Fuel cell, control method and device thereof, storage medium and vehicle
By obtaining the impedance value of the proton exchange membrane of the fuel cell, abnormal operating conditions can be identified and the parameters of the reactant gas and exhaust gas can be adjusted, thus solving the performance problems of the fuel cell at high and low temperatures and improving the overall vehicle operating efficiency.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-13
AI Technical Summary
Fuel cells are affected by high or low temperature environments, leading to increased proton conduction resistance or water flooding, which affects the power output and range of the entire vehicle.
By obtaining the reference impedance range and actual impedance value of the proton exchange membrane, abnormal operating conditions can be identified, and a preset amount of reactant gas can be added to the fuel cell stack. The exhaust interval and duration can be controlled to optimize the fuel cell stack performance.
Intelligent identification of fuel cell operating conditions and execution of corresponding control strategies improve overall vehicle operating efficiency.
Smart Images
Figure CN121662865A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle technology, and in particular to a fuel cell, its control method and device, storage medium, and vehicle. Background Technology
[0002] Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, as an important development direction for clean energy vehicles, have great potential. However, in actual driving, they inevitably encounter harsh environmental conditions such as high or low temperatures. These harsh conditions affect the performance of the fuel cell, thus restricting key indicators such as the vehicle's power output and range. Specifically, in high-temperature environments, the internal temperature rise of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell can easily cause dehydration of the proton exchange membrane, leading to increased proton conduction resistance. This, in turn, intensifies the heating of the fuel cell stack, forming a positive feedback temperature rise cycle, ultimately reducing the stack's output performance and the vehicle's operating efficiency. Under low-temperature conditions, the water vapor generated by the fuel cell reaction is prone to phase change, condensing from a gaseous state to a liquid state, causing a "flooding" phenomenon. The generated water can further freeze, blocking the hydrophilic channels in the membrane and the voids in the catalyst layer, hindering the proton transport path and the arrival of reactant gases at the catalyst sites. This also leads to an increase in the internal resistance of the proton exchange membrane, negatively impacting the stack performance and the vehicle's overall operation. Summary of the Invention
[0003] This invention aims to at least partially solve one of the technical problems in related technologies. Therefore, the first objective of this invention is to propose a fuel cell control method capable of intelligently identifying the fuel cell's operating conditions, executing corresponding control strategies, optimizing stack performance, and thereby improving overall vehicle operating efficiency.
[0004] A second objective of this invention is to provide a computer-readable storage medium.
[0005] The third objective of this invention is to provide a control device for a fuel cell.
[0006] The fourth objective of this invention is to provide a fuel cell.
[0007] The fifth objective of this invention is to provide a vehicle.
[0008] To achieve the above objectives, a first aspect of the present invention provides a control method for a fuel cell, the control method comprising: obtaining a reference impedance range and an actual impedance value of a proton exchange membrane in the fuel cell; adding a preset amount of reactant gas to the fuel cell stack when the actual impedance value is not within the reference impedance range; obtaining an impedance change value of the proton exchange membrane in the fuel cell; and controlling the exhaust interval duration and exhaust duration of the fuel cell based on the impedance change value.
[0009] In the fuel cell control method of this invention embodiment, the reference impedance range and actual impedance value of the proton exchange membrane in the fuel cell are first obtained. Then, the actual impedance value is compared with the reference impedance range. If it is determined that the actual impedance value is not within the reference impedance range, the reaction gas with a preset heat is added to the fuel cell stack. Then, the impedance change value of the proton exchange membrane in the fuel cell is obtained. Finally, the exhaust interval time and exhaust duration of the fuel cell are controlled based on the impedance change value, thereby optimizing the stack performance and improving the overall vehicle operating efficiency.
[0010] In some embodiments of the present invention, controlling the exhaust interval duration and exhaust duration of the fuel cell based on the impedance change value includes: when it is determined from the impedance change value that the humidity of the proton exchange membrane has decreased, extending the exhaust interval duration and shortening the exhaust duration.
