COOLANT TANK WITH ION FILTER

Abstract

A coolant tank with an ion filter (200), the coolant tank having a main body (100) in which a coolant for cooling a fuel cell stack is stored, and the ion filter (200) is configured to be selectively connected to a coolant line (L) through which the coolant flows to remove ions contained in the coolant when a measured insulation resistance value of a fuel cell system changes.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a coolant container with an ion filter. More particularly, it is a coolant container having an ion filter and capable of selectively exposing the ion filter to a coolant only when removal of ions present in the coolant is required. BACKGROUND

[0002] In general, a fuel cell is a device configured to generate electricity while producing water by taking oxygen from the air and hydrogen as fuel. In the fuel cell, high-purity hydrogen is supplied from a hydrogen storage tank to the anode of the fuel cell during operation, and atmospheric air is directly supplied to the cathode of the fuel cell using an air supplier, such as an air blower.

[0003] When the oxygen supplied to the fuel cell stack is split into hydrogen ions and electrons in the anode catalyst and the separated hydrogen ions pass through an electrolyte membrane to the cathode, the oxygen supplied to the cathode combines with the electrons introduced into the cathode via an external conductor to produce water and generate electrical energy.

[0004] The fuel cell system may include a fuel cell stack configured to generate electrical energy, a fuel supply system configured to supply a fuel (hydrogen) to the fuel cell stack, an air supply system configured to supply atmospheric oxygen to the fuel cell stack, the oxygen being an oxidizer necessary for electrochemical reactions, and a heat and water management system configured to control the operating temperature of the fuel cell stack.

[0005] Here, an ion filter, which is one of the components of the heat and water management system, serves to remove ionic substances from a coolant circulating through the fuel cell stack in order to extend the lifetime of the fuel cell and stabilize the fuel cell system.

[0006] Therefore, an ion exchange resin is incorporated into the ion filter, which is configured to essentially filter the ions contained in the coolant, so that the coolant circulating through the fuel cell stack can enter the ion filter and the ionic substances in the coolant can be removed, with the coolant then circulating back into the fuel cell stack.

[0007] When the ion filter is installed in a vehicle, the electrical conductivity of the coolant should be maintained at or below a specified value. However, if the ion filter is constantly exposed to the circulating coolant, the service life of the ion filter may be shortened.

[0008] The above information in this Background section is provided only to facilitate understanding of the background of the present disclosure and may therefore contain information that is not prior art that would be readily apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art. EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above-described problems associated with the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a coolant container (e.g., a coolant reservoir) having (e.g., containing) an ion filter, wherein a coolant (e.g., a cooling liquid) for cooling a fuel cell stack is stored in the container, and the ion filter configured to remove ions present in the coolant is mounted / attached in the container to thereby facilitate maintenance of the ion filter, and wherein the ion filter is selectively exposed to the coolant only when removal of ions present in the coolant in the container is required, thereby improving the durability of the ion filter.

[0010] In one aspect, the present invention provides a coolant container (e.g., a coolant reservoir) comprising a main body in which a coolant for cooling a fuel cell stack is stored, and an ion filter mounted in the main body and configured to be selectively connected to a coolant line through which the coolant flows to remove ions contained in the coolant when a measured insulation resistance value of a fuel cell system changes.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the mounting position (e.g., attachment position) of the ion filter can be lowered and the ion filter can be connected to the coolant line when it is detected / determined that the measured insulation resistance value is smaller than a (pre)set mounting resistance value (e.g., attachment resistance value).

[0012] In another preferred embodiment, the mounting position of the ion filter can be raised and the ion filter can be disconnected from the coolant line when it is detected / determined that the measured insulation resistance value is greater than a (pre)set disconnection resistance value while the ion filter is connected to the coolant line.

[0013] In a further preferred embodiment, the cut-off resistance value may be (pre)set / set to be greater than the mounting resistance value.

