Control device of valve

Abstract

To provide a control device of a valve capable of suitably controlling a valve even when characteristics of the valve are different for each of tanks.SOLUTION: A control device of a valve includes a processor for controlling opening and closing of a valve of a plurality of tanks. The processor detects characteristics of the valve for each of the tanks, or acquires previously detected characteristics of the valve from a memory, and generates an opening and closing control signal in accordance with the characteristics of the valve.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device for a valve. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 proposes a technique for a fuel cell vehicle equipped with multiple tanks, in which multiple valves are controlled based on the remaining amount of fuel in each tank, thereby consuming the fuel in the tanks evenly. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-118055 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration the operating characteristics of the valves for each tank when controlling the opening and closing of the valves installed in the tanks. Therefore, there is a demand for a valve control device that can perform appropriate control even when the valve characteristics differ for each tank.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide a valve control device that can perform appropriate control even when the valve characteristics differ for each tank. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The valve control device according to the present disclosure includes a processor that controls the opening and closing of valves of a plurality of tanks, and the processor detects the characteristics of the valve for each tank or retrieves the characteristics of the valve that have been detected in advance from a memory, and generates an opening and closing control signal according to the characteristics of the valve. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, appropriate control can be achieved even when the valve characteristics differ for each tank. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of a valve control device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a current waveform during valve opening control by the valve control device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a first example of valve opening control by the valve control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a second example of valve opening control by the valve control device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a third example of valve opening control by the valve control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a current waveform in the valve control device according to the embodiment when the resistance of the main stop valve is large and no current flows. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] A valve control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the components in the following embodiments include those that are easily replaceable by a person skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same.

[0010] (Valve control device) The configuration of a valve control device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The valve control device according to the embodiment is for controlling a valve (main stop valve) of a tank filled with, for example, high-pressure hydrogen (gas) or liquid hydrogen. Of these tanks, a high-pressure hydrogen tank filled with high-pressure hydrogen is used, for example, in a fuel cell vehicle.

[0011] 1, the valve control device according to the embodiment controls a plurality of main stop valves (TSV: Tank Shut (Stop) Valves) 1. A power supply relay 4 is connected to these main stop valves 1. The valve control device according to the embodiment also includes a tank ECU 2 and a power train ECU 3.

[0012] The tank ECU 2 is an electronic control unit (ECU) whose main components are a microcomputer including, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The tank ECU 2 realizes functions that meet a predetermined purpose by controlling each component through the execution of various programs.

[0013] The tank ECU 2 opens and closes the main stop valve 1 by passing a current through the main stop valve 1 based on a drive command for the main stop valve 1 received from, for example, the power train ECU 3 .

[0014] The tank ECU 2 detects the characteristics of the main stop valve 1 for each tank based on, for example, the drive command. Alternatively, the tank ECU 2 acquires the characteristics of the main stop valve 1 detected in advance from a memory (ROM). The "characteristics of the main stop valve 1" refers to the value and waveform of the current that flows when the main stop valve 1 is opened / closed.

[0015] The tank ECU 2 then opens and closes the main stop valve 1 by generating an opening / closing control signal according to the characteristics of the main stop valve 1 detected or acquired as described above. This makes it possible to appropriately control the main stop valves 1 of all tanks even in a fuel cell vehicle that has tanks 5 of different types (or different generations) mixed on board. Note that "appropriate control" includes, for example, being able to reliably open and close the main stop valve 1, as well as being able to reduce noise during opening and closing.

[0016] Furthermore, the tank ECU 2 may generate a plurality of opening / closing control signals according to the characteristics of each main stop valve 1, or may generate one opening / closing control signal based on characteristics common to all of the main stop valves 1. When one opening / closing control signal is generated for the main stop valves 1 of a plurality of tanks as described above, the opening / closing control can be simplified.

[0017] The powertrain ECU 3, like the tank ECU 2, is an electronic control device whose main components are a microcomputer consisting of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. This powertrain ECU 3 realizes functions that meet predetermined purposes by controlling each component through the execution of various programs.

[0018] The power-train ECU 3 transmits a drive command for the main stop valve 1 to the tank ECU 2. The details of this "drive command" will be described later.

