Hydrogen supply system

Abstract

This prevents excessive pressure increases in the section downstream of the pressure reducing valve. [Solution] The hydrogen supply system comprises a hydrogen tank, a common path connected to the hydrogen tank through which hydrogen being filled into the hydrogen tank and hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen tank flow, a filling path connecting the common path and the vehicle's filling port through which hydrogen being filled into the hydrogen tank flows, a supply path connecting the common path and the hydrogen consumption device through which hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen tank flows, a pressure reducing valve provided on the supply path to reduce the pressure of hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen tank, a first pressure sensor located downstream of the pressure reducing valve in the supply path to detect the pressure in the supply path, and a control device connected to the first pressure sensor. The control device is configured to perform a monitoring process that monitors the pressure detected by the first pressure sensor while the vehicle's power switch is off, and a notification process that performs a predetermined notification operation to the outside when the detected pressure exceeds a predetermined value in the monitoring process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a hydrogen supply system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a hydrogen supply system mounted on a vehicle. The hydrogen supply system includes a hydrogen tank, a common path connected to the hydrogen tank through which filled hydrogen to the hydrogen tank and supplied hydrogen from the hydrogen tank flow, a filling path connecting between the common path and the filling port of the vehicle through which filled hydrogen to the hydrogen tank flows, and a supply path connecting between the common path and the hydrogen-consuming device through which supplied hydrogen from the hydrogen tank flows. The hydrogen-consuming device creates energy for driving the vehicle by consuming hydrogen.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above-described hydrogen supply system, a pressure reducing valve is provided on the supply path. The pressure reducing valve reduces the high-pressure supplied hydrogen from the hydrogen tank to a predetermined pressure and supplies it to the hydrogen-consuming device on the downstream side. However, for example, if a problem occurs inside the pressure reducing valve, there is a risk that the high-pressure supplied hydrogen will pass through the pressure reducing valve as it is. In that case, the pressure will rise excessively in the section downstream of the pressure reducing valve. In this specification, a technology is provided that can suppress the excessive rise in pressure in the section downstream of the pressure reducing valve in a hydrogen supply system.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The technology disclosed herein is embodied in a hydrogen supply system mounted on a vehicle. In a first aspect of this technology, the hydrogen supply system may include: a hydrogen tank for storing hydrogen; a common path connected to the hydrogen tank through which hydrogen for filling the hydrogen tank and hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen tank flow; a filling path connecting the common path to the vehicle's filling port and through which the hydrogen for filling the hydrogen tank flows; a supply path connecting the common path to a hydrogen consumption device and through which the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen tank flows; a pressure reducing valve provided on the supply path for reducing the pressure of the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen tank; a first pressure sensor located in the supply path downstream of the pressure reducing valve and for detecting the pressure in the supply path; and a control device connected to the first pressure sensor. The control device may be configured to perform a monitoring process that monitors the pressure detected by the first pressure sensor while the vehicle's power switch is off, and a notification process that performs a predetermined notification operation to the outside when the detected pressure exceeds a predetermined value in the monitoring process.

[0006] In the hydrogen supply system described above, a first pressure sensor is installed in the section of the supply path downstream of the pressure reducing valve. Therefore, when the vehicle's power is on, the first pressure sensor can monitor the pressure in the section downstream of the pressure reducing valve. In addition, the hydrogen supply system is configured to monitor the pressure detected by the first pressure sensor even when the vehicle's power switch is off, and to perform a predetermined notification operation to the outside when the monitored detected pressure exceeds a predetermined value. With this configuration, regardless of whether the vehicle's power switch is on or off, a pressure rise exceeding a predetermined value in the section downstream of the pressure reducing valve can be notified to the vehicle's occupants and / or to external parties such as hydrogen stations at an early stage. As a result, countermeasures regarding the pressure rise can be taken quickly, and the pressure rise in the section downstream of the pressure reducing valve is suppressed.

