Hydrogen filling equipment

Abstract

There is a demand for a configuration that can flexibly respond to various needs regarding hydrogen filling. [Solution] The hydrogen filling device comprises a plurality of first connection ports connectable to a plurality of first hydrogen tanks, a common flow path, a first branch flow path connecting one end of the common flow path to each of the plurality of first connection ports, a plurality of second connection ports connectable to a plurality of second hydrogen tanks, a second branch flow path connecting the other end of the common flow path to each of the plurality of second connection ports, a plurality of first valves provided in the first branch flow path corresponding to each of the plurality of first connection ports, a plurality of second valves provided in the second branch flow path corresponding to each of the plurality of second connection ports, and a control unit capable of individually opening and closing each of the first valves and second valves, and the control unit fills hydrogen from one or more first hydrogen tanks through the first branch flow path, the common flow path, and the second branch flow path to one or more second hydrogen tanks by opening one or more first valves and one or more second valves.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a hydrogen filling device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a hydrogen filling device capable of simultaneously filling multiple hydrogen tanks. This hydrogen filling device includes a common pipe that is connected at one end to a hydrogen gas source (hydrogen pressure tank) and has multiple openings extending to the other end, and a detachable port provided at each of the multiple openings of the common pipe. Each of the multiple detachable ports is connected to multiple detachable hydrogen tanks. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-143672 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As the use of hydrogen is expected to expand, it is conceivable that hydrogen filling will be performed not only by having multiple hydrogen tanks to be filled with hydrogen as in Patent Document 1, but also by preparing multiple hydrogen supply sources. With regard to such hydrogen filling, there is a demand for a configuration that can flexibly respond to various needs, such as increasing the efficiency of filling and allowing selection of the hydrogen supply source and the hydrogen filling target. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This specification discloses a hydrogen filling device that fills hydrogen from a hydrogen supply source to a hydrogen filling target by differential pressure, the hydrogen filling device comprising: a plurality of first connection ports connectable to a plurality of first hydrogen tanks serving as the hydrogen supply sources, a common flow path, flow paths branching from the plurality of first connection ports, the first branch flow paths connecting one end of the common flow path to each of the first connection ports, a plurality of second connection ports connectable to a plurality of second hydrogen tanks serving as the hydrogen filling targets, flow paths branching from the plurality of second connection ports, the second branch flow paths connecting the other end of the common flow path to each of the second connection ports, a plurality of first valves provided in the first branch flow path corresponding to each of the first connection ports, a plurality of second valves provided in the second branch flow path corresponding to each of the second connection ports, and a control unit capable of individually opening and closing each of the first valves and the second valves. The control unit then opens one or more of the first valves corresponding to the first connection ports to which the first hydrogen tanks are connected, and opens one or more of the second valves corresponding to the second connection ports to which the second hydrogen tanks are connected, thereby filling hydrogen from one or more of the first hydrogen tanks through the first branch flow path, the common flow path, and the second branch flow path to one or more of the second hydrogen tanks.

[0006] With this configuration, the control unit can individually open and close each of the multiple first valves and second valves, allowing it to select the first hydrogen tank or the second hydrogen tank and control the timing of selection, thereby flexibly responding to various needs, such as increasing the efficiency of hydrogen filling and selecting the hydrogen supply source or the hydrogen filling target. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a simplified configuration of a hydrogen filling system according to a first embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram simply showing the relationship between the remaining amount of hydrogen in the first hydrogen tank group and the second hydrogen tank group for each of steps S0 to S4 in the first embodiment. [Figure 3]FIG. 10 is a diagram simply showing the relationship between the remaining amount of hydrogen in the first hydrogen tank group and the second hydrogen tank group for each of steps S5 to S9 in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram simply showing the relationship between the remaining amount of hydrogen in the first hydrogen tank group and the second hydrogen tank group in a comparative example. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a simplified diagram showing the results of filling the second hydrogen tank group with hydrogen in the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a simplified configuration of a hydrogen filling system according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Each drawing is merely an example, and the present embodiment is not limited to the contents shown in the drawings. Also, since each drawing is an example, some parts may be omitted.