[0014] In a further preferred embodiment, the ion filter may comprise a filter cartridge having an ion exchange resin (e.g., an ion exchange resin) incorporated therein, which is configured to filter the ions contained in the coolant, and an actuator configured to provide a driving force for changing the mounting position of the filter cartridge.

[0015] In a further preferred embodiment, the filter cartridge may have a mesh structure comprising / containing the ion exchange resin.

[0016] In a further preferred embodiment, the main body may comprise an inner casing in which a coolant passage is formed through which the coolant flows, and which is provided with an upright partition wall whose height is greater than the water surface (e.g., the water level) of the coolant.

[0017] In a further preferred embodiment, the main body may have an inner casing in which a coolant passage through which the coolant flows is formed and which is provided with an upright partition wall whose height is greater than the water level (eg, the water level) of the coolant.

[0018] In a further preferred embodiment, in a state where the filter cartridge and a rope member (eg, a cable member, eg, a wire member) are connected to each other, the operating member may provide a driving force for raising or lowering the filter cartridge with respect to the inner case by adjusting the length of the rope member.

[0019] In a further preferred embodiment, in a state where the partition wall and the filter cartridge are engaged with each other, the actuating member may rotate the partition wall to provide a driving force for raising or lowering the filter cartridge with respect to the inner housing.

[0020] In a further preferred embodiment, in a state where the rotational axis of the filter cartridge is eccentrically coupled to the partition wall, the actuating member may rotate the rotational axis to provide a driving force for raising or lowering the filter cartridge with respect to the inner casing.

[0021] In a still further preferred embodiment, the coolant tank containing the ion filter may further include a water level sensor (e.g., a water level sensor) configured to detect the water level of the coolant by floating in the main body.

[0022] In a still further preferred embodiment, the ion filter may further change its mounting position depending on the water level detected by the water level sensor.

[0023] Other aspects and preferred embodiments of the present invention are explained below.

[0024] It should be understood that the term "vehicle" or "vehicular" or other similar terms as used herein include motor vehicles in general, such as passenger cars including sport utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, watercraft including a variety of boats and ships, aircraft, and the like, and hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and other alternative-fuel vehicles (e.g., fuels derived from resources other than petroleum). A hybrid vehicle is defined herein as a vehicle that has two or more energy sources, such as a vehicle that runs on both gasoline and electricity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The above and other features of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to certain exemplary embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which are given below for illustrative purposes only and therefore do not limit the present invention, and in which: Fig. 1 is a view showing the structure of a coolant tank with an ion filter according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 are views showing the operation of a first embodiment of an ion filter for a coolant tank including the ion filter according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 4 is a view showing the operation of a second embodiment of an ion filter for a coolant tank including the ion filter according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6A, Fig. 6B, Fig. 6C and Fig. 6D are views showing the operation of a third embodiment of an ion filter for a coolant tank including the ion filter according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 7 is a view showing a water level sensor for a coolant tank with an ion filter according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 8 is a view showing a general thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] It should be understood that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily to scale and present a somewhat simplified representation of various preferred features illustrating the basic principles of the present invention. The specific design features of the present invention, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, positions, and shapes, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and usage environment.

[0027] In the figures, reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present invention in the different figures of the drawing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The preferred embodiments disclosed herein will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] Advantages and features of the present invention and a method for implementing it will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0030] The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, the embodiments are provided so that this invention will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art. The present invention is defined only by the categories of the claims.

[0031] In describing the present disclosure, where a detailed explanation of a related known function or construction would unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, such explanation has been omitted even if it would be understandable to one skilled in the art.

[0032] Fig. 1 is a view showing the structure of a coolant tank with an ion filter according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 are views showing the operation of a first embodiment of an ion filter for a coolant tank including the ion filter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Fig. 4 is a view illustrating the operation of a second embodiment of an ion filter for a coolant tank including the ion filter according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6A, Fig. 6B, Fig. 6C and Fig. 6D are views illustrating the operation of a third embodiment of an ion filter for a coolant tank including the ion filter according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 7 is a view illustrating a water level sensor for a coolant tank with an ion filter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Fig. 8 is a view for explaining the coolant exchange between a reservoir, a cooler (e.g., a radiator), and a fuel cell stack in a thermal management system, and is a simplified view with parts that have little / no relevance to the coolant exchange omitted.