[0007] In a second aspect of this technology, in the first aspect described above, the hydrogen supply system may further include a shut-off valve located upstream of the pressure reducing valve in the supply path, and configured to connect and disconnect the supply path. In this case, the control device may further perform a shut-off process in which it controls the shut-off valve to shut off the supply path when the detected pressure exceeds a predetermined value in the monitoring process. With such a configuration, by shutting off the shut-off valve, it is possible to prevent high-pressure supply hydrogen from passing through the pressure reducing valve. Therefore, the rise in pressure in the section downstream of the pressure reducing valve is suppressed.

[0008] The technology disclosed herein can also be embodied in other hydrogen supply systems mounted on vehicles. That is, in a third embodiment of the technology, the hydrogen supply system may include: a hydrogen tank for storing hydrogen; a common path connected to the hydrogen tank through which hydrogen for filling the hydrogen tank and hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen tank flows; a filling path connecting the common path to the vehicle's filling port and through which the hydrogen for filling the hydrogen tank flows; a supply path connecting the common path to a hydrogen consumption device and through which the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen tank flows; a pressure reducing valve provided on the supply path for reducing the pressure of the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen tank; a shut-off valve located in the supply path upstream of the pressure reducing valve and configured to connect and shut off the supply path; a first pressure sensor located in the supply path downstream of the pressure reducing valve and for detecting the pressure in the supply path; and a control device connected to the first pressure sensor. The control device is configured to perform a monitoring process that monitors the pressure detected by the first pressure sensor while the vehicle's power switch is off, and a shut-off process that controls the shut-off valve to shut off the supply path if the detected pressure exceeds a predetermined value during the monitoring process. With this configuration, regardless of whether the vehicle's power switch is on or off, if a pressure rise exceeding a predetermined value occurs in the section downstream of the pressure reducing valve, the shut-off valve can be shut off to prevent the supply hydrogen from passing through the pressure reducing valve. Therefore, an excessive pressure rise in the section downstream of the pressure reducing valve is suppressed.

[0009] In a fourth aspect of this technology, in any one of the first to third aspects described above, the control device may perform the monitoring process when the power switch of the vehicle is turned off and the vehicle is being refueled with hydrogen. With this configuration, the above-described effects can be achieved when the vehicle is being refueled with hydrogen, regardless of whether the hydrogen station and the vehicle are communicating or not.

[0010] In a fifth aspect of this technology, in any one of the first to fourth aspects described above, the hydrogen supply system is located in the refueling path or the common path and may further include a second pressure sensor for detecting the pressure in the refueling path or the common path. In this case, the control device is also connected to the second pressure sensor and may determine that the vehicle is being refueled with hydrogen when the pressure detected by the second pressure sensor is rising at a predetermined rate of increase. This allows the hydrogen supply system to determine that the vehicle is being refueled with hydrogen, regardless of whether the hydrogen station and the vehicle are communicating or not. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the configuration of a hydrogen supply system. [Figure 2] This diagram shows the configuration of the pressure reducing valve and relief valve. [Figure 3] This shows a flowchart of the pressure suppression process performed by the control device. [Modes for carrying out the invention] [Examples]

[0012] The hydrogen supply system 10 of the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. As shown in Figure 1, the hydrogen supply system 10 can be mounted on a vehicle 2 equipped with a hydrogen consumption device 6, for example, and is a device that supplies hydrogen to the hydrogen consumption device 6. The hydrogen consumption device 6 is a device that generates energy to drive the vehicle 2 by consuming hydrogen. Examples of the hydrogen consumption device 6 include a hydrogen fuel cell and a hydrogen engine. In this specification, "hydrogen" refers to hydrogen gas.

[0013] The hydrogen supply system 10 comprises a plurality of hydrogen tanks 12, a common path 102, a filling path 104, a supply path 106, a plurality of check valve assemblies 34, a pressure reducing valve assembly 40, a shut-off valve 80, a first pressure sensor 81, a second pressure sensor 82, and a control device 100. Each hydrogen tank 12 is a sealed container that stores high-pressure hydrogen inside. As an example, the hydrogen supply system 10 comprises three hydrogen tanks 12. The number of hydrogen tanks 12 is not limited to three, and may be one, two, or four or more.

