Fuel cell unit and industrial vehicle

Abstract

To inhibit power generation by a fuel cell during maintenance of a fuel cell unit while preventing the handling of harnesses and the layout of parts from becoming complicated.SOLUTION: A fuel cell unit 1 is configured to include a housing H in which the fuel cell unit 1 is housed, a first plate portion Bd1 that covers a first opening Op1 of the housing H, a first auxiliary device provided on a first plate portion Bd1 on the outer surface side of the housing H, a control unit 22 that controls power generation by the fuel cell FC on the basis of a signal sent from the first auxiliary device via a first electric wire, and a break detection unit 21 that detects a break in the first electric wire. When the first plate portion Bd1 is removed from the housing H, the first electric wire is broken, and when the break is detected by the break detection unit 21, the control unit 22 prohibits power generation by the fuel cell FC.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fuel cell unit.

Background Art

[0002] As a fuel cell unit, when performing maintenance on the fuel cell unit, if the top plate covering the opening of the housing of the fuel cell unit is removed, the power supply to the control unit that controls the power generation of the fuel cell by switching the state of the switch attached to the top plate stops, and the power generation of the fuel cell is prohibited. As a related technology, there is Patent Document 1.

[0003] However, in the above fuel cell unit, since it is necessary to add a switch that has nothing to do with the power generation of the fuel cell, there is a possibility that the wiring of the harness and the layout of the components will become complicated due to the addition of the switch.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] An object according to one aspect of the present invention is to suppress the complication of the wiring of the harness and the layout of the components while prohibiting the power generation of the fuel cell during maintenance of the fuel cell unit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One form of the fuel cell unit according to the present invention is a fuel cell unit including a fuel cell as a main unit, and includes a housing in which the fuel cell unit is accommodated, a first plate portion covering a first opening of the housing, a first auxiliary machine provided on the first plate portion on the outer surface side of the housing, a control unit configured to control power generation of the fuel cell based on a signal sent from the first auxiliary machine via a first electric wire, and a disconnection detection unit configured to detect disconnection of the first electric wire. When the first plate portion is removed from the housing, the first electric wire is disconnected, and when the disconnection detection unit detects the disconnection, the control unit prohibits power generation of the fuel cell.

[0007] Accordingly, when the first plate portion is removed from the housing during maintenance of the fuel cell unit, the disconnection detection unit detects the disconnection, so that power generation of the fuel cell can be prohibited. Further, it is possible to determine whether or not the first plate portion has been removed from the housing by using the first auxiliary machine originally provided in the fuel cell unit, and there is no need to newly provide a component for prohibiting power generation of the fuel cell during maintenance of the fuel cell unit, so that it is possible to suppress complication of harness handling and component layout.

[0008] The fuel cell unit further includes a second plate portion covering a second opening of the housing and a second auxiliary machine provided on the second plate portion on the outer surface side of the housing. The control unit controls power generation of the fuel cell based on a signal sent from the first auxiliary machine via the first electric circuit and a signal sent from the second auxiliary machine via a second electric wire. When the second plate portion is removed from the housing, the second electric wire is disconnected, and the disconnection detection unit may be configured to detect at least one of disconnection of the first electric circuit and disconnection of the second electric circuit.

[0009] The first plate portion may be constituted by a top plate covering an opening on the upper surface of the housing.

[0010] The fuel cell unit may include a plurality of the first plate portions that can be sequentially removed from the housing one by one, and the first auxiliary machine may be provided on the first plate portion that can be removed first among the plurality of the first plate portions.

[0011] Accordingly, when it is possible to remove the plurality of first plate portions from the housing one by one in order, it is possible to prevent the fuel cell from generating power with a part of the housing being open.

[0012] Further, the fuel cell unit includes a plurality of the first plate portions that can be removed from the housing one by one in order, and the first auxiliary machine may be provided on the first plate portion that can be removed before the second last among the plurality of the first plate portions.

[0013] Accordingly, when it is possible to remove the plurality of first plate portions from the housing one by one in order, it is possible to suppress the fuel cell from generating power with a part of the housing being open during maintenance.

