Hydrogen supply system

The hydrogen supply system addresses motor overheating by strategically positioning hydrogen tanks based on temperature, enhancing system performance and reliability through temperature management.

JP2026014420APending Publication Date: 2026-01-29TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
View PDF 1 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024115469
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-07-19
Publication Date
2026-01-29

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In hydrogen supply systems, the motor used to attach and detach hydrogen tanks must continuously counteract internal pressure and spring force, leading to increased temperature during continuous operation, which can degrade performance.

Method used

A hydrogen supply system with a control device that positions hydrogen tanks at either a supply start or standby position based on motor temperature, moving tanks to standby when temperatures exceed a threshold to reduce motor load.

Benefits of technology

This approach reduces motor temperature rise during continuous operation, improving system performance and reliability in high-temperature environments.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure 2026014420000001_ABST
    Figure 2026014420000001_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide a hydrogen supply system capable of reducing temperature rise of a motor during continuous operation of a hydrogen consumption device.SOLUTION: A hydrogen supply system comprising a plurality of detachable hydrogen tanks, a hydrogen consumption device configured to consume hydrogen in the hydrogen tanks, and a control device, wherein the hydrogen consumption device includes a detachment mechanism configured to control detachment of the hydrogen tanks from the hydrogen consumption device and including a plurality of motors corresponding to the detachment of the plurality of hydrogen tanks, based on the temperature of the motor, the control device arranges the hydrogen tank at a hydrogen supply start position where the hydrogen tank and the hydrogen consumption device are connected to each other in a state where the hydrogen tank can supply hydrogen to the hydrogen consumption device, or arranges the hydrogen tank at a hydrogen supply standby position where the hydrogen tank and the hydrogen consumption device are not connected to each other in a state where the hydrogen tank can supply hydrogen to the hydrogen consumption device and the hydrogen tank waits for supply of hydrogen.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a hydrogen supply system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a mobile body equipped with a detachable hydrogen tank. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-056947 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a hydrogen supply system, the motor for attaching and detaching the hydrogen tank controls the movement of the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen supply start position and the hydrogen supply standby position, but in order to maintain the connection of the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen piping while the hydrogen consuming device is in operation, the motor must continue to output a constant torque to counteract the internal pressure and spring force of the hydrogen tank. Therefore, if the hydrogen consuming device is operated continuously, the temperature of the motor will rise.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its main object is to provide a hydrogen supply system that can reduce the rise in motor temperature during continuous operation of a hydrogen consumption device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] That is, the present disclosure includes the following aspects. <1> A hydrogen supply system having a plurality of detachable hydrogen tanks, a hydrogen consumption device that consumes hydrogen in the hydrogen tanks, and a control device, the hydrogen consumption device has a detachment mechanism that controls the attachment and detachment of the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen consumption device and includes a plurality of motors corresponding to the attachment and detachment of each of the plurality of hydrogen tanks; A hydrogen supply system in which, based on the temperature of the motor, the control device positions the hydrogen tank at a hydrogen supply start position where the hydrogen tank and the hydrogen consumption device are connected so that the hydrogen tank can supply hydrogen to the hydrogen consumption device, or at a hydrogen supply standby position where the hydrogen tank and the hydrogen consumption device are not connected so that the hydrogen tank can supply hydrogen to the hydrogen consumption device and is waiting for hydrogen to be supplied.

[0007] <2> When the plurality of hydrogen tanks are arranged at the hydrogen supply start position, the control device determines whether the temperatures of the plurality of motors are equal to or higher than a first threshold; When the temperature of at least one of the plurality of motors is equal to or higher than the first threshold value, the control device moves the hydrogen tank, the desorption of which is controlled by at least the motor with the highest temperature, from the hydrogen supply start position to the hydrogen supply standby position, and stops control of the motor with the highest temperature. <1> The hydrogen supply system according to claim 1.

[0008] <3> the control device determines whether the temperature of the stopped motor is equal to or lower than a second threshold value; When the temperature of the stopped motor is equal to or lower than the second threshold value, the control device starts controlling the stopped motor, and causes the controlled motor to move the hydrogen tank whose detachment is being controlled from the hydrogen supply standby position to the hydrogen supply start position. <2> The hydrogen supply system according to claim 1.