[0019] Here, since the space available for mounting a tank is limited in a fuel cell vehicle, if the tank capacity is to be increased to extend the cruising range, it is necessary to mount a combination of multiple tanks of various diameters. A typical passenger vehicle is usually equipped with two to four tanks, and the tank ECU that drives these main stop valves (TSV) is provided with circuits for the number of tanks from the start, and receives drive commands from the powertrain ECU to open / close the valves. In other words, if one vehicle is equipped with different types of main stop valves, it is necessary to provide a tank ECU for each type of main stop valve.

[0020] A main stop valve can be opened by passing a constant current with a set waveform. Because of requirements for durability and valve opening sound, it is not sufficient to simply pass a certain current or more; it is necessary to control the valve to open at a set time by gradually increasing the current, as shown in Figure 2, for example. Also, when driving three main stop valves as in Figure 1, for example, the three main stop valves may be different types due to system reasons, or the valve opening control method (current waveform) required for each main stop valve may be different.

[0021] Therefore, the valve control device according to the embodiment provides a method for appropriate control even when the characteristics of the main stop valve 1 differ for each tank. The following describes the details of the valve opening control by the valve control device according to the embodiment.

[0022] (Valve opening control 1) A first example of valve opening control by the valve control device according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. In the following description, the valve opening control of the main stop valve 1 will be mainly described, but the main stop valve 1 can also be closed in a similar manner.

[0023] First, the power-train ECU 3 transmits a drive command for the main stop valve 1 to the tank ECU 2. This drive command includes information about the main stop valve 1 to be driven (e.g., "TSV_No") and information about the value of the current to be passed through the main stop valve 1. More specifically, the "information about the current value" is a current waveform as shown in FIG.

[0024] Next, the tank ECU 2 receives a drive command from the power train ECU 3. Then, the tank ECU 2 passes a current having a waveform included in the drive command to the main stop valve 1 to be driven, thereby opening the main stop valve 1.

[0025] In this way, in this example, the tank ECU 2 receives information on the target current waveform from the power train ECU 3 in addition to the drive commands to open each main stop valve 1, thereby enabling control of the opening of multiple main stop valves 1 with different characteristics.

[0026] (Valve opening control 2) A second example of valve opening control by the valve control device according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. In the following description, the valve opening control of the main stop valve 1 will be mainly described, but the main stop valve 1 can also be closed in a similar manner.

[0027] First, the power-train ECU 3 transmits a drive command for the main stop valve 1 to the tank ECU 2. This drive command includes information (for example, "TSV_No") about the main stop valve 1 to be driven.

[0028] In this example, the tank ECU 2 stores in a memory (ROM) (not shown) information relating to the current waveform for opening each main stop valve 1. Therefore, when the tank ECU 2 receives a drive command from the power train ECU 3, it obtains from the memory the current waveform for driving the main stop valve 1 to be driven, and opens the main stop valve 1 by passing a current with the obtained waveform.

[0029] In this way, in this example, simply by specifying which main stop valve 1 to open from the power train ECU 3 to the tank ECU 2, it is possible to control the opening of that main stop valve 1. Also, in the first example described above (see FIG. 3), the power train ECU 3 needs to specify the waveform of the current to be passed through the main stop valve 1 to be driven, but in this example, this is not necessary, so the burden on the power train ECU 3 can be reduced.

[0030] In this example, instead of sending information regarding the main stop valve 1 to be driven (e.g., "TSV_No") from the power train ECU 3 to the tank ECU 2 every time, only the ON / OFF (valve open / valve closed) drive command may be sent.

[0031] In this case, the tank ECU 2 learns in advance which main stop valve 1 should be opened (or closed) with which current waveform, and opens (or closes) each main stop valve 1 based on the ON / OFF (open / close) drive command received from the power train ECU 3.

[0032] (Valve opening control 3) A third example of valve opening control by the valve control device according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Note that in the following description, the valve opening control of the main stop valve 1 will be mainly described, but the main stop valve 1 can also be closed in a similar manner.

[0033] First, the power-train ECU 3 transmits a drive command for the main stop valve 1 to the tank ECU 2. This drive command includes information regarding the ON / OFF (valve opening / valve closing) timing of the main stop valve 1.