[0014] Further, the first auxiliary machine may be a flow rate sensor that detects the flow rate of air supplied to the fuel cell.

[0015] Further, an industrial vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention is equipped with the above fuel cell unit.

Advantages of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the complication of the routing of the harness and the layout of the components while prohibiting the power generation of the fuel cell during the maintenance of the fuel cell unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a fuel cell unit of the embodiment.

[0020] The fuel cell unit 1 shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on an industrial vehicle such as a forklift, a towing tractor, or an automatic guided vehicle (AGV), and supplies power to a load Lo mounted on the industrial vehicle. When configured in this way, the load Lo is, for example, a cargo handling device or an inverter circuit that drives a traveling motor. Note that the fuel cell unit 1 may be provided in a stationary generator such as an industrial stationary generator, a household stationary generator, or an emergency stationary generator. When configured in this way, the load Lo is, for example, an industrial machine or a household appliance.

[0021] Further, the fuel cell unit 1 includes a fuel cell FC as a main unit and a plurality of auxiliary machines for generating power by the fuel cell FC.

[0022] That is, the fuel cell unit 1 includes, as fuel gas system auxiliary machines, a hydrogen tank HT, an injector INJ, and a pressure sensor Sp.

[0023] Further, the fuel cell unit 1 includes, as oxidant gas system auxiliary machines, an air filter AF, a flow rate sensor Sa (first auxiliary machine), and an air compressor ACP.

[0024] Further, the fuel cell unit 1 includes, as electric auxiliary devices, a DCDC converter CNV and a power storage device B.

[0025] Further, the fuel cell unit 1 includes a control circuit 2 that controls the power generation of the fuel cell FC.

[0026] Further, the fuel cell unit 1 includes a housing H in which the fuel cell unit 1 is housed, a single first plate portion Bd1 that covers a first opening Op1 on the upper surface side of the housing H, a pipe Pout1, a pipe Pin1, a signal line Hout1 (first electric wire), and a signal line Hin1 (first electric wire). The first opening Op1 is a hole provided on the upper surface side of the housing H for a maintenance worker to inspect parts inside the housing H during maintenance of the fuel cell unit 1, and the first plate portion Bd1 is a top plate that covers the entire hole.

[0027] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the air filter AF and the flow rate sensor Sa are provided on the first plate portion Bd1 on the outer surface side of the housing H, and the fuel cell FC, the hydrogen tank HT, the pressure sensor Sp, the injector INJ, the air compressor ACP, the DCDC converter CNV, and the power storage device B are provided inside the housing H. Also, the pipe Pout1 and the signal line Hout1 are provided on the first plate portion Bd1 on the outer surface side of the housing H, and the pipe Pin1 and the signal line Hin1 are provided inside the housing H.

[0028] For example, when the first plate portion Bd1 is attached to the housing H (when the first opening Op1 is covered by the first plate portion Bd1), it is in a state where maintenance of the fuel cell unit 1 cannot be performed by a maintenance worker. As shown in FIG. 1, the pipe Pout1 and the pipe Pin1 are connected to each other, and the signal line Hout1 and the signal line Hin1 are connected to each other. Further, when performing maintenance on the fuel cell unit 1, when the first plate portion Bd1 is removed from the housing H by a maintenance worker, as shown in FIG. 2, the pipe Pout1 and the pipe Pin1 are disconnected from each other, and the signal line Hout1 and the signal line Hin1 are disconnected from each other.

[0029] The fuel cell FC is composed of a plurality of fuel cells connected in series with each other, and generates electricity by an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen contained in hydrogen gas (fuel gas) and oxygen contained in air (oxidant gas).

[0030] The hydrogen tank HT is a storage container for hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas stored in the hydrogen tank HT is supplied to the fuel cell FC via the pressure sensor Sp and the injector INJ.

[0031] The injector INJ adjusts the flow rate of the hydrogen gas supplied to the fuel cell FC.

[0032] The pressure sensor Sp detects the pressure of the hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen tank HT to the injector INJ, and sends a signal (voltage) indicating the detected pressure to the control circuit 2 via the signal line Hin2.

