat.

[0068] In the history update step S8, the history update unit 44 updates the filling history 28 of the requesting vehicle 12.

[0069] The hydrogen filling method is described above.

[0070] [Variation Example]

[0071] Hereinafter, variations of the above embodiments will be described. However, descriptions that are repetitive with those of the above embodiments will be omitted as much as possible in the following description. Unless otherwise specified, the reference numerals for the constituent elements already described in the above embodiments will continue to be used from the above embodiments.

[0072] (Variation Example 1)

[0073] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of the hydrogen filling method involved in Example Variation 1.

[0074] The hydrogen filling device 10 can also perform this function. Figure 4 The hydrogen filling method. In this case, the hydrogen filling device 10 determines step S5 during the execution period after the history acquisition step S3. Furthermore, in this modified example, the description of the ambient temperature acquisition steps S1 to the history acquisition steps S3 is omitted.

[0075] In the period determination step S5, the period determination unit 38 determines the length of the specified period TL based on the filling history 28 related to the previous vehicle and the mathematical formula (1).

[0076] The hydrogen filling device 10 performs the determination step S6 after determining step S5 (see reference). Figure 4 Here, if the time difference TD reaches the predetermined period TL, the hydrogen filling device 10 executes the first filling control step S71. If the time difference TD does not reach the predetermined period TL, the hydrogen filling device 10 executes the vehicle identification step S4.

[0077] In the vehicle identification step S4, the hydrogen filling device 10 determines whether the requesting vehicle 12 is the same vehicle as the previous vehicle. If the requesting vehicle 12 is different from the previous vehicle, the hydrogen filling device 10 executes the first filling control step S71. Conversely, if the requesting vehicle 12 is the same vehicle as the previous vehicle, the hydrogen filling device 10 executes the second filling control step S72. Therefore, similar to the embodiment, the hydrogen filling device 10 prevents the hydrogen tank 14 from overheating.

[0078] (Variation Example 2)

[0079] Figure 5 This is a schematic structural diagram of the hydrogen filling device 101 involved in Modified Example 2.

[0080] The hydrogen filling device 101 has an identification information acquisition unit 46. The identification information acquisition unit 46 is implemented, for example, by executing a control program 24 by a calculation unit 22.

[0081] The identification information acquisition unit 46 acquires identification information, for example, by communicating with the requesting vehicle 12. The identification information may be, for example, a vehicle registration number. However, the identification information is not limited to the vehicle registration number, as long as the requesting vehicle 12 can be distinguished from other vehicles.

[0082] The identification information acquisition unit 46 can also acquire identification information by analyzing the image information 48 captured of the requesting vehicle 12. For example, the identification information acquisition unit 46 can also identify the vehicle registration number displayed on the license plate of the requesting vehicle 12 by analyzing the image information 48. The image information 48 is acquired, for example, by the camera 50 installed at the hydrogen station.

[0083] The history acquisition unit 34 refers to the storage unit 20 based on the identification information of the requesting vehicle 12. Accordingly, the history acquisition unit 34 acquires the filling history 28 of the requesting vehicle 12.

[0084] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of the hydrogen filling method involved in Example Variation 2.

[0085] The hydrogen filling device 101 is capable of performing, for example, the operation of Figure 6 Hydrogen filling method. Figure 6 The hydrogen filling method includes an ambient temperature acquisition step S1, an initial pressure acquisition step S2, an identification information acquisition step S9, a history acquisition step S3, a period determination step S5, a judgment step S6, a filling control step S7, and a history update step S8. Furthermore, the order of the ambient temperature acquisition step S1, the initial pressure acquisition step S2, and the identification information acquisition step S9 is arbitrary.

[0086] The hydrogen filling device 101 performs the identification information acquisition step S9 before the history acquisition step S3. In the identification information acquisition step S9, the identification information acquisition unit 46 acquires the identification information of the requesting vehicle 12. Accordingly, the history acquisition unit 34 is able to acquire the filling history 28 of the requesting vehicle 12 based on the identification information in the history acquisition step S3.

[0087] Following the history acquisition step S3, the hydrogen filling device 101 sequentially executes the period determination step S5, the determination step S6, the filling control step S7, and the history update step S8. In the period determination step S5, the period determination unit 38 determines the length of a predetermined period TL based on the filling history 28 obtained based on the identification information. The descriptions of the determination step S6, the filling control step S7, and the history update step S8 are omitted (see embodiment).

[0088] According to this variation, the hydrogen filling device 101 may also be without the vehicle identification unit 36 ​​(see reference). Figure 1Alternatively, the hydrogen filling method may also exclude the vehicle identification step S4 (see [reference]). Figure 3 ).

[0089] (Variation Example 3)

[0090] The specified period TL can also be a predetermined period. In this case, the storage unit 20 can also store the predetermined specified period TL. The specified period TL can also be predetermined, for example, based on the vehicle model, the type of hydrogen tank 14, or the capacity of the hydrogen tank 14.