[0009] <4> the hydrogen tank has a first connection portion; the detachment mechanism includes a detacher, The detacher has a second connection part, At the hydrogen supply start position, the first connection part of the hydrogen tank and the second connection part of the desorber are connected, In the hydrogen supply standby position, the first connection part of the hydrogen tank and the second connection part of the detacher are not connected. <1> ~ <3> 10. The hydrogen supply system according to claim 9, wherein the hydrogen supply system is a hydrogen supply system for supplying hydrogen to a vehicle.

[0010] <5> the first connection part is an on-off valve, The second connecting part is a push rod. <4> The hydrogen supply system according to claim 1. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The hydrogen supply system of the present disclosure can reduce the temperature rise of the motor during continuous operation of the hydrogen consuming device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a hydrogen supply system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a state in which the hydrogen tank is placed at the hydrogen supply standby position W. As shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a state in which the hydrogen tank is placed at the hydrogen supply start position S. In FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of hydrogen tank connection control. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a time chart when normal operation is performed in STEP 4 of the hydrogen tank connection control shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a time chart when the restricted operation is performed in STEP 4 of the hydrogen tank connection control shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present disclosure provides a hydrogen supply system having a plurality of detachable hydrogen tanks, a hydrogen consumption device that consumes hydrogen from the hydrogen tanks, and a control device, wherein the hydrogen consumption device has a detachment mechanism that controls the detachment and attachment of the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen consumption device and includes a plurality of motors corresponding to the detachment and attachment of each of the plurality of hydrogen tanks, and the control device, based on the temperature of the motors, positions the hydrogen tank at a hydrogen supply start position where the hydrogen tank and the hydrogen consumption device are connected in a state where the hydrogen tank can supply hydrogen to the hydrogen consumption device, or at a hydrogen supply standby position where the hydrogen tank and the hydrogen consumption device are not connected and the hydrogen tank is waiting for hydrogen supply so that the hydrogen tank can supply hydrogen to the hydrogen consumption device.

[0014] The hydrogen supply system of the present disclosure includes a plurality of detachable hydrogen tanks, a hydrogen consumption device that consumes hydrogen from the hydrogen tanks, and a control device. The hydrogen supply system of the present disclosure may be used in mobile objects such as vehicles, trains, ships, and aircraft, and stationary power generation systems such as fuel cell generators. Examples of vehicles include fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen engine vehicles.

[0015] [Hydrogen tank] A hydrogen tank (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a tank) is a container for storing hydrogen, and hydrogen is supplied from the hydrogen tank to a hydrogen consuming device. A hydrogen supply system includes multiple (n) hydrogen tanks. n may be an integer of 2 or greater, with no particular upper limit. The hydrogen tank may be any known tank as long as it is detachable. The hydrogen tank comprises a hydrogen tank body, which is the part that stores hydrogen, and a hydrogen supply port, which is the entrance and exit for hydrogen in the hydrogen tank body.

[0016] The hydrogen tank may have a first connection part (a connection part on the hydrogen tank side) that is connected to the hydrogen consuming device. The first connection part includes a hydrogen supply port. The first connection part may be an on-off valve (sometimes referred to as a tank shutoff valve) or the like. The on-off valve may have a valve body and a hydrogen supply port. The valve disc is a switching valve that allows or restricts communication between the inside and outside of the hydrogen tank. The valve disc is biased so as to restrict communication when closed, and pressing the valve disc against the biasing force moves the valve disc to allow communication. A push rod may be provided on the hydrogen consumption device as a means for pressing the valve disc, since pressure is applied to and released from the valve disc to allow or restrict communication. A push rod is inserted into the hydrogen supply port.

[0017] The hydrogen tank may be provided with a handle that can be grasped when attaching or detaching the hydrogen tank to or from the hydrogen consuming device.

[0018] [Hydrogen consumption device] The hydrogen consuming device is a device to which hydrogen is supplied from the hydrogen tank, and receives and consumes hydrogen.

[0019] The hydrogen consuming device is provided with a detachment mechanism for attaching and detaching the hydrogen tank to and from the hydrogen consuming device.