[0033] The air filter AF supplies the air from which harmful gases and fine particles have been removed from the air outside the housing H to the air compressor ACP via the pipe Pout1, the flow rate sensor Sa, and the pipe Pin1.

[0034] The flow rate sensor Sa detects the flow rate of the air flowing through the pipe Pout1, and sends a signal (voltage) indicating the detected flow rate to the control circuit 2 via the signal line Hout1 and the signal line Hin1.

[0035] The air compressor ACP compresses the air supplied from the air filter AF through the pipes Pout1 and Pin1, and supplies the compressed air to the fuel cell FC.

[0036] The DCDC converter CNV is connected to the subsequent stage of the fuel cell FC, and converts the voltage output from the fuel cell FC into a predetermined voltage (for example, 48 [V]). The power output from the DCDC converter CNV is supplied to each auxiliary machine such as the air compressor ACP, the load Lo, and the power storage device B.

[0037] The power storage device B is composed of a lithium ion capacitor or the like, and is connected between the DCDC converter CNV and the load Lo. When the supply power corresponding to the difference between the power output from the DCDC converter CNV and the total value of the power supplied to each auxiliary machine is greater than the required power required from the outside of the fuel cell system FCS (for example, a vehicle-side control circuit or a stationary generator-side control circuit that controls the operation of the load Lo), among the supply power, the power corresponding to the required power is supplied to the load Lo, and the remaining power is supplied to the power storage device B. When power is supplied from the DCDC converter CNV to the power storage device B, the power storage device B is charged and the charge rate of the power storage device B (the ratio [%] of the remaining capacity to the full charge capacity of the power storage device B) increases. Also, when the regenerative power supplied from the load Lo to the fuel cell system FCS is supplied to the power storage device B, the power storage device B is charged and the charge rate of the power storage device B increases. Also, when the supply power corresponding to the difference between the power output from the DCDC converter CNV and the total value of the power supplied to each auxiliary machine is less than the required power required from the outside of the fuel cell system FCS, the supply power is supplied to the load Lo, and the insufficient power is supplied from the power storage device B to the load Lo. When power is supplied from the power storage device B to the load Lo, the power storage device B is discharged and the charge rate of the power storage device B decreases.

[0038] The control circuit 2 is composed of a microcomputer or the like, and includes a disconnection detection unit 21 and a control unit 22. For example, in a microcomputer, the disconnection detection unit 21 and the control unit 22 are realized by a processor executing a program stored in a memory.

[0039] The disconnection detection unit 21 detects disconnections of the signal line Hout1 and the signal line Hin1. The disconnections of the signal line Hout1 and the signal line Hin1 refer to, for example, a state in which at least one of the signal line Hout1 and the signal line Hin1 is disconnected, or a state in which the signal line Hin1 and the signal line Hout1 are separated from each other when the first plate portion Bd1 is removed from the housing H. For example, when a power supply is connected to the signal line Hin1 via a pull-up resistor, the disconnection detection unit 21 detects a disconnection of the signal line Hout1 and the signal line Hin1 when the voltage sent from the flow sensor Sa is equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage (for example, the voltage of the power supply). Alternatively, when the signal line Hin1 is connected to the ground via a pull-down resistor, the disconnection detection unit 21 detects a disconnection of the signal line Hout1 and the signal line Hin1 when the voltage sent from the flow sensor Sa is equal to or lower than a predetermined voltage (for example, the voltage of the ground).

[0040] The control unit 22 controls the power generation of the fuel cell FC based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor Sp and the flow rate detected by the flow sensor Sa. That is, when controlling the power generation of the fuel cell FC, the control unit 22 gradually changes the target power generation power Pt according to the comparison result between the charge rate of the power storage device B and a plurality of threshold values, and controls the operations of each auxiliary machine (such as the injector INJ and the air compressor ACP) so that the power generation power of the fuel cell FC follows the target power generation power Pt by means of PI (Proportional-Integral) control or the like. For example, the control unit 22 controls the operation of the injector INJ so that the pressure detected by the pressure sensor Sp follows the pressure corresponding to the target power generation power Pt. Also, the control unit 22 controls the operation of the air compressor ACP so that the flow rate detected by the flow sensor Sa follows the flow rate corresponding to the target power generation power Pt.