[0091] The storage unit 20 may also store multiple predetermined periods TL. In this case, the multiple predetermined periods TL can be tabulated. For example, multiple predetermined periods TL corresponding to the maximum filling pressure PF, the last filling speed RRP, the initial pressure PI, and the first filling speed RRA may be tabulated. In this case, the determination unit 40 can obtain the predetermined periods TL corresponding to the maximum filling pressure PF, the last filling speed RRP, the initial pressure PI, and the first filling speed RRA by referring to the table.

[0092] According to this modified example, the hydrogen filling device 10 may also not have a period determination section 38.

[0093] (Variation Example 4)

[0094] An external storage device (external storage unit) may also be provided at a location away from the hydrogen filling device 10. This external storage device may be, for example, a server device. Alternatively, this external storage device may be, for example, the storage unit (20) of a hydrogen filling device (10) that is different from the hydrogen filling device 10.

[0095] An external storage device can also store the filling history 28 of multiple vehicles, for example. The history acquisition unit 34 can also acquire the filling history 28 by accessing the external storage device.

[0096] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and variations described above, and various structures can be adopted without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0097] [Inventions obtainable according to the embodiments]

[0098] The invention described below is based on the above-described embodiments and variations.

[0099] <First Invention>

[0100] The first invention is a hydrogen filling device (10, 101) that fills a hydrogen tank with hydrogen according to a filling control map (26), wherein the filling control map represents the filling rate of hydrogen corresponding to the initial pressure (PI) in the hydrogen tank (14) of a requesting vehicle (12). The hydrogen filling device has an initial pressure acquisition unit (32), a history acquisition unit (34), a determination unit (40), and a filling control unit (42). The initial pressure acquisition unit (32) acquires the initial pressure in the hydrogen tank; the history acquisition unit (34) acquires the filling history (28) of the requesting vehicle; the determination unit (40) determines whether the hydrogen tank will overheat if hydrogen is filled at a filling rate (RRA) corresponding to the initial pressure in the hydrogen tank based on the filling history of the requesting vehicle; if the determination unit determines that the hydrogen tank will overheat, the filling control unit (42) fills the hydrogen tank with hydrogen at a filling rate (RRB) slower than the filling rate corresponding to the initial pressure in the hydrogen tank.

[0101] Therefore, the problem of overheating of the hydrogen tank caused by continuous hydrogen filling can be solved.

[0102] The filling history can include the end time (TE) of the last hydrogen filling of the requesting vehicle. If a hydrogen filling request is made before a predetermined period (TL) has elapsed since the end time, the determination unit determines that the hydrogen tank is overheated. Accordingly, the hydrogen filling device can avoid filling the hydrogen tank at a filling rate corresponding to the initial pressure inside the tank when the tank has not been sufficiently cooled.

[0103] The filling history can include the filling rate (RRP) of the last hydrogen filling of the requesting vehicle. The hydrogen filling device also has a period determination unit (38) that determines the length of the specified period based on the filling rate of the last hydrogen filling of the requesting vehicle, the filling rate corresponding to the initial pressure in the hydrogen tank, and the maximum filling pressure (PF) that the hydrogen tank can be filled with. Accordingly, the hydrogen filling device can derive the specified period required for sufficient heat dissipation from the hydrogen tank.

[0104] This can be achieved by: the filling history including the previous ending filling pressure (PP) in the hydrogen tank at the end of the last hydrogen filling; and the filling control unit, if the difference between the previous ending filling pressure and the initial pressure in the hydrogen tank is not within a specified range, filling the hydrogen tank with hydrogen at a filling rate corresponding to the initial pressure in the hydrogen tank in a manner independent of the determination result of the determination unit. Accordingly, the hydrogen filling device can fill hydrogen for requesting vehicles different from the previous vehicle at a filling rate corresponding to the initial pressure in the hydrogen tank.

[0105] The hydrogen filling device (101) may further include an identification information acquisition unit (46) that acquires the identification information of the requesting vehicle. The history acquisition unit, based on the identification information, refers to a storage unit (20) storing the filling history of multiple vehicles, thereby acquiring the filling history of the requesting vehicle. Accordingly, the hydrogen filling device can identify the requesting vehicle and other vehicles.

[0106] The identification information acquisition unit can acquire the identification information by analyzing the image information (48) of the requested vehicle. Accordingly, the hydrogen filling device can identify the requested vehicle and other vehicles.

