Gas Charging System

Abstract

To precisely determine an inspection validity term of an on-vehicle container even when a staff or the like of a hydrogen station does not input it, and to safely fill fuel gas such as hydrogen gas into a fuel tank or the like of a vehicle.SOLUTION: A gas filling system 1 includes: a portable terminal 4 for imaging and outputting inspection validity term data of an on-vehicle container written in a vehicle (fuel cell vehicle) V; a server 5 which compares the inspection validity term data of the on-vehicle container from the portable terminal with current time data clocked by clock means, and outputs a filling permission signal when the current time is within a validity term; and a gas filling device for filling gas upon receiving the filling permission signal from the server. The gas filling device includes: read means for reading the inspection validity term data; and output means for comparing the inspection validity term data of the on-vehicle container from the read means and the current time data clocked by the clock means, and outputting the filling permission signal when the current time is within the validity term. The gas filling device fills the gas upon receiving the filling permission signal from the output means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gas filling system for filling a fuel gas such as hydrogen gas into a fuel tank of a vehicle or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) have been actively developed as vehicles that address environmental issues. In order to further popularize fuel cell vehicles, regulations on hydrogen stations that supply fuel gas have been relaxed, and self-service hydrogen filling has been allowed for drivers who meet certain conditions, creating a demand for a safe and compact gas filling device. The applicant has proposed a gas filling device that is safe, compact, and has a highly designed display unit (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-187057 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Meanwhile, fuel cell vehicles are equipped with on-board containers that undergo inspection at regular intervals, and if they do not pass, fuel filling is prohibited. The on-board container inspection expiration date is written near the fuel filling port, and hydrogen station staff or customers visually check the expiration date and enter it into the gas filling system.

[0005] However, because the check was done visually, mistakes could occur, and because data was entered manually, input errors could occur, leading to the risk of fuel being permitted to be filled even when the expiration date had actually passed. In addition, because the data was entered by humans, it was not possible to prevent the on-board container inspection expiration date from being intentionally extended. Filling an on-board container that has expired with fuel could lead to fuel leaks, fires, or explosions, which could result in serious accidents.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the problems in the conventional technology described above, and aims to provide a gas filling system that can correctly determine the inspection expiration date of an on-board container without the need for input by hydrogen station staff or customers, and can safely fill a fuel gas such as hydrogen gas into a vehicle's fuel tank, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The present invention also provides a gas filling system, comprising an outdoor data input / output device provided with an input means for a customer to input a password, a reading means for reading data recorded by linking the password to an inspection expiration date of an on-board container indicated on a vehicle, and an output means for comparing the data from the reading means with current time data clocked by a clocking means, and outputting a fill permission signal if the current time is within the expiration date and the password input to the input means matches the password read by the reading means, the outdoor data input / output device receiving the fill permission signal from the output means outputs a fill permission signal, and a gas filling device receiving the fill permission signal from the outdoor data input / output device performs gas filling. A gas filling system, in which, when gas filling is completed, the outdoor data input / output device issues a receipt for the customer, and in addition to the receipt amount, a QR code is printed on the receipt, and data including the vehicle container inspection expiration date and password is recorded in the QR code. It is characterized by:

[0014] According to the present invention, the system can correctly determine the inspection expiration date of the on-board container, so that safe gas filling is possible, and since a mobile terminal or a server is not required, capital investment can be kept low. Also, when the password input to the input means matches the password read by the reading means, a filling possible signal is output, so that spoofing can be prevented. Furthermore, a QR code is printed on the receipt in addition to the receipt amount, and data including the vehicle container inspection expiration date and password is recorded in the QR code, so there is no need to carry around the vehicle container inspection expiration date and password information that was originally issued, reducing the risk of losing it. Also, if the vehicle container inspection expiration date and password information were printed on thermal paper, it is possible to prevent the printing from fading and becoming illegible over a long period of use. Effect of the Invention