[0014] The common route 102 is a route through which hydrogen for filling multiple hydrogen tanks 12 and hydrogen supplied from multiple hydrogen tanks 12 flows. Multiple hydrogen tanks 12 are each connected to the common route 102. The common route 102 has multiple distribution pipes 30 and 32. Distribution pipes 30 and 32 are piping members having multiple ports, and are so-called manifolds. A portion of the common route 102 is formed by the multiple distribution pipes 30 and 32. The common route 102 is connected to other routes 104 and 106 and multiple hydrogen tanks 12 via the multiple distribution pipes 30 and 32. For example, the common route 102 has two distribution pipes 30 and 32. Distribution pipe 30 is connected to the filling route 104, one of the multiple hydrogen tanks 12, and distribution pipe 32. Distribution pipe 32 is connected to the supply route 106 and the other two hydrogen tanks 12. The connections between the multiple hydrogen tanks 12 and the multiple distribution pipes 30 and 32 are not limited to this. For example, all hydrogen tanks 12 may be connected to a single distribution pipe 30, 32.

[0015] Each hydrogen tank 12 comprises a tank body 14 and a valve assembly 20. The tank body 14 has a storage space for storing high-pressure hydrogen. The tank body 14 has an opening 16 that connects the storage space to the outside of the tank body 14. The opening 16 is located at the end of the tank body 14. The valve assembly 20 is fixed to the opening 16. The valve assembly 20 is connected to a common path 102. The valve assembly 20 connects the storage space of the tank body 14 to the common path 102.

[0016] As an example, the valve assembly 20 includes overflow prevention valves 21a and 21b, filters 22a and 22b, a manual valve 23, check valves 24a and 24b, a shut-off valve 25, a relief valve 26, a common valve path 27a, a first valve path 27b, and a second valve path 27c. The common valve path 27a is a path through which hydrogen flows toward and from the tank body 14. The first valve path 27b is a path through which hydrogen flows toward the tank body 14. The second valve path 27c is a path through which hydrogen flows from the tank body 14. The common valve path 27a has, in order from the common path 102 side, an overflow prevention valve 21a, a filter 22a, and a manual valve 23. The first valve path 27b has a check valve 24a. In the second valve path 27c, the following components are arranged in order from the tank body 14 side: an overflow prevention valve 21b, a filter 22b, a shut-off valve 25, and a check valve 24b.

[0017] In the valve assembly 20, the manual valve 23 is open when hydrogen is being filled into the tank body 14 and when hydrogen is being supplied from the tank body 14. The shut-off valve 25 is a control valve whose opening and closing is controlled by the control device 100. During hydrogen filling, the shut-off valve 25 of the second valve path 27c is closed. As a result, only the first valve path 2b is connected to the common valve path 27a, and the hydrogen being filled from the common path 102 flows through the overflow prevention valve 21a, the filter 22a, and the manual valve 23 to the first valve path 27b. The overflow prevention valve 21a here simply allows the hydrogen to pass through. The filter 22a removes foreign matter from the hydrogen being filled. Then, in the first valve path 27b, the hydrogen being filled from the common valve path 27a flows in one direction from the upstream side (i.e., the common valve path 27a side) to the downstream side (i.e., the tank body 14 side) by the check valve 24a.

[0018] When hydrogen is supplied, the shut-off valve 25 of the second valve path 27c is opened. This connects the second valve path 27c and the common valve path 27a, allowing the hydrogen supplied from the tank body 14 to flow through the overflow prevention valve 21b, filter 22b, shut-off valve 25, and check valve 24b to the common valve path 27a. The overflow prevention valve 21b controls the flow rate of the supplied hydrogen flowing from the tank body 14 to the supply path 106. This prevents the flow rate of the supplied hydrogen from the hydrogen tank 12 from becoming excessive. The filter 22b removes foreign matter from the supplied hydrogen. In the second valve path 27c, the supplied hydrogen flows from the upstream side (i.e., the tank body 14 side) to the downstream side (i.e., the common valve path 27a side) via the check valve 24b. The hydrogen supplied through the common valve path 27a passes through the manual valve 23 and filter 22a, and then the overflow prevention valve 21a controls the flow rate of the supplied hydrogen flowing from the tank body 14 to the supply path 106. At this time, the second valve path 27c is connected not only to the common valve path 27a but also to the first valve path 27b. The supply hydrogen whose flow rate through the common valve path 27a is restricted by the overflow prevention valve 21a returns to the first valve path 27b and circulates between the tank body 14 and the valve assembly 20. This maintains a uniform pressure inside the tank body 14.