[0107] <Second Invention>

[0108] The second invention is a hydrogen filling method, which fills a hydrogen tank with hydrogen according to a filling control map (26), wherein the filling control map represents the filling rate of hydrogen corresponding to the initial pressure (PI) in the hydrogen tank (14) of the requesting vehicle (12). The hydrogen filling method includes an initial pressure acquisition step (S2), a history acquisition step (S3), a determination step (S6), and a filling control step (S7). In the initial pressure acquisition step (S2), the initial pressure in the hydrogen tank is acquired. In the history acquisition step (S3), the filling history (28) of the requesting vehicle is acquired. In the determination step (S6), based on the filling history of the requesting vehicle, it is determined whether the hydrogen tank will overheat if hydrogen is filled at a filling rate (RRA) corresponding to the initial pressure in the hydrogen tank. If the determination step determines that the hydrogen tank will overheat, in the filling control step (S7), hydrogen is filled into the hydrogen tank at a filling rate (RRB) that is slower than the filling rate corresponding to the initial pressure in the hydrogen tank.

[0109] Therefore, the problem of overheating of the hydrogen tank caused by continuous hydrogen filling can be solved.

Claims

1. A hydrogen filling device (10, 101) that fills a hydrogen tank (14) with hydrogen according to a filling control mapping (26), wherein, The filling control mapping represents the hydrogen filling rate corresponding to the initial pressure (PI) in the hydrogen tank of the requesting vehicle (12), characterized in that, It has an initial pressure acquisition unit (32), a history acquisition unit (34), a determination unit (40), and a filling control unit (42), wherein, The initial pressure acquisition unit (32) acquires the initial pressure inside the hydrogen tank; The history acquisition unit (34) acquires the filling history (28) of the requesting vehicle. The determination unit (40) determines whether the hydrogen tank will overheat when hydrogen is filled at a first filling speed (RRA) corresponding to the initial pressure in the hydrogen tank, based on the filling history of the requesting vehicle. If the determination unit determines that the hydrogen tank will overheat, the filling control unit (42) will not start filling the hydrogen at the first filling speed, but will start filling the hydrogen tank at a second filling speed (RRB), which is slower than the first filling speed. The filling history includes the end time (TE) of the last hydrogen filling of the requesting vehicle and the filling rate (RRP) of the last hydrogen filling of the requesting vehicle. The hydrogen filling device further includes a period determination unit (38) that determines the length of a predetermined period (TL) based on the filling speed of the previous hydrogen filling of the requesting vehicle, the first filling speed, and the maximum filling pressure (PF) that the hydrogen tank can be filled with. The predetermined period is the estimated heat dissipation period of the hydrogen tank that was heated during the previous hydrogen filling of the requesting vehicle. If a request to fill the hydrogen tank is made before the specified period has elapsed from the end time, the determination unit determines that the hydrogen tank will overheat.

2. The hydrogen filling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The filling history includes the last end filling pressure (PP) in the hydrogen tank at the end of the last hydrogen filling. If the difference between the last filling pressure and the initial pressure in the hydrogen tank is not within a specified range, the filling control unit fills the hydrogen tank with hydrogen at the first filling rate in a manner unrelated to the determination result of the determination unit.

3. The hydrogen filling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an identification information acquisition unit (46), which acquires the identification information of the requesting vehicle. The history acquisition unit refers to the storage unit (20) that stores the filling history of multiple vehicles based on the identification information, thereby acquiring the filling history of the requested vehicle.

4. The hydrogen filling device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The identification information acquisition unit acquires the identification information by parsing the image information (48) of the requested vehicle.

5. A hydrogen filling method, wherein hydrogen is filled into a hydrogen tank (14) according to a filling control mapping (26), wherein, The filling control mapping represents the hydrogen filling rate corresponding to the initial pressure (PI) in the hydrogen tank of the requesting vehicle (12), characterized in that, It includes an initial pressure acquisition step (S2), a history acquisition step (S3), a judgment step (S6), and a filling control step (S7), among which, In the initial pressure acquisition step (S2), the initial pressure inside the hydrogen tank is acquired; In the history acquisition step (S3), the filling history (28) of the requesting vehicle is acquired. In the determination step (S6), based on the filling history of the requesting vehicle, it is determined whether the hydrogen tank will overheat when hydrogen is filled at a first filling speed (RRA) corresponding to the initial pressure in the hydrogen tank. If the determination step indicates that the hydrogen tank will overheat, in the filling control step (S7), hydrogen is not started at the first filling speed, but at a second filling speed (RRB), which is slower than the first filling speed. The filling history includes the end time (TE) of the last hydrogen filling of the requesting vehicle and the filling rate (RRP) of the last hydrogen filling of the requesting vehicle. The hydrogen filling method further includes a period determination step (S5), in which the length of a predetermined period (TL) is determined based on the filling speed of the previous hydrogen filling of the requesting vehicle, the first filling speed, and the maximum filling pressure (PF) that the hydrogen tank can hold. The predetermined period is the estimated heat dissipation period of the hydrogen tank that was heated during the previous hydrogen filling of the requesting vehicle. If a request to fill the hydrogen tank is made before the specified period has elapsed from the end time, the determination step determines that the hydrogen tank will overheat.

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