[0041] Further, when the disconnection detection unit 21 detects a disconnection, the control unit 22 prohibits the power generation of the fuel cell FC, and when the disconnection detection unit 21 does not detect a disconnection, the control unit 22 permits the power generation of the fuel cell FC. For example, when a disconnection is detected by the disconnection detection unit 21 during the power generation stop of the fuel cell unit 1, the control unit 22 does not cause the fuel cell FC to generate power even if the regular power generation timing of the fuel cell FC arrives. Further, when a disconnection is detected by the disconnection detection unit 21 during the power generation of the fuel cell FC, the control unit 22 controls the operations of the injector INJ and the air compressor ACP so as to stop the supply of hydrogen gas and air to the fuel cell FC.

[0042] As described above, in the fuel cell unit 1 of the embodiment, the flow rate sensor Sa is provided on the first plate portion Bd1, and when the disconnection detection unit 21 detects a disconnection, the power generation of the fuel cell FC is prohibited.

[0043] Thereby, when the first plate portion Bd1 is removed from the housing H by a maintenance worker, the disconnection detection unit 21 can detect a disconnection and prohibit the power generation of the fuel cell FC. That is, since the function of detecting the disconnection of the signal line Hout1 and the signal line Hin1 connected to the flow rate sensor Sa originally provided in the fuel cell unit 1 is diverted to determine whether or not the first plate portion Bd1 has been removed from the housing H, a new component for prohibiting the power generation of the fuel cell FC during the maintenance of the fuel cell unit 1 is not required. Therefore, there is no need to consider the harness connected to the new component and the placement location of the new component, and it is possible to suppress the complication of the harness handling and the component layout.

[0044] Further, according to the fuel cell unit 1 of the embodiment, since the power generation of the fuel cell FC can be prohibited when the first plate portion Bd1 is removed from the housing H, when the maintenance worker forgets to attach the first plate portion Bd1 to the housing H after the maintenance work, it is possible to prevent the fuel cell FC from generating power with a part of the housing H being open.

[0045] In the fuel cell unit 1 of the embodiment, since power generation of the fuel cell FC is permitted only when the first plate portion Bd1 provided with the air filter AF and the flow rate sensor Sa is attached to the housing H, it is possible to prevent power generation of the fuel cell FC from being performed in a state where auxiliary machines necessary for controlling power generation of the fuel cell FC such as the air filter AF and the flow rate sensor Sa are removed from the fuel cell unit 1, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in the performance of the fuel cell FC.

[0046] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0047] <Modification 1> FIG. 3 is a diagram showing Modification 1 of the fuel cell unit of the embodiment. In FIG. 3, the same components as those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0048] In the fuel cell unit 1 shown in FIG. 3, the difference from the fuel cell unit 1 shown in FIG. 1 is that the first opening Op1 of the housing H is covered by three first plate portions Bd1 (Bd1-1 to Bd1-3). Note that the first plate portions Bd1-1 to Bd1-3 each have a fitting structure and can be removed from the housing H one by one in order, and can also be attached to the housing H one by one in order. That is, when removing the first plate portions Bd1-1 to Bd1-3 from the housing H, first, the first plate portion Bd1-1 is removed from the housing H, second, the first plate portion Bd1-2 is removed from the housing H, and finally, the first plate portion Bd1-3 is removed from the housing H. It is assumed that the opening area of the housing H increases as the number of the first plate portions Bd1 removed from the housing H increases. Also, when attaching the first plate portions Bd1-1 to Bd1-3 to the housing H, the order is reversed from the case of removal. First, the first plate portion Bd1-3 is attached to the housing H, second, the first plate portion Bd1-2 is attached to the housing H, and finally, the first plate portion Bd1-1 is attached to the housing H. It is assumed that the opening area of the housing H decreases as the number of the first plate portions Bd1 attached to the housing H increases. Note that the number of the first plate portions Bd1 covering the first opening Op1 may be two or four or more.