[0009] (First Example) FIG. 1 shows a simplified configuration of a hydrogen filling system 10 according to a first embodiment. The hydrogen filling system 10 includes a hydrogen filling device 20. The hydrogen filling device 20 fills hydrogen from a hydrogen supply source to a hydrogen filling target by differential pressure. The hydrogen filling device 20 has a plurality of first connection ports 21 that can be connected to a plurality of first hydrogen tanks 40, which are a plurality of hydrogen supply sources. The first hydrogen tanks 40 are detachable from the first connection ports 21. One first hydrogen tank 40 is attached (connected) to one first connection port 21. The first hydrogen tank 40 is filled with hydrogen gas in advance. The hydrogen filling device 20 has a plurality of second connection ports 22 that can be connected to a plurality of second hydrogen tanks 50, which are a plurality of hydrogen filling targets. The second hydrogen tanks 50 are detachable from the second connection ports 22. One second hydrogen tank 50 is attached (connected) to one second connection port 22.

[0010] 1 shows four first connection ports 21 and four second connection ports 22, there is no limit to the number of first connection ports 21 and second connection ports 22. The number of first connection ports 21 and the number of second connection ports 22 may be the same or different. Comparing the first hydrogen tank 40 and the second hydrogen tank 50, for example, the second hydrogen tank 50 is a tank of a size that is relatively easy for users to carry. The first hydrogen tank 40 can be understood as a hydrogen tank with a larger capacity than the second hydrogen tank 50.

[0011] The hydrogen filling device 20 includes a flow path 23 that connects the first connection port 21 and the second connection port 22. The flow path may also be referred to as piping. The flow path 23 includes a common flow path 24, a first branch flow path 25, and a second branch flow path 26. The first branch flow path 25 is a flow path that branches off to correspond to each of the multiple first connection ports 21, and connects one end 24a of the common flow path 24 to each of the multiple first connection ports 21. If the first connection port 21 side is defined as upstream and the one end 24a side of the common flow path 24 is defined as downstream, the first branch flow path 25 can be considered as multiple flow paths connected to the multiple first connection ports 21 in a one-to-one relationship that extend downstream and merge before connecting to the one end 24a.

[0012] The second branch flow paths 26 are flow paths that branch out corresponding to each of the multiple second connection ports 22, and connect the other end 24b of the common flow path 24 to each of the multiple second connection ports 22. If the other end 24b side of the common flow path 24 is considered to be upstream and the second connection port 22 side is considered to be downstream, then the second branch flow paths 26 can be understood as multiple flow paths extending downstream from the other end 24b, and each flow path being connected to a multiple second connection port 22 in a one-to-one relationship.

[0013] The hydrogen filling device 20 includes a plurality of first valves 27 provided in the first branch flow path 25 corresponding to the plurality of first connection ports 21, and a plurality of second valves 28 provided in the second branch flow path 26 corresponding to the plurality of second connection ports 22. That is, in the first branch flow path 25, a first valve 27 is provided in a one-to-one relationship with the first connection port 21 in each flow path connected to each of the first connection ports 21. In addition, in the second branch flow path 26, a second valve 28 is provided in a one-to-one relationship with the second connection port 22 in each flow path connected to each of the second connection ports 22. Each valve in the hydrogen filling device 20 is, for example, a solenoid valve, and opens and closes the corresponding flow path.

[0014] The hydrogen filling apparatus 20 is equipped with a control unit 30. The control unit 30 is a type of controller that controls the hydrogen filling apparatus 20, and includes, for example, at least one of the ECUs (Electronic Control Units) installed in the hydrogen filling apparatus 20. The control unit 30 is capable of individually opening and closing each of the multiple first valves 27 and the multiple second valves 28. The control unit 30 opens one or more first valves 27 corresponding to the first connection port 21 to which the first hydrogen tank 40 is connected, and opens one or more second valves 28 corresponding to the second connection port 22 to which the second hydrogen tank 50 is connected.

[0015] The control unit 30 can detect, for each connection port, whether a first hydrogen tank 40 is connected to the first connection port 21, and whether a second hydrogen tank 50 is connected to the second connection port 22, for example, using a sensor (not shown). Therefore, the control unit 30 selects and opens one or more first valves 27 corresponding to the first connection port 21 to which the first hydrogen tank 40 is connected, and selects and opens one or more second valves 28 corresponding to the second connection port 22 to which the second hydrogen tank 50 is connected. In this way, the control unit 30 can fill hydrogen from one or more first hydrogen tanks 40 to one or more second hydrogen tanks 50 via the first branch flow path 25, the common flow path 24, and the second branch flow path 26.

