Hydrogen filling system

Abstract

To fill a fuel battery vehicle with hydrogen without reference to whether the fuel battery vehicle is a fuel battery industrial vehicle or a fuel battery automobile.SOLUTION: A hydrogen filling system comprises: hydrogen filling facilities which fill a tank included in a fuel battery vehicle with hydrogen; a camera which images the fuel battery vehicle filled with the hydrogen by the hydrogen filling facilities; an ambient temperature sensor which detects an ambient temperature; and an image recognition device. The image recognition device determines which of a fuel battery industrial vehicle and a fuel battery automobile the fuel battery vehicle is from the image acquired from the camera. When the image recognition device determines that the fuel battery vehicle is the fuel battery automobile, the hydrogen filling facilities regard the ambient temperature acquired from the ambient temperature sensor as the temperature of the tank included in the fuel battery automobile to determine the filling speed of the hydrogen, and also fill the tank with the hydrogen at the filling speed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a hydrogen filling system.

Background Art

[0002] The hydrogen filling system disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a hydrogen filling facility, a camera, and a control device. The hydrogen filling facility fills hydrogen into a tank provided in a fuel cell vehicle. The camera photographs the fuel cell vehicle. The control device determines whether the fuel cell vehicle corresponds to a fuel cell industrial vehicle using an image captured by the camera. The control device gives a filling permission to the hydrogen filling facility only when the fuel cell vehicle corresponds to a fuel cell industrial vehicle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The hydrogen filling system disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot perform hydrogen filling by the hydrogen filling facility when the fuel cell vehicle is a fuel cell passenger car. A fuel cell passenger car is, for example, a regular passenger car, a bus, or a truck.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The hydrogen filling system for solving the above problems includes a hydrogen filling facility for filling hydrogen into a tank provided in a fuel cell vehicle, a camera for imaging the fuel cell vehicle filled with the hydrogen by the hydrogen filling facility, an outside air temperature sensor for detecting the outside air temperature, and an image recognition device for acquiring an image from the camera. The image recognition device determines whether the fuel cell vehicle is a fuel cell industrial vehicle or a fuel cell automobile from the image acquired from the camera. When the image recognition device determines that the fuel cell vehicle is the fuel cell industrial vehicle, the hydrogen filling facility fills the hydrogen into the tank. When the image recognition device determines that the fuel cell vehicle is the fuel cell automobile, the outside air temperature acquired from the outside air temperature sensor is regarded as the temperature of the tank provided in the fuel cell automobile to determine the filling rate of the hydrogen, and the hydrogen is filled at the filling rate.

[0006] When it is determined that the fuel cell vehicle is a fuel cell industrial vehicle, the hydrogen filling facility fills the hydrogen into the tank. In the case of a fuel cell industrial vehicle, since the temperature of the tank hardly rises, the hydrogen can be filled without grasping the temperature of the tank. When it is determined that the fuel cell vehicle is a fuel cell automobile, the hydrogen filling facility determines the filling rate of the hydrogen by regarding the outside air temperature acquired from the outside air temperature sensor as the temperature of the tank. Thereby, the filling rate can be determined so that the temperature of the tank does not rise excessively. By filling the hydrogen at this filling rate, the hydrogen can be filled into the tank of the fuel cell automobile. Whether the fuel cell vehicle is a fuel cell industrial vehicle or a fuel cell automobile, the hydrogen can be filled.

[0007] Regarding the above hydrogen filling system, the image recognition device may acquire the identification information set for each fuel cell vehicle from the identifier provided in the fuel cell vehicle. Regarding the above hydrogen filling system, it may be provided with an identifier camera for imaging the identifier.

