Fuel cell system

Abstract

To provide a fuel cell system that can efficiently warm up secondary batteries. [Solution] The fuel cell system is a fuel cell system mounted on a vehicle, comprising: a fuel cell stack; an exhaust port for exhausting water vapor discharged from the fuel cell stack; a secondary battery for storing electricity generated by the fuel cell stack; a housing section having a space for housing the secondary battery; a connecting passage connecting the exhaust port and the space; a first on-off valve for opening and closing the connecting passage; and a control device that performs a first warm-up control to open the first on-off valve when warm-up of the secondary battery is required.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fuel cell system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a fuel cell system having a fuel cell and a secondary battery has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The fuel cell system of Patent Document 1 takes in the heat of the fuel cell into a battery pack that houses the secondary battery to warm up the secondary battery.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the fuel cell system of Patent Document 1, the secondary battery is warmed up by flowing air warmed by the heat of the fuel cell into the battery pack. However, in the fuel cell system of Patent Document 1, since it is necessary to warm the air around the fuel cell, the efficiency is poor.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a fuel cell system that can efficiently warm up a secondary battery.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The fuel cell system according to this disclosure is a fuel cell system mounted on a vehicle, comprising: a fuel cell stack; an exhaust port for exhausting water vapor discharged from the fuel cell stack; a secondary battery for storing electricity generated by the fuel cell stack; a housing section having a space for housing the secondary battery; a connecting passage connecting the exhaust port and the space; a first on-off valve for opening and closing the connecting passage; and a control device that performs a first warm-up control to open the first on-off valve when warm-up of the secondary battery is required. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] This fuel cell system allows the water vapor emitted from the fuel cell to flow directly into the containment. This enables efficient warming of the secondary battery. This water vapor refers to a mixture of air heated by the heat generated and emitted from inside the fuel cell. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A system diagram of a fuel cell system according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 2] A flowchart illustrating the control procedure performed by the control unit according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 3] A system diagram of a fuel cell system according to a second embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 4] A flowchart illustrating the control procedure performed by the control unit according to the second embodiment of this disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] <First Embodiment> The first embodiment of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] As shown in Figure 1, the fuel cell system 1 of this embodiment includes a fuel cell stack (FC) 2, an exhaust port 4, a secondary battery 6, a housing 8, a connection passage 10, an exhaust passage 12, a first on-off valve 14, a second on-off valve 16, a third on-off valve 18, a motor generator (an example of a motor) 20, a control device 22, a first temperature sensor 24, a second temperature sensor 26, and a third temperature sensor 28.

[0011] The fuel cell system 1 of this embodiment is mounted on a vehicle C. Vehicle C is a range-extender plug-in fuel cell vehicle (FC-PHEV: Fuel Cell-Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle). Such a range-extender plug-in fuel cell vehicle is mainly started when it is necessary to charge the secondary battery 6. The fuel cell system 1 converts the voltage of the generated power using a DC-DC converter (not shown) and then supplies it to the secondary battery 6. In addition, if the output from the secondary battery 6 to the motor generator 20 is insufficient, the fuel cell system 1 will temporarily supply power to the motor generator 20. Vehicle C of this embodiment is capable of external charging, which charges the secondary battery 6 with external power, and external power supply, which supplies power from the secondary battery 6 to external devices.

[0012] The fuel cell stack 2 is supplied with fuel gas and air, and generates electricity through a chemical reaction between the supplied fuel gas and air. More specifically, the fuel cell stack 2 has electrodes such as an anode and a cathode, and generates electricity while generating heat as the fuel gas and air pass through the electrodes. In this embodiment, the fuel gas is hydrogen (H2). The fuel cell stack 2 chemically reacts hydrogen and air to produce water. The water turns into water vapor due to the heat of the electrodes. Therefore, the fuel cell stack 2 emits water vapor.

[0013] The exhaust port 4 is provided in the housing of the fuel cell stack 2 and is an opening for discharging water vapor generated from the electrodes. The exhaust port 4 is connected to the connection passage 10. The fuel cell stack 2 may also have a hydrogen outlet 4a for discharging excess unreacted hydrogen.

