Regeneration unit, fuel cell control device, fuel cell stack, and method for regenerating fuel cell stack
Through the combination of the detection unit and the control device, the sliding operation is predicted and the valve unit is controlled to perform fuel cell regeneration, which solves the problem of insufficient regeneration during the sliding operation and achieves low hydrogen consumption and power retention.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202380087330.6
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-12-19
- Filing Date
- 2023-12-12
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-08
AI Technical Summary
In the prior art, insufficient regeneration of the fuel cell stack during sliding operation leads to an increase in hydrogen consumption and may exacerbate the degradation of the fuel cell.
The detection unit detects the environment and operation data, predicts the sliding operation, and controls the valve unit to perform the regeneration process of the fuel cell through the fuel cell control device, prevents the supply of medium to prevent high cathode potential, and achieves frequent and planned regeneration.
Effectively reduce or prevent the power of the fuel cell stack from falling, reduce hydrogen consumption, and extend the service life of the fuel cell.
Smart Images
Figure CN120457049A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] Known methods for regenerating a fuel cell stack are mostly performed during a parking phase of a motor vehicle equipped with a fuel cell. However, regeneration performed only during parking phases is too infrequent and leads to increased hydrogen consumption when using the fuel cell or fuel cell stack. Background Art
[0002] According to the prior art, in coasting mode (vehicle drive power required ≤ 0 kW), the fuel cell stack operates at a minimum current, ensuring that the maximum cell voltage is not exceeded. In this case, the power generated by the stack is supplied to the battery in addition to the regenerative power of the electric motor in generator mode. However, the excess fuel cell power fed into the battery and subsequently fed back to the electric motor results in conversion losses. If sufficient attention is not paid to the potential during this process, operating the stack at a high potential can lead to increased degradation of the individual fuel cells in the fuel cell stack. Summary of the Invention
[0003] The above-mentioned object is achieved by a regeneration unit having the features of independent claim 1, a fuel cell control device having the features of independent claim 4, a fuel cell or a fuel cell stack having the features of independent claim 6 and a method for regenerating a fuel cell stack having the features of independent claim 9.
[0004] Further features and details of the invention are apparent from the dependent claims, the description, and the accompanying drawings. Features and details described in connection with the regeneration unit according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the fuel cell control unit according to the invention, and / or with the fuel cell stack according to the invention, and / or with the method according to the invention, and vice versa, so that the disclosures concerning the individual inventive aspects are always mutually referenced.
[0005] According to the present invention, a regeneration unit for regenerating at least one fuel cell of a motor vehicle is provided, which has a detection unit for detecting environmental data and / or operating data of the at least one fuel cell and / or the motor vehicle; a control unit, wherein the control unit is designed to determine and / or predict a coasting operation of the motor vehicle based on the detected environmental data and / or the detected operating data; and a fuel cell interface, wherein the fuel cell interface can be connected to a fuel cell control unit of a fuel cell control device, and wherein the fuel cell interface is designed to forward the determined and / or predicted coasting operation from the control unit of the regeneration unit to the fuel cell control unit of the fuel cell control device for performing a regeneration process of the at least one fuel cell.
[0006] Regeneration is particularly important for the operation of a fuel cell stack because it prevents or substantially prevents a power drop in the entire fuel cell stack. Thus, the regeneration unit according to the present invention helps to minimize or prevent a power drop in the fuel cells of the fuel cell stack.
[0007] For motor vehicles, coasting operation refers to a state in which the engine is dragged by the vehicle, maintaining rotational motion, while the vehicle is not disconnected from the power supply. This means that the requested drive power required to operate the vehicle is zero or negative for a short period of time. In some electric vehicles, particularly hybrid vehicles, the energy released during coasting operation is used to charge the high-voltage battery.
[0008] Coasting operation within the meaning of the present invention is, for example, downhill driving, rolling to a stop, sliding or stopping at a red light.