[0008] Regarding the hydrogen filling system, it includes a first parking position where the fuel cell industrial vehicle is parked and a second parking position where the fuel cell vehicle is parked, and the first parking position and the second parking position may be provided with the hydrogen filling facility therebetween.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, hydrogen can be filled whether the fuel cell vehicle is a fuel cell industrial vehicle or a fuel cell vehicle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] An embodiment of the hydrogen filling system will be described. <Hydrogen Filling System> As shown in FIG. 1, the hydrogen filling system FS includes a hydrogen filling facility 30 and at least one parking position P1, P2. Fuel cell vehicles 10, 20 are parked at the parking positions P1, P2. The fuel cell vehicles 10, 20 include a fuel cell industrial vehicle 10 and a fuel cell automobile 20. The fuel cell industrial vehicle 10 is, for example, a forklift or a towing tractor. The fuel cell industrial vehicle 10 is provided with an identifier 11. The identifier 11 may be provided at a position that can be recognized from the outside. The identifier 11 is, for example, an AR marker, a QR code (registered trademark), or a barcode. Identification information is associated with the identifier 11. The identification information is set for each fuel cell industrial vehicle 10.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2, the fuel cell industrial vehicle 10 includes a fuel cell 12, a tank 13, and a receptacle 14. The fuel cell 12 generates electricity by a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. The fuel cell industrial vehicle 10 travels by driving a motor with the electric power obtained by this power generation. The tank 13 is made of metal. The tank 13 stores hydrogen. The hydrogen stored in the tank 13 is supplied to the fuel cell 12. The receptacle 14 is connected to the hydrogen filling facility 30 when filling hydrogen into the tank 13. The receptacle 14 is provided on one side of the side of the fuel cell industrial vehicle 10, for example, the right side.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell automobile 20 is a fuel cell vehicle other than the fuel cell industrial vehicle 10. The fuel cell automobile 20 is, for example, a passenger car, a bus, or a truck. The fuel cell automobile 20 is provided with a license plate 21. The license plate 21 displays a seal, a place name, a classification number, and a series of designated numbers. These are identification information set for each fuel cell automobile 20. The license plate 21 is an identifier provided in the fuel cell automobile 20.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 3, the fuel cell vehicle 20 includes a fuel cell 22, a tank 23, a receptacle 24, a tank temperature sensor 25, and a vehicle control device 26. The fuel cell 22 generates electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. The fuel cell vehicle 20 travels by driving a motor with the electric power obtained from this power generation. The tank 23 is made of resin. The tank 23 stores hydrogen. The hydrogen stored in the tank 23 is supplied to the fuel cell 22. The receptacle 24 is connected to the hydrogen filling facility 30 when filling hydrogen into the tank 23. The receptacle 24 is provided on the side of the fuel cell vehicle 20, on the side opposite to the fuel cell industrial vehicle 10, for example, on the left side. The tank temperature sensor 25 detects the temperature of the tank 23. The vehicle control device 26 is configured to be able to acquire the temperature of the tank 23 from the tank temperature sensor 25.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the parking positions P1 and P2 include a first parking position P1 and a second parking position P2. The first parking position P1 and the second parking position P2 are provided with the hydrogen filling facility 30 therebetween. The fuel cell industrial vehicle 10 is parked at the first parking position P1. The first parking position P1 is preferably provided such that the receptacle 14 faces the hydrogen filling facility 30 when the fuel cell industrial vehicle 10 is parked. The fuel cell vehicle 20 is parked at the second parking position P2. The second parking position P2 is preferably provided such that the receptacle 24 faces the hydrogen filling facility 30 when the fuel cell vehicle 20 is parked. The first parking position P1 may be marked to indicate that it is the position where the fuel cell industrial vehicle 10 is parked. The second parking position P2 may be marked to indicate that it is the position where the fuel cell vehicle 20 is parked. That is, a display may be provided so that the passenger can distinguish which of the first parking position P1 and the second parking position P2 the fuel cell industrial vehicle 10 is parked in and which the fuel cell vehicle 20 is parked in.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the hydrogen filling facility 30 includes a compressor 31, a pressure accumulator 32, a pressure reducing valve 33, an electromagnetic valve 34, a hose 35, a nozzle 36, a control device 37, a display unit 40, an operation unit 41, a temperature sensor 42, an outside air temperature sensor 43, and a pressure sensor 44.

[0017] The compressor 31 compresses hydrogen to increase the pressure. The pressure accumulator 32 stores the hydrogen whose pressure has been increased by the compressor 31. The pressure reducing valve 33 reduces the pressure of hydrogen. The electromagnetic valve 34 is a member that adjusts the flow rate of hydrogen. Hydrogen that has been reduced in pressure by the pressure reducing valve 33 is supplied to the electromagnetic valve 34. The electromagnetic valve 34 is an electromagnetic drive type on-off valve in which the valve body is electromagnetically driven according to the drive cycle and valve opening time. The flow rate of hydrogen can be adjusted by controlling the drive cycle and valve opening time of the electromagnetic valve 34. The hose 35 connects the electromagnetic valve 34 and the nozzle 36. The nozzle 36 is connected to the receptacles 14, 24 of the fuel cell vehicles 10, 20.