[0014] The secondary battery 6 stores the electricity generated by the fuel cell stack 2. The secondary battery 6 functions as a power source for the motor generator 20, supplying power to the motor generator 20. In this embodiment, the secondary battery 6 is composed of a lithium-ion battery or the like, and has a battery module composed of multiple battery cells. Furthermore, the secondary battery 6 is connected to a battery control unit 6a that calculates the State of Charge (SOC) from the voltage of the battery module. The secondary battery 6 is electrically connected to the control device 22 via the battery control unit 6a.

[0015] The housing section 8 has a space V for housing the secondary battery 6. In this embodiment, the space V of the housing section 8 is formed inside a housing made of a material such as metal or resin. Cooling air generated from a battery air conditioning device (not shown) may be supplied to the space V. However, the space V is almost sealed except for the opening for the cooling air and the connection to the connection passage 10. In such a housing section 8, the temperature of the space V will decrease if the vehicle C is exposed to low-temperature outside air for a long period of time. The housing section 8 may also have a secondary battery outlet 8a for discharging the air from the space V. In this case, the cooling air or water vapor flowing in from the connection passage 10 may be discharged from the secondary battery outlet 8a.

[0016] The connecting passage 10 connects the exhaust port 4 and the space V. Water vapor discharged from the fuel cell stack 2 flows through the connecting passage 10. In this embodiment, the connecting passage 10 is a duct made of resin, rubber, or metal. The connecting passage 10 is connected to the lower part of the housing 8. More specifically, the connecting passage 10 is connected to an opening provided on the lower surface of the housing 8 and connects to the space V.

[0017] The exhaust passage 12 branches off from the connecting passage 10 upstream of the first on-off valve 14. The exhaust passage 12 extends to the outside of the vehicle C and connects to the atmosphere. The exhaust passage 12 is a passage for releasing water vapor passing through the inside of the exhaust passage 12 into the atmosphere. In this embodiment, the exhaust passage 12 is a duct made of resin, rubber, or metal.

[0018] The first on-off valve 14 is a valve that opens and closes the connection passage 10. The first on-off valve 14 is arranged on the side of the housing portion 8 rather than on the branch side of the connection passage 10 and the exhaust passage 12. The first on-off valve 14 of the present embodiment is a butterfly valve that opens and closes the passage of the connection passage 10.

[0019] The second on-off valve 16 opens and closes the exhaust passage 12. The second on-off valve 16 is arranged on the outside air side rather than on the branch side of the connection passage 10 and the exhaust passage 12. The second on-off valve 16 of the present embodiment is a butterfly valve that opens and closes the passage of the exhaust passage 12.

[0020] The third on-off valve 18 is arranged on the connection passage 10 upstream of the branch of the connection passage 10 and the exhaust passage 12, and opens and closes the connection passage 10. The third on-off valve 18 is arranged on the side of the exhaust port 4 rather than on the branch side of the connection passage 10 and the exhaust passage 12. The third on-off valve 18 of the present embodiment is a butterfly valve that opens and closes the passage of the connection passage 10.

[0021] The fuel cell system 1 may include a fourth on-off valve 19. The fourth on-off valve 19 may be arranged at the secondary battery discharge port 8a and open and close the secondary battery discharge port 8a.

[0022] The motor generator 20 drives the drive wheels 20b via a speed reducer (not shown) and a drive shaft 20a. The motor generator 20 is connected to the secondary battery 6 via an inverter 20c. Also, the inverter 20c is electrically connected to the control device 22. In the present embodiment, the motor generator 20 is a three-phase AC motor and is controlled for power running and regeneration via the inverter 20c based on an instruction from the control device 22. When the inverter 20c is instructed to perform power running from the control device 22, it receives power from the secondary battery 6, supplies the power to the motor generator 20, and causes power running. On the other hand, when the inverter 20c is instructed to perform regeneration from the control device 22, it receives the power generated by the motor generator 20 and supplies the power to the secondary battery 6. When the control device 22 instructs the motor generator 20 to perform power running, it calculates a required output Q based on the depression amount of an accelerator pedal (not shown). The control device 22 calculates the power required for the motor generator 20 based on the required output Q. The control device 22 causes the power required for the motor generator 20 to be output to the secondary battery 6 so that the actual output RQ of the motor generator 20 becomes the required output Q. At this time, when the secondary battery 6 is at a low temperature, the motor generator 20 cannot output the power that satisfies the required output Q from the secondary battery.