[0017] As described above, according to the present invention, the inspection expiration date of an on-board container can be correctly determined without the need for input by hydrogen station staff or customers, and fuel gas such as hydrogen gas can be safely filled into a vehicle's fuel tank, etc. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing an embodiment of a gas filling system according to the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is an overall configuration diagram, and FIG. 1B is a block diagram showing a spoofing prevention means. [Diagram 2] 4 is a flowchart showing the initial operation of the outdoor data input / output device of the gas filling system shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the gas filling system in the case of a second or subsequent customer in the self-service gas filling system. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 shows a "Filling Preparation Guide" screen. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 shows a "Video of filling operation" screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 shows an "operation instructions after filling" screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a delivery note (receipt). [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the gas filling system in the case of a first-time customer in the self-service gas filling system. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 shows the transition of a "Guidance before starting filling" screen. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 shows the transition of a "Guidance before starting filling" screen. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 shows the transition of a "Guidance before starting filling" screen. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 shows a "Video on how to check the vehicle-mounted container inspection expiration date panel" screen. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 shows a "Refilling Operation Instructions" screen. [Figure 14]FIG. 13 shows a "Video explaining the filling operation" screen. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 shows a "Filling Completion Operation Instructions" screen. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 shows a "Video explaining the filling completion operation" screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a case where a fuel cell vehicle is filled with hydrogen gas at a hydrogen station using a gas filling system according to the present invention will be described as an example.

[0020] FIG. 1(a) shows one embodiment of a gas filling system according to the present invention, and this gas filling system 1 is composed of a gas filling device 2, an outdoor data input / output device 3 mounted on the gas filling device 2, a portable terminal 4 owned by a station staff member or a customer, and a server 5 which communicates with the gas filling device 2 and the portable terminal 4.

[0021] The gas filling device 2 is equipped with a filling nozzle connected via a supply line to a supply tank in which hydrogen gas is stored in advance at a predetermined pressure, and a flow rate measuring means and a flow rate regulating valve, etc., connected to the supply line, and fills hydrogen gas using the output from the outdoor data input / output device 3 by utilizing the pressure difference between the on-board container of the fuel cell vehicle V and the supply tank.

[0022] The outdoor data input / output device 3 is provided to control the input / output of gas filling setting data, and performs various settings and fee settlement associated with the gas filling work. In addition, the outdoor data input / output device 3 is provided with a display means for displaying operation guides and precautions regarding gas filling, a spoofing prevention means, etc.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1(b), the impersonation prevention means is composed of input means 3a for inputting a password, reading means 3b for reading a QR code (registered trademark), memory means 3c for storing information read by the reading means 3b (vehicle-mounted container inspection expiration date information, password, etc.), judgment means 3d for comparing the information recorded in the memory means 3c with the password input by the input means 3a to judge whether or not the persons are the same, and display means 3e for displaying the result of the judgment made by the judgment means 3d.

[0024] The portable terminal 4 is provided for photographing the portion of the fuel cell vehicle V where the expiration date for on-board container inspection is written, and outputs to the server 5 the photographed image data, which consists of the photographed image data and location information for identifying the hydrogen station and the outdoor data input / output device 3 to which the photographed image data is sent.

[0025] The server 5 constituting the cloud is capable of communicating with the outdoor data input / output device 3 and the mobile terminal 4 via the Internet, etc., and is equipped with a recording means, a timing means, etc., and is configured to extract the vehicle-mounted container inspection expiration date from the photographic data input from the mobile terminal 4 and determine whether the inspection of the on-board container of the fuel cell vehicle V is within the expiration date.

[0026] Next, the operation of the gas filling system 1 having the above configuration will be described.

[0027] When a customer reads a receipt on which a QR code in which a password is linked to the on-board container inspection expiration date is printed, the outdoor data input / output device 3 reads the receipt into the reading means 3b of the outdoor data input / output device 3, as shown in FIG. 2, the outdoor data input / output device 3 judges whether or not the on-board container inspection expiration date (for example, one year) is within (step S1), and if it is within the on-board container inspection expiration date (step S1; Yes), it provides a filling guide for the customer who is filling the self-filling system for the second time or later (step S2), and if it is outside the on-board container inspection expiration date (expired) (step S1; No), it notifies the customer that the on-board container inspection expiration date is outside the on-board container inspection expiration date (step S11E) and ends the operation. By notifying the on-board container inspection expiration date at the time of notification, the customer can know when the on-board container inspection expiration date was, and can also see that it is the same as the on-board container inspection expiration date confirmed by visual inspection. In the following flowchart, in the steps where the route branches, the downward direction corresponds to Yes and the horizontal direction corresponds to No.

[0028] Next, the operation of the self-service filling system for second-time or subsequent customers will be described with reference mainly to FIG.

[0029] In step S11 of the outdoor data input / output device 3 in Fig. 3, a payment card such as a credit card of the customer is read (step S11; Yes), and when the customer inputs a password (step S12; Yes), it is determined whether the input password matches the read password (step S13). If the passwords match (step S13; Yes), it is determined that the person is the same, and the system proceeds to the filling preparation guidance in step S15, and if the passwords do not match (step S13; No), a notice to that effect is issued (step S14), and the operation ends. In this way, even if a customer who owns a fuel cell vehicle V outside the on-board container inspection expiration date illegally obtains a receipt on which a QR code is printed that records the on-board container inspection expiration date and password, the customer cannot perform the filling operation unless the password is known.