[0018] Information regarding hydrogen filling is displayed on the display unit 40. The operation unit 41 is operated by a user of the hydrogen filling facility 30. The operation unit 41 is, for example, a touch panel. The hydrogen filling facility 30 operates according to the operation of the operation unit 41.

[0019] The temperature sensor 42 detects the temperature of the hydrogen supplied to the fuel cell vehicles 10, 20. The outside air temperature sensor 43 detects the outside air temperature. The pressure sensor 44 detects the pressure of the hydrogen supplied to the fuel cell vehicles 10, 20. The pressure sensor 44 is provided, for example, to detect the pressure of the hose 35.

[0020] The control device 37 includes a processor 38 and a storage unit 39. The processor 38 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The storage unit 39 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The storage unit 39 stores program codes or instructions configured to cause the processor 38 to execute processing. The storage unit 39, that is, the computer-readable medium, includes any available medium accessible by a general-purpose or dedicated computer. The control device 37 may be configured by a hardware circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The control device 37, which is a processing circuit, may include one or more processors operating according to a computer program, one or more hardware circuits such as an ASIC or an FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0021] The storage unit 39 stores data PR that defines a plurality of filling protocols. The filling protocol defines the agreement when filling the fuel cell vehicles 10, 20 with hydrogen. The filling protocol defines at least the filling rate when filling with hydrogen. The filling protocol may define the temperature of hydrogen or the filling method. The filling method is, for example, a constant pressure increase method or a constant flow rate method.

[0022] When filling the tanks 13, 23 with hydrogen using the hydrogen filling facility 30, the nozzle 36 is connected to the receptacles 14, 24. When the hydrogen filling facility 30 starts filling hydrogen, hydrogen is supplied to the hose 35. The hydrogen supplied to the hose 35 is supplied to the tanks 13, 23 via the nozzle 36 and the receptacles 14, 24. Thereby, the tanks 13, 23 are filled with hydrogen.

[0023] The hydrogen filling system FS includes at least one camera 51, 52. The cameras 51, 52 are digital cameras. The cameras 51, 52 include image sensors. The image sensors are, for example, CCD image sensors (Charge Coupled Device image sensors) or CMOS image sensors (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor image sensors). The cameras 51, 52 are, for example, RGB cameras, infrared cameras, grayscale cameras, or visible light cameras.

[0024] The cameras 51, 52 image the fuel cell vehicles 10, 20 filled with hydrogen by the hydrogen filling facility 30. In the present embodiment, the cameras 51, 52 include a first camera 51 provided corresponding to the first parking position P1 and a second camera 52 provided corresponding to the second parking position P2. The first camera 51 is arranged so as to be able to image the appearance of the fuel cell industrial vehicle 10 when the fuel cell industrial vehicle 10 is parked at the first parking position P1. The second camera 52 is arranged so as to be able to image the appearance of the fuel cell vehicle 20 when the fuel cell vehicle 20 is parked at the second parking position P2.

[0025] The hydrogen filling system FS includes an identifier camera 53. In the present embodiment, the identifier camera 53 is arranged to image the license plate 21 of the fuel cell vehicle 20. The position of the license plate 21 of the fuel cell vehicle 20 is fixed at a certain position. Therefore, when the fuel cell vehicle 20 is parked at the second parking position P2, the arrangement position of the identifier camera 53 may be determined so that the license plate 21 is included in the imaging range.

[0026] The hydrogen filling system FS includes an image recognition device 60. The hardware configuration of the image recognition device 60 is, for example, the same as that of the control device 37. The image recognition device 60 includes, for example, a processor 61 and a storage unit 62. The image recognition device 60 is configured to be able to acquire images from the cameras 51, 52 and the identifier camera 53.

[0027] <Control Performed in Hydrogen Filling System> In the hydrogen filling system FS, the control of the hydrogen filling facility 30 is performed according to the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 20 parked at the first parking position P1 or the second parking position P2. In the following description, it is assumed that the hydrogen filling system FS is operated so that the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 20 are not parked at the first parking position P1 and the second parking position P2 simultaneously.