[0019] The relief valve 26 connects the inside of the tank body 14 to the outside of the tank body 14. The relief valve 26 is configured to operate when the internal pressure of the tank body 14 exceeds a predetermined value. When the internal pressure exceeds the predetermined value, the relief valve 26 opens, releasing the hydrogen stored inside the tank body 14 to the outside.

[0020] The filling path 104 is a path through which the hydrogen for filling the plurality of hydrogen tanks 12 flows. The filling path 104 connects between the common path 102 and the filling port 4 of the vehicle 2. To the filling port 4 of the vehicle 2, for example, a filling hose of a hydrogen station is connected. Therefore, the hydrogen for filling supplied from the hydrogen station to the vehicle 2 is filled into the plurality of hydrogen tanks 12 through the filling path 104 and the common path 102. In the filling path 104, a plurality of check valve assemblies 34 are arranged. Each check valve assembly 34 has a check valve 36 and a filter 38. Each check valve 36 is configured so that the hydrogen for filling does not flow backward to the filling port 4 side with the direction from the filling port 4 toward the common path 102 as the forward flow. In each check valve assembly 34, the filter 38 is arranged on the upstream side of the check valve 36. The filter 38 removes foreign substances and the like in the hydrogen for filling.

[0021] The supply path 106 connects between the common path 102 and the hydrogen-consuming device 6. The supply path 106 is a path through which the supplied hydrogen from the plurality of hydrogen tanks 12 flows. Therefore, the supplied hydrogen from the plurality of hydrogen tanks 12 is supplied to the hydrogen-consuming device 6 through the common path 102 and the supply path 106.

[0022] In the supply path 106, a pressure-reducing valve assembly 40 is arranged. The pressure-reducing valve assembly 40 has a filter 42, a pressure-reducing valve 50, and a relief valve 70. The filter 42 is arranged on the upstream side of the pressure-reducing valve 50 and removes foreign substances and the like from the supplied hydrogen flowing into the pressure-reducing valve 50. The pressure-reducing valve 50 is configured to reduce the pressure of the supplied hydrogen from the plurality of hydrogen tanks 12. The relief valve 70 is arranged on the downstream side of the pressure-reducing valve 50 and is a safety valve that discharges the supplied hydrogen outside the supply path 106 when the pressure on the downstream side of the pressure-reducing valve 50 rises excessively.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 2, the details of the configurations of the pressure-reducing valve 50 and the relief valve 70 will be described. In FIG. 2, the filter 42 of the pressure-reducing valve assembly 40 is omitted.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2, the pressure reducing valve 50 comprises an inlet 50a and an outlet 50b, a housing 51, a valve body 52, a valve seat 54, a valve spring 55, a piston 56, a sealing member 58, a pair of wear rings 60a and 60b, and a pressure regulating spring 62. The valve body 52, valve seat 54, valve spring 55, piston 56, sealing member 58, a pair of wear rings 60a and 60b, and a pressure regulating spring 62 are arranged inside the housing 51. The housing 51 has a primary chamber 51a into which high-pressure supply hydrogen flows in from the inlet 50a (see thick arrow A1 in Figure 3), a secondary chamber 51b into which reduced-pressure supply hydrogen flows out from the outlet 50b (see thick arrow A2 in Figure 3), and a communication port 51c that connects the primary chamber 51a and the secondary chamber 51b. The valve seat 54 is an annular member and is positioned on the primary chamber side of the communication port 51c, surrounding the communication port 51c. The valve seat 54 is made of, for example, a resin material. The valve body 52 has, for example, a needle shape with a tapered surface. The valve body 52 is biased toward the valve seat 54 by a valve spring 55. The valve body 52 is positioned to open and close the communication port 51c via the valve seat 54. Specifically, when the valve body 52 (i.e., the tapered surface) comes into contact with the valve seat 54, the communication port 51c is closed, and when the valve body 52 moves away from the valve seat 54, the communication port 51c is opened. A piston 56, positioned in the secondary chamber 51b, is connected to the valve body 52. ​​The piston 56 is a plate-shaped member. The piston 56 works in conjunction with the valve body 52 to open / close the valve body 52 (see arrow B in Figure 3). The piston 56 is biased toward the communication port 51c by a pressure regulating spring 62. In the pressure reducing valve 50, the pressure regulating spring 62 adjusts the force biasing the piston 56, and when the force pushing the piston 56 toward the communication port 51c becomes greater than the force pushing the valve body 52 toward the valve seat 54, the valve body 52 opens. The opening degree of the valve body 52 is adjusted by the force pressing the piston 56 against the pressure regulating spring 62. When the valve body 52 opens to the adjusted opening degree, high-pressure supply hydrogen flows from the primary chamber 51a into the secondary chamber 51b, and the pressure of the supply hydrogen is adjusted to a certain pressure range by the flow rate of the incoming hydrogen. The certain pressure range may be, for example, about 1.0 to 1.5 MPa.