[0016] The control unit 30 may be configured to execute the process of selecting and opening the first valve 27 or the second valve 28 in response to an external instruction. As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the hydrogen filling device 20 is provided with a filling start button 29. A user who wishes to fill the second hydrogen tank 50 with hydrogen from the first hydrogen tank 40 presses the filling start button 29. When the filling start button 29 is pressed, the control unit 30 may open the first valve 27 or the second valve 28 as described above and start filling hydrogen. In the following, opening / closing one valve corresponding to a connection port to which one hydrogen tank is connected may be simply expressed as opening / closing the hydrogen tank.

[0017] Next, an example of the hydrogen filling process performed by the hydrogen filling device 20 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. Figures 2 and 3 show a simplified diagram of the relationship between the remaining amount of hydrogen in the first hydrogen tank group 40G and the remaining amount of hydrogen in the second hydrogen tank groups 50G, 51G for each of a number of situations (steps S0 to S9) in this embodiment. Figure 4 is a comparative example to Figures 2 and 3, and shows a simplified diagram of the relationship between the remaining amount of hydrogen in the first hydrogen tank group 40G and the remaining amount of hydrogen in the second hydrogen tank groups 50G, 51G for each of a number of situations (steps T0 to T3).

[0018] The first hydrogen tank group 40G is the collective name for the multiple first hydrogen tanks 40 connected to the multiple first connection ports 21 of the hydrogen filling device 20, and according to Figures 2 to 4, the first hydrogen tank group 40G consists of four first hydrogen tanks 40. Similarly, the second hydrogen tank groups 50G, 51G are the collective name for the multiple second hydrogen tanks 50 connected to the multiple second connection ports 22 of the hydrogen filling device 20, and according to Figures 2 to 4, each of the second hydrogen tank groups 50G, 51G consists of ten second hydrogen tanks 50.

[0019] In both this embodiment and the comparative example, the second hydrogen tank group 50G is connected to the hydrogen filling apparatus 20 before the second hydrogen tank group 51G, and hydrogen is filled from the first hydrogen tank group 40G into the second hydrogen tank group 50G (steps S0-S4, T0-T1). Then, after the second hydrogen tank group 50G that has been filled with hydrogen is removed from the hydrogen filling apparatus 20, the second hydrogen tank group 51G is connected to the hydrogen filling apparatus 20. Then, after the first hydrogen tank group 40G has finished filling hydrogen into the second hydrogen tank group 50G, hydrogen is filled into the second hydrogen tank group 51G (steps S5-S9, T2-T3).

[0020] The internal volume of one first hydrogen tank 40 is, for example, 25 L, and the internal volume of the first hydrogen tank group 40G is 25 L x 4 = 100 L. The internal volume of one second hydrogen tank 50 is, for example, 5 L, and the internal volume of each of the second hydrogen tank groups 50G, 51G is 5 L x 10 = 50 L. Before hydrogen filling into the second hydrogen tank group 50G begins (steps S0, T0), each of the first hydrogen tanks 40 has an internal tank pressure of, for example, 70 MPa. A first hydrogen tank 40 with an internal tank pressure of 70 MPa can be considered to be almost full. In steps S0, T0, each of the second hydrogen tanks 50 that make up the second hydrogen tank group 50G has an internal tank pressure of, for example, 5 MPa. Before the start of hydrogen filling into the second hydrogen tank group 51G (steps S5, T2), the internal tank pressure of each of the second hydrogen tanks 50 constituting the second hydrogen tank group 51G is, for example, 5 MPa. Here, a second hydrogen tank 50 with an internal tank pressure of 5 MPa can be considered to be nearly empty.

[0021] The control unit 30 is capable of acquiring the internal tank pressure of each of the first hydrogen tanks 40 connected to each of the multiple first connection ports 21 through a pressure sensor (not shown). A pressure sensor may be provided for each of the first connection ports 21 in the first branch flow path 25, or may be provided in the common flow path 24. The control unit 30 can acquire the internal tank pressure of each of the first hydrogen tanks 40 by opening each of the first hydrogen tanks 40 individually. Furthermore, the control unit 30 may be capable of acquiring the internal tank pressure of each of the second hydrogen tanks 50 connected to each of the multiple second connection ports 22 through a pressure sensor (not shown). In Figures 2 to 5, the remaining amount of hydrogen in each of the first hydrogen tanks 40 and the second hydrogen tank 50 is illustrated for easy understanding by the ratio of the gray areas. Of course, in reality, hydrogen is not unevenly distributed within the tank as shown.

