Method for monitoring components of vehicle, in particular commercial vehicle, computer program and / or computer-readable medium, controller, and vehicle, in particular commercial vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (100) for monitoring components of a vehicle (200a), in particular a commercial vehicle (200b), having a fuel cell system (210) with a turbomachine (215) equipped with a component (217), and a control unit (250) for controlling the turbomachine (215), the method (100) comprising: detecting (110) sensor data (220) relating to the component (217) by means of a sensor device (216); ascertaining (120) a comparison variable (221) by means of the controller (250) taking into account the sensor data (220); comparing (130) the sensor data (220) with the comparison variable (221) and ascertaining (130 '), on the basis of the comparison (130), an event variable (222) which can be characterized by the sensor data (220) and which is related to the component (217); and outputting (140) the event variable (222) as a function of the event variable (222).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for monitoring a component of a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, the vehicle having a fuel cell system and a controller, the fuel cell system having a fluid machine equipped with the component, the controller being used to control the fluid machine. The invention also relates to a computer program and / or a computer-readable medium, a controller of a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, for controlling the fluid machine of the fuel cell system, and a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, having a fuel cell system equipped with the fluid machine, a sensor device and a controller. Background Art

[0002] The monitoring of components of vehicles, in particular commercial vehicles, is known from the prior art. For example, the monitoring includes causing the detection, recording, processing, evaluation and / or output of data by means of sensors. The monitoring can be performed by a control unit of the vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle.

[0003] Furthermore, so-called fleet management systems (FMS) are known from the prior art. In this case, data for monitoring components are forwarded to an off-board server, evaluated, and optionally forwarded from the server to the vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle. Based on these data, the state of the vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, can be monitored and / or the operation of the vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, can be regulated and / or improved.

[0004] What can be achieved with a fleet management system is that route planning will rely on wear and tear estimates, maintenance and / or repairs of vehicles, in particular commercial vehicles.

[0005] US 9,056,556 B1 discloses a system and method for managing an energy storage system for a vehicle. The energy storage system may include a battery system for a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid electric vehicle. The vehicles may be in groups or fleets. The management system may be configured to use data and information that can be provided from a data source via a network or by instruments / sensors for the vehicle system. These data and information may be used in the system to manage the configuration and operation of the energy storage system and components, manage / control the inventory and use / life cycle of components, and / or be summarized / analyzed in analytical functions for the system and components. Predictive control of the battery system can be achieved by the management system using a data source external to the vehicle.

[0006] However, components of vehicles, in particular commercial vehicles, may have different life cycles and / or maintenance intervals and may react differently to influences measurable by sensors, which may influence the performance and / or wear of the components.

[0007] In vehicles, in particular commercial vehicles, having a fuel cell system, monitoring cost-intensive components in the fuel cell system can be very important for vehicle operators and / or fleet operators for reliable and economical operation of the vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle.

[0008] Such fuel cell systems are known from the prior art. In these fuel cell systems, a compressor is used to draw in air, compress the air, and deliver it to the fuel cell input on the cathode side of the fuel cell for carrying out the fuel cell reaction. The compressed substance mixture passes through one or more stacks of the fuel cell system. The substance mixture remaining after the reaction flows out of the fuel cell output of the fuel cell assembly as a gaseous fluid flow on the cathode side.

[0009] Such fluid flows usually still have an overpressure compared to the surroundings and are therefore used in most fuel cell systems as a dynamic pressure head to influence the reactant balance in the fuel cell assembly and / or for driving the expander shaft of the expander. In the expander, the substance mixture flowing out from the output side can be decompressed to the surrounding pressure and the energy discharged to the expander shaft is usually converted into electrical energy when the expander is connected to a generator. Summary of the invention

[0010] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to enrich the prior art and to provide an improved method for component monitoring. In particular, the object that the present invention can achieve is to monitor components of a fuel cell system reliably, specifically and effectively.

[0011] This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1 and by the subject matter of the further independent claims. The dependent claims describe preferred developments of the invention.