[0025] The piston 56 has a projection on its outer circumference that extends along the housing 51, although this is not particularly limited. A sealing member 58 and a pair of wear rings 60a and 60b are arranged on the outer circumference of the piston 56, flanking the sealing member 58. When the piston 56 moves, it is configured to slide against the inner wall of the housing 51 via the sealing member 58 and the wear rings 60a and 60b. The piston 56 does not directly contact the inner wall of the housing 51. The sealing member 58 is a member that enhances the airtightness between the piston 56 and the housing 51. The sealing member 58 is an annular member and is made of, for example, a resin material or a rubber material. The wear rings 60a and 60b are annular protective members that prevent the piston 56 from wearing down due to sliding against the housing 51. The wear rings 60a and 60b are made of, for example, a resin material. Furthermore, the housing 51 is provided with a vent 51d above the piston 56 that communicates with the outside of the pressure reducing valve 50 (see thick arrow A3 in Figure 3). This allows the piston 56 to move smoothly.

[0026] The relief valve 70 is connected to the outlet 50b of the pressure reducing valve 50. The relief valve 70 comprises an inlet 70a and an outlet 70b, a housing 72, a valve body 74, a valve seat 76, and a spring 78 located within the housing 72. The valve body 74 is generally a plate-shaped member and is positioned to open and close the inlet 70a of the relief valve 70. The valve seat 76 is interposed between the valve body 74 and the inlet 70a and is made of, for example, a resin material. The valve body 74 is biased toward the inlet 70a by the spring 78. The relief valve 70 is configured to operate when the pressure of the supply hydrogen downstream of the pressure reducing valve 50 in the supply path 106 exceeds a predetermined value. When the pressure of the supply hydrogen downstream of the pressure reducing valve 50 exceeds a predetermined value, the relief valve 70 opens the valve body 74 and releases the supply hydrogen to the outside of the supply path 106 through the housing 72 and outlet 70b. The predetermined value at which this relief valve 70 begins to operate is, for example, in the range of greater than 2 MPa and less than or equal to 3 MPa.

[0027] The shut-off valve 80 is located in the section of the supply path 106 upstream of the pressure reducing valve assembly 40. The shut-off valve 80 is configured to connect and disconnect the supply path 106.

[0028] The first pressure sensor 81 is located downstream of the pressure reducing valve assembly 40 in the supply path 106. The first pressure sensor 81 detects the pressure in the supply path 106.

[0029] The second pressure sensor 82 is connected to one of several ports in the distribution pipe 32 of the common path 102. The second pressure sensor 82 detects the pressure in the common path. The location of the second pressure sensor 82 is not limited to the common path 102. The second pressure sensor 82 only needs to be capable of detecting the pressure in the path through which hydrogen is supplied to the multiple hydrogen tanks 12. For example, the second pressure sensor 82 may be located in the supply path 104. In this case, the second pressure sensor 82 may detect the pressure in the supply path 104.