[0020] The detachment mechanism includes a motor. The motor controls the attachment and detachment of the hydrogen tank to and from the hydrogen consumption device. The hydrogen consumption device includes a plurality of (n) motors corresponding to the attachment and detachment of each of the plurality of (n) hydrogen tanks. The motor may be one that transmits the driving force of the motor directly to the hydrogen tank, or may be one that transmits the driving force to a moving part of the desorber. The motor may be a stepper motor. The stepping motor is a power source that moves a movable part via gears. The specific form of the stepping motor is not particularly limited, and any known stepping motor can be used. The stepping motor is electrically connected to a control device, and the rotation angle and rotation speed are controlled based on signals from the control device, thereby controlling the movement of the movable part with high precision. The stepper motor may be equipped with sensors such as a position sensor, a motor torque sensor, a motor temperature sensor, and the like. The position sensor detects the position of the hydrogen tank, particularly the position of the on-off valve. The position sensor may detect the position of the on-off valve based on the rotation angle of the stepping motor detected by the motor torque sensor, or may detect the position of the on-off valve based on the temperature of the stepping motor detected by the motor temperature sensor. The specific form of the sensor is not particularly limited, and any known sensor can be used. The sensor is electrically connected to the control device and is configured to be able to transmit the measured position of the hydrogen tank to the control device as a signal.

[0021] The detachment mechanism may include a hydrogen tank biasing mechanism. A hydrogen tank biasing mechanism means a mechanism that, in a free state unaffected by other external forces, has a biasing force that moves the hydrogen tank from a position where the first connection part of the hydrogen tank connects with the second connection part of the hydrogen consumption device (hydrogen supply start position) to a predetermined position in the direction where the first connection part of the hydrogen tank disconnects from the second connection part of the hydrogen consumption device (hydrogen supply standby position). The hydrogen tank biasing mechanism may transmit the biasing force of the biasing mechanism directly to the hydrogen tank, or may be a spring, etc. The hydrogen tank biasing mechanism may be configured such that the spring is attached to the hydrogen tank, or may be configured such that the spring is attached to a movable part.

[0022] The detachment mechanism may include a detachment machine (mounting part) that can detach the hydrogen tank. The detacher may have a fitting portion and a movable portion.

[0023] The fitting portion fits into the hydrogen tank. When the hydrogen tank is attached to the desorption machine, the fitting portion only needs to fit into at least the end of the hydrogen tank on the hydrogen supply port side, and may fit into the entire hydrogen tank or may also fit into the end of the movable portion on the side opposite the fitting portion. When the fitting portion of the hydrogen tank is fitted to the fitting portion, the first connecting portion of the hydrogen tank and the second connecting portion of the fitting portion are connected to each other.

[0024] The hydrogen consuming device may be provided with a second connection part (a connection part on the hydrogen consuming device side). The second connecting part is connected to the first connecting part of the hydrogen tank and forms a flow passage (communication) with the hydrogen tank. The second connecting part may be provided in a fitting part of the detacher. The second connecting part may be a push rod or the like. The push rod is a member that can press a valve element provided in the on-off valve of the hydrogen tank, and may be rod-shaped, and the tip of the push rod may be configured to be able to be inserted into the hydrogen supply port of the on-off valve. The push rod may also be configured to form a flow path that allows hydrogen to flow from the inside of the hydrogen tank to the supply flow path when the push rod presses the valve body to open the on-off valve.

[0025] The detachment mechanism may have a locking portion that locks the hydrogen tank in a predetermined position when restricting movement of the hydrogen tank. The predetermined position may be a hydrogen supply start position or a hydrogen supply standby position. During lock control, the locking unit locks the hydrogen tank in a predetermined position, placing it in a locked state that restricts movement of the hydrogen tank, and during unlock control, it releases the lock and places the hydrogen tank in an unlocked state that allows movement of the hydrogen tank. The locking unit is electrically connected to a control device, and the control device drives the locking unit based on an input signal to switch between a locked state that restricts movement of the hydrogen tank and an unlocked state that allows movement of the hydrogen tank. The locking portion may be a locking pin or the like. The lock pin may be disposed in the fitting portion. The lock pin is a pin that is arranged so as to be able to protrude and retract into the engagement recess of the movable part, and when protruding, it enters the inside of the engagement recess and can engage with the engagement recess. On the other hand, the lock pin is arranged so as not to engage with the engagement recess when retracted. The lock pin is electrically connected to a control device, and its projection and retraction are controlled based on signals from the control device.