[0028] <Image Recognition Control> The image recognition control performed by the image recognition device 60 will be described. The image recognition control is repeatedly executed at a predetermined interval.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 4, in step S1, the image recognition device 60 determines whether the object existing at the first parking position P1 or the second parking position P2 is a vehicle. This determination may be made, for example, by a learned model that performs class classification of the object. The learned model extracts feature amounts from the image and determines the class to which the object belongs from these feature amounts. When the class of the object corresponds to a vehicle, the image recognition device 60 determines that the object is a vehicle. If the vehicle is included in any of the images acquired from the first camera 51 and the second camera 52, the determination in step S1 is affirmed. The vehicles for which hydrogen is filled in the hydrogen filling facility 30 are the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 20. Therefore, when the object is determined to be a vehicle, the vehicle is the fuel cell vehicle 10 or 20. If the determination result in step S1 is affirmative, the image recognition device 60 proceeds to step S2. If the determination result in step S1 is negative, the image recognition device 60 ends the image recognition control.

[0030] In step S2, the image recognition device 60 determines whether the vehicle in step S1 is an industrial vehicle. This determination may be made, for example, by a learned model that performs object classification. The learned model extracts feature amounts from an image and determines the class to which the object belongs from these feature amounts. When the class of the object corresponds to an industrial vehicle, the image recognition device 60 determines that the object is an industrial vehicle. The classes of the learned model can be set arbitrarily. When the classes of the learned model include an industrial vehicle, if the class of the object is an industrial vehicle, it may be determined that the class of the object corresponds to an industrial vehicle. When the classes of the learned model include a forklift and a towing tractor obtained by subdividing an industrial vehicle, if the class of the object is a forklift or a towing tractor, it may be determined that the class of the object corresponds to an industrial vehicle. That is, for the classes of the learned model, it is sufficient to perform an association as to whether or not the class is an industrial vehicle.

[0031] Since the vehicles in step S1 are the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 20, if it is determined in step S2 that the vehicle is an industrial vehicle, the industrial vehicle is the fuel cell industrial vehicle 10. If it is determined in step S2 that the vehicle is not an industrial vehicle, the vehicle is the fuel cell automobile 20. Step S1 may be omitted and the image recognition control may be started from step S2. When the determination result in step S2 is affirmative, the image recognition device 60 proceeds to step S3. When the determination result in step S2 is negative, the image recognition device 60 proceeds to step S11.

[0032] In step S3, the image recognition device 60 performs marker identification. Marker identification is to acquire identification information from the identifier 11. The image recognition device 60 recognizes the identifier 11 from the image acquired from the first camera 51. Then, the image recognition device 60 acquires the identification information associated with the identifier 11 by reading the identifier 11. After finishing the process of step S3, the image recognition device 60 proceeds to step S4.

[0033] In step S4, the image recognition device 60 determines whether the fuel cell industrial vehicle 10 is within the specified range based on the identification information acquired in step S3. In the hydrogen filling system FS, fuel cell vehicles 10, 20 that can be filled at the hydrogen filling facility 30 are specified in advance. Being within the specified range means being specified as fuel cell vehicles 10, 20 that can be filled at the hydrogen filling facility 30. The identification information of the fuel cell vehicles 10, 20 that can be filled at the hydrogen filling facility 30 is registered in advance by being stored in the storage unit 62 or the like. The image recognition device 60 collates the identification information acquired in step S3 with the registered identification information. As a result of the collation, if the identification information acquired in step S3 matches the registered identification information, the image recognition device 60 determines that the fuel cell industrial vehicle 10 is within the specified range. If the determination result in step S4 is affirmative, the image recognition device 60 proceeds to step S5. If the determination result in step S4 is negative, the image recognition device 60 proceeds to step S6.

[0034] In step S5, the image recognition device 60 permits the filling of the fuel cell industrial vehicle 10 by the hydrogen filling facility 30. After finishing the process of step S5, the image recognition device 60 proceeds to step S15.

[0035] In step S6, the image recognition device 60 prohibits the filling of the fuel cell industrial vehicle 10 by the hydrogen filling facility 30. After finishing the process of step S6, the image recognition device 60 proceeds to step S15.

[0036] In step S11, the image recognition device 60 performs number identification. Number identification is to acquire identification information from the license plate 21. Number identification is performed using, for example, optical character recognition. The identification information of the fuel cell vehicle 20 may be one of a seal, a place name, a classification number, and a series of designated numbers, or a combination thereof. After finishing the process of step S11, the image recognition device 60 proceeds to step S12.