[0022] Before starting to fill the hydrogen tank from the hydrogen supply source to the hydrogen filling target, the pressure inside the tank of the hydrogen supply source is P1 [MPa], and the pressure inside the tank of the hydrogen filling target is P2 [MPa]. Also, the internal volume of the hydrogen supply source is V1 [L], and the internal volume of the hydrogen filling target is V2 [L]. The internal tank pressure P [MPa] after hydrogen filling using the differential pressure filling method can be expressed by the following formula (1). However, it is assumed that the hydrogen gas temperature is the same before and after filling. P=(P1×V1+P2×V2) / (V1+V2) …(1)

[0023] In the comparative example, in step T0, the control unit 30 opens all of the first hydrogen tanks 40 that make up the first hydrogen tank group 40G and all of the second hydrogen tanks 50 that make up the second hydrogen tank group 50G. As a result, according to equation (1), the internal tank pressure P becomes as follows: P=(70×100+5×50) / (100+50)=48.33MPa In other words, as a result of hydrogen being filled from the first hydrogen tank group 40G to the second hydrogen tank group 50G, in step T1 the internal tank pressure of each of the first hydrogen tanks 40 and each of the second hydrogen tanks 50 will be approximately 48.33 MPa. Although not explained in detail, once a hydrogen tank has been opened, the control unit 30 will generally close it unless it needs to be opened for hydrogen supply or hydrogen filling.

[0024] After the replacement of second hydrogen tank group 50G with second hydrogen tank group 51G, in step T2, control unit 30 opens all of the first hydrogen tanks 40 that make up first hydrogen tank group 40G and all of the second hydrogen tanks 50 that make up second hydrogen tank group 51G. As a result, according to equation (1), the internal tank pressure P becomes as follows: P=(48.33×100+5×50) / (100+50)=33.89MPa In other words, as a result of hydrogen being filled from the first hydrogen tank group 40G to the second hydrogen tank group 51G, the internal tank pressure of each of the first hydrogen tanks 40 and each of the second hydrogen tanks 50 reaches approximately 33.89 MPa in step T3.

[0025] In contrast to this comparative example, in this embodiment, the control unit 30 sequentially opens the multiple first valves 27 corresponding to the first connection ports 21 to which the first hydrogen tanks 40 are connected. In step S0 of FIG. 2, the control unit 30 opens one of the first hydrogen tanks 40 constituting the first hydrogen tank group 40G and all of the second hydrogen tanks 50 constituting the second hydrogen tank group 50G. In the explanation of FIGS. 2 and 3, for ease of understanding, the four first hydrogen tanks 40 constituting the first hydrogen tank group 40G are referred to as the first, second, third, and fourth tanks, for example, from left to right. That is, in steps S0 to S4, the control unit 30 opens the first hydrogen tanks 40 in the order of the first, second, third, and fourth tanks. Similarly, in steps S5 to S9, the control unit 30 opens the first hydrogen tanks 40 in the order of the first, second, third, and fourth tanks.

[0026] In step S0, the control unit 30 opens the first hydrogen tank 40. As a result, the internal tank pressure P according to equation (1) is as follows: P=(70×25+5×50) / (25+50)=26.67MPa In other words, as a result of hydrogen being filled from the first first hydrogen tank 40 into the second hydrogen tank group 50G, in step S1, the internal tank pressure of the first first hydrogen tank 40 and each of the second hydrogen tanks 50 becomes approximately 26.67 MPa.

[0027] Next, the control unit 30 opens the second first hydrogen tank 40 and all of the second hydrogen tanks 50 that make up the second hydrogen tank group 50G. As a result, according to equation (1), the tank internal pressure P becomes as follows: P=(70×25+26.67×50) / (25+50)=41.11MPa In other words, as a result of hydrogen being filled from the second first hydrogen tank 40 into the second hydrogen tank group 50G, in step S2, the internal tank pressure of the second first hydrogen tank 40 and each of the second hydrogen tanks 50 becomes approximately 41.11 MPa.

[0028] Next, the control unit 30 opens the third first hydrogen tank 40 and all of the second hydrogen tanks 50 that make up the second hydrogen tank group 50G. As a result, according to equation (1), the tank internal pressure P becomes as follows: P=(70×25+41.11×50) / (25+50)=50.74MPa In other words, as a result of hydrogen being filled from the third first hydrogen tank 40 into the second hydrogen tank group 50G, in step S3, the internal tank pressure of the third first hydrogen tank 40 and each of the second hydrogen tanks 50 becomes approximately 50.74 MPa.