[0035] As in Fig. 8, a general thermal management system may require a reservoir 10, a fuel cell stack 20, a radiator 30, and a coolant pump 40 for coolant exchange.

[0036] The container 10 may be a space (e.g., define a space) in which a coolant for cooling the fuel cell stack 20 is stored / kept.

[0037] The fuel cell stack 20 is supplied with air and hydrogen to generate energy through a chemical reaction therebetween, a coolant may be introduced into the fuel cell stack 20 to remove (e.g., release) heat, the heat being a byproduct generated by the chemical reaction in the fuel cell stack(s) 20, and the coolant for cooling the fuel cell stack 20 may be introduced into the cooler 30.

[0038] The cooler 30 can cool the coolant, whose temperature has increased after the chemical reaction in the fuel cell stack 20, and release the coolant's heat to the environment. The coolant cooled in the cooler 30 can flow to a valve (not shown) configured to control the flow of the coolant.

[0039] The coolant pump 40 can supply the coolant supplied / delivered by the valve (not shown) to the fuel cell stack 20 and control the flow rate (e.g., flow rate) of the coolant. The coolant discharged from the coolant pump 40 can be introduced into the reservoir 10 and the fuel cell stack 20.

[0040] Although not shown in the drawing, according to an embodiment of the present invention, an ion filter configured to filter the ions contained in the coolant is separately installed in a thermal management system, which leads to difficulty in maintaining the ion filter, which must be replaced at regular intervals, and causes deterioration of the coolant due to catalysts that are constantly exposed to the coolant.

[0041] Meanwhile, a coolant tank having an ion filter according to this embodiment for solving the above-mentioned problems may comprise a main body 100 and a filter (ion filter) 200 as shown in Fig. 2 shown.

[0042] The main body 100 stores a coolant for cooling a fuel cell stack.

[0043] The main body 100 is provided with a partition wall 110 to ensure the airtightness of an inner case A, and the partition wall 110 is arranged / formed upright in the main body 110 by being integrated therewith so that it is not moved / movable by the coolant.

[0044] In order to allow the coolant to flow in and out through an inlet and an outlet of the main body 100, the partition wall 110 preferably forms a coolant passage L through which the coolant flows, that is, the partition wall 110 forms a coolant passage L using a plurality of flow holes H with different heights, has a height greater than the water level of the coolant, and ensures the airtightness of the inner case A to prevent the coolant from flowing out of the coolant passage L.

[0045] The ion filter 200 is mounted in / within the main body 100.

[0046] Since the ion filter 200 is not separated from the main body 100, unlike the prior art, no separate piping for ion filtration is required, which reduces the number of piping and thus the cost and volume of the thermal management system.

[0047] Since the main body 100 is typically mounted in a location easily accessible for maintenance, mounting the ion filter 200 within the main body 100 may facilitate maintenance of the ion filter 200.

[0048] In addition, the ion filter 200 is / will be selectively connected to the coolant line L to remove ions contained in the coolant when the insulation resistance value of the fuel cell system detected by an insulation resistance detection sensor 300 changes or when the conductivity of the coolant detected by a conductivity sensor (not shown) changes.

[0049] In other words, when the insulation resistance detection sensor 300 detects / determines that the measured insulation resistance value of the fuel cell system is a (pre)determined / (pre)set number of times below a (pre)set mounting resistance value, e.g., 5 times below 300 kΩ, the mounting position of the ion filter 200 is lowered by (e.g., with the aid of) a control device 400 and (e.g., thereby) the ion filter 200 is connected to the coolant line L, as shown in Fig. 3 shown.

[0050] When the ion filter 200 is connected to the coolant line L and the coolant flows therethrough, the ion filter 200 can filter the ions contained in the coolant circulating through the fuel cell stack using a built-in ion exchange resin (e.g., one built into the ion filter 200).