[0009] Within the framework of the invention, it may be advantageous if the detection unit is designed to detect environmental data from a navigation device of the motor vehicle via a navigation interface of the regeneration unit, wherein the environmental data are the current route and / or terrain and / or real-time traffic data and / or real-time traffic light data.
[0010] The detected environmental data is real-time data on the corresponding environmental conditions. The control unit can then use the data detected by the detection unit, such as the route entered into the navigation system and stored terrain data, to determine when downhill driving or rolling to a stop will occur—that is, when coasting will occur. Furthermore, traffic lights can be stored, to which the motor vehicle equipped with a fuel cell stack can roll, and / or the detection unit can access real-time data on these lights to obtain their switching states and take this into account. The control unit thus predicts coasting based on the detected environmental data.
[0011] The detected environmental data serve as a basis for determining the coasting mode. Here, the coasting mode can be determined or determined in advance based on the environmental data. The detected environmental data are used by the control unit to determine the coasting mode for performing regeneration.
[0012] Within the scope of the present invention, it is conceivable that the detection unit is designed to detect operating data from the fuel cell control unit via the fuel cell interface.
[0013] Operating data refers to a power request or the presence or absence of a power request. The detection unit can periodically acquire information about the fuel cell stack operating data via the fuel cell control unit or detect this information via the fuel cell interface. Coasting operation is determined when the drive power required by the drive motor is zero or negative for at least 10 seconds, preferably at least 30 seconds, and more preferably at least 60 seconds.
[0014] The detection operation data reveals whether a coasting operation is in progress, that is, whether a power request is currently in progress.
[0015] Based on the detected operating data, the control unit can now determine the coasting mode. These data are primarily based on the real-time operating data of the fuel cell stack.
[0016] The above-mentioned object is also achieved by a fuel cell control device according to the present invention, which has a fuel cell control unit and a regeneration unit as described above, wherein the fuel cell control unit and the regeneration unit are connected to each other via data communication, and wherein the fuel cell control unit is designed to perform a regeneration process of the at least one fuel cell based on a coasting operation of the motor vehicle determined and / or predicted by the regeneration unit.
[0017] To keep the power drop of the fuel cell stack as low as possible, it is advantageous to initiate and perform a regeneration of the fuel cell stack. Therefore, the fuel cell control device according to the present invention helps minimize or prevent the power drop of the fuel cells of the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell control device utilizes a coasting mode determined and / or predicted by the regeneration unit.
[0018] Here, a regeneration process, also known as a bleed-down process, is understood to mean the prevention or substantial prevention of the supply of medium to the fuel cells of the fuel cell stack. This regeneration process, i.e., the prevention of the medium supply, prevents high cathode potentials under low load requirements. Furthermore, cathode regeneration under reducing conditions, while simultaneously maintaining low hydrogen consumption, can be performed frequently and in a planned manner.
[0019] The data communication connection between the fuel cell control unit and the regeneration unit can be a wired or wireless data transmission connection. A wireless connection is primarily understood to be a radio connection.
[0020] According to the invention, it is conceivable that a fuel cell control unit is connectable to the at least one fuel cell and / or a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells and is designed to regulate and / or control a valve unit of the at least one fuel cell and / or the fuel cell stack.
[0021] The fuel cell control unit can control and / or regulate the valve units of individual fuel cells or the entire fuel cell stack to initiate the regeneration process. Closing of the valve units depends on when and how coasting is detected and / or predicted. The valve units can be closed completely or gradually. The ability to control the valve units allows for rapid responses to short-term events or allows for the gradual closing of the valve units over a longer period to prepare for a fuel cell regeneration process.
[0022] The aforementioned object is also achieved by a fuel cell according to the invention having a fuel cell control device as described above or by a fuel cell stack according to the invention having a plurality of fuel cells, wherein at least one fuel cell has a fuel cell control device as described above.
[0023] Furthermore, it is conceivable that a valve unit is provided on the fuel cell stack and / or on the at least one fuel cell.
[0024] According to the invention, it is conceivable that the valve unit is at least one shutoff valve on the cathode side of the at least one fuel cell and / or the fuel cell stack and / or at least one shutoff valve of the hydrogen supply of the at least one fuel cell and / or the fuel cell stack.