[0023] The control device 22 is a device that controls the fuel cell stack 2, the secondary battery 6, the first on-off valve 14, the second on-off valve 16, the third on-off valve 18, and the motor generator 20. The control device 22 is actually an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) constituted by a microcomputer including an arithmetic unit, a memory, an input / output buffer, etc. The control device 22 controls the fuel cell stack 2, the secondary battery 6, the first on-off valve 14, the second on-off valve 16, the third on-off valve 18, and the motor generator 20 based on signals from each sensor and various devices, as well as maps and programs stored in the memory.

[0024] The first temperature sensor 24 acquires the ambient temperature T of the vehicle C. The second temperature sensor 26 acquires the temperature FT of the fuel cell stack 2. The third temperature sensor 28 acquires the temperature PT of the space V in the housing 8. The first temperature sensor 24, the second temperature sensor 26, and the third temperature sensor 28 are electrically connected to the control device 22.

[0025] Next, the control procedure of the control device 22 in this embodiment will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 2. The control device 22 starts its control operation when an ignition switch (not shown) is turned on.

[0026] In step S1, the control device 22 determines whether the ambient temperature T is below a predetermined temperature Tt. The predetermined temperature Tt is, for example, 0°C. If the ambient temperature T is zero or below, the temperature of the space V in the housing 8 tends to decrease. As a result, the secondary battery 6 is cooled and cannot perform at the desired level. If the control device 22 determines that the ambient temperature T is below the predetermined temperature Tt (step S1 YES), it proceeds to step S2.

[0027] In step S2, the control device 22 determines whether the power output by the secondary battery 6 (hereinafter referred to as output power BQ in the specification and drawings) is less than the power required by the motor generator 20, which is calculated based on the requested output Q (hereinafter referred to as required power EQ in the specification and drawings). That is, the control device 22 determines whether the actual output RQ of the motor generator 20, which is realized by the power from the secondary battery (output power BQ), is less than or equal to the requested output Q. If the output power BQ is less than the required power EQ, the secondary battery 6 is in a cold state, and therefore may not be able to produce sufficient output. If the control device 22 determines that the output power BQ is less than the required power EQ (step S2 YES), it proceeds to step S3.

[0028] In step S3, the control device 22 determines whether the temperature PT of the space V in the housing 8 is less than the target temperature PTT. If the temperature PT is less than the target temperature PTT, it is highly likely that the secondary battery 6 will remain cold and the output power BQ will remain less than the required power EQ. For this reason, it is preferable to warm up the secondary battery 6. If the control device 22 determines that the temperature PT of the space V in the housing 8 is less than the target temperature PTT (step S3 YES), it proceeds to step S4.

[0029] In step S4, the control device 22 starts the fuel cell stack 2. By starting the fuel cell stack 2, the fuel cell stack 2 begins to generate electricity and heats up, generating steam. Once the fuel cell stack 2 is started, the control device 22 proceeds to step S4.

[0030] In step S5, the control device 22 performs the first warm-up control. In the first warm-up control, the control device 22 transitions the first on-off valve 14 to the open state, the second on-off valve 16 to the closed state, and the third on-off valve 18 to the open state. In the first warm-up control, steam exhausted from the fuel cell stack 2 passes through the connection passage 10 and enters the space V of the housing 8. As a result, the housing 8 is warmed by the steam, and the secondary battery 6 is warmed up. At this time, since the connection passage 10 is connected to the bottom of the housing 8, the steam circulates from the bottom to the top of the housing 8, warming the entire housing 8. This makes it easier for the secondary battery 6 to warm up. After performing the first warm-up control, the control device 22 proceeds to step S6.