[0051] When the insulation resistance detection sensor 300 detects that the measured insulation resistance value of the fuel cell system is equal to or greater than a set disconnection resistance value, e.g., 400 kΩ or more for 5 times, for a predetermined number of times while the ion filter 200 is connected to the coolant line L, the mounting position of the ion filter 200 is raised by means of the control device 400, and the ion filter 200 is disconnected from the coolant line L.

[0052] In other words, when, for example, any one selected from an insulation resistance value measured at a predetermined time, an insulation resistance value measured more than once, a moving insulation resistance average value, and a moving insulation resistance mean value satisfies the (pre)set condition, the mounting position of the ion filter 200 is raised by means of the control device 400, and the ion filter 200 is disconnected from the coolant line L.

[0053] The cut-off resistance value can be (pre)set to be greater than the mounting resistance value of 300 kΩ, e.g. preferably (pre)set to 400 kΩ or more.

[0054] In this way, when the ion filter 200 is disconnected from the coolant line L, the disconnected state can be maintained for as long as possible. However, if the disconnection resistance value is set to a value (e.g., a level) equal to (e.g., similar to) the mounting resistance value, the ion filter 200 is frequently switched by the control device 400 from being disconnected from the coolant line L to being connected to the coolant line L depending on the measured insulation resistance value of the fuel cell system detected by the insulation resistance detection sensor 300, which makes it difficult to ensure the durability of the ion filter 200.

[0055] For this reason, the separation resistance value is (pre)set to be larger than the mounting resistance value in order to maintain the separation between the ion filter 200 and the coolant line L as long as possible, thereby not only ensuring the durability of the ion filter 200 but also improving the service life of an actuator 220 configured to raise and lower the ion filter 200.

[0056] Meanwhile, the ion filter 200 for ion filtration and for raising and lowering, as mentioned above, comprises a filter cartridge 210 and the actuator 220.

[0057] The filter cartridge 210 contains the ion exchange resin for filtering the ions contained in the coolant.

[0058] Preferably, the filter cartridge 210 may have a mesh structure for its entire area (e.g., its entire filter area) including / comprising the ion exchange resin. However, for cost-effectiveness, the filter cartridge 210 may have a mesh structure for two sides thereof, e.g., the upper and lower sides, or, although not shown in the drawing, it may have a mesh structure in its central region and a peripheral structure surrounding the mesh structure to fix it.

[0059] Due to the mesh structure, when the filter cartridge 210 is separated from the coolant line L depending on a predetermined condition in the state where the mounting position of the filter cartridge 210 is lowered and the filter cartridge 210 is connected to the coolant line L, the coolant can be easily discharged / leaded out without remaining in the filter cartridge 210, and a reaction between the coolant and the ion exchange resin can be prevented in the state where the filter cartridge 210 is separated from the coolant line L, thereby further increasing the durable life of the filter cartridge 210.

[0060] The actuator 220 is configured to provide a driving force to change the mounting position of the filter cartridge 210. The actuator 220 may be an electric motor.

[0061] The actuator 220 drives the filter cartridge 210 at a low speed to improve the quality of movement (or, for example, the quality felt / sensed (e.g., by the user)). In other words, since the filtration of ions from the coolant is chemically slow and therefore the filter cartridge 210 does not need to be raised or lowered quickly, the actuator 220 drives the filter cartridge 210 at a lower speed. For example, the time for raising or lowering the mounting position of the filter cartridge 210 is set to a maximum of 30 seconds to minimize the noise generated by raising or lowering the filter cartridge 210.

[0062] The actuating element 220 may be present in multiple ways to raise and lower the filter cartridge 210. FIRST EMBODIMENT

[0063] As in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, in the state where the filter cartridge 210 and a cable member (e.g., a wire member) W are connected to each other, the actuator 220 provides a downward driving force to extend or shorten the length of the cable member W, so that the filter cartridge 210 is connected to the inner case A, more specifically, to the coolant line L.