[0030] In the filling preparation guidance in step S15, as shown in Fig. 4, an explanation of the filling procedure is displayed, saying "Touch the static electricity removing sheet, then hold the nozzle with both hands and begin filling," and guidance is given by voice. Then, if the customer presses the video confirmation button (step S16; Yes), a video of the filling operation is played (step S17), as shown in Fig. 5. In this way, even if the customer has experience in self-filling, if they are unsure of how to operate the filling operation, they can check the operation method on the video and fill the fuel cell vehicle V safely and without worry.

[0031] After the voice guidance for the filling operation (step S15) and video playback (step S17) are performed, the customer removes the filling nozzle from the nozzle hanger in the gas filling device 2, the nozzle switch (SW) is turned ON (step S31; Yes), and when the time t1 for waiting until the filling nozzle is connected arrives (step S32; Yes), it is determined whether the filling nozzle has been connected to the vehicle-mounted container (step S33).

[0032] If the filling nozzle is connected (step S33; Yes), a nozzle connection signal is output to the outdoor data input / output device 3 (step S35), and if the filling nozzle is not connected (step S33; No), a nozzle connection failure signal is output to the outdoor data input / output device 3 (step S34).

[0033] Next, in step S18 of the outdoor data input / output device 3, if a nozzle connection signal is input (step S18; Yes), it displays that the nozzle is connected (step S20).If a nozzle connection failure signal is input (step S18; No), it displays that the nozzle connection is failure (step S19) and returns to step S18.

[0034] After the nozzle connection is displayed in step S20, when the customer presses the filling preparation completion button in step S21 (step S21; Yes), a filling permission signal is output to the gas filling device 2 (step S22). When the filling permission signal is input from the outdoor data input / output device 3 (step S36; Yes), the gas filling device 2 performs a zero reset (step S37), and when the start SW (switch) is pressed (step S38; Yes), valves such as a flow rate adjustment valve are opened (step S39).

[0035] In step S40, a flow pulse is input to the flow meter, and in step S41, a count is displayed on the display. When the input of the flow pulse to the flow meter stops (step S40; No), a filling end signal is output to the outdoor data input / output device 3 (step S42).

[0036] When the outdoor data input / output device 3 receives a filling completion signal from the gas filling device 2 (Step S23; Yes), it displays an explanation of the work to be done after filling is completed, such as "Please handle the nozzle with both hands," as shown in FIG. 6, and also provides audio guidance (Step S24). If the customer presses the video confirmation button (Step S25; Yes), it plays a video of the work content (Step S26).

[0037] When the customer returns the filling nozzle to the nozzle hook and the nozzle switch (SW) of the gas filling device 2 is turned off (step S43; Yes), valves such as the flow rate adjusting valve are closed (step S44), and a nozzle hook signal and filling data including the filling amount (kg) and the amount (yen) are output to the outdoor data input / output device 3 (step S45), and the operation is terminated. When the outdoor data input / output device 3 receives the nozzle hook signal and filling data from the gas filling device 2 (step S27; Yes), it issues a receipt (voucher, see FIG. 7) for the customer (step S28), and the operation is terminated. In addition to the receipt amount, a QR code is printed on the receipt, and the vehicle container inspection expiration date, password, etc. are recorded in the QR code. In this example, the vehicle container inspection expiration date information is issued at the end of each filling. The expiration date is not updated. Since it is issued every time filling, there is no need to carry the initially issued vehicle container inspection expiration date and password information forever, and the risk of losing it is reduced. In addition, if the inspection expiration date and password information for the container on board is printed on thermal paper, it is possible to prevent the printing from fading and becoming illegible over a long period of use.

[0038] Next, the operation of the filling guidance for first-time customers in the self-service filling system will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Note that the same operations in Fig. 8 as those in Fig. 3 are given the same step numbers and will not be described.

[0039] In step S11 of the outdoor data input / output device 3, when a payment card such as a credit card is read (step S11; Yes), a pre-filling guidance is performed (step S11A).

[0040] The pre-filling guidance proceeds through "Checking prohibited actions and prohibited matters" as shown in Figure 9, "Checking emergency response" as shown in Figure 10, and ends with "Checking the expiration date of the container on board" as shown in Figure 11. In addition, during the pre-filling guidance, the user can transition to the next screen only after a certain amount of time has passed since the voice reading has started, or when the user reaches the last line of the text being read aloud.