[0025] The above-mentioned object is also achieved by a method according to the invention for regenerating at least one fuel cell as described above or a fuel cell stack as described above of a motor vehicle, the method comprising the following steps:
[0026] detecting environmental data and / or operating data of the at least one fuel cell and / or the motor vehicle by means of a detection unit of the regeneration unit,
[0027] - using the control unit of the regeneration unit, determining and / or predicting a coasting operation of the motor vehicle based on detected environmental data and / or operating data,
[0028] - forwarding the determined and / or predicted coasting mode to the fuel cell control unit via the control unit of the regeneration unit,
[0029] - The fuel cell stack regeneration process is performed by the fuel cell control unit.
[0030] The method achieves optimized regeneration of the fuel cell. Regeneration is particularly important for the operation of a fuel cell stack because it prevents or substantially prevents power drops across the entire fuel cell stack. Therefore, the regeneration unit according to the present invention helps minimize or prevent power drops in the fuel cells of the fuel cell stack.
[0031] As mentioned above, the coasting operation is understood to mean that the requested drive power required for operating the vehicle is zero or negative for a short period of time.
[0032] The regeneration process is configured to prevent the supply of medium to the fuel cell or fuel cell stack. This prevents high cathode potentials from occurring during periods of low load demand. Using these reducing conditions, regenerating the fuel cell, and in particular the cathode, can be performed frequently and in a planned manner. Advantageously, this can be done while simultaneously maintaining low hydrogen consumption.
[0033] Furthermore, within the framework of the invention, provision can be made for the regeneration process to
[0034] - closing at least one shut-off valve on the cathode side of at least one fuel cell and / or at least one shut-off valve on the cathode side of a fuel cell stack, and
[0035] - applying a load, in particular a voltage, to the at least one fuel cell and / or the fuel cell stack until a cell voltage of less than 0.6 V, preferably less than 0.3 V, further preferably less than 0.1 V is reached in the at least one fuel cell and / or in the fuel cell stack, and
[0036] - at least one shut-off valve closing the hydrogen supply to the at least one fuel cell and / or the fuel cell stack.
[0037] This enables the reduction conditions of the regeneration process to be optimized. Here, the shutoff valve on the cathode side and the shutoff valve for the hydrogen supply can be closed sequentially or simultaneously. Closing of the individual shutoff valves or the general valve unit can be performed by the fuel cell control unit.
[0038] With regard to the present invention, it is conceivable that the detection unit detects environmental data from a navigation device via a navigation interface in order to predict a coasting operation of the motor vehicle, wherein the coasting operation is predicted with the aid of a control unit of the regeneration unit based on environmental data about the current route and / or terrain and / or real-time traffic data and / or real-time traffic light data.
[0039] The detected environmental data is real-time data on the corresponding environmental conditions. Based on the data detected by the detection unit, such as the route entered into the navigation system and the stored terrain, the control unit of the regeneration unit determines when downhill driving or rolling to a stop will occur, i.e., when coasting operation will occur. Furthermore, traffic lights, to which the motor vehicle equipped with the fuel cell stack can roll, can be stored, and / or the detection unit can access real-time data on these traffic lights to obtain their switching states and take them into account. Coasting operation is thus predicted by the control unit of the regeneration unit based on the detected environmental data.
[0040] Within the framework of the present invention, it is conceivable that the detection unit detects operating data from the fuel cell control unit via the fuel cell interface to determine the coasting operation, wherein the coasting operation is determined when the driving power required to drive the motor is zero or a negative value for at least 10 seconds, preferably at least 30 seconds, and further preferably at least 60 seconds.
[0041] Operating data refers to the power request or the presence or absence of a power request. The detection unit can periodically receive information about the fuel cell stack's operating data from the fuel cell control unit or detect this information via the fuel cell interface. Coasting operation therefore always occurs when no power is being supplied to the electric motor or when the electric motor is operating in generator mode.