[0031] In step S6, the control device 22 determines whether the output power BQ is equal to or greater than the required power EQ. If the output power BQ is equal to or greater than the required power EQ, the actual output RQ will be equal to or greater than the requested output Q. In this case, the control device 22 does not need to perform the first warm-up control. Therefore, if the output power BQ is equal to or greater than the required power EQ (step S6 YES), the control device 22 proceeds to step S7.

[0032] In step S7, the control device 22 stops the first warm-up control and executes scavenging control. In scavenging control, the control device 22 transitions the first on-off valve 14 to the open state, the second on-off valve 16 to the open state, and the third on-off valve 18 to the closed state, connecting the connection passage 10 and the exhaust passage 12. As a result, the space V of the housing 8 and the atmosphere are connected via the connection passage 10 and the exhaust passage 12. This discharges the water vapor in the space V of the housing 8 into the atmosphere, scavenging the space V and adjusting the temperature PT of the space V. At this time, the control device 22 may also transition the fourth on-off valve 19 to the open state. This makes it easier to scavenge the space V. Furthermore, because the connection passage 10 is connected below the housing 8, condensed water from the water vapor flowing into the space V is easily discharged into the atmosphere. The control device 22 returns after executing the scavenging control.

[0033] If the control device 22 determines in step S1 that the ambient temperature T is greater than a predetermined temperature Tt (step S1 NO), the control device 22 proceeds to step S12 and performs normal control. Normal control will be described later.

[0034] If the control device 22 determines in step S2 that the output power BQ is equal to or greater than the required power EQ (step S2 NO), the control device 22 proceeds to step S12.

[0035] If the control device 22 determines in step S3 that the temperature PT of the space V in the housing section 8 is less than or equal to the target temperature PTT (step S3 NO), the control device 22 proceeds to step S8.

[0036] In step S8, the control device 22 determines whether the temperature FT of the fuel cell stack 2 is less than the temperature PT of the ambient space. If the temperature FT of the fuel cell stack 2 is lower than the temperature PT of the ambient space, it is better to warm the fuel cell stack 2. If the control device 22 determines that the temperature FT of the fuel cell stack 2 is less than the temperature PT of the ambient space (step S8 YES), it proceeds to step S9.

[0037] In step S9, the control device 22 determines whether or not it is necessary to start the fuel cell stack 2. As described above, the fuel cell system 1 starts up if it is necessary to charge the secondary battery 6. If the control device 22 determines that it is necessary to start the fuel cell stack 2 (step S9 YES), it proceeds to step S10.

[0038] In step S10, the control device 22 performs a second warm-up control. In the second warm-up control, the control device 22 transitions the first on-off valve 14 to the open state, the second on-off valve 16 to the closed state, and the third on-off valve 18 to the open state. As a result, air from space V flows to the fuel cell stack 2 via the connection passage 10, and the fuel cell stack 2 is heated. After performing the second warm-up control, the control device 22 proceeds to step S11.

[0039] In step S11, the control device 22 determines whether the temperature FT of the fuel cell stack 2 is equal to or greater than the ambient temperature PT. If the control device 22 determines that the temperature FT of the fuel cell stack 2 is equal to or greater than the ambient temperature PT (step S11 YES), it proceeds to step S12. If the control device 22 determines that the temperature FT of the fuel cell stack 2 is less than the ambient temperature PT (step S11 NO), it proceeds to step S10 and continues the second warm-up control.

[0040] In step S12, the control device 22 performs normal control. In normal control, the control device 22 transitions the first on-off valve 14 to the closed state, the second on-off valve 16 to the open state, and the third on-off valve 18 to the open state. In normal control, if the fuel cell stack 2 is started, the control device 22 discharges water vapor through the connection passage 10 and the exhaust passage 12. If the fuel cell stack 2 is not started, the control device 22 maintains the state in which the first on-off valve 14 is closed, the second on-off valve 16 is open, and the third on-off valve 18 is open.