[0037] In step S12, the image recognition device 60 determines whether the fuel cell vehicle 20 is within the specified range. In step S12, it is determined whether the identification information acquired in step S11 matches the registered identification information in the same manner as in step S4. If the determination result in step S12 is affirmative, the image recognition device 60 proceeds to step S13. If the determination result in step S12 is negative, the image recognition device 60 proceeds to step S14.

[0038] In step S13, the image recognition device 60 permits the filling of the fuel cell vehicle 20 by the hydrogen filling facility 30. After finishing the process of step S13, the image recognition device 60 proceeds to step S15.

[0039] In step S14, the image recognition device 60 prohibits the filling of the fuel cell vehicle 20 by the hydrogen filling facility 30. After finishing the process of step S14, the image recognition device 60 proceeds to step S15.

[0040] In step S15, the image recognition device 60 transmits the determination result to the control device 37. The determination result transmitted in step S15 includes information indicating whether filling is permitted or prohibited, and information indicating whether the fuel cell vehicles 10, 20 are fuel cell industrial vehicles 10 or fuel cell vehicles 20.

[0041] <Filling control> The filling control performed by the control device 37 will be described. The filling control is repeatedly executed at a predetermined interval.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 5, in step S21, the control device 37 determines whether filling by the hydrogen filling facility 30 is permitted based on the determination result received from the image recognition device 60. If the determination result in step S21 is negative, the control device 37 ends the filling control. If the determination result in step S21 is affirmative, the control device 37 proceeds to step S22.

[0043] In step S22, the control device 37 determines whether the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 20 that are the targets of filling permission are fuel cell industrial vehicles 10 based on the determination result received from the image recognition device 60. If the determination result in step S22 is affirmative, that is, if the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 20 are fuel cell industrial vehicles 10, the control device 37 proceeds to step S23. If the determination result in step S22 is negative, that is, if the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 20 are fuel cell automobiles 20, the control device 37 proceeds to step S31.

[0044] In step S23, the control device 37 fills hydrogen according to the filling protocol for the fuel cell industrial vehicle 10. In the filling protocol for the fuel cell industrial vehicle 10, the filling rate of hydrogen is defined. The filling rate when filling hydrogen into the fuel cell industrial vehicle 10 is defined such that the pressure of the tank 13 rises at 10 [MPa / min]. The control device 37 adjusts the filling rate of hydrogen such that the pressure of the tank 13 rises at 10 [MPa / min] while detecting the pressure of the tank 13 by the pressure sensor 44. The filling rate of hydrogen can be adjusted, for example, by controlling the electromagnetic valve 34. When the pressure of the tank 13 reaches a predetermined full filling pressure, the control device 37 ends the filling of hydrogen. The full filling pressure is, for example, 35 [MPa]. After finishing the process of step S23, the control device 37 ends the filling control.

[0045] In step S31, the control device 37 obtains the outside air temperature from the outside air temperature sensor 43. After finishing the process of step S31, the control device 37 proceeds to step S32. In step S32, the control device 37 regards the outside air temperature acquired in step S32 as the temperature of the tank 23, and selects a filling protocol according to the outside air temperature. The tank 23 of the fuel cell vehicle 20 is usually considered to have a cruising range and a filling time comparable to those of a gasoline vehicle. For this reason, the tank 23 often has a capacity exceeding 100 L. Also, for fuel efficiency improvement, it is rarely made of metal, and is often made of lightweight resin, for example, FRP or CFRP (carbon). Since the fuel cell industrial vehicle 10 often transports heavy loads, even when the tank 13 is made of metal, the impact on fuel efficiency is relatively small. Also, the fuel cell industrial vehicle 10 is often used within a limited area such as a factory, and even if the fuel efficiency decreases, there are often no practical problems. For this reason, the tank 13 of the fuel cell industrial vehicle 10 can be made of metal.

[0046] The heat capacity of the resin-made tank 23 is smaller than that of the metal-made tank 13. For this reason, the temperature of the tank 23 is more likely to rise during hydrogen filling than the tank 13. Furthermore, in the fuel cell vehicle 20, there may be a case where hydrogen is filled in a short hydrogen filling time (for example, about 3 minutes) as required for a gasoline vehicle, and the temperature is more likely to rise during hydrogen filling than the tank 13. When filling hydrogen, an upper limit temperature is set for the temperature of the tank 23, and it is required to fill hydrogen so as not to exceed the upper limit temperature. Since the fuel cell vehicle 20 is provided with the tank temperature sensor 25, when the control device 37 and the vehicle control device 26 can communicate with each other, by acquiring the temperature of the tank 23 from the vehicle control device 26, hydrogen can be filled so as not to exceed the upper limit temperature. On the other hand, in the hydrogen filling system FS in which the vehicle control device 26 and the control device 37 do not communicate with each other as in the present embodiment, hydrogen can be filled without knowing the temperature of the tank 23.