[0049] Also, in the fuel cell unit 1 shown in FIG. 3, on the outer surface side of the housing H, a flow rate sensor Sa, a pipe Pout1, and a signal line Hout1 are provided on the first plate portion Bd1-2, and nothing is provided on the first plate portion Bd1-1 and the first plate portion Bd1-3. Inside the housing H, components for generating power by the fuel cell FC (components that are likely to be maintenance targets) are arranged below the first plate portion Bd1-2, and it is assumed that no components for generating power by the fuel cell FC are arranged below the first plate portion Bd1-1 and the first plate portion Bd1-3. In this way, when the flow rate sensor Sa, the pipe Pout1, and the signal line Hout1 are provided on the first plate portion Bd1-2 that is relatively close to the components necessary for generating power by the fuel cell FC, compared with the case where the flow rate sensor Sa, the pipe Pout1, and the signal line Hout1 are provided on the first plate portion Bd1-1 and the first plate portion Bd1-3 that are relatively far from the components necessary for generating power by the fuel cell FC, an increase in the pipes Pin1 and the signal line Hin1 in the housing H can be suppressed. That is, it is possible to suppress the complication of the harness routing and the component layout. Note that the interface surface where the input port and the output port of the fuel cell unit 1 (for example, the input and output terminals of the DCDC converter CNV) are aggregated may be configured to be covered by the first plate portion Bd1-2.

[0050] Also, in the fuel cell unit 1 shown in FIG. 3, as described above, when removing the first plate portions Bd1-1 to Bd1-3 from the housing H, it is necessary to remove them in the order of the first plate portion Bd1-1, the first plate portion Bd1-2, and the first plate portion Bd1-3, and the first plate portion Bd1-3 cannot be removed before the first plate portion Bd1-2. Therefore, even if a component to be maintained is arranged below the first plate portion Bd1-3, it is possible to prevent performing maintenance by removing only the first plate portion Bd1-3 from the housing H. In this way, since it is possible to prevent the fuel cell FC from generating power in a state where a part of the housing H is open, it is possible to suppress the fuel cell FC from generating power in a state where a part of the housing H is open. In addition, when removing four or more first plate portions Bd1 one by one in order, by providing the flow rate sensor Sa, the pipe Pout1, and the signal line Hout1 on the first plate portion Bd1 that can be removed before the second last one, compared with the case of providing the flow rate sensor Sa, the pipe Pout1, and the signal line Hout1 on the first plate portion Bd1 that is removed last, it is possible to suppress the fuel cell FC from generating power in a state where a part of the housing H is open.

[0051] Also, in the fuel cell unit 1 shown in FIG. 3, the flow rate sensor Sa, the pipe Pout1, and the signal line Hout1 are intensively provided on the first plate portion Bd1-2 together with other auxiliary machines such as the air filter AF. Therefore, when harnesses are respectively connected to each auxiliary machine provided on the first plate portion Bd1, the respective harnesses can be bundled into one and made into one, and the complication of handling the harnesses can be suppressed.

[0052] In addition, when removing four or more first plate portions Bd1 from the housing H one by one in order, and when providing a flow rate sensor Sa, a pipe Pout1, and a signal line Hout1 together with other auxiliary machines such as an air filter AF on the first plate portion Bd1 that can be removed before the second last one, it is possible to suppress the fuel cell FC from generating power with a part of the housing H being open, and since it is possible to integrate the harnesses connected to the respective auxiliary machines on the first plate portion Bd1, it is possible to suppress the complication of the routing of the harnesses.

[0053] In addition, when there is no need to consider the arrangement position of the parts to be maintained and the routing of the harness, it is desirable that the flow rate sensor Sa, the pipe Pout1, and the signal line Hout1 are provided on the first plate portion Bd1-1 on the outer surface side of the housing H. That is, when removing the plurality of first plate portions Bd1 from the housing H one by one in order, it is desirable that the flow rate sensor Sa, the pipe Pout1, and the signal line Hout1 are provided on the first plate portion Bd1 that can be removed first among the plurality of first plate portions Bd1. Thereby, when removing the plurality of first plate portions Bd1 from the housing H one by one in order, it is possible to prevent the fuel cell FC from generating power with a part of the housing H being open.