[0041] In step S8, if the control device 22 determines that the temperature FT of the fuel cell stack 2 is equal to or greater than the temperature PT of the ambient space (step S8 NO), it proceeds to step S12 and performs normal control.

[0042] In step S9, if the control device 22 determines that starting the fuel cell stack 2 is unnecessary (step S9 NO), it proceeds to step S12 and performs normal control.

[0043] <Second Embodiment> Next, the fuel cell system 201 of the second embodiment will be described.

[0044] As shown in Figure 3, the fuel cell system 201 in the second embodiment includes a fuel cell stack (FC) 202, an exhaust port 204, a first secondary battery 206a, a second secondary battery 206b, a first housing section 208a, a second housing section 208b, a connection passage 210, an exhaust passage 212, a first on-off valve 214, a second on-off valve 216, a third on-off valve 218, a motor generator (an example of a motor) 220, a control device 222, a first temperature sensor 224, a second temperature sensor 226, and a third temperature sensor 228. The fuel cell system 201 in the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the secondary battery 206 consists of two batteries: a first secondary battery (BT1) 206a and a second secondary battery (BT2) 206b. The first secondary battery 206a is housed in the first housing section 208a. The second secondary battery 206b is housed in the second housing section 208b. The first housing section 208a has a first space V1. The second housing section 208b has a second space V2.

[0045] The connecting passage 210 is connected to the first housing section 208a and the second housing section 208b, respectively. More specifically, the connecting passage 210 has a first connecting passage 210a and a second connecting passage 210b. The first connecting passage 210a and the second connecting passage 210b branch off on the first housing section 208a side of the branch with the exhaust passage 212. The first connecting passage 210a is connected to the first housing section 208a. The second connecting passage 210b is connected to the second housing section 208b.

[0046] The first on-off valve 214 includes a first on-off valve 214a on the first secondary battery side and a first on-off valve 214b on the second secondary battery side. The first on-off valve 214 is positioned on a first connection passage 210a connected to a first housing section 208a and on a second connection passage 210b connected to a second housing section 208b. In this embodiment, the first on-off valve 214a on the first secondary battery side is positioned on the first connection passage 210a. The first on-off valve 214b on the second secondary battery side is positioned on the second connection passage 210b.

[0047] The control device 222 controls the first on-off valve 214a on the first secondary battery side and the first on-off valve 214b on the second secondary battery side. The control device 222 calculates the required power EQ, which is the power that the first secondary battery 206a and the second secondary battery 206b should output, obtains the output power BQ, which is the power that the first secondary battery 206a and the second secondary battery 206b are outputting, and opens the first on-off valve 214 on the side where the output power BQ is insufficient compared to the required power EQ. In this embodiment, the control device 222 calculates the first required power EQ1 required for the first secondary battery 206a based on the requested output Q. The control device 222 calculates the second required power EQ2 required for the second secondary battery 206b based on the requested output Q. The control device 222 obtains the first output power BQ1 output by the first secondary battery 206a. The control device 222 obtains the second output power BQ2 output by the second secondary battery 206b. More details will be described later. Furthermore, the configuration other than that described above is the same as in the first embodiment, so we will omit the explanation.

[0048] Next, the first warm-up control performed by the control device 222 will be described. The second warm-up control and scavenging control are the same as in the first embodiment, so their description will be omitted.

[0049] In step S201, the control device 222 determines whether the first output power BQ1 is less than the first required power EQ1. If the control device 222 determines that the first output power BQ1 is less than the first required power EQ1 (step S201 YES), it proceeds to step S202.

[0050] In step S202, the control device 222 opens the first on-off valve 214a on the first secondary battery side, closes the second on-off valve 216, and opens the third on-off valve 218, allowing water vapor to flow into the space V1 of the first housing section 208a and warming up the first secondary battery 206a. Once the first secondary battery 206a is warmed up, the control device 222 proceeds to step S203.

[0051] In step S203, the control device 222 determines whether the second output power BQ2 is less than the second required power EQ2. If the control device 222 determines that the second output power BQ2 is less than the second required power EQ2 (step S203 YES), it proceeds to step S204. If the control device 222 determines that the second output power BQ2 is equal to or greater than the second required power EQ2 (step S203 NO), it proceeds to step S206. In other words, the control device 222 does not perform warm-up of the second secondary battery 206b, and only performs warm-up of the first secondary battery 206a.