[0026] The movable part moves the hydrogen tank by controlling a motor. The movable part moves in a direction in which the first connection part of the hydrogen tank approaches or moves away from the second connection part of the hydrogen consumption device. The movable part moves the hydrogen tank between a hydrogen supply stop position, a hydrogen supply standby position, and a hydrogen supply start position. The movable portion may have a tank insertion hole. The tank insertion hole is a space in which a hydrogen tank is stored, and may be a space surrounded by an inner wall, having an opening through which the hydrogen tank can be inserted and removed.

[0027] The movable portion may have an engaging recess (positioning hole) that can be engaged with the locking portion. The engaging recess may be provided on the underside of the movable part. The specific shape of the engaging recess is not particularly limited as long as it is configured to allow the lock pin to engage and disengage, and it may be a depression or a groove. The width of the engagement recess (the size in the direction in which the movable part moves) may be greater than the width of the lock pin, so that even when the lock pin protrudes so as to enter the inside of the engagement recess, the movable part can move within the range of the width of the engagement recess.

[0028] The movable part may be a movable stage. The movable mounting base is a component on whose upper surface a hydrogen tank can be placed, and if the platform has a tank insertion hole on its upper surface, the hydrogen tank can be inserted and secured into the tank insertion hole. The movable mounting base refers to a platform that, with a hydrogen tank placed on it, can move in the direction in which the first connection portion of the hydrogen tank connects with the second connection portion of the hydrogen consumption device, and in the direction in which the first connection portion of the hydrogen tank detaches from the second connection portion of the hydrogen consumption device. The means for movement is not particularly limited, but examples include a combination of rails and wheels. The movable platform may be a base (tank platform).

[0029] The hydrogen consuming device may comprise a hydrogen consuming appliance. Examples of hydrogen consuming devices include fuel cells, hydrogen engines, and the combustion section of a hydrogen burner.

[0030] The hydrogen consuming device may be provided with a supply passage (hydrogen piping). The supply flow path is a path that conducts hydrogen from the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen consuming device and is composed of piping. The supply flow paths extending from each hydrogen tank may be joined together to form a single supply flow path that is connected to the hydrogen consuming device.

[0031] The hydrogen consumer may include an injection. The injector is disposed in the supply flow path between the second connection part and the hydrogen consuming device, and controls the supply of hydrogen to the hydrogen consuming device. Examples of the injector include a check valve and a flow rate adjusting valve.

[0032] The hydrogen consuming device may be equipped with a pressure gauge. The pressure gauge may be provided in each supply flow path so as to correspond to the internal pressure of each hydrogen tank, or may measure the internal pressure of each supply flow path (pressure in the piping). The pressure gauge is configured to transmit the obtained pressure value data to the control device.

[0033] In the hydrogen consumption device, the hydrogen tank is inserted and fixed, the hydrogen tank is attached, and the hydrogen tank is detached. Inserting and fixing (setting) the hydrogen tank means the operation of placing the hydrogen tank at the position where installation of the hydrogen tank begins (hydrogen supply stop position). Specifically, this may be the operation of inserting and fixing the hydrogen tank manually from outside the hydrogen supply system into the hydrogen insertion hole of the movable part of the desorption machine of the desorption mechanism of the hydrogen consumption device. Installing a hydrogen tank means the operation of connecting the hydrogen tank and the hydrogen consumption device so that the hydrogen tank can supply hydrogen to the hydrogen consumption device; specifically, it means the operation of moving the hydrogen tank from the hydrogen supply stop position to a position (hydrogen supply standby position) where precise alignment begins for connecting the first connection part of the hydrogen tank and the second connection part of the hydrogen consumption device, and then moving the hydrogen tank from the hydrogen supply standby position to a position (hydrogen supply start position) where the first connection part of the hydrogen tank and the second connection part of the hydrogen consumption device are connected, and connecting the above pair of connections together. Detaching a hydrogen tank means the operation of disconnecting the first connection part of the hydrogen tank from the second connection part of the hydrogen consumption device, and moving the hydrogen tank from the hydrogen supply start position to the hydrogen supply standby position, and the operation of moving the hydrogen tank from the hydrogen supply standby position to the hydrogen supply stop position to make the hydrogen tank removable.