[0011] In some embodiments of the present invention, the method further includes: when determining that the humidity of the proton exchange membrane has decreased based on the impedance change value, determining that the temperature of the operating environment of the fuel cell is greater than a first preset temperature.
[0012] In some embodiments of the present invention, controlling the exhaust interval duration and exhaust duration of the fuel cell based on the impedance change value includes: shortening the exhaust interval duration and extending the exhaust duration when it is determined from the impedance change value that the humidity of the proton exchange membrane remains constant or increases.
[0013] In some embodiments of the present invention, the method further includes: when it is determined that the humidity of the proton exchange membrane remains constant or increases based on the impedance change value, determining that the temperature of the operating environment of the fuel cell is less than a second preset temperature.
[0014] In some embodiments of the present invention, the reference impedance range is determined based on the impedance value of the proton exchange membrane when the fuel cell is operating normally at a preset ambient temperature, wherein the upper limit temperature of the preset ambient temperature is the first preset temperature, and the lower limit temperature of the preset ambient temperature is the second preset temperature.
[0015] To achieve the above objectives, a second aspect of the present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a control program for a fuel cell, wherein when the control program for the fuel cell is executed by a processor, the control method for the fuel cell described in any of the above embodiments is implemented.
[0016] The computer-readable storage medium of this invention executes the control program for the fuel cell stored thereon through a processor, which can intelligently identify the operating conditions of the fuel cell, execute corresponding control strategies, optimize the performance of the fuel cell stack, and thus improve the overall vehicle operating efficiency.
[0017] To achieve the above objectives, a third aspect of the present invention provides a control device for a fuel cell, the control device comprising: an acquisition module for acquiring a reference impedance range and an actual impedance value of a proton exchange membrane in the fuel cell; a control module for adding a preset amount of reactant gas to the fuel cell stack when the actual impedance value is not within the reference impedance range; the acquisition module is further configured to acquire an impedance change value of the proton exchange membrane in the fuel cell; and the control module is further configured to control the exhaust interval duration and exhaust duration of the fuel cell based on the impedance change value.
[0018] The fuel cell control device of this invention includes an acquisition module and a control module. The acquisition module first acquires the reference impedance range and actual impedance value of the proton exchange membrane in the fuel cell. Then, the control module judges the actual impedance value against the reference impedance range. If it is determined that the actual impedance value is not within the reference impedance range, the control module adds reactant gas with a preset heat to the fuel cell stack. The acquisition module then acquires the impedance change value of the proton exchange membrane in the fuel cell. Finally, the control module controls the exhaust interval and exhaust duration of the fuel cell based on the impedance change value, thereby optimizing the stack performance and improving the overall vehicle operating efficiency.
[0019] To achieve the above objectives, a fourth aspect of the present invention provides a fuel cell that includes the control device for the fuel cell described in the above embodiments.
[0020] The fuel cell in this embodiment of the invention, through the fuel cell control device described in the above embodiment, can intelligently identify the operating conditions of the fuel cell, execute corresponding control strategies, optimize the performance of the fuel cell stack, and thus improve the overall vehicle operating efficiency.
[0021] To achieve the above objectives, a fifth aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle that includes the fuel cell described in the above embodiments.
[0022] The vehicle in this embodiment of the invention, through the fuel cell described in the above embodiment, can intelligently identify the operating conditions of the fuel cell, execute corresponding control strategies, optimize the performance of the fuel cell stack, and thereby improve the overall vehicle operating efficiency.
[0023] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description
[0024] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the control method for a fuel cell in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a block diagram of the control device for the fuel cell in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a block diagram of a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a vehicle block diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation
[0025] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.
[0026] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, describes fuel cells and their control methods and apparatus, storage media, and vehicles according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0027] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the control method for a fuel cell in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, this invention proposes a control method for a fuel cell, which includes the following steps: S10: Obtain the reference impedance range and actual impedance value of the proton exchange membrane in the fuel cell.