[0030] The control device 100 is communicatively connected to the relief valve 70 and the shut-off valve 80, and controls the operation of the relief valve 70 and the shut-off valve 80, respectively. The control device 100 is communicatively connected to the notification device 8 of the vehicle 2. The control device 100 controls the operation of the notification device 8.

[0031] The control device 100 includes, for example, a processor and memory. A program is pre-stored in the memory. Based on the program stored in the memory, the control device 100 can perform pressure suppression processing. Pressure suppression processing includes, for example, monitoring processing, notification processing, and shut-off processing. The control device 100 is communicatively connected to the first pressure sensor 81 and the second pressure sensor 82. The control device 100 can receive the detected pressures P1 and P2 from the first pressure sensor 81 and the second pressure sensor 82. While the power switch of the vehicle 2 is off, the control device 100 monitors the detected pressure P2 from the second pressure sensor 82. The memory stores the pressure rise rate of the second pressure sensor 82 during hydrogen refueling. The pressure rise rate is the amount of change in the detected pressure P2 from the second pressure sensor 82 per unit time. If the detected pressure P2 from the second pressure sensor 82 is rising at a predetermined pressure rise rate stored in the memory, the control device 100 identifies that the vehicle 2 is being refueled with hydrogen. This allows the hydrogen supply system 10 to determine that vehicle 2 is being refueled with hydrogen, regardless of whether communication is in progress between the hydrogen station and vehicle 2. The control device 100 performs monitoring while the power switch (not shown) of vehicle 2 is off and vehicle 2 is being refueled with hydrogen. During the monitoring process, the control device 100 monitors the pressure P1 detected by the first pressure sensor 81.

[0032] The control device 100 performs a notification process when the pressure P1 detected by the first pressure sensor 81 exceeds a predetermined value during the monitoring process. The predetermined value of the pressure P1 detected by the first pressure sensor 81 is in the range of greater than 2 MPa and 3 MPa or less. In a modified example, the predetermined value may be in the range of greater than 1.5 and 2 MPa or less. In another modified example, the predetermined value may be greater than 3 MPa. In the notification process, the control device 100 performs a predetermined notification operation to notify the outside of the hydrogen supply system 10 (for example, the occupants of the vehicle 2 or the hydrogen station) of the excessive pressure rise. The predetermined notification operation may be the emission of at least one of the following: sound, light, vibration, etc. Alternatively, the predetermined notification operation may notify a communication terminal connected to the control device 100 of the excessive pressure rise. In this case, the notification device 8 does not have to be provided by the vehicle 2, and may be, for example, a communication terminal owned by the occupants of the vehicle 2 or a communication terminal located at the hydrogen station.

[0033] In the monitoring process, when the pressure P1 detected by the first pressure sensor 81 exceeds a predetermined value, the control device 100 performs a shut-off process in addition to the notification process described above. In the shut-off process, the control device 100 controls the shut-off valve 80 to shut off the supply path 106.

[0034] In the hydrogen supply system 10 described above, a pressure reducing valve assembly 40 is provided on the supply path 106. The pressure reducing valve 50 of the pressure reducing valve assembly 40 reduces the pressure of the supply hydrogen from multiple hydrogen tanks 12 at high pressure (e.g., 70 MPa or 35 MPa) to a predetermined pressure (e.g., about 1.0 to 1.5 MPa) and supplies it to the downstream hydrogen consumption device 6. However, if a malfunction occurs inside the pressure reducing valve 50, for example, the high-pressure supply hydrogen may pass through the pressure reducing valve 50 unimpeded (see arrow A4 in Figure 3). For example, contact between the valve body 52 and the valve seat 54 may cause wear on the valve seat 54, reducing the sealing performance between the valve body 52 and the valve seat 54. In that case, the pressure will rise excessively in the section downstream of the pressure reducing valve 50.