[0012] According to the present invention, a method for monitoring a component of a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, is provided. The vehicle has a fuel cell system and a controller. The fuel cell system has a fluid machine equipped with a component, and the controller is used to control the fluid machine. The method includes: detecting sensor data related to the component by a sensor device; obtaining a comparison variable by the controller under consideration of the sensor data; comparing the sensor data with the comparison variable, and obtaining an event variable related to the component that can be characterized by the sensor data based on the comparison; and outputting the event variable dependent on the event variable.

[0013] Vehicles, in particular commercial vehicles, are referred to below as vehicles. It has been recognized that fluid machines (ie compressors and / or expansion machines) are expensive components of fuel cell systems and thus vehicles. Therefore, the method proposes targeted monitoring of fluid machines or parts of fluid machines.

[0014] The sensor device may include sensors of the fluid machinery and / or sensors of the vehicle. Therefore, sensor data such as the current of the power electronics, the voltage of the power electronics, the air humidity and / or water content in a certain stage of the fluid machinery, the rotational speed of the rotor, the coolant temperature, the pressure and / or force acting on the bearing can be detected. The sensor data here represents the actual state of the fluid machinery or the parts of the fluid machinery measured by the sensor device, and / or represents the parameters related to the operation of the fluid machinery. The actual state of the fluid machinery can be characterized, for example, by the rotational speed of the rotor of the fluid machinery. The parameters related to the operation of the fluid machinery can be, for example, the ambient temperature and / or the acceleration acting on the fluid machinery and / or the pressure acting on the bearings of the fluid machinery. Based on the sensor data, the influence on the operation and / or wear of the fluid machinery can be inferred.

[0015] For this purpose, the controller acquires a comparison parameter for comparing the comparison parameter with the sensor parameter. The comparison parameter is a parameter that characterizes the operation of the fluid machine and / or the fluid machine under predetermined conditions. The comparison parameter is, for example, equivalent to the sensor data detected under normal conditions. Therefore, the comparison parameter and the sensor data are comparable. For example, the comparison parameter and the sensor data each include a temperature that can be compared with each other. The comparison parameter is acquired by the controller. For this purpose, the comparison parameter is, for example, stored in the controller.

[0016] The event variable is determined by comparing the sensor data with the comparison variable. The event variable characterizes the result of the comparison between the actual state of the component and the comparison variable (i.e., for example, the normal condition). Thus, the event variable provides information about an event that affects the component and / or affects the operation of the component, which event leads to a deviation between the actual state according to the sensor data and the comparison variable according to a predetermined condition (e.g., normal operation). The event variable may include and / or be related to the difference between the comparison variable and the sensor data.

[0017] The event variable is outputted depending on the event variable. It has been recognized that not every possible event variable indicates a negative impact on the component. Therefore, not every possible event variable needs to be outputted.

[0018] The event parameters can be used to optimize the operating strategy and / or for the maintenance of the fluid machine. At the same time, a solution for efficiently outputting event parameters is described by the targeted output of predetermined event parameters, for example, so that the predetermined or desired event parameters can be forwarded with limited storage space and / or at a low data rate.

[0019] Preferably, the method comprises storing the event parameters in dependence on the event parameters. Thus, the event parameters can be stored before output, so that, for example, a plurality of event parameters can be output simultaneously when necessary and / or triggered by a request. The storage also enables processing of the event parameters, for example, enables accumulation of the event parameters, so that the sum of the event parameters can be output. Thus, for example, a value can be accumulated that enables an estimation of the susceptible maintenance.

[0020] Preferably, the storage is performed in dependence on a predetermined first threshold condition related to the event parameter. It can thus be achieved that the event parameter is output only when the event parameter carries relevant information. For example, the event parameter can be compared with a threshold value defining the first threshold condition. If the event parameter is greater than the threshold value, the first threshold condition is met and the event parameter is stored. Otherwise, if the event parameter is less than the threshold value, the first threshold condition is not met and the event parameter is not stored and, for example, discarded. The threshold condition can be predetermined by the manufacturer of the fluid machinery in order to characterize the normal operation of the fluid machinery.