[0047] In this embodiment, the outside air temperature is regarded as the temperature of the tank 23, and a filling protocol corresponding to the outside air temperature is selected. In this filling protocol, the filling rate is defined so that the temperature of the tank 23 when the hydrogen filling is completed does not exceed the upper limit temperature. This filling rate is slower than the filling rate defined by the filling protocol for the fuel cell industrial vehicle 10. Further, the higher the outside air temperature, the slower the filling rate.

[0048] The control device 37 selects at least one filling protocol according to the outside air temperature. In this embodiment, the control device 37 selects a plurality of filling protocols. In the plurality of filling protocols, the hydrogen filling rates are different. After finishing the process of step S32, the control device 37 performs the process of step S33.

[0049] In step S33, the control device 37 presents the plurality of filling protocols selected in step S32 to the user of the hydrogen filling system FS. The presentation of the filling protocol is performed by displaying the filling protocol on the display unit 40. At this time, the filling rate of each filling protocol may be displayed on the display unit 40. The filling rate may be displayed as the increase value of the pressure per minute such as 1 [MPa / min], or may be displayed as the time required for filling. Alternatively, the relative speed of the filling rate of each filling protocol may be displayed. For example, corresponding to the filling protocol with a high filling rate, high-speed filling may be displayed, and corresponding to the filling protocol with a slower filling rate than the high-speed filling, low-speed filling may be displayed. After finishing the process of step S33, the control device 37 performs the process of step S34.

[0050] In step S34, the control device 37 determines whether a filling protocol has been determined by the user of the hydrogen filling system FS. By recognizing the display in step S33, the user can recognize the filling protocol. The user determines one filling protocol from the plurality of filling protocols presented in step S33 by operating the operation unit 41. When the filling protocol is determined by the user, the determination result in step S34 becomes affirmative. Until the filling protocol is determined by the user, the control device 37 repeats the determination in step S34. When the determination result in step S34 becomes affirmative, the control device 37 proceeds to step S35.

[0051] In step S35, the control device 37 determines the filling protocol determined in step S34 as the filling protocol when filling hydrogen into the fuel cell vehicle 20. Then, the control device 37 performs the filling according to the filling protocol. Since the filling protocol defines the filling speed, the filling speed is determined by determining the filling protocol. Compared with the case of filling hydrogen into the tank 13 of the fuel cell industrial vehicle 10, hydrogen is filled into the tank 23 of the fuel cell vehicle 20 at a slower filling speed. When the pressure in the tank 23 reaches a predetermined full filling pressure, the control device 37 ends the hydrogen filling. The full filling pressure may be the same value as in the case of filling hydrogen into the fuel cell industrial vehicle 10, or may be a different value. After finishing the process of step S35, the control device 37 ends the filling control.

[0052] [Operation of this Embodiment] When the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 20 park at the parking positions P1 and P2, the image recognition device 60 determines whether the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 20 are fuel cell industrial vehicles 10 or fuel cell vehicles 20. The image recognition device 60 transmits the determination result to the hydrogen filling facility 30. When it is determined that the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 20 are fuel cell industrial vehicles 10, the hydrogen filling facility 30 fills the tank 13 with hydrogen. In the case of the fuel cell industrial vehicle 10, since the tank 13 is made of metal, the heat capacity is large. Since the temperature of the tank 13 hardly rises, hydrogen can be filled without grasping the temperature of the tank 13.

[0053] When the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 20 are determined to be fuel cell automobiles 20, the hydrogen filling facility 30 determines the hydrogen filling rate by regarding the outside air temperature acquired from the outside air temperature sensor 43 as the temperature of the tank 13. In the case of the fuel cell automobile 20, since the tank 23 is made of resin, its heat capacity is smaller than that of the metal tank 13. Therefore, it is necessary to suppress the excessive rise in the temperature of the tank 23 and perform hydrogen filling so as not to exceed the upper limit temperature.