[0035] In view of the above, in the hydrogen supply system 10 of this embodiment, a first pressure sensor 81 is provided in the section of the supply path 106 downstream of the pressure reducing valve assembly 40. Therefore, when the power to the vehicle 2 is turned on, the first pressure sensor 81 can monitor the pressure in the section downstream of the pressure reducing valve assembly 40. In addition, the hydrogen supply system 10 is configured to monitor the detected pressure P1 by the first pressure sensor 81 even when the power switch of the vehicle 2 is turned off, and to perform a predetermined notification operation to the outside when the monitored detected pressure P1 exceeds a predetermined value. With this configuration, regardless of whether the power switch of the vehicle 2 is on or off, it is possible to promptly notify the occupants of the vehicle 2 and / or external parties such as hydrogen stations that a pressure rise exceeding a predetermined value has occurred in the section downstream of the pressure reducing valve assembly 40. As a result, countermeasures regarding the pressure rise can be taken quickly, and the pressure rise in the section downstream of the pressure reducing valve assembly 40 is suppressed.

[0036] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a shut-off valve 80 is provided in the section of the supply path 106 upstream of the pressure reducing valve assembly 40. In this case, the control device 100 may be able to control the shut-off valve 80 and perform a shut-off process to shut off the supply path 106 when the detected pressure P1 exceeds a predetermined value during the monitoring process. With this configuration, by shutting off the shut-off valve 80, it is possible to prevent high-pressure supply hydrogen from passing through the pressure reducing valve assembly 40. Therefore, the rise in pressure in the section downstream of the pressure reducing valve assembly 40 is reliably suppressed.

[0037] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control device 100 performs monitoring when the power switch of vehicle 2 is off and vehicle 2 is being refueled with hydrogen. With this configuration, regardless of the communication status between the hydrogen station and vehicle 2, the pressure rise in the section downstream of the pressure reducing valve assembly 40 can be suppressed when vehicle 2 is being refueled with hydrogen. However, the monitoring process of the control device 100 may be performed at times other than those described above. The control device 100 only needs to be performed while the power switch of vehicle 2 is off. That is, the control device 100 may perform monitoring when the power switch of vehicle 2 is off and vehicle 2 is not being refueled with hydrogen (i.e., when vehicle 2 is simply parked). In this case, even at times other than when vehicle 2 is being refueled with hydrogen, the pressure rise in the section downstream of the pressure reducing valve assembly 40 can be suppressed.

[0038] Referring to Figure 3, an example of the pressure suppression process performed by the control device 100 will be described.

[0039] In step S2, the control device 100 determines whether the power switch of vehicle 2 is off or not. If the power switch of vehicle 2 is off (YES in S2), the control device 100 proceeds to step S4. Otherwise (NO in S2), the control device 100 terminates the pressure suppression process.

[0040] In step S4, the control device 100 determines whether the pressure P2 detected by the second pressure sensor 82 is rising at a predetermined rate of increase. If the detected pressure P2 is rising at a predetermined rate of increase (YES in S4), the control device 100 identifies that the vehicle 2 is being refueled with hydrogen and proceeds to the monitoring process in step S6. Otherwise (NO in S4), the control device 100 terminates the pressure suppression process.

[0041] In step S6, the control device 100 performs a monitoring process. In step S8, the control device 100 determines in the monitoring process whether the detected pressure P1 by the first pressure sensor 81 exceeds a predetermined value. If the detected pressure P1 by the first pressure sensor 81 exceeds a predetermined value (YES in S8), the control device 100 proceeds to the shut-off process in step S10. Otherwise (NO in S8), the control device 100 continues the monitoring process in step S6.

[0042] In step S12, the control device 100 performs notification processing.

[0043] In step S10, the control device 100 performs a shutdown process.

[0044] In steps S2 to S12 described above, the control device 100 terminates the pressure suppression process. This suppresses the rise in pressure in the section downstream of the pressure reducing valve 50.

[0045] However, the series of pressure suppression processes performed by the control device 100 are not limited to the configuration of the embodiment described above. In a modified example, the control device 100 may perform the notification process in step S10 and the shut-off process in step S12 in reverse order. In another modified example, the control device 100 may perform only the shut-off process in step S12 without performing the notification process in step S10. In yet another modified example, the control device 100 may perform only the shut-off process in step S10 without performing the shut-off process in step S12. In any of these modified configurations, the pressure rise in the section downstream of the pressure reducing valve assembly 50 can be suppressed.