[0054] Also in the fuel cell unit 1 shown in FIG. 3, similar to the fuel cell unit 1 shown in FIG. 1, when the first plate portion Bd1-2 is removed from the housing H during maintenance of the fuel cell unit 1, a disconnection is detected by the disconnection detection unit 21 and the power generation of the fuel cell FC can be prohibited. That is, since no new parts are required to prohibit the power generation of the fuel cell FC during maintenance of the fuel cell unit 1, there is no need to consider the harness connected to the new parts and the arrangement location of the new parts, and it is possible to suppress the complication of the routing of the harness and the layout of the parts.

[0055] <Modification Example 2> FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a modification example 2 of the fuel cell unit of the embodiment. In FIG. 5, the same components as those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0056] In the fuel cell unit 1 shown in FIG. 1, the first opening Op1 on the upper surface side of the housing H is covered by the first plate portion Bd1, while in the fuel cell unit 1 shown in FIG. 5, the first opening Op1 on the side surface side of the housing H is covered by the first plate portion Bd1.

[0057] Also in the fuel cell unit 1 shown in FIG. 5, when the first plate portion Bd1 is removed from the housing H by a maintenance worker or the like during maintenance of the fuel cell unit 1, the pipe Pout1 and the pipe Pin1 are separated from each other, and the signal line Hout1 and the signal line Hin1 are separated from each other.

[0058] Further, the disconnection detection unit 21 detects disconnection of the signal line Hout1 and the signal line Hin1.

[0059] Also, when the disconnection detection unit 21 detects a disconnection, the control unit 22 prohibits the power generation of the fuel cell FC, and when the disconnection detection unit 21 does not detect a disconnection, the control unit 22 permits the power generation of the fuel cell FC.

[0060] Also, in the fuel cell unit 1 shown in FIG. 5, similar to the fuel cell unit 1 shown in FIG. 1, when the first plate portion Bd1 is removed from the housing H during maintenance of the fuel cell unit 1, the disconnection detection unit 21 can detect a disconnection and prohibit the power generation of the fuel cell FC. That is, since no new parts are required to prohibit the power generation of the fuel cell FC during maintenance of the fuel cell unit 1, there is no need to consider the harness connected to the new parts and the placement location of the new parts, and the complexity of the harness handling and the component layout can be suppressed.

[0061] <Modification Example 3> FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a modification example 3 of the fuel cell unit of the embodiment. In FIG. 6, the same components as those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0062] In the fuel cell unit 1 shown in Fig. 6, the difference from the fuel cell unit 1 shown in Fig. 1 is that it further includes a second plate portion Bd2, a pipe Pout2, and a signal line Hout2 (second electric wire). The second opening Op2 is a hole provided separately from the first opening Op1 on the upper surface side of the housing H for a maintenance worker to inspect components inside the housing H during maintenance of the fuel cell unit 1. The second plate portion Bd2 is a top plate that covers the entire hole. Also, the pressure sensor Sp (second auxiliary machine), the pipe Pout2, and the signal line Hout2 are assumed to be provided on the second plate portion Bd2 on the outer surface side of the fuel cell unit 1. Further, the hydrogen gas output from the hydrogen tank HT is assumed to be supplied to the injector INJ through the pipe Pout2, the pressure sensor Sp, and the pipe Pin2 provided inside the housing H. Also, the pressure detected by the pressure sensor Sp is assumed to be sent to the control circuit 2 through the signal line Hout2 and the signal line Hin2 (second electric wire) provided inside the housing H. Also, the hydrogen tank HT may be provided outside the fuel cell unit 1.

[0063] For example, when the second plate portion Bd2 has not been removed from the housing H, as shown in Fig. 6, the pipe Pout2 and the pipe Pin2 provided inside the housing H are connected to each other, and the signal line Hout2 and the signal line Hin2 provided inside the housing H are connected to each other. Also, during maintenance of the fuel cell unit 1, when the second plate portion Bd2 is removed from the housing H by a maintenance worker or the like, as shown in Fig. 7, the pipe Pout2 and the pipe Pin2 are disconnected from each other, and the signal line Hout2 and the signal line Hin2 are disconnected from each other.