[0054] The control device 37 regards the outside air temperature acquired from the outside air temperature sensor 43 as the temperature of the tank 23. The temperature of the tank 23 rises during hydrogen filling. Also, in the fuel cell automobile 20, generally, no heat-generating components are arranged around the tank 23. Or, even if heat-generating components are arranged around the tank 23, they are arranged while avoiding contact with the tank 23. Therefore, after the hydrogen filling is completed, the factor that affects the temperature of the tank 23 is mainly the outside air temperature, and there is a correlation between the temperature of the tank 23 and the outside air temperature. Due to this correlation, after the hydrogen filling is completed, the temperature of the tank 23 approaches the outside air temperature. When the hydrogen filling facility 30 performs hydrogen filling, it is considered that the fuel cell automobile 20 has been driven, so it is considered that the difference between the temperature of the tank 23 and the outside air temperature is small due to the passage of time since the previous hydrogen filling. Therefore, the outside air temperature can be regarded as the temperature of the tank 23. The control device 37 can determine the filling rate based on the outside air temperature so that the temperature of the tank 23 does not rise excessively.

[0055] [Effects of the Present Embodiment] (1) The control device 37 determines the filling rate by regarding the outside air temperature as the temperature of the tank 23. By filling hydrogen at this filling rate, hydrogen can be filled into the tank 23 of the fuel cell automobile 20. Whether the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 20 are fuel cell industrial vehicles 10 or fuel cell automobiles 20, hydrogen can be filled.

[0056] (2) The image recognition device 60 acquires the identification information set for each fuel cell industrial vehicle 10 from the identifier 11 provided in the fuel cell industrial vehicle 10. The image recognition device 60 acquires the identification information set for each fuel cell vehicle 20 from the license plate 21 provided in the fuel cell vehicle 20. Thereby, it is possible to determine whether the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 20 are within the specified range. In the case of the embodiment, for the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 20 within the specified range, hydrogen filling is permitted. For this reason, hydrogen filling permission can be given only to specific fuel cell vehicles 10 and 20.

[0057] (3) The hydrogen filling system FS includes an identifier camera 53. In order to determine whether the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 20 are fuel cell industrial vehicles 10 or fuel cell vehicles 20, it is preferable that the entire exterior of the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 20 be imaged. On the other hand, since the license plate 21 is provided at a specific position of the fuel cell vehicle 20, it is preferable to image only this position. That is, the first camera 51 and the second camera 52 for imaging an image for determining whether the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 20 are fuel cell industrial vehicles 10 or fuel cell vehicles 20, and the identifier camera 53 for imaging an image in which the license plate 21 appears have different preferable positions and preferable angles. As in the present embodiment, by providing the identifier camera 53, which is a dedicated camera for imaging the license plate 21, the first camera 51 and the second camera 52 can be arranged at positions and angles preferable for imaging the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 20. Also, the identifier camera 53 can be arranged at a position and an angle preferable for imaging the license plate 21.

[0058] (4) The hydrogen filling system FS includes a first parking position P1 and a second parking position P2. The first parking position P1 and the second parking position P2 are provided with the hydrogen filling facility 30 therebetween. Thereby, even when the receptacles 14 and 24 of the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 20 are on either the left or the right of the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 20, it is easy to connect the nozzle 36.

[0059] When filling the fuel cell vehicle 20 with hydrogen, it is necessary to fill the hydrogen so that the temperature of the tank 23 does not exceed the upper limit temperature. If the hydrogen filling facility 30 is equipped with a communication function with the vehicle control device 26, hydrogen can be filled while monitoring the temperature of the tank 23. In the hydrogen filling facility 30 that does not have a communication function with the vehicle control device 26, it is not necessary to monitor the temperature of the tank 23 when filling hydrogen. As in this embodiment, by using the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 43, hydrogen can be filled while suppressing the temperature of the tank 23 from exceeding the upper limit temperature. For this reason, the fuel cell vehicle 20 can be filled with hydrogen using the hydrogen filling facility 30 that does not have a communication function with the vehicle control device 26. Since communication with the vehicle control device 26 is not performed, no time for communication is required, and the time until the start of hydrogen filling can be shortened. In addition, since a communication system for communicating with the vehicle control device 26 and control for communication are not required, the manufacturing cost of the hydrogen filling facility 30 can be reduced.