[0021] Preferably, the predetermined first threshold condition includes a first threshold, wherein the first threshold can be selected by the user. It is thus possible that the user of the fluid machine can selectively set the first threshold within a predetermined interval. As a result, the fluid machine can also be coordinated with the fuel cell system in a targeted manner. Due to the limitation by the interval, excessive wear and / or damage to the fluid machine is avoided.

[0022] Preferably, the event parameter is discarded depending on a predetermined second threshold condition related to the event parameter. It can thus be achieved that the event parameter is output only when the event parameter carries relevant information. For example, the event parameter can be compared with a second threshold value defining the second threshold condition. If the event parameter is less than the second threshold value, the second threshold condition is met and the event parameter is discarded. Otherwise, if the event parameter is greater than the second threshold value, the first threshold condition is not met and the event parameter is not discarded, so that it is, for example, stored and / or further processed. The second threshold condition can be predetermined by the manufacturer of the fluid machinery in order to characterize the normal operation of the fluid machinery. The second threshold value can be the same as the first threshold value.

[0023] Preferably, the output is performed when a predetermined number of event parameters has been stored. Thus, for example, an output can be performed when a relevant number of event parameters with relevant events are known. Here, the number of event parameters can be output together and / or optionally processed. For example, the number can be predetermined by the storage capacity of the controller. Thus, a ring memory set up for storing a number of events can be used. When the number is reached, the output is performed. After the output, the ring memory can be deleted.

[0024] Preferably, the method comprises: outputting a deletion signal for deleting the stored event parameters. The stored event parameters can thus be deleted after output in order to free up the memory of the controller. For example, a ring memory can thus be realized.

[0025] Preferably, the output is carried out inside the vehicle. In other words, the output is carried out to the components on the vehicle side. Therefore, the adjustment of the fluid machinery, the fuel cell system and / or the vehicle can be realized in order to reduce other events that have a negative impact on the fluid machinery. In other words, it is possible to adjust the operating strategy of the entire system including the fluid machinery. For example, a transportation company uses a plurality of commercial vehicles with different fuel cell systems. In addition, the electrical energy storage devices of these commercial vehicles have different capacities, which greatly affects the dynamics of the "commercial vehicle" system. By using the output of the controller, the fuel cell system can make the following contribution, that is, the system dynamics are evaluated as being dangerous or non-dangerous for the components of the fluid machinery. Therefore, the fuel cell system can be adjusted so as to reduce the occurrence of dangerous system dynamics. Optionally, the output is carried out to the driver and / or user of the vehicle by the controller on the vehicle side. In addition or alternatively, the output is carried out to a server outside the vehicle. Therefore, the output can be carried out to a fleet management system.

[0026] Preferably, the event parameter has component information for identifying the component and / or adjustment information for adjusting the component. The event parameter may include a plurality of information. The event parameter may include information related to the event or the comparison. If a plurality of components are monitored by the controller, the event parameter advantageously includes the component information. Additionally or alternatively, the event parameter includes adjustment information in order to cause adjustment of the fluid machine, the fuel cell system and / or the vehicle.

[0027] According to another aspect of the present invention, a computer program and / or computer readable medium is provided. The computer program and / or computer readable medium includes instructions, which, when the program or instructions are implemented by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method described herein and / or the steps of the method described herein. The computer program and / or computer readable medium may include instructions for performing the steps described as optional and / or advantageously of the method, so as to achieve a comparable technical effect.

[0028] According to another aspect of the present invention, a controller for a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, is provided, which is used to control a fluid machine having a component of a fuel cell system. The controller is set up to perform the method described herein. The controller can be set up to perform the steps of the method described as optional and / or advantageous in order to achieve a comparable technical effect. The controller can be a controller of a fluid machine. Therefore, the controller can be advantageously designed in terms of fluid machinery. The controller can be a controller of a fuel cell system having a fluid machine, so as to detect comprehensive information for operating the fuel cell system, and can advantageously adjust the fuel cell system. The controller can be a controller of a vehicle, so as to detect comprehensive information for operating the vehicle, and can advantageously adjust the vehicle.