[0029] S20: When the actual impedance value is not within the reference impedance range, a preset amount of reactant gas is added to the fuel cell stack.
[0030] S30: Obtain the impedance change value of the proton exchange membrane in the fuel cell.
[0031] S40 controls the exhaust interval and exhaust duration of the fuel cell based on the impedance change value.
[0032] Specifically, the fuel cell in this embodiment can be applied to a vehicle, and the control method of the fuel cell can be applied to a battery manager. The battery manager can be coupled to the proton exchange membrane impedance detection module of the fuel cell through the vehicle control unit. The impedance detection module can be an electrochemical impedance spectroscopy module, so that it can intelligently identify whether the fuel cell operating environment is a high temperature condition or a low temperature condition without relying on external temperature sensors or driver intervention, and execute the corresponding humidity control strategy accordingly, thereby optimizing the stack performance and improving the overall vehicle operating efficiency.
[0033] The reference impedance range is determined based on the fuel cell's normal operating condition. The actual impedance value of the proton exchange membrane (PEM) is then obtained through a proton exchange membrane impedance detection module. If this actual impedance value is within the reference impedance range, the fuel cell is operating normally. If it is not within the reference impedance range, the fuel cell is experiencing an abnormal operating condition, indicating that the external environment may be too hot or too cold. In this case, a preset amount of reactant gas can be added to the fuel cell stack. This reactant gas can be hydrogen or air. After adding the preset amount of reactant gas, the impedance of the PEM in the fuel cell is observed. If the change in the PEM impedance indicates a decrease in humidity, it means that the abnormality in the fuel cell is due to excessively high external temperatures. This is because after the reactant gas enters the stack, the dry PEM quickly absorbs moisture, causing a significant and rapid decrease in the PEM impedance within a certain period. Therefore, the exhaust interval can be extended, the exhaust duration shortened, and the humidity of the reactant gas entering the stack increased. If the humidity of the proton exchange membrane remains constant or increases based on the impedance change value, it indicates that the current abnormality of the fuel cell is caused by the excessively low temperature of the external environment. This is because after the reactant gas enters the stack, the low temperature will cause flooding or freezing. Humidification will further aggravate the accumulation of liquid water, causing the impedance change value of the proton exchange membrane to remain constant or increase for a certain period of time. Therefore, the exhaust interval can be shortened and the exhaust duration can be extended, while the humidity of the reactant gas entering the stack can be reduced.
[0034] In this embodiment, the operating environment temperature of the fuel cell can be determined by a first preset temperature and a second preset temperature. If the humidity of the proton exchange membrane decreases based on the impedance change value, the operating environment temperature of the fuel cell can be determined to be greater than the first preset temperature, which can be 30 degrees Celsius, 40 degrees Celsius, etc. If the humidity of the proton exchange membrane remains unchanged or increases based on the impedance change value, the operating environment temperature of the fuel cell can be determined to be less than the second preset temperature, which can be 0 degrees Celsius, -5 degrees Celsius, etc.
[0035] In this embodiment, the reference impedance range can also be determined by the first preset temperature and the second preset temperature. Specifically, the impedance value of the proton exchange membrane of the fuel cell at the second preset temperature can be used as the lower limit of the reference impedance range, and the impedance value of the proton exchange membrane of the fuel cell at the first preset temperature can be used as the upper limit of the reference impedance range.
[0036] In summary, the fuel cell control method in this embodiment of the invention can intelligently identify the operating conditions of the fuel cell, execute corresponding control strategies, optimize the performance of the fuel cell stack, and thus improve the overall vehicle operating efficiency.
[0037] Furthermore, the present invention proposes a computer-readable storage medium storing a control program for a fuel cell, wherein when the control program for the fuel cell is executed by a processor, the fuel cell control method of any of the above embodiments is implemented.