[0064] In other words, when the actuator 220 is driven to rotate the rope member W in a winding direction, the rope member W is wound up and the filter cartridge 210 is lifted to be separated from the coolant line L (see Fig. 2).

[0065] On the other hand, when the actuator 220 is driven to rotate the rope member W in a direction opposite to the winding direction while the filter cartridge 210 is disconnected from the coolant line L, the wound rope member W is released and the filter cartridge 210 is lowered to be connected to the coolant line L (see Fig. 3). SECOND EMBODIMENT

[0066] As in Fig. 4, the actuator 220 has a plurality (e.g., a plurality) of gear teeth 222 that engage the partition 110.

[0067] The partition 110, provided with a rack 112, and the filter cartridge 210, provided with a pinion (e.g., an external gear) 212, are meshed with each other. With this configuration, the partition 110, engaged with the actuator 220, rotates when the actuator 220 rotates, and accordingly, the filter cartridge 210, engaged with the partition 110, is lowered in a direction to be connected to the coolant line L.

[0068] Preferably, depending on the forward or reverse rotation of the partition wall 110 rotated by the actuator 220, the filter cartridge 210 is raised in a direction to be separated from the coolant line L or lowered in a direction to be connected to the coolant line L, thereby realizing a more stable raising and lowering structure compared to the first embodiment described above. (For example, the actuator 220 is formed in the shape of a worm shaft that engages with a worm screw formed on the outside of the partition wall 110 to rotate the partition wall 110; the inside of the partition wall 110 may be provided with an internal thread that engages with an external thread of the filter cartridge to move the filter cartridge 210 up and down in the height direction of the partition wall 110 upon rotation of the partition wall 110.) THIRD EMBODIMENT

[0069] As with the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the filter cartridge 210 can be selectively connected to the coolant line L by moving it in a vertical direction. In addition, however, the filter cartridge 210 can be selectively connected to the coolant line L by rotating it, e.g., by rotating it.

[0070] In other words, as in the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the actuating member 220 is disposed at a predetermined height within the main body 100 through the partition wall 110 and has a rotation axis 224 eccentrically coupled to a coupling member 214 on a corresponding one of the opposite sides of the filter cartridge 210. The actuating member 220 rotates about the rotation axis 224, which is eccentrically coupled to the coupling member 214, to provide a driving force for lifting the filter cartridge 210 from the inner housing A.

[0071] More precisely, as in Fig. 6A, when the rotation axis 224 rotates in a state where the filter cartridge 210 is separated from the coolant line L, the filter cartridge 210 rotates sequentially along a predetermined rotation radius through / around the eccentrically coupled rotation axis 224 and moves in a direction to be connected to the coolant line L, as shown in Fig. 6B and Fig. 6C.

[0072] In addition, when the actuator 220 sequentially rotates the rotation axis 224 in the same direction as above depending on the change in the measured insulation resistance value of the fuel cell system, the filter cartridge 210 rotates to move in a direction to be separated from the coolant line L, as shown in Fig. 6D.

[0073] As a result, in the coolant container containing the ion filter according to this embodiment, the mounting position of the filter cartridge 210 changes in the vertical direction or in the rotational direction, and the filter cartridge 210 is exposed to the coolant only when the removal of ions present in the coolant is required based on changes in the measured insulation resistance value of the fuel cell system, and thus the chemical reaction for ion filtration does not need to occur continuously, which improves the durability and long-term life of the ion filter 200.

[0074] Meanwhile, the coolant tank having the ion filter according to this embodiment may be as shown in Fig. 7, a water level sensor 500 configured to detect the water level of the coolant by floating in the main body 100.

[0075] The mounting position (e.g., installation position) of the ion filter 200 can also be changed depending on the water level detected by the water level sensor 500.