[0060] [Modification Example] The embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. The embodiment and the following modification examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically consistent range.

[0061] ○ The hydrogen filling system FS may not be equipped with the identifier camera 53. In this case, number identification may be performed from the image acquired from the second camera 52. ○ The hydrogen filling system FS may be equipped with an identifier camera that images the first parking position P1. In this case, the control device 37 may perform marker identification from the image acquired from the identifier camera that images the first parking position P1.

[0062] ○ The control device 37 may not acquire the identification information. In this case, the control device 37 may not determine whether the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 20 are within the specified range. ○ If the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 20 are within the specified range, the image recognition device 60 may store information regarding hydrogen filling in association with the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 20. In this case, the image recognition device 60 may store information regarding hydrogen filling in association with the identification information. The information regarding hydrogen filling is, for example, the number of hydrogen fillings or the hydrogen filling interval.

[0063] ○ If the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 20 are not within the specified range, the image recognition device 60 may store the identification information of the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 20. ○ The control device 37 may be used also as an image recognition device.

[0064] ○ The parking positions P1 and P2 may be available for both the fuel cell industrial vehicle 10 and the fuel cell vehicle 20 to park. ○ The hydrogen filling facility 30 may be capable of filling hydrogen into a plurality of fuel cell vehicles 10 and 20 simultaneously. For example, the hydrogen filling facility 30 may be capable of filling hydrogen into the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 20 parked at the first parking position P1 and the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 20 parked at the second parking position P2. The image recognition device 60 determines whether each of the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 20 parked at the first parking position P1 and the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 20 parked at the second parking position P2 is a fuel cell industrial vehicle 10 or a fuel cell vehicle 20. Then, the control device 37 may define a filling protocol for each of the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 20 parked at the first parking position P1 and the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 20 parked at the second parking position P2.

[0065] ○ If it is possible to image the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 20 parked at the first parking position P1 and the fuel cell vehicles 10 and 20 parked at the second parking position P2, there may be one camera 51 or 52. ○ The determinations in step S1 and step S2 can be made using any image recognition method. For example, the control device 37 may make the determinations in step S1 and step S2 using pattern matching.

[0066] ○ The fuel cell industrial vehicle 10 may be provided with a number plate as an identifier. ○ The fuel cell vehicle 20 may be provided with an AR marker, a QR code, or a barcode as an identifier.

[0067] ○ In step S32, the control device 37 may regard the outside air temperature acquired in step S32 as the temperature of the tank 23 and select one filling protocol according to the outside air temperature. In this case, the control device 37 determines the filling protocol as the filling protocol when filling the fuel cell vehicle 20 with hydrogen.

Explanation of Signs

[0068] FS… Hydrogen filling system, P1… First parking position, P2… Second parking position, 10… Fuel cell industrial vehicle, 11… Identifier, 13… Tank, 20… Fuel cell vehicle, 21… License plate as an identifier, 23… Tank, 30… Hydrogen filling facility, 43… Outside air temperature sensor, 51, 52… Cameras, 53… Identifier camera, 60… Image recognition device.

Claims

1. A hydrogen filling facility for filling hydrogen into a tank provided in a fuel cell vehicle, a camera for imaging the fuel cell vehicle filled with the hydrogen by the hydrogen filling facility, an outside air temperature sensor for detecting the outside air temperature, and an image recognition device for acquiring an image from the camera, and the image recognition device determines whether the fuel cell vehicle is a fuel cell industrial vehicle or a fuel cell automobile from the image acquired from the camera, the hydrogen filling facility when the image recognition device determines that the fuel cell vehicle is the fuel cell industrial vehicle, fills the hydrogen into the tank, when the image recognition device determines that the fuel cell vehicle is the fuel cell automobile, regards the outside air temperature acquired from the outside air temperature sensor as the temperature of the tank provided in the fuel cell automobile to determine the filling rate of the hydrogen, and fills the hydrogen at the filling rate, a hydrogen filling system.

2. The image recognition device acquires identification information set for each fuel cell vehicle from an identifier provided in the fuel cell vehicle. The hydrogen filling system according to claim 1.

3. The hydrogen filling system according to claim 2, comprising an identifier camera for imaging the identifier.

4. a first parking position where the fuel cell industrial vehicle is parked, and a second parking position where the fuel cell automobile is parked, and the first parking position and the second parking position are provided with the hydrogen filling facility therebetween. The hydrogen filling system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images