[0034] In this example, the tank ECU 2 stores information on the resistance value of each main stop valve 1 in a memory (ROM) not shown. The resistance value of the main stop valve 1 is measured in advance, for example, by measuring the voltage applied to the main stop valve 1 and passing a predetermined current. For example, if the resistance value of the first main stop valve 1 (TSV1 in FIG. 1) is 1 Ω and the resistance value of the second main stop valve 1 (TSV2 in FIG. 1) is 2 Ω, it is possible to determine which main stop valve 1 is connected to the tank ECU 2 by measuring the resistance value in advance before driving the main stop valve 1.

[0035] At this time, if the temperature of the main stop valve 1 is also measured in advance, the accuracy of the resistance measurement will increase, and it will be possible to eliminate the region in which it is impossible to determine which main stop valve 1 is connected. In addition, once the resistance value has been measured, the main stop valve 1 will not be replaced, so it is sufficient to determine and store the resistance value only immediately after the battery is connected. In order to prevent erroneous determination, if the tank ECU 2 is configured to output which main stop valve 1 is connected, it will also be possible to prevent early-stage trouble.

[0036] The tank ECU 2, which has received a drive command from the powertrain ECU 3, opens the main stop valve 1 by passing a predetermined current based on the resistance value of the main stop valve 1 measured in advance. For example, consider a case where the first main stop valve 1 (TSV1 in FIG. 1) with a resistance value of 1 Ω opens with a current of 2 A, and the second main stop valve 1 (TSV2 in FIG. 1) with a resistance value of 2 Ω opens with a current of 1 A. In this case, the tank ECU 2 determines which main stop valve 1 to drive based on the resistance value measured in advance, and passes a current of 2 A when the valve to be driven is the first main stop valve 1 (TSV1), and passes a current of 1 A when the valve to be driven is the second main stop valve 1 (TSV2).

[0037] Thus, in this example, when the resistance value differs depending on the type of main stop valve 1, the tank ECU 2 determines for itself which main stop valve 1 is connected and then controls the opening of the main stop valve 1. The powertrain ECU 3 transmits only the ON / OFF (open / close) timing of the main stop valve 1 to the tank ECU 2, which makes it possible to apply the tank 5 and tank ECU 2 to various vehicles and different systems.

[0038] Furthermore, if the characteristics of the main stop valve 1 can be adjusted well, the same control method can be applied even if different control methods are required. For example, as shown in Figure 6, consider a case where there are two types of main stop valves 1 for which the current needs to be controlled, and the main stop valve 1 that is to be opened with a current of 1A has a high resistance value and does not allow a current of 2A to flow. In this case, as shown in (a) of the same figure, even if a current of up to 2A is allowed to flow, the current waveform will be as shown in (b) of the same figure. If there is no problem with a current waveform like this, it is possible to standardize the control method.

[0039] According to the valve control device of the embodiment described above, when controlling a plurality of tanks 5, even if the characteristics of the valves (main stop valves 1) for each tank 5 are different, appropriate control can be performed.

[0040] In other words, in the valve control device of the embodiment, by generating an opening / closing control signal according to the characteristics of the main stop valve 1 for each tank 5, the main stop valves 1 of all tanks 5 can be appropriately controlled even in a fuel cell vehicle that has tanks 5 of different types (or different generations) mixed on board.

[0041] Further advantages and modifications may readily occur to those skilled in the art. Thus, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

[0042] For example, in the valve control device according to the embodiment, detection (calculation) of the characteristics of each main stop valve 1 is performed by the tank ECU 2, but this processing may be performed by the power train ECU 3. Also, in the valve control device according to the embodiment, an example has been described in which the tank ECU 2 and the power train ECU 3 are configured as separate hardware, but the tank ECU 2 and the power train ECU 3 may be configured as a single piece of hardware. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1. Main stop valve (TSV) 2 Tank ECU 3 Powertrain ECU 4 Power Relay 5. Tank

Claims

[Claim 1] A processor is provided for controlling the opening and closing of valves of a plurality of tanks; The processor, Detecting the characteristics of the valve for each tank, or retrieving the previously detected characteristics of the valve from a memory; generating an opening / closing control signal according to the characteristics of the valve; Valve control device.

Images