[0034] The hydrogen supply stop position is the position where attachment of the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen consumption device begins and where the hydrogen tank can be removed. Specifically, it is the position where the hydrogen tank is inserted and fixed into the hydrogen insertion hole of the movable part of the detachment device of the detachment mechanism of the hydrogen consumption device by manual operation from outside the hydrogen supply system. The hydrogen supply stop position may be a position farther from the fitting part of the detachment device than the hydrogen supply standby position. Specifically, it may be a position where the first connection part of the hydrogen tank and the second connection part of the hydrogen consumption device are not connected, and the movable part and the fitting part are not in contact, making locking by the lock pin impossible. The position where locking by the lock pin is impossible means a position where the distance from the push rod to the engagement recess of the movable part is farther than the distance from the push rod to the lock pin in the moving direction of the movable part of the detachment device. The hydrogen supply standby position may be any position where the hydrogen tank and the hydrogen consumption device are not connected and the hydrogen tank is waiting for hydrogen supply so that the hydrogen tank can supply hydrogen to the hydrogen consumption device, or it may be a position where the first connection part of the hydrogen tank and the second connection part of the hydrogen consumption device are not connected, for example, a position where precise alignment for connecting the first connection part of the hydrogen tank and the second connection part of the hydrogen consumption device is initiated by control of a motor, specifically a position where the first connection part of the hydrogen tank and the second connection part of the hydrogen consumption device are not connected, the movable part and the mating part are in contact, and locking with a lock pin is possible. The hydrogen supply start position may be any position where the hydrogen tank and the hydrogen consumption device are connected in a state where the hydrogen tank can supply hydrogen to the hydrogen consumption device, and specifically, may be a position where the first connection part of the hydrogen tank and the second connection part of the hydrogen consumption device are connected by control of a motor.

[0035] [Control device] The control device is a device that performs control, etc., for connecting the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen consuming device. The control device is a device that performs control, etc., for connecting the first connection part (open / close valve, etc.) of the hydrogen tank to the second connection part (push rod, etc.) of the hydrogen consuming device. The control device may be configured to be able to communicate with the lock pin, stepping motor, various sensors, injector, and pressure gauge. The control device may include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) which is a processor that performs calculations, a RAM (Random Access Memory) which functions as a working area, a ROM (Read-Only Memory) which functions as a recording medium, a receiving unit which is an interface that accepts information into the control device regardless of whether it is wired or wireless, and a transmitting unit which is an interface that sends information from the control device to the outside regardless of whether it is wired or wireless. Therefore, the control device may be configured so that various sensors and pressure gauges are connected to the receiving section to receive information, and so that the lock pin, stepping motor, and injection are connected to the transmitting section to send signals to them for their operation. The control device may be an ECU (electronic control unit) or the like.

[0036] Based on the temperature of the motor, the control device places the hydrogen tank at a hydrogen supply start position where the hydrogen tank and the hydrogen consumption device are connected so that the hydrogen tank can supply hydrogen to the hydrogen consumption device, or at a hydrogen supply standby position where the hydrogen tank and the hydrogen consumption device are not connected so that the hydrogen tank can supply hydrogen to the hydrogen consumption device and the hydrogen tank is waiting for hydrogen to be supplied. Before attaching the hydrogen tank to the desorption machine for the hydrogen consuming device, the control device first inserts and secures the hydrogen tank at the hydrogen supply stop position.When attaching the hydrogen tank to the desorption machine for the hydrogen consuming device, the control device moves the hydrogen tank from the hydrogen supply stop position to the hydrogen supply standby position, and then moves the hydrogen tank from the hydrogen supply standby position to the hydrogen supply start position to connect the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen consuming device.When detaching the hydrogen tank from the desorption machine for the hydrogen consuming device, the control device moves the hydrogen tank from the hydrogen supply start position to the hydrogen supply standby position to disconnect the hydrogen tank from the hydrogen consuming device.

[0037] The temperature of the motor may be detected by a motor temperature sensor, or may be constantly monitored.