[0029] According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, is provided. The vehicle has a fuel cell system equipped with a fluid machine, a sensor device and a controller as described herein. The vehicle and / or the controller can be set up to perform the steps of the method described as optional and / or advantageous in order to achieve a comparable technical effect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Further advantages and features of the present invention and their technical effects are derived from the accompanying drawings and the description of the preferred embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0031] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention; and

[0032] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the flow of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a vehicle 200a, in particular a commercial vehicle 200b, according to one specific embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0034] The vehicle 200a, in particular the commercial vehicle 200b, is referred to below as the vehicle 200a, 200b. The vehicle 200a, 200b may be, for example, a land vehicle or a water vehicle.

[0035] The vehicles 200a, 200b have a fuel cell system 210, an energy storage device 260 and an electric drive 130. The fuel cell system 210 is configured to provide electrical energy 65 to the energy storage device 260. The energy storage device 260 is, for example, a rechargeable energy storage device 260 and is used as a buffer battery for buffering the electrical energy 65. The energy storage device 260 is connected to the electric drive 230 to supply the electrical energy 65 to the electric drive 230 so that the electric drive 230 can drive the vehicles 200a, 200b. In addition, the fuel cell system 210 is connected to the electric drive 230 for directly providing the electrical energy 65.

[0036] The fuel cell system 210 includes two fluid machines 215 and a fuel cell 10, wherein the fuel cell has a fuel cell input terminal 11 on the cathode side and a fuel cell output terminal 13 on the cathode side. One fluid machine 215 is configured as a compressor 75 and is connected to the fuel cell input terminal 11 in a fluid-conducting manner for supplying air to the fuel cell system 10. The other fluid machine 50 is configured as an expander 70 and is connected to the fuel cell output terminal 13 in a fluid-conducting manner for discharging an exhaust gas flow of the fuel cell system 10.

[0037] The compressor 75 has components 217 of a fluid machine 215. Components 75 include, for example, rotatably supported impellers, cooling components, bearings for supporting a shaft, and / or power electronics or inverters. The expansion machine 70 also has such components 217 (not shown).

[0038] A sensor device 216 is provided for monitoring component 217. Here, sensor device 216 can be a sensor device 216 of each fluid machine 215, fuel cell system 210 and / or vehicle 200a, 200b. Sensor device 216 can be a combination of vehicle sensor components and compressor sensor components. Sensor device 216 is set up to detect sensor data 220 related to component 217. Sensor data 200, for example, includes current of power electronics, voltage of power electronics, air humidity and / or water content in a certain stage of one of the fluid machines 215, rotation speed of the rotor, coolant temperature, pressure and / or force acting on the bearing. In an embodiment not shown, sensor device 216 has multiple and optionally different sensors to monitor multiple components 270.

[0039] according to Figure 1, a controller 250 is provided for evaluating the sensor data 220. The controller 250 comprises a processor 251 for processing information, a memory 252 for storing information, and a communication device 270. The controller 250 may be a controller 250 (not shown) of the respective fluid machine 215 and / or the vehicle 200a, 200b. In the embodiment shown, the controller 250 is a controller 250 of the fuel cell system 210 and is configured to forward the control information 228 to the fuel cell system 210.

[0040] The controller 250 is configured to receive and evaluate the sensor data 220. In particular, a comparison variable 221 is stored in the memory 252 for comparing the sensor data 220 with the comparison variable 221 130. In particular, the comparison variable 221 is stored in a table in the memory 252, i.e., a so-called lookup table. The processor 251 retrieves the corresponding comparison variable based on the sensor data 220 in order to determine an event variable 222 that can be characterized by the sensor data 220 and is related to the component 217 by comparison 130. In order to determine 130' the event variable 222, the controller 250 compares the comparison variable 221 with the sensor data 220. In this case, the event variable includes, for example, a difference and / or an indicator between the comparison variable 221 and the sensor data 220. For example, the indicator can indicate a deviation between the comparison variable 221 and the sensor data 220.