[0076] In other words, the water level sensor 500 can not only detect a lack of coolant based on the information about the water level of the coolant, but also, when the water level of the coolant is detected to be greater than a maximum water level and the filter cartridge 210 does not need to be connected to the coolant line L, the filter cartridge 210 can be further raised from its initial / original position by sending the water level information to the control device 400.

[0077] In this case, when the water level of the coolant detected by the water level sensor 500 reaches the maximum water level and it is determined that the filter cartridge 210 is positioned at a preset maximum height, the control device 400 can issue a notification to a user to remove the coolant, thereby avoiding problems of a reduction in the durability and service life of the ion filter 200, which may occur when the filter cartridge 210 is unnecessarily connected to the coolant line L.

[0078] As is apparent from the above description, the present invention offers the following effects.

[0079] According to the present invention, a container is provided in which a coolant for cooling a fuel cell stack is stored and in which an ion filter configured to remove ions present in the coolant is mounted / attached, thereby facilitating maintenance of the ion filter.

[0080] Furthermore, the ion filter according to the present invention is selectively exposed to the coolant only when the removal of ions present in the coolant within the container is required, thereby improving the durability of the ion filter.

[0081] In the foregoing, embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates will understand that various modifications may be made thereto, and that all or part of the above-described embodiment(s) may be selectively combined. Therefore, the true technical scope of the present invention should be determined by the technical content of the appended claims.

Claims

[1] Coolant tank, comprising: an ion filter (200) and a main body (100) in which a coolant for cooling a fuel cell stack is stored, wherein the ion filter (200) is mounted within the main body (100) and is configured to be connected to a coolant line (L) through which the coolant flows, in order to remove ions contained in the coolant when a measured insulation resistance value of a fuel cell system changes. [2] The coolant tank according to claim 1, wherein, when the measured insulation resistance value is smaller than a preset mounting resistance value, a mounting position of the ion filter (200) is lowered and the ion filter (200) is connected to the coolant line (L). [3] The coolant tank according to claim 2, wherein, when the measured insulation resistance value is greater than a preset disconnection resistance value while the ion filter (200) is connected to the coolant line (L), the mounting position of the ion filter (200) is raised and the ion filter (200) is disconnected from the coolant line (L). [4] The coolant tank according to claim 3, wherein the preset cut-off resistance value is set larger than the preset mounting resistance value. [5] Coolant tank according to one of claims 1-4, wherein the ion filter comprises: a filter cartridge (210) comprising an ion exchange resin configured to filter out the ions contained in the coolant, and an actuator (220) configured to provide a driving force for changing a mounting position of the filter cartridge (210). [6] The coolant tank according to claim 5, wherein the filter cartridge (210) has a mesh structure comprising the ion exchange resin. [7] A coolant tank according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the main body (100) has an inner casing (A) having a coolant passage (L) through which the coolant flows, and the inner casing (A) further has an upright partition wall (110) having a height greater than the water level of the coolant. [8] The coolant tank according to any one of claims 5-7, wherein, when the filter cartridge (210) and a cable member (W) are connected to each other, the actuating member (220) provides a driving force configured to raise or lower the filter cartridge (210) with respect to the inner casing (A) by adjusting a length of the cable member (W). [9] A coolant container according to claim 7 or claim 8 in combination with claim 7, wherein, when the upright partition (110) and the filter cartridge (210) are engaged with each other, the actuator (220) rotates the upright partition (110) to provide a driving force for raising or lowering the filter cartridge (210) with respect to the inner housing (A). [10] A coolant container according to claim 7 or claim 8 in combination with claim 7 or claim 9, wherein when a rotation axis (224) of the filter cartridge (210) is eccentrically coupled to the upright partition (110), the actuator (220) rotates the rotation axis (224) to provide a driving force for raising or lowering the filter cartridge (210) with respect to the inner housing (A). [11] The coolant tank according to any one of claims 1-10, further comprising a water level sensor (500) configured to detect a water level of the coolant by floating within the main body (100). [12] The coolant tank according to claim 11, wherein the ion filter (200) is configured to change its mounting position depending on the water level detected by the water level sensor (W).

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