[0029] Next, the control unit 30 opens the fourth first hydrogen tank 40 and all of the second hydrogen tanks 50 that make up the second hydrogen tank group 50G. As a result, according to equation (1), the tank internal pressure P becomes as follows: P=(70×25+50.74×50) / (25+50)=57.16MPa In other words, as a result of hydrogen being filled from the fourth first hydrogen tank 40 into the second hydrogen tank group 50G, in step S4, the internal tank pressure of the fourth first hydrogen tank 40 and each of the second hydrogen tanks 50 becomes approximately 57.16 MPa.

[0030] Comparing step S4 with step T1, this embodiment can fill each second hydrogen tank 50 constituting the second hydrogen tank group 50G with hydrogen to a higher pressure (57.16 MPa - 48.33 MPa = 8.83 MPa) than the comparative example. In this way, by opening the first hydrogen tanks 40 one by one, the control unit 30 can increase the efficiency of filling the hydrogen tanks to be filled.

[0031] After replacing second hydrogen tank group 50G with second hydrogen tank group 51G, in step S5, control unit 30 opens the first hydrogen tank 40, which has the lowest internal tank pressure, and all of the second hydrogen tanks 50 that make up second hydrogen tank group 51G. As a result, according to equation (1), the internal tank pressure P becomes as follows: P=(26.67×25+5×50) / (25+50)=12.22MPa In other words, as a result of hydrogen being filled from the first first hydrogen tank 40 (internal tank pressure = 26.67 MPa) into the second hydrogen tank group 51G, in step S6, the internal tank pressure of the first first hydrogen tank 40 and each of the second hydrogen tanks 50 becomes approximately 12.22 MPa.

[0032] In the same manner, the control unit 30 opens the second, third, and fourth first hydrogen tanks 40 in that order (lowest internal tank pressure), and accordingly opens all of the second hydrogen tanks 50 in the second hydrogen tank group 51G. After hydrogen is filled from the second first hydrogen tank 40 (internal tank pressure = 41.11 MPa) into the second hydrogen tank group 51G, the internal tank pressure of the second first hydrogen tank 40 and each of the second hydrogen tanks 50 reaches approximately 21.86 MPa in step S7. Next, hydrogen is filled from the third first hydrogen tank 40 (internal tank pressure = 50.74 MPa) into the second hydrogen tank group 51G, and the internal tank pressure of the third first hydrogen tank 40 and each of the second hydrogen tanks 50 reaches approximately 31.48 MPa in step S8. Then, as a result of hydrogen being filled from the fourth first hydrogen tank 40 (internal tank pressure = 57.16 MPa) into the second hydrogen tank group 51G, in step S9 the internal tank pressure of the fourth first hydrogen tank 40 and each of the second hydrogen tanks 50 becomes approximately 40.04 MPa.

[0033] Comparing step S9 with step T3, this embodiment can fill each second hydrogen tank 50 constituting second hydrogen tank group 51G with hydrogen to a higher pressure (40.04 MPa - 33.89 MPa = 6.15 MPa) than the comparative example. In this way, by opening the first hydrogen tanks 40 one by one, the control unit 30 can increase the efficiency of filling the hydrogen tanks to be filled.

[0034] Furthermore, according to the explanation of steps S5 to S9, the control unit 30 can obtain the internal tank pressure of the first hydrogen tank 40 connected to the first connection port 21, and opens the first valves 27 in order, starting with the first connection port 21 to which the first hydrogen tank 40 with the lowest internal tank pressure is connected. In this way, by preferentially selecting and opening the first hydrogen tank 40 with the lowest internal tank pressure, the remaining hydrogen amount in each first hydrogen tank 40 can be effectively utilized, and as a result, hydrogen can be filled to a higher pressure in the hydrogen filling target.

[0035] (Second Example) Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, matters common to the first embodiment will not be described. In the first embodiment, each second hydrogen tank 50 constituting the second hydrogen tank group 50G is filled with hydrogen in the same manner, that is, so that the internal tank pressures of each tank are the same. Each second hydrogen tank 50 constituting the second hydrogen tank group 51G is also filled with hydrogen so that the internal tank pressures of each tank are the same. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the control unit 30 fills multiple second hydrogen tanks 50 with hydrogen so that there is a difference in internal tank pressure between at least some of the second hydrogen tanks 50. Figure 5 shows a simplified diagram of the results of hydrogen filling into the second hydrogen tank group 50G in the second embodiment.