[0042] In addition, it is conceivable that if there is a high load before the coasting operation, that is, if there is a high load, in particular voltage, on the at least one fuel cell and / or fuel cell stack before the coasting operation, the shut-off valve on the cathode side of the at least one fuel cell and / or fuel cell stack and / or the shut-off valve of the hydrogen supply to the at least one fuel cell and / or fuel cell stack are regulated and / or controlled so that the cathode stoichiometric ratio is lower than 1.5, preferably lower than 1.3, further preferably 1.2, and / or so that the cell voltage is not higher than 0.8 V, preferably not higher than 0.75 V, particularly preferably not higher than 0.7 V before the regeneration process is carried out.
[0043] The cathode stoichiometric ratio describes the ratio of hydrogen to oxygen or air. A reduced cathode stoichiometric ratio influences the reducing conditions for performing an optimized discharge process. A high load before coasting operation is understood, for example, to be a downhill drive after an uphill drive.
[0044] Further advantages, features and details of the invention are apparent from the following description which describes several embodiments of the invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and the description may be essential to the essence of the invention individually or in any combination. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0045] The present invention is illustrated in the following drawings:
[0046] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the regeneration unit, and
[0047] Figure 2 a schematic diagram of the fuel cell control unit, and
[0048] Figure 3 a schematic diagram of a fuel cell or fuel cell stack, and
[0049] Figure 4 For regeneration Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the method for a fuel cell stack. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0050] Figure 1A regeneration unit 10 for regenerating at least one fuel cell 11 of a motor vehicle is shown. The regeneration unit 10 comprises a detection unit 12 for detecting environmental data 18 and / or operating data 19 of the at least one fuel cell 11 and / or the motor vehicle; a control unit 13, wherein the control unit 13 is designed to determine and / or predict a coasting operation of the motor vehicle based on the detected environmental data 18 and / or the detected operating data 19; and a fuel cell interface 14, wherein the fuel cell interface 14 is connectable to a fuel cell control unit 15 of a fuel cell control unit 20 and wherein the fuel cell interface 14 is designed to forward the coasting operation determined and / or predicted by the control unit 13 of the regeneration unit 10 to the fuel cell control unit 15 of the fuel cell control unit 20 for carrying out a regeneration process of the at least one fuel cell 11.
[0051] Furthermore, regeneration unit 10 has a navigation interface 16 for data communication between regeneration unit 10 and a navigation device 17. Here, detection unit 12 of regeneration unit 10 is designed to detect environmental data 18 from navigation device 17 of the motor vehicle via navigation interface 16 of regeneration unit 10, wherein environmental data 18 includes the current route and / or terrain and / or real-time traffic data and / or real-time traffic light data. Furthermore, detection unit 12 is designed to detect operating data 19 from fuel cell control unit 15 via fuel cell interface 14.
[0052] Figure 2 The fuel cell control device 20 having the fuel cell control unit 15 and the regeneration unit 10 is shown. Figure 1 The fuel cell control unit 15 and the regeneration unit 10 are connected to each other via a fuel cell interface 14 for data communication, and the fuel cell control unit 15 is designed to execute a regeneration process of the at least one fuel cell 11 based on a coasting operation of the motor vehicle determined and / or predicted by the regeneration unit 10 .
[0053] The fuel cell control unit 15 can be connected to the at least one fuel cell 11 and / or the fuel cell stack 24 having multiple fuel cells 11 , and is designed to regulate and / or control the valve unit 21 of the at least one fuel cell 11 and / or the fuel cell stack 24 .
[0054] Figure 3 A fuel cell stack 24 is schematically shown having a plurality of fuel cells 11. At least one fuel cell 11 has a Figure 2 The fuel cell control device 20 is shown. Therein, the valve unit 21 is at least one shutoff valve 22 for the cathode side 25 of the fuel cell stack 24 and at least one shutoff valve 23 for the hydrogen supply 26 of the fuel cell stack 24 .