[0041] The event parameter 222 is stored (not shown) in dependence on the event parameter 222. For this purpose, a first threshold condition 224 with a first threshold value 226 defining the threshold condition 224 and similarly a second threshold condition 225 are stored in the memory 252. When the event parameter 222 meets the predetermined first threshold condition 224, the storage 135 is performed. When the event parameter 222 meets the predetermined second threshold condition 225, the event parameter 222 is discarded. In addition, the user can define one or more further threshold conditions and / or thresholds by input and / or programming in order to store and / or discard the event parameter 222. The stored event parameter 222 can be processed and output, wherein after the output, the stored event parameter 222 can be deleted in order to free up storage capacity and enable the storage of further event parameters 222 (ring memory). Thus, the user, the vehicle operator and / or the fleet operator can monitor events defined by the threshold conditions and / or thresholds in a targeted manner.

[0042] For example, in order to be able to realize the existence of a prompt for the status of the compressor 75, a service life counter and / or a time counter can be provided for the power electronics. In the case of a new compressor 75, the service life starts from 1 and decreases according to the output of the event stored in the memory 252 (i.e. when the first threshold condition 224 is met). This means that the event value parameter 222 stored for the power electronics is initially 1. In each event, when the event parameter 222 is stored, the value is subtracted from the counter by a predetermined value representing a shortened service life of the compressor 75, such as 0.02, and a new counter is stored. This value can be read by reading the controller 250 in the workshop and / or by connecting via the communication device 270 from an external server 300. In order to provide reliable information about the service life, this value cannot be overwritten and / or cannot be changed. Even if the first threshold 225 is determined by the user, the output is performed according to the threshold 225 predetermined by the manufacturer.

[0043] The communication device 270 is configured to output the event parameter 222 to an external server 300. For this purpose, the communication device 270 can be configured to communicate via a wireless local area network (WLAN) and / or via a mobile wireless network, in particular 4G (LTE) and / or 5G. The event parameter 222 has component information 223 for identifying the component 217. The server 300 provides a fleet management system. The status of the component 217 can thus be monitored. In an embodiment not shown, the server 300 sends information for regulation to the communication device 270.

[0044] Communication device 270 is configured to output event variable 222 together with control information 228 for controlling component 217 to fuel cell system 210 within the vehicle. The control of the component can be carried out directly and / or indirectly via the setting of operating parameters of fuel cell system 210.

[0045] Processor 251 is configured to implement a deletion signal 227 in order to delete stored event variables 222 from memory 252 . This makes memory 252 available for storing further sensor data 220 .

[0046] Figure 2 1 shows a schematic diagram of the process of a method 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method 100 is a method 100 for component monitoring of a vehicle 200a, in particular a commercial vehicle 200b, which has a fuel cell system 210 (which has a fluid machine 215 equipped with a component 217) and a controller 250 for controlling the fluid machine 215. Such vehicles 200a, 200b are referred to as Figure 1 Described. Figure 2 Reference Figure 1and its description.

[0047] Method 100 includes detecting 110 sensor data 220 relating to component 217 of turbomachine 215 by means of sensor device 216 .

[0048] Taking into account sensor data 220 , comparison variable 221 is determined 120 by control unit 250 .

[0049] Sensor data 220 are compared 130 with comparison variable 221 , and based on comparison 130 an event variable 222 which can be characterized by sensor data 220 and is related to component 217 is ascertained 130 ′.