[0046] In this embodiment, although not particularly limited, the pressure reducing valve assembly 40 includes a relief valve 70 in addition to the pressure reducing valve 50. The release of hydrogen from this relief valve 70 also suppresses the pressure rise in the section downstream of the pressure reducing valve 50. On the other hand, the relief valve 70 continues to release hydrogen that has passed through the pressure reducing valve 50 to the outside as long as the pressure of the supplied hydrogen downstream of the pressure reducing valve 50 in the supply path 106 exceeds a predetermined value. By adopting this technology, it is possible to avoid a situation in which hydrogen is continuously released from the relief valve 70 in this manner. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0047] 2: Vehicle, 4: Filling port, 6: Hydrogen consumption device, 8: Notification device, 10: Hydrogen supply system, 12: Hydrogen tank, 20: Valve assembly, 40: Pressure reducing valve assembly, 50: Pressure reducing valve, 80: Shut-off valve, 81, 82: Pressure sensor, 100: Control device, 102: Common route, 104: Filling route, 106: Supply route, P1, P2: Detected pressure

Claims

1. A hydrogen supply system installed in a vehicle, A hydrogen tank for storing hydrogen, A common path is connected to the hydrogen tank, through which hydrogen is filled into the hydrogen tank and hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen tank flows, A filling path connects the aforementioned common path and the vehicle's filling port, and through which the hydrogen being filled into the hydrogen tank flows, A supply path is provided through which the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen tank flows, connecting the aforementioned common path and the hydrogen consumption device. A pressure reducing valve is provided on the supply path and reduces the pressure of the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen tank, A first pressure sensor is located in the section of the supply path downstream of the pressure reducing valve and detects the pressure within the supply path. A control device connected to the first pressure sensor, Equipped with, The control device is While the power switch of the vehicle is turned off, a monitoring process is performed to monitor the pressure detected by the first pressure sensor, The monitoring process is configured to perform a notification process that executes a predetermined notification operation to the outside when the detected pressure exceeds a predetermined value. Hydrogen supply system.

2. The supply path is further provided with a shut-off valve located upstream of the pressure reducing valve, and configured to connect and disconnect the supply path. The hydrogen supply system according to claim 1, wherein the control device is capable of further performing a shut-off process in which it controls the shut-off valve to shut off the supply path when the detected pressure exceeds a predetermined value in the monitoring process.

3. A hydrogen supply system installed in a vehicle, A hydrogen tank for storing hydrogen, A common path is connected to the hydrogen tank, through which hydrogen is filled into the hydrogen tank and hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen tank flows, A filling path connects the aforementioned common path and the vehicle's filling port, and through which the hydrogen being filled into the hydrogen tank flows, A supply path is provided through which the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen tank flows, connecting the aforementioned common path and the hydrogen consumption device. A pressure reducing valve is provided on the supply path and reduces the pressure of the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen tank, A shut-off valve is located in the section of the supply path upstream of the pressure reducing valve and is configured to connect and disconnect the supply path, A first pressure sensor is located in the section of the supply path downstream of the pressure reducing valve and detects the pressure within the supply path. The system comprises a control device connected to the first pressure sensor, The control device is While the power switch of the vehicle is turned off, a monitoring process is performed to monitor the pressure detected by the first pressure sensor, The system is configured to perform a shut-off process in which, when the detected pressure exceeds a predetermined value during the monitoring process, the shut-off valve is controlled to shut off the supply path. Hydrogen supply system.

4. The hydrogen supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control device performs the monitoring process when the power switch of the vehicle is turned off and the vehicle is being refueled with hydrogen.

5. The system further comprises a second pressure sensor located in the filling path or the common path, which detects the pressure within the filling path or the common path. The hydrogen supply system according to claim 4, wherein the control device is also connected to the second pressure sensor, and when the pressure detected by the second pressure sensor is rising at a predetermined rate of increase, it is determined that the vehicle is being refueled with hydrogen.

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