[0038] When n (n is an integer greater than or equal to 2) hydrogen tanks are placed at the hydrogen supply start position, the control device determines whether the temperatures of the n motors are above a first threshold, and if the temperatures of m (1≦m≦n-1) of the n motors are above the first threshold, the control device moves at least the hydrogen tank whose sorption / desorption is controlled by the motor with the highest temperature from the hydrogen supply start position to the hydrogen supply standby position, and stops control of the motor with the highest temperature. When n is an integer greater than or equal to 3 and m is in the range of 2≦m≦n−1, the control device may move m hydrogen tanks whose attachment / detachment is controlled by m motors from the hydrogen supply start position to a hydrogen supply standby position, and stop controlling the m motors. If m=0, the controller continues to control all motors. When m=n, the control device moves all hydrogen tanks from the hydrogen supply start positions to the hydrogen supply standby positions, and stops controlling all motors.

[0039] The control device may determine whether the temperature of the stopped motor is below a second threshold, and if the temperature of the stopped motor is below the second threshold, the control device may start controlling the stopped motor and move the hydrogen tank, whose attachment and detachment is being controlled by the motor whose control has been started, from a hydrogen supply standby position to a hydrogen supply start position. If the temperature of the stopped motor exceeds the second threshold, the control device may keep the stopped motor stopped and determine again whether the temperature of the stopped motor is equal to or lower than the second threshold. The second threshold value may be any temperature lower than the first threshold value, and may be set appropriately depending on the performance of the motor.

[0040] The control device controls the attachment and detachment of the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen consuming device. The attachment / detachment control includes detachment control and attachment control. The detachment control includes a disconnection process and a separation process. The disconnection step is a step of moving the hydrogen tank relative to the hydrogen consuming device from the hydrogen supply start position to the hydrogen supply standby position, thereby disconnecting the hydrogen consuming device from the hydrogen tank. The separating step is a step of moving the hydrogen tank relative to the hydrogen consuming device from a hydrogen supply standby position to a hydrogen supply stop position, thereby making it possible to remove the hydrogen tank from the hydrogen consuming device. The mounting control includes an approaching step and a connecting step. The approaching step is a step of moving the hydrogen tank from a hydrogen supply stop position to a hydrogen supply standby position relative to the hydrogen consuming device. By the approaching step, the hydrogen tank is placed in a position where it is ready to supply hydrogen to the hydrogen consuming device. The connecting step is a step of moving the hydrogen tank relative to the hydrogen consuming device from a hydrogen supply standby position to a hydrogen supply start position, and connecting the hydrogen tank and the hydrogen consuming device so that the hydrogen tank can supply hydrogen to the hydrogen consuming device.

[0041] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a hydrogen supply system according to the present disclosure. The hydrogen supply system 100 shown in Figure 1 includes hydrogen tanks 1 (upper tank 1a, lower tank 1b), a desorption machine 2, a stepping motor 3, a lock pin 4, a positioning hole 5, a push rod 6, an on-off valve 7, a spring 8, a check valve 9, a pressure sensor 10, a supply flow path 11, a movable part 20, a fitting part 21, and a control device 50. F indicates the positioning direction, and the dashed arrows indicate the flow of hydrogen. Hydrogen is supplied through the supply flow path 11 to a hydrogen consuming device (not shown). As shown in Figure 1, the hydrogen tank 1 is positioned at the hydrogen supply stop position T in a state in which the opening / closing valve 7 of the hydrogen tank 1 is not connected to the push rod 6 in the fitting portion 21 of the desorption / sorption machine 2, the movable portion 20 is not in contact with the fitting portion 21, and the positioning hole 5 of the movable portion 20 is not locked by the lock pin 4. The hydrogen tank 1 located at the hydrogen supply stop position T is inserted and fixed into the tank insertion hole of the movable part 20 of the desorption machine 2 at the position where the hydrogen tank 1 begins to be fitted into the fitting part 21 of the desorption machine 2 (attached to the desorption machine 2). The hydrogen supply stop position T is a position that is farther from the push rod 6 than the distance from the push rod 6 to the lock pin 4 in the direction in which the movable part 20 of the desorber 2 can move.