[0050] The event parameter 222 is stored 135 depending on the event parameter 222. Here, the storage 135 is performed when the event parameter 222 meets a predetermined first threshold condition 224. The predetermined first threshold condition 224 includes a first threshold 226, wherein the first threshold 226 can be selected by the user. When the event parameter 222 meets a predetermined second threshold condition 225, the event parameter 222 is discarded.

[0051] Event variable 222 is output 140 as a function of event variable 222. Output 140 occurs when a predetermined number N of event variables 222 are stored. Output 140 occurs within the vehicle and / or to server 200 outside the vehicle.

[0052] Output 145 sends a deletion signal 227 for deleting the stored event parameter 222 .

[0053] List of reference numerals (part of the description)

[0054] 10. Fuel Cells

[0055] 11 Fuel cell input

[0056] 13 Fuel cell output

[0057] 65 Current

[0058] 70 Expander

[0059] 75 Compressor

[0060] 100 Methods

[0061] 110 Detection

[0062] 120 Obtaining comparison parameters

[0063] 130 Comparison

[0064] 130' Get event parameters

[0065] 140 Output event parameters

[0066] 145 Output delete signal

[0067] 200a Vehicle

[0068] 200b Commercial vehicles

[0069] 210 Fuel Cell System

[0070] 215 Fluid Machinery

[0071] 216 Sensor devices

[0072] 217 Parts

[0073] 220 Sensor data

[0074] 221 Comparison parameters

[0075] 222 Negative Event

[0076] 223 Parts Information

[0077] 224 First threshold condition

[0078] 225 Second threshold condition

[0079] 226 First Threshold

[0080] 227 Delete signal

[0081] 228 Adjustment Information

[0082] 250 Controller

[0083] 251 processor

[0084] 252 Memory

[0085] 230 Electric drive

[0086] 260 Energy storage devices

[0087] 270 Communication equipment

[0088] 300 Servers

[0089] N Quantity

Claims

1. A method (100) for monitoring components of a vehicle (200a), in particular a commercial vehicle (200b), the vehicle having a fuel cell system (210) and a control unit (250), the fuel cell system having a fluid machine (215) equipped with a component (217), the control unit being used to control the fluid machine (215), wherein: The method (100) comprises: - detecting (110) sensor data (220) relating to the component (217) by means of a sensor device (216), - determining (120) a comparison variable (221) by means of the control unit (250) taking into account the sensor data (220), - comparing (130) the sensor data (220) with the comparison variable (221) and determining (130') an event variable (222) which can be characterized by the sensor data (220) and is related to the component (217) based on the comparison (130); and - outputting (140) the event variable (222) as a function of the event variable (222).

2. The method according to claim 1, in, The method (100) comprises: - storing (135) the event variable (222) in dependence on the event variable (222).

3. The method according to claim 2, in, The storing (135) is performed in dependence on a predetermined first threshold condition (224) related to the event variable (222).

4. The method according to claim 3, in, The predetermined first threshold condition (224) includes a first threshold value (226), wherein the first threshold value (226) is selectable by a user.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in, The event quantity (222) is discarded in dependence on a predetermined second threshold condition (225) related to the event quantity (222).

6. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, in, The output (140) is performed when a predetermined number (N) of event parameters (222) are stored.

7. The method according to claim 6, in, The method (100) comprises: - Output (145) a delete signal (227) for deleting the stored event parameters (222).

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The output (140) is performed inside the vehicle and / or to a server (200) outside the vehicle.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The event variable (222) has component information (223) for identifying the component (217) and / or control information (228) for controlling the component (217).

10. A computer program and / or a computer-readable medium, comprising instructions which, when the program or the instructions are executed by a computer, cause the computer to execute the method (100) and / or the steps of the method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A control unit (250) for a vehicle (200a), in particular a commercial vehicle (200b), for controlling a fluid machine (215) having a component (217) of a fuel cell system (210), wherein: The controller (250) is configured to carry out the method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

12. A vehicle (200a), in particular a commercial vehicle (200b), comprising a fuel cell system (210) with a fluid machine (215), a sensor device (216), and a control unit (250) according to claim 11.

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