[0038] The computer-readable storage medium of this invention executes the control program for the fuel cell stored thereon through a processor, which can intelligently identify the operating conditions of the fuel cell, execute corresponding control strategies, optimize the performance of the fuel cell stack, and thus improve the overall vehicle operating efficiency.
[0039] Figure 2 This is a block diagram of the control device for the fuel cell in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0040] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 As shown, the present invention proposes a control device 200 for a fuel cell, which includes an acquisition module 201 and a control module 202.
[0041] The acquisition module 201 is used to acquire the reference impedance range and actual impedance value of the proton exchange membrane in the fuel cell; the control module 202 is used to add a preset amount of reaction gas to the fuel cell stack when the actual impedance value is not within the reference impedance range; the acquisition module 201 is also used to acquire the impedance change value of the proton exchange membrane in the fuel cell; the control module 202 is also used to control the exhaust interval and exhaust duration of the fuel cell according to the impedance change value.
[0042] In some embodiments of the present invention, the control module 202 is further configured to: extend the exhaust interval and shorten the exhaust duration when the humidity of the proton exchange membrane is determined to be decreasing based on the impedance change value.
[0043] In some embodiments of the present invention, the control module 202 is further configured to: determine that the temperature of the operating environment of the fuel cell is greater than a first preset temperature when the humidity of the proton exchange membrane is determined to be decreasing based on the impedance change value.
[0044] In some embodiments of the present invention, the control module 202 is further configured to: shorten the exhaust interval and extend the exhaust duration when it is determined, based on the impedance change value, that the humidity of the proton exchange membrane remains constant or increases.
[0045] In some embodiments of the present invention, the control module 202 is further configured to: determine that the temperature of the operating environment of the fuel cell is less than a second preset temperature when the humidity of the proton exchange membrane remains constant or increases based on the impedance change value.
[0046] In some embodiments of the present invention, the reference impedance range is determined based on the impedance value of the proton exchange membrane when the fuel cell is operating normally at a preset ambient temperature, wherein the upper limit temperature of the preset ambient temperature is a first preset temperature, and the lower limit temperature of the preset ambient temperature is a second preset temperature.
[0047] It should be noted that the specific implementation of the fuel cell control device in the embodiments of the present invention can be found in the specific implementation of the fuel cell control method in the above embodiments. To avoid redundancy, it will not be described again here.
[0048] In summary, the fuel cell control device in this embodiment of the invention can intelligently identify the operating conditions of the fuel cell, execute corresponding control strategies, optimize the performance of the fuel cell stack, and thus improve the overall vehicle operating efficiency.
[0049] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0050] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 As shown, the present invention proposes a fuel cell 300, which includes the fuel cell control device 200 in the above embodiment.
[0051] The fuel cell in this embodiment of the invention, through the fuel cell control device described in the above embodiment, can intelligently identify the operating conditions of the fuel cell, execute corresponding control strategies, optimize the performance of the fuel cell stack, and thus improve the overall vehicle operating efficiency.
[0052] Figure 4 This is a vehicle block diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0053] Furthermore, such as Figure 4 As shown, the present invention proposes a vehicle 400, which includes the fuel cell 300 of the above embodiment.
[0054] The vehicle in this embodiment of the invention, through the fuel cell described in the above embodiment, can intelligently identify the operating conditions of the fuel cell, execute corresponding control strategies, optimize the performance of the fuel cell stack, and thereby improve the overall vehicle operating efficiency.
[0055] Furthermore, other components and functions of the vehicle in the embodiments of the present invention are known to those skilled in the art, and will not be described in detail here to reduce redundancy.