[0055] Figure 4 Shown is a reference for regenerating a motor vehicle Figure 3 The method 100 of the fuel cell stack 24 includes the following steps:
[0056] detecting 110 environmental data 18 and / or operating data 19 of the at least one fuel cell 11 and / or the motor vehicle by means of the detection unit 12 of the regeneration unit 10 ,
[0057] - determining 120 and / or predicting a coasting operation of the motor vehicle by the control unit 13 of the regeneration unit 10 based on the detected environmental data 18 and / or operating data 19 ,
[0058] - forwarding 130 the determined and / or predicted coasting mode to the fuel cell control unit 15 via the control unit 13 of the regeneration unit 10 ,
[0059] A regeneration process of the fuel cell stack 24 is carried out 140 by the fuel cell control unit 15 .
[0060] During the regeneration process
[0061] - closing 150 the at least one shut-off valve 22 of the cathode side 25 of the fuel cell stack 24 , and
[0062] - applying 160 a load, in particular a voltage, to the fuel cell stack 24 until a cell voltage of less than 0.6 V, preferably less than 0.3 V, further preferably less than 0.1 V is reached in the fuel cell stack 24 , and
[0063] Closing 170 the at least one shut-off valve 23 of the hydrogen supply 26 of the fuel cell stack 24 .
[0064] The detection unit 12 detects environmental data 18 from a navigation device 17 via a navigation interface 16 to predict the coasting operation. The coasting operation is predicted by the control unit 13 of the regeneration unit 10 based on the environmental data 18 about the current route and / or terrain and / or real-time traffic data and / or real-time traffic light data.
[0065] Furthermore, detection unit 12 detects operating data 19 from fuel cell control unit 15 via fuel cell interface 14 to determine coasting operation. Coasting operation is determined when the drive power of the drive motor is zero or a negative value for at least 10 seconds, preferably at least 30 seconds, and more preferably at least 60 seconds.
[0066] If there is a high load, i.e. voltage, on the fuel cell stack 24 before coasting operation, the shut-off valve 22 of the cathode side 25 of the fuel cell stack 24 and the shut-off valve 23 of the hydrogen supply 26 of the fuel cell stack 24 are adjusted and / or controlled so that the cathode stoichiometric ratio is lower than 1.5, preferably lower than 1.3, further preferably 1.2, and / or so that the cell voltage is not higher than 0.8V, preferably not higher than 0.75V, particularly preferably not higher than 0.7V before performing the 140 regeneration process.
Claims
1. A regeneration unit (10) for regenerating at least one fuel cell (11) of a motor vehicle, A detection unit (12) is provided for detecting environmental data (18) and / or operating data (19) of the at least one fuel cell (11) and / or the motor vehicle, There is a control unit (13), wherein The control unit (13) is designed to determine and / or predict a coasting operation of the motor vehicle based on detected environmental data (18) and / or detected operating data (19). A fuel cell interface (14) is provided, wherein the fuel cell interface (14) is connectable to a fuel cell control unit (15) of a fuel cell control device (20), and wherein the fuel cell interface (14) is designed to forward a determined and / or predicted coasting operation from the control unit (13) of the regeneration unit (10) to the fuel cell control unit (15) of the fuel cell control device (20) for executing a regeneration process of the at least one fuel cell (11).
2. The regeneration unit (10) according to claim 1, It is characterized by: The detection unit (12) is designed to detect environmental data (18) from a navigation device (17) of the motor vehicle via a navigation interface (16) of the regeneration unit (10), wherein the environmental data (18) are the current route and / or topography and / or real-time traffic data and / or real-time traffic light data.
3. The regeneration unit (10) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized by: The detection unit (12) is designed to detect operating data (19) from a fuel cell control unit (15) via the fuel cell interface (14).
4. A fuel cell control device (20) comprising a regeneration unit (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and a fuel cell control unit (15), wherein: The fuel cell control unit (15) and the regeneration unit (10) are connected to each other for data communication via a fuel cell interface (14), wherein the fuel cell control unit (15) is designed to perform a regeneration process of the at least one fuel cell (11) based on a coasting operation of the motor vehicle determined and / or predicted by the regeneration unit (10).