[0042] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a state in which the hydrogen tank is placed at the hydrogen supply standby position W. As shown in FIG. 2, the hydrogen tank 1 is placed in the hydrogen supply standby position W with the on-off valve 7 of the hydrogen tank 1 not connected to the push rod 6 in the fitting 21 of the desorber 2, the movable part 20 and the fitting 21 in contact, and the lock pin 4 pressed against the positioning hole 5 of the movable part 20 by the spring force of the spring 8. The on-off valve 7 of the hydrogen tank 1 is not connected to the push rod 6 in the fitting 21 of the desorber 2, and the on-off valve 7 is in a closed state. The hydrogen tank 1 placed at the hydrogen supply standby position W is not fitted into the fitting portion 21 of the desorber 2 (attached to the desorber 2) and is in a detached state from the desorber 2.

[0043] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a state in which the hydrogen tank is placed at the hydrogen supply start position S. In FIG. 3, the hydrogen tank 1 is placed at the hydrogen supply start position S, with the on-off valve 7 of the hydrogen tank 1 connected to the push rod 6 in the fitting 21 of the desorber 2 and locked in the positioning hole 5 of the movable part 20 by the lock pin 4. The on-off valve 7 of the hydrogen tank 1 is connected to the push rod 6 in the fitting 21 of the desorber 2, and the on-off valve 7 is in an open state. The hydrogen tank 1 placed at the hydrogen supply start position S is fitted into the fitting portion 21 of the desorber 2 and is attached to the desorber 2.

[0044] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of hydrogen tank connection control. The flowchart shown in FIG. 4 shows an example of control in the case of the hydrogen supply system shown in FIG. 1, which is equipped with two hydrogen tanks. STEP 1: A person inserts and secures two hydrogen tanks into the desorption machine: dcm1=dstp, dcm2=dstp STEP 2: Manual button operation starts the installation control of the two hydrogen tanks: xh2sply=ON Stepper motor control start: xmot1=ON, xmot2=ON Unlocking with locking pin: xlck1=ON, xlck2=ON -The stepping motor moves the hydrogen tank from the hydrogen supply stop position to the hydrogen supply standby position: dcm1=dstb, dcm2=dstb Locking with locking pin: xlck1=OFF, xlck2=OFF Stop the stepping motor control and use the spring force to push the moving part of the demounter against the lock pin (lock confirmation): xmot1=OFF, xmot2=OFF The stepping motor moves the hydrogen tank from the hydrogen supply standby position to the hydrogen supply start position (at this time, the on-off valve and the push rod come into contact. The on-off valve opens due to the pressing force applied from the push rod to the on-off valve), and hydrogen supply begins: xmot1=ON, xmot2=ON, dcm1=dsply, dcm2=dsply STEP 3: Hydrogen supply STEP 4: If the motor temperature is below the first threshold T1 while hydrogen is being supplied, normal operation will be performed (operation will continue with two hydrogen tanks). If the motor temperature is above the first threshold T1 while hydrogen is being supplied, restricted operation will be performed. If the motor temperature of the connected hydrogen tank is above the first threshold T1 while operating with one hydrogen tank, continued operation will be abandoned and the diagnostics will be stopped. Move the hydrogen tank with the higher motor temperature from the hydrogen supply start position to the hydrogen supply standby position (open / close valve: closed): dcm1=dstb (in this example, move the upper tank) Stop the stepping motor control of the upper tank and use the spring force to push the moving part of the demounter against the lock pin: xmot1=OFF Stepping motor control stops and the motor temperature begins to drop The remaining lower tank continues to supply hydrogen (operation continues with one hydrogen tank) STEP 5: If the motor temperature of the upper tank moved to the hydrogen supply standby position exceeds the second threshold T2, continue operation with one hydrogen tank. If the motor temperature of the upper tank moved to the hydrogen supply standby position is below the second threshold T2, perform recovery operation. Move the upper tank from the hydrogen supply standby position to the hydrogen supply start position and resume hydrogen supply (opening valve: open, operation restored with two hydrogen tanks): xmot1=ON, dcm1=dsply