[0052] In step S204, the control device 222 opens the first on-off valve 214b on the second secondary battery side, closes the second on-off valve 216, and opens the third on-off valve 218, allowing water vapor to flow into the space V2 of the second housing section 208b and warm up the second secondary battery 206b. Once the second secondary battery 206b is warmed up, the control device 222 proceeds to step S205.

[0053] If the output power BQ of both the first secondary battery 206a and the second secondary battery 206b is insufficient to meet the required power EQ, the control device 222 opens the first on-off valves 214 on both the side of the first housing 208a and the side of the second housing 208b, thereby increasing the output of the fuel cell stack 202. Once the output of the fuel cell stack 2 is increased, the control device 222 proceeds to step S206.

[0054] In step S206, the control device 222 determines whether the first output power BQ1 is equal to or greater than the first required power EQ1. If the control device 222 determines that the first output power BQ1 is equal to or greater than the first required power EQ1 (step S206 YES), it proceeds to step S207. If the control device 222 determines that the first output power BQ1 is less than the first required power EQ1 (step S206 NO), it proceeds to step S202 and continues warming up the first secondary battery 206a.

[0055] In step S207, the control device 222 switches the first on-off valve 214a on the first secondary battery side to the closed position, stops the warm-up of the first secondary battery 206a, and proceeds to step S208.

[0056] In step S208, the control device 222 returns the output of the fuel cell stack 202, which was increased in step S205, back to normal, and proceeds to step S209.

[0057] In step S209, the control device 222 determines whether the second output power BQ2 is equal to or greater than the second required power EQ2. If the control device 222 determines that the second output power BQ2 is equal to or greater than the second required power EQ2 (step S209 YES), it proceeds to step S210. If the control device 222 determines that the second output power BQ2 is less than the second required power EQ2 (step S209 NO), it proceeds to step S212 and continues warming up the second secondary battery 206b.

[0058] In step S210, the control device 222 switches the first on-off valve 214b on the second secondary battery side to the closed position, stops the warm-up of the second secondary battery 206b, and terminates the first warm-up control.

[0059] In step S201, if the control device 222 determines that the first output power BQ1 is equal to or greater than the first required power EQ1 (step S201 NO), the control device 222 proceeds to step S211.

[0060] In step S211, the control device 222 determines whether the second output power BQ2 is less than the second required power EQ2. If the control device 222 determines that the second output power BQ2 is less than the second required power EQ2 (step S211 YES), it proceeds to step S212. If the control device 222 determines that the second output power BQ2 is equal to or greater than the second required power EQ2 (step S211 NO), it terminates the warm-up control.

[0061] In step S212, the control device 222 transitions the first on-off valve 214b on the second secondary battery side to the open state, the second on-off valve 216 to the closed state, and the third on-off valve 218 to the open state, or maintains the transitioned state, allowing water vapor to flow into the space V2 of the second housing section 208b and warming up the second secondary battery 206b. Once the second secondary battery 206b is warmed up, the control device 222 proceeds to step S213.

[0062] In step S213, the control device 222 determines whether the second output power BQ2 is equal to or greater than the second required power EQ2. If the control device 222 determines that the second output power BQ2 is equal to or greater than the second required power EQ2 (step S213 YES), it proceeds to step S214. If the control device 222 determines that the second output power BQ2 is less than the second required power EQ2 (step S213 NO), it proceeds to step S212 and continues warming up the second secondary battery 206b.

[0063] In step S214, the control device 222 switches the first on-off valve 214b on the second secondary battery side to the closed position, stops the warm-up of the second secondary battery 206b, and terminates the first warm-up control.

[0064] As described above, fuel cell systems 1 and 201 of this disclosure allow water vapor discharged from fuel cell stacks 2,202 to flow directly into containment sections 8,208a and 208b. This enables efficient warming of secondary batteries 6,206a and 206b.