5. The fuel cell control device (20) according to claim 4, characterized in that: The fuel cell control unit (15) is connectable to the at least one fuel cell (11) and / or a fuel cell stack (24) having a plurality of fuel cells (11), and is designed as a valve unit (21) for regulating and / or controlling the at least one fuel cell (11) and / or the fuel cell stack (24).
6. A fuel cell (11) having a fuel cell control device (20) according to any one of claims 4 to 5, or A fuel cell stack (24) comprises a plurality of fuel cells (11), wherein: At least one of the fuel cells (11) has a fuel cell control device (20) according to any one of claims 4 to 5.
7. The fuel cell (11) or fuel cell stack (24) according to claim 6, characterized in that A valve unit (21) is arranged on the fuel cell stack (24) and / or the at least one fuel cell (11).
8. The fuel cell (11) or fuel cell stack (24) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that The valve unit (21) is at least one shutoff valve (22) on the cathode side of the at least one fuel cell (11) and / or the fuel cell stack (24) and / or at least one shutoff valve (23) for the hydrogen supply of the at least one fuel cell (11) and / or the fuel cell stack (24).
9. Method (100) for regenerating at least one fuel cell (11) or a fuel cell stack (24) according to any one of claims 6 to 8 for a motor vehicle, wherein: The method (100) comprises the following steps: detecting (110) environmental data (18) and / or operating data (19) of the at least one fuel cell (11) and / or the motor vehicle by means of a detection unit (12) of the regeneration unit (10), By means of the control unit (13) of the regeneration unit (10), a coasting operation of the motor vehicle is ascertained (120) and / or predicted based on detected environmental data (18) and / or operating data (19), The determined and / or predicted coasting mode is forwarded (130) to the fuel cell control unit (13) via the control unit (13) of the regeneration unit (10), A regeneration process of the fuel cell stack (24) is performed (140) by the fuel cell control unit (13).
10. The method (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that In the regeneration process closing (150) the at least one shut-off valve (22) of the cathode side (25) of the at least one fuel cell (11) and / or the fuel cell stack (24), and applying (160) to the at least one fuel cell (11) and / or fuel cell stack (24) a load, in particular a voltage, until a cell voltage of less than 0.6 V, preferably less than 0.3 V, further preferably less than 0.1 V is reached in the at least one fuel cell (11) and / or in the fuel cell stack (24), and The at least one shut-off valve (23) of the hydrogen supply (26) to the at least one fuel cell (11) and / or the fuel cell stack (24) is closed (170).
11. The method (100) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that The detection unit (12) detects environmental data (18) from a navigation device (17) via the navigation interface (16) to predict a coasting operation of the motor vehicle, wherein the coasting operation is predicted by means of the control unit (13) of the regeneration unit (10) based on the environmental data (18) about the current route and / or topography and / or real-time traffic data and / or real-time traffic light data.
12. The method (100) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, It is characterized in that The detection unit (12) detects operating data (19) from the fuel cell control unit (13) via the fuel cell interface (14) to determine the coasting operation, wherein the coasting operation is determined when the driving power for driving the electric motor is zero or a negative value for at least 10 seconds, preferably at least 30 seconds, and further preferably at least 60 seconds.
13. The method (100) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, It is characterized in that If a high load, in particular a voltage, is present on the at least one fuel cell (11) and / or the fuel cell stack (24) before the coasting operation, the shut-off valve (22) of the cathode side (25) of the at least one fuel cell (11) and / or the fuel cell stack (24) and / or the shut-off valve (23) of the hydrogen supply (26) of the at least one fuel cell (11) and / or the fuel cell stack (24) are regulated and / or controlled so that the cathode stoichiometric ratio is lower than 1.5, preferably lower than 1.3, further preferably 1.2, and / or so that the cell voltage is not higher than 0.8 V, preferably not higher than 0.75 V, particularly preferably not higher than 0.7 V before performing (140) the regeneration process.