[0041] Next, as shown in FIG. 12, a video is displayed to guide the user how to check the on-board container inspection expiration date panel (Step S11B).

[0042] Using the mobile terminal 4, the customer photographs the portion of the fuel cell vehicle V on which the on-board container inspection expiration date is written (step S51), outputs the photographed data to the server 5 (step S52), and ends the operation of the mobile terminal 4.

[0043] In step S61 of the server 5, when photographed data is input from the mobile terminal 4 (step S61; Yes), the server 5 extracts vehicle-mounted container inspection expiration date information from the photographed data (step S62) and determines whether the vehicle-mounted container inspection expiration date is within the vehicle-mounted container inspection expiration date (step S63).

[0044] If it is determined in step S63 that the on-board container inspection expiration date has passed (step S63; No), the on-board container inspection expiration date data and a filling prohibition signal are output to the outdoor data input / output device 3 (step S64), and the operation of the server 5 is terminated. The outdoor data input / output device 3 to which this data has been input (step S11C; No) notifies the customer that the on-board container inspection expiration date has passed (step S11E), and terminates its operation. By notifying the customer of the on-board container inspection expiration date together with the on-board container inspection expiration date, the customer can know when the on-board container inspection expiration date was, and can also see that there is no difference with the on-board container inspection expiration date confirmed by visual inspection.

[0045] On the other hand, if the server 5 determines in step S63 that the on-board container inspection expiration date is not yet reached (step S63; Yes), it outputs the on-board container inspection expiration date data and a fillable signal to the outdoor data input / output device 3 (step S65), and terminates the operation of the server 5.

[0046] Next, in step S11D, when the customer sets a password, a detailed explanation of the filling work is displayed and audio guidance is provided, as shown in Fig. 13, and when the customer presses the "Next" button, a video of the work content is played, as shown in Fig. 14 (filling preparation guidance, steps S15 to S17). When the customer completes the connection of the nozzle to the filling port (step S33; Yes) and presses the "filling preparation complete" button (step S21; Yes), the outdoor data input / output device 3 and gas filling device 2 operate in the same manner as in Fig. 3, and hydrogen gas is filled.

[0047] When hydrogen gas filling is complete, a message is displayed indicating that filling is complete, as shown in Figure 15, and an explanation of the work involved, from removing the nozzle to storing it in the dispenser, is displayed and an audio guide is given. If the customer presses the "Next" button, a video explaining the work involved is played, as shown in Figure 16 (filling completion guidance in steps S24 to S26).

[0048] When the outdoor data input / output device 3 receives the nozzle engagement signal and filling data from the gas filling device 2 (step S27; Yes), it issues a slip (step S28) and ends the operation. A QR code is printed on the slip in addition to the individual's name, etc., and the vehicle container inspection expiration date, password, etc. are recorded in the QR code.

[0049] As described above, according to this embodiment, the inspection expiration date of the on-board container can be correctly determined without the need for input by hydrogen station staff or the customer, and hydrogen gas can be filled into the fuel cell vehicle V safely and without mistakes, even if the customer filling the tank is unfamiliar with the filling process.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the on-board container inspection expiration date information is photographed by the mobile terminal 4, but a reader may be provided in the gas filling device 2 or the outdoor data input / output device 3 to read directly from the vehicle, compare with current time data clocked by the timing means, and output on-board container inspection expiration date data if the current time is within the expiration date. Since the outdoor data input / output device 3 can obtain on-board container inspection expiration date information without using the mobile terminal 4 or server 5, the capital investment required to introduce the gas filling system of the present invention is small.

[0051] Although no description is given regarding sales management of hydrogen stations, this can be done using a POS as in the past, or it can also be done using server 5 that constitutes a cloud.

[0052] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the expiration date of the vehicle-mounted container inspection is recorded and managed in a QR code printed on the slip, but it may also be recorded and managed in a two-dimensional code other than a QR code, or it may be managed in a card that shows the expiration date, or in membership information data managed on the web, etc.

[0053] Although the above example shows the use of payment cards (credit cards, prepaid cards, debit cards, etc.), cash payment is also possible. Furthermore, although the above example shows the use of full refueling, preset refueling in which the amount and mass are specified is also possible.

[0054] The illustrated embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1 Gas filling system 2 Gas filling equipment 3. Outdoor data input / output equipment 3a Input Method 3b Reading means 3c Storage means 3d judgment means 3e Display means 4. Mobile devices 5 Server V Fuel Cell Vehicle

Claims

[Claim