[0065] <Other Embodiments> Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. In particular, the various modifications described herein can be combined as needed.

[0066] In the embodiments described above, the first on-off valves 14,214, the second on-off valves 16,216, and the third on-off valves 18,218 were described using butterfly valves as an example, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The first on-off valves 14,214, the second on-off valves 16,216, and the third on-off valves 18,218 may be of any type as long as they can open and close the connecting passages 10,210 or the exhaust passages 12,212.

[0067] In the above embodiment, the fuel cell system 1 was described using an example in which it is installed in a vehicle such as a range-extender plug-in fuel cell vehicle (FC-PHEV), but this disclosure is not limited thereto. The fuel cell system 1 may be installed in a vehicle that supplies power directly from the fuel cell stack 2 to the motor generator 20. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1,201: Fuel cell system 2,202: Fuel cell stack 4,204: Exhaust vent 6,206: Secondary battery 8,208: Containment Unit 10,210: Connecting passage 12,212: Exhaust passage 14,214: First on / off valve 16,216: Second on / off valve 18,218: Third shut-off valve 19: Fourth shut-off valve 20: Motor Generator 22,222: Control device 24,224: First temperature sensor 26,226: Second temperature sensor 28: Third temperature sensor BQ: Output power C: Vehicle EQ: Required power Q: Requested output RQ: Actual output T :Temperature V: Space

Claims

1. A fuel cell system installed in a vehicle, Fuel cell stack and An exhaust port for exhausting water vapor discharged from the fuel cell stack, A secondary battery that stores the electricity generated by the fuel cell stack, A housing section having a space for housing the aforementioned secondary battery, A connecting passage connecting the exhaust port and the space, A first on / off valve that opens and closes the aforementioned connecting passage, When warming up the secondary battery is necessary, a control device is provided that performs a first warm-up control to open the first on / off valve, Equipped with, Fuel cell system.

2. The vehicle further comprises a motor that drives the drive shaft, The secondary battery supplies power to the motor, The control device calculates the required output for the motor, and supplies power from the secondary battery to the motor so that the motor's actual output becomes the required output. If the temperature of the outside air of the vehicle is below a predetermined temperature, and the actual output becomes less than the requested output due to the power from the secondary battery, the first warm-up control is executed. The fuel cell system according to claim 1.

3. An exhaust passage that branches off from the connecting passage upstream of the first on-off valve, A second on-off valve that opens and closes the exhaust passage, Furthermore, The control device, when the actual output becomes equal to or greater than the requested output, closes the first on-off valve, opens the second on-off valve, and terminates the first warm-up control. The fuel cell system according to claim 2.

4. The system further comprises a third on-off valve positioned on the connecting passage upstream of the branch between the connecting passage and the exhaust passage, which opens and closes the connecting passage. The control device, when the temperature of the fuel cell stack is lower than the temperature of the surrounding space, opens the first and third on-off valves, closes the second on-off valve, and performs a second warm-up control to warm the fuel cell stack with the heat of the secondary battery. The fuel cell system according to claim 3.

5. After completing the first warm-up control, the control device opens the first and second on-off valves, closes the third on-off valve, and performs scavenging control to scavenge the space. The fuel cell system according to claim 4.

6. The aforementioned secondary battery includes a first secondary battery and a second secondary battery, The aforementioned housing section includes a first housing section and a second housing section, The first secondary battery is housed in the first housing, and the second secondary battery is housed in the second housing. The aforementioned connecting passage is connected to the first housing section and the second housing section, The first on-off valve is positioned on a first connecting passage leading to the first housing and on a second connecting passage leading to the second housing, respectively. The control device calculates the required power, which is the power that the first secondary battery and the second secondary battery should output, obtains the output power, which is the power output by the first secondary battery and the second secondary battery, and opens the first on-off valve on the side where the output power is insufficient compared to the required power. A fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The control device, when the output power of both the first and second secondary batteries is insufficient to meet the required power, opens the first on-off valves on both the first housing side and the second housing side to increase the output of the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell system according to claim 6.

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