[0064] The disconnection detection unit 21 shown in FIG. 6 detects disconnection of the signal line Hout1 and the signal line Hin1, and also detects disconnection of the signal line Hout2 and the signal line Hin2. The disconnection of the signal line Hout2 and the signal line Hin2 means, for example, a state where at least one of the signal line Hout2 and the signal line Hin2 is disconnected, or a state where the signal line Hin2 and the signal line Hout2 are separated from each other when the second plate portion Bd2 is removed from the housing H. For example, when a power supply is connected to the signal line Hin2 via a pull-up resistor, the disconnection detection unit 21 detects disconnection of the signal line Hout2 and the signal line Hin2 when the voltage sent from the pressure sensor Sp is equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage (for example, the voltage of the power supply). Or, when the signal line Hin2 is connected to the ground via a pull-down resistor, the disconnection detection unit 21 detects disconnection of the signal line Hout2 and the signal line Hin2 when the voltage sent from the pressure sensor Sp is equal to or lower than a predetermined voltage (for example, the voltage of the ground).

[0065] Also, when disconnection is detected by the disconnection detection unit 21, the control unit 22 shown in FIG. 6 prohibits power generation of the fuel cell FC, and when disconnection is not detected by the disconnection detection unit 21, permits power generation of the fuel cell FC.

[0066] Also, in the fuel cell unit 1 shown in FIG. 6, similar to the fuel cell unit 1 shown in FIG. 1, when at least one of the first plate portion Bd1 and the second plate portion Bd2 is removed from the housing H during maintenance of the fuel cell unit 1, disconnection can be detected by the disconnection detection unit 21 and power generation of the fuel cell FC can be prohibited. That is, since no new parts are required to prohibit power generation of the fuel cell FC during maintenance of the fuel cell unit 1, there is no need to consider the harness connected to the new parts and the placement location of the new parts, and it is possible to suppress complication of the harness handling and the component layout.

[0067] In the fuel cell unit 1 shown in FIG. 6, when the components arranged below the first plate portion Bd1 are different from the components arranged below the second plate portion Bd2 (for example, when the component arranged below the first plate portion Bd1 is an oxidant gas system auxiliary machine and the component arranged below the second plate portion Bd2 is a fuel gas system auxiliary machine), and when maintenance work can be performed by removing only the second plate portion Bd2, it is not necessary for the maintenance worker to remove both the first plate portion Bd1 and the second plate portion Bd2, so the maintenance efficiency can be improved.

[0068] <Modification Example 4> FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a modification example 4 of the fuel cell unit of the embodiment. In FIG. 8, the same components as those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0069] In the fuel cell unit 1 shown in FIG. 8, the difference from the fuel cell unit 1 shown in FIG. 1 is that it includes a communication device 3, a communication line Lout (first electric wire), and a communication line Lin (first electric wire). The communication device 3 and the communication line Lout are provided on the first plate portion Bd1 on the outer surface side of the housing H. The vehicle Ve is an industrial vehicle such as a forklift, a towing tractor, or an automated guided vehicle, and includes a vehicle-side control circuit 4 that controls the running of the vehicle Ve and a vehicle-side communication device 5 that communicates with the communication device 3.

[0070] For example, when the first plate portion Bd1 is attached to the housing H (when the first plate portion Bd1 covers the first opening Op1), the communication line Lout and the communication line Lin provided inside the housing H are connected to each other. Also, during maintenance of the fuel cell unit 1, when the first plate portion Bd1 is removed from the housing H by a maintenance worker, the communication line Lout and the communication line Lin are disconnected from each other.

[0071] When the communication device 3 receives information sent from the control circuit 2 via the communication line Lin and the communication line Lout, it transmits the information to the vehicle-side control circuit 4 via the vehicle-side communication device 5. Further, when the communication device 3 receives information transmitted from the vehicle-side control circuit 4 via the vehicle-side communication device 5, it sends the information to the control circuit 2 via the communication line Lout and the communication line Lin.