[0036] For example, the control unit 30 first selects and opens two of the ten second hydrogen tanks 50 that make up the second hydrogen tank group 50G, and fills them with hydrogen. Each of these two second hydrogen tanks 50 is filled with hydrogen, for example, until the internal tank pressure reaches approximately 50 MPa. The control unit 30 then selects and opens three of the remaining seven second hydrogen tanks 50, for example, and fills them with hydrogen. Each of these three second hydrogen tanks 50 is filled with hydrogen, for example, until the internal tank pressure reaches approximately 40 MPa. Finally, the control unit 30 selects and opens the remaining five second hydrogen tanks 50, and fills them with hydrogen. Each of these five second hydrogen tanks 50 is filled with hydrogen, for example, until the internal tank pressure reaches approximately 20 MPa.

[0037] When dividing the second hydrogen tank group 50G into multiple groups and filling each group with different hydrogen, the control unit 30 can vary the way the first hydrogen tanks 40, which are the hydrogen supply sources, are opened for each group. For example, the control unit 30 can vary the number of first hydrogen tanks 40 to be opened depending on the group, or can open the first hydrogen tanks 40 one by one in sequence for a certain group, or can open multiple first hydrogen tanks 40 simultaneously for a certain group. Furthermore, when opening the first hydrogen tanks 40 one by one in sequence, the control unit 30 can select and open the first hydrogen tanks 40 with the lowest internal tank pressure first, or conversely, can preferentially select and open the first hydrogen tanks 40 with the highest internal tank pressure. For example, the control unit 30 can divide the second hydrogen tank group 50G into multiple groups as described above and determine the desired internal tank pressure for each group in accordance with a user request, and then fill the multiple second hydrogen tanks 50 with hydrogen so as to create a difference in internal tank pressure among the second hydrogen tanks 50. According to the second embodiment, the control unit 30 can flexibly respond to detailed needs, such as the amount of hydrogen to be filled into each of the plurality of second hydrogen tanks 50.

[0038] (Third Example) Next, a third embodiment will be described. The third embodiment can be combined with the first and second embodiments. FIG. 6 shows a simplified configuration of a hydrogen filling system 10 according to the third embodiment. The hydrogen filling device 20 may include a fuel cell stack 31 that receives hydrogen from the first hydrogen tank 40 to generate electricity. The hydrogen filling device 20 may then be operated using the electricity generated by the fuel cell stack 31. As is known, the fuel cell stack 31 has a plurality of fuel cell units that generate electricity using hydrogen and oxygen as fuel.

[0039] 6, the flow path 23 includes a third branch flow path 32 that branches off midway through the common flow path 24 toward the fuel cell stack 31. Therefore, a portion of the hydrogen supplied from one or more first hydrogen tanks 40 and flowing through the common flow path 24 is supplied to the fuel cell stack 31 via the third branch flow path 32. The fuel cell stack 31 generates electricity using the hydrogen supplied in this manner. The electricity generated by the fuel cell stack 31 is supplied to the control unit 30 via a predetermined power supply line 33 within the hydrogen filling device 20, thereby operating the control unit 30. Although not shown in the figure, the electricity generated by the fuel cell stack 31 is also supplied to each component (e.g., each valve) within the hydrogen filling device 20 that requires electricity for operation, in addition to the control unit 30.

[0040] A chargeable and dischargeable battery 34 may be connected to the power supply line 33. In other words, the fuel cell stack 31 can charge the battery 34. The battery 34 may also be one of the power supply sources for the control unit 30, and the control unit 30 may operate using power supplied from the battery 34.

[0041] The third branch flow path 32 may be provided with a third valve 35 that can open and close the flow path. The control unit 30 can open and close the third valve 35 individually, just like the first valve 27 and the second valve 28. The control unit 30 opens the third valve 35 to supply hydrogen from the first hydrogen tank 40 to the fuel cell stack 31. The control unit 30 can also supply hydrogen only from the first hydrogen tank 40 to the fuel cell stack 31 by opening the third valve 35 while keeping all of the second valves 28 closed. The control unit 30 can also fill the second hydrogen tank 50 with hydrogen while prohibiting the supply of hydrogen from the first hydrogen tank 40 to the fuel cell stack 31 by closing the third valve 35 and opening one or more second valves 28.