[0045] dcm1: Hydrogen tank location (upper tank) dcm2: Hydrogen tank location (lower tank) dstp: Hydrogen supply stop position dstb: Hydrogen supply standby position dsply: Hydrogen supply start position T1: Motor temperature rise detection threshold (first threshold) T2: Motor temperature drop detection threshold (second threshold) xh2sply: Hydrogen tank detachment control instructions xmot1: Motor control status (upper tank) ON: Start of control, OFF: Stop of control xmot2: Motor control status (lower tank) ON: Start control, OFF: Stop control xlck1: Lock pin status (upper tank) ON: Unlocked, OFF: Locked xlck2: Lock pin status (lower tank) ON: Unlocked, OFF: Locked

[0046] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a time chart when normal operation is performed in STEP 4 of the hydrogen tank connection control shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a time chart when the restricted operation is performed in STEP 4 of the hydrogen tank connection control shown in FIG.

[0047] In the present disclosure, when multiple hydrogen tanks are arranged at a hydrogen supply start position (connection position), and the temperature of the tank attachment / detachment motor is equal to or higher than a first threshold during continuous operation of the hydrogen consumption device (particularly during continuous operation in a high-temperature environment), the hydrogen tank is moved from the hydrogen supply start position to a hydrogen supply standby position (standby position), the hydrogen tank's on-off valve is closed, and motor control for the hydrogen tank is stopped to allow the motor to cool. When the motor temperature is equal to or lower than a second threshold (when cooling is complete), motor control is performed to move the hydrogen tank from the standby position to the connection position and open the hydrogen tank's on-off valve. These controls allow the supply of hydrogen to continue, improving performance in high-temperature environments (time during which continuous operation is possible, maximum temperature) and improving convenience. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1 hydrogen tank 1a Upper tank 1b Lower tank 2 Desorption machine 3 Stepping motor 4 lock pins 5 Positioning holes 6 push rods 7 On-off valve 8 Springs 9. Check valve 10 Pressure Sensor 11 Supply channel 20 Moving parts 21 Fitting part 50 Control device 100 Hydrogen Supply System

Claims

1. A hydrogen supply system having a plurality of detachable hydrogen tanks, a hydrogen consumption device that consumes hydrogen in the hydrogen tanks, and a control device, the hydrogen consumption device has a detachment mechanism that controls the attachment and detachment of the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen consumption device and includes a plurality of motors corresponding to the attachment and detachment of each of the plurality of hydrogen tanks; A hydrogen supply system in which, based on the temperature of the motor, the control device positions the hydrogen tank at a hydrogen supply start position where the hydrogen tank and the hydrogen consumption device are connected so that the hydrogen tank can supply hydrogen to the hydrogen consumption device, or at a hydrogen supply standby position where the hydrogen tank and the hydrogen consumption device are not connected so that the hydrogen tank can supply hydrogen to the hydrogen consumption device and is waiting for hydrogen to be supplied.

2. When the plurality of hydrogen tanks are arranged at the hydrogen supply start position, the control device determines whether the temperatures of the plurality of motors are equal to or higher than a first threshold; 2. The hydrogen supply system of claim 1, wherein when the temperature of at least one of the plurality of motors is equal to or higher than the first threshold, the control device moves at least the hydrogen tank whose desorption is controlled by the motor with the highest temperature from the hydrogen supply start position to the hydrogen supply standby position, and stops control of the motor with the highest temperature.

3. the control device determines whether the temperature of the stopped motor is equal to or lower than a second threshold; 3. The hydrogen supply system of claim 2, wherein when the temperature of the stopped motor is equal to or lower than the second threshold, the control device starts controlling the stopped motor and causes the motor that has started to control to move the hydrogen tank whose detachment is being controlled from the hydrogen supply standby position to the hydrogen supply start position.

4. the hydrogen tank has a first connection portion; the detachment mechanism includes a detacher, the detacher has a second connection portion, At the hydrogen supply start position, the first connection portion of the hydrogen tank and the second connection portion of the desorber are connected to each other, 2. The hydrogen supply system according to claim 1, wherein the first connection part of the hydrogen tank and the second connection part of the desorber are not connected in the hydrogen supply standby position.

5. the first connection portion is an on-off valve, The hydrogen supply system according to claim 4 , wherein the second connecting portion is a push rod.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Power supply and vehicle

    JP2023056947A