[0072] The disconnection detection unit 21 shown in FIG. 8 detects disconnection of the communication line Lout and the communication line Lin. The disconnection of the communication line Lout and the communication line Lin means, for example, a state in which at least one of the communication line Lout and the communication line Lin is disconnected, or a state in which the communication line Lin and the communication line Lout are separated from each other when the first plate portion Bd1 is removed from the housing H. Further, the disconnection detection unit 21 shown in FIG. 8 also detects disconnection of the communication line Lout and the communication line Lin when communication cannot be established between the communication device 3 and the vehicle-side communication device 5 after a communication start instruction is input, or when a timeout occurs after communication is established between the communication device 3 and the vehicle-side communication device 5.

[0073] Further, when the control unit 22 shown in FIG. 8 detects a disconnection by the disconnection detection unit 21, it prohibits power generation of the fuel cell FC, and when the disconnection detection unit 21 does not detect a disconnection, it permits power generation of the fuel cell FC.

[0074] Also, when the first plate portion Bd1 is removed from the housing H during maintenance of the fuel cell unit 1 by the fuel cell unit 1 shown in FIG. 8, similar to the fuel cell unit 1 shown in FIG. 1, the disconnection detection unit 21 can detect a disconnection and prohibit power generation of the fuel cell FC. That is, since no new parts are required to prohibit power generation of the fuel cell FC during maintenance of the fuel cell unit 1, there is no need to consider the harness connected to the new parts or the placement location of the new parts, and it is possible to suppress the complication of the harness handling and the component layout.

[0075] <Modification 5> If the disconnection detection unit 21 can detect a disconnection when the first board part Bd1 or the second board part Bd2 is removed from the housing H, the auxiliary machines provided on the first board part Bd1 or the second board part Bd2 are not limited to the flow rate sensor Sa and the pressure sensor Sp.

Explanation of Signs

[0076] 1 Fuel cell unit 2 Control circuit 21 Disconnection detection unit 22 Control unit 3 Communication device 4 Vehicle-side control circuit 5 Vehicle-side communication device Ve Vehicle Lo Load FC Fuel cell HT Hydrogen tank Sp Pressure sensor INJ Injector Sa Flow rate sensor ACP Air compressor CNV DCDC converter B Power storage device

Claims

1. A fuel cell unit including a fuel cell as a main unit, a housing that houses the fuel cell unit, a first plate portion that covers a first opening of the housing, a first auxiliary machine provided on the first plate portion on the outer surface side of the housing, a control unit that controls power generation of the fuel cell based on a signal sent from the first auxiliary machine via a first electric wire, a disconnection detection unit that detects disconnection of the first electric wire, wherein, when the first plate portion is removed from the housing, the first electric wire is disconnected, and when the disconnection detection unit detects disconnection, the control unit prohibits power generation of the fuel cell Fuel cell unit.

2. The fuel cell unit according to claim 1, including a second plate portion that covers a second opening of the housing, and a second auxiliary machine provided on the second plate portion on the outer surface side of the housing, wherein, the control unit controls power generation of the fuel cell based on a signal sent from the first auxiliary machine via the first electric wire and a signal sent from the second auxiliary machine via a second electric wire, when the second plate portion is removed from the housing, the second electric wire is disconnected, and the disconnection detection unit detects at least one of disconnection of the first electric wire and disconnection of the second electric wire Fuel cell unit.

3. The fuel cell unit according to claim 1, wherein the first plate portion is a top plate that covers an opening on the upper surface of the housing Fuel cell unit.

4. The fuel cell unit according to claim 1, including a plurality of the first plate portions that can be sequentially removed from the housing one by one, wherein the first auxiliary machine is provided on the first plate portion that can be removed first among the plurality of the first plate portions Fuel cell unit.

5. The fuel cell unit according to claim 1, including a plurality of the first plate portions that can be sequentially removed from the housing one by one, wherein the first auxiliary machine is provided on the first plate portion that can be removed before the second last among the plurality of the first plate portions Fuel cell unit.

6. The fuel cell unit according to claim 1, wherein the first auxiliary machine is a flow rate sensor that detects a flow rate of air supplied to the fuel cell Fuel cell unit.

7. An industrial vehicle equipped with the fuel cell unit according to claim 1.

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