[0042] According to the third embodiment, the hydrogen filling device 20 is equipped with the fuel cell stack 31 and can therefore operate without receiving power from an external power source. In other words, the hydrogen filling device 20 can operate independently using power generated within the device, allowing it to operate even during a power outage, for example, and increasing the flexibility of its installation location. Although not specifically described in the first and second embodiments, the hydrogen filling device 20 operates by receiving power from an external power source if it does not have the ability to generate power within the device.

[0043] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6 , the hydrogen filling device 20 may be capable of supplying power from the fuel cell stack 31 to an external battery charging station 60. Power is supplied from the fuel cell stack 31 to the battery charging station 60 via a second power supply line 61. The battery charging station 60 has one or more charging connectors 62. A user can connect any battery 70 to the charging connector 62. The battery charging station 60 charges the battery 70 via the charging connector 62 with the power supplied via the second power supply line 61. The battery charging station 60 may be configured to have a controller such as an ECU (not shown) that controls the start and stop of charging the battery 70.

[0044] As described above, according to this embodiment including each example, the hydrogen filling device 20 can individually open and close each of the multiple first valves 27 and second valves 28. This makes it possible to select the first hydrogen tank 40 or the second hydrogen tank 50 to open and control the timing of this selection. This allows for flexible response to various needs, such as increasing the efficiency of hydrogen filling into the second hydrogen tank 50 and selecting the hydrogen supply source and the hydrogen filling target. Note that the hydrogen supply source connected to the hydrogen filling device 20 may be a larger hydrogen storage module or hydrogen storage system instead of the first hydrogen tank 40.

[0045] Although specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. Furthermore, the technical elements described in this specification or drawings exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technology exemplified in this specification or drawings simultaneously achieves multiple objectives, and achieving one of those objectives itself has technical utility. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 10: Hydrogen filling system, 20: Hydrogen filling device, 21: First connection port, 22: Second connection port, 23: Flow path, 24: Common flow path, 24a: One end, 24b: Other end, 25: First branch flow path, 26: Second branch flow path, 27: First valve, 28: Second valve, 30: Control unit, 31: Fuel cell stack, 32: Third branch flow path, 35: Third valve, 40: First hydrogen tank, 50: Second hydrogen tank, 40G: First hydrogen tank group, 50G, 51G: Second hydrogen tank group, 60: Battery charging station, 70: Battery

Claims

1. A hydrogen filling device that fills hydrogen from a hydrogen supply source to a hydrogen filling target by differential pressure, a plurality of first connection ports connectable to a plurality of first hydrogen tanks, which are the plurality of hydrogen supply sources; a common flow path; a first branch flow path that branches in correspondence with each of the plurality of first connection ports and connects one end of the common flow path to each of the plurality of first connection ports; a plurality of second connection ports connectable to the plurality of second hydrogen tanks to be filled with hydrogen, respectively; a second branch flow path that branches in correspondence with each of the second connection ports and connects the other end of the common flow path to each of the second connection ports; a plurality of first valves provided in the first branch flow path corresponding to the plurality of first connection ports, respectively; a plurality of second valves provided in the second branch flow path corresponding to the plurality of second connection ports, respectively; a control unit capable of individually opening and closing each of the plurality of first valves and the plurality of second valves, The control unit opens one or more of the first valves corresponding to the first connection port to which the first hydrogen tank is connected and opens one or more of the second valves corresponding to the second connection port to which the second hydrogen tank is connected, thereby filling hydrogen from one or more of the first hydrogen tanks through the first branch flow path, the common flow path and the second branch flow path to one or more of the second hydrogen tanks.

2. 2. The hydrogen filling device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sequentially opens the plurality of first valves corresponding to the first connection ports to which the first hydrogen tank is connected, one by one.

3. 3. The hydrogen filling device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit is capable of acquiring the internal tank pressure of the first hydrogen tank connected to the first connection port, and opens the first valves in order starting from the first connection port to which the first hydrogen tank with the lowest internal tank pressure is connected.

4. 2. The hydrogen filling device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit fills the second hydrogen tanks with hydrogen so that a difference in tank internal pressure occurs between at least some of the second hydrogen tanks.

5. 2. The hydrogen filling device according to claim 1, further comprising a fuel cell stack that receives hydrogen from the first hydrogen tank and generates electricity, and the hydrogen filling device is operated by the electricity generated by the fuel cell stack.

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