[0056] It should be noted that the logic and / or steps represented in the flowchart or otherwise described herein, for example, can be considered as a sequenced list of executable instructions for implementing logical functions, and can be specifically implemented in any computer-readable medium for use by, or in conjunction with, an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device (such as a computer-based system, a processor-included system, or other system that can fetch and execute instructions from, an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device). For the purposes of this specification, "computer-readable medium" can be any means that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transmit programs for use by, or in conjunction with, an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of computer-readable media include: an electrical connection having one or more wires (electronic device), a portable computer disk drive (magnetic device), random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable and editable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), fiber optic devices, and portable optical disc read-only memory (CDROM). Alternatively, the computer-readable medium may be paper or other suitable media on which the program can be printed, since the program can be obtained electronically, for example, by optically scanning the paper or other medium, followed by editing, interpreting, or otherwise processing as necessary, and then stored in a computer memory.
[0057] It should be understood that various parts of the present invention can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. In the above embodiments, multiple steps or methods can be implemented in software or firmware stored in memory and executed by a suitable instruction execution system. For example, if implemented in hardware, as in another embodiment, it can be implemented using any one or a combination of the following techniques known in the art: discrete logic circuits having logic gates for implementing logical functions on data signals, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) having suitable combinational logic gates, programmable gate arrays (PGAs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc.
[0058] In the description of this specification, references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.
[0059] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.
[0060] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., used in the embodiments of this invention are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated in this embodiment. Therefore, features defined with terms such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of this invention can explicitly or implicitly indicate that the embodiment includes at least one of those features. In the description of this invention, the word "multiple" means at least two or more, such as two, three, four, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified in the embodiments.
[0061] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified or limited in the embodiments, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing" appearing in the embodiments should be interpreted broadly. For example, a connection can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it can also be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, etc. Of course, it can also be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two components, or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific implementation.
[0062] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.
[0063] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A control method for a fuel cell, characterized in that, The method includes: Obtain the reference impedance range and actual impedance value of the proton exchange membrane in the fuel cell; When the actual impedance value is not within the reference impedance range, a preset amount of reactant gas is added to the fuel cell stack. Obtain the impedance change value of the proton exchange membrane in the fuel cell; The exhaust interval and exhaust duration of the fuel cell are controlled based on the impedance change value.
2. The control method for a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, Controlling the exhaust interval and exhaust duration of the fuel cell based on the impedance change value includes: When the humidity of the proton exchange membrane decreases based on the impedance change value, the exhaust interval duration is extended and the exhaust duration is shortened.
3. The control method for a fuel cell according to claim 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: When the humidity of the proton exchange membrane decreases based on the impedance change value, it is determined that the operating environment temperature of the fuel cell is greater than a first preset temperature.
4. The control method for a fuel cell according to claim 3, characterized in that, Controlling the exhaust interval and exhaust duration of the fuel cell based on the impedance change value includes: When the humidity of the proton exchange membrane remains constant or increases based on the impedance change value, the exhaust interval duration is shortened and the exhaust duration is extended.
5. The control method for a fuel cell according to claim 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: When the humidity of the proton exchange membrane remains constant or increases based on the impedance change value, the operating environment temperature of the fuel cell is determined to be less than a second preset temperature.
6. The control method for a fuel cell according to claim 5, characterized in that, The reference impedance range is determined based on the impedance value of the proton exchange membrane when the fuel cell is operating normally at a preset ambient temperature, wherein the upper limit of the preset ambient temperature is the first preset temperature, and the lower limit of the preset ambient temperature is the second preset temperature.
7. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, It stores a control program for a fuel cell, which, when executed by a processor, implements the fuel cell control method according to any one of claims 1-6.
8. A control device for a fuel cell, characterized in that, The device includes: The acquisition module is used to acquire the reference impedance range and actual impedance value of the proton exchange membrane in the fuel cell; The control module is used to add a preset amount of reactant gas to the fuel cell stack when the actual impedance value is not within the reference impedance range; The acquisition module is also used to acquire the impedance change value of the proton exchange membrane in the fuel cell; The control module is also used to control the exhaust interval and exhaust duration of the fuel cell based on the impedance change value.
9. A fuel cell, characterized in that, Includes the control device for the fuel cell as described in claim 8.
10. A vehicle, characterized in that, Includes the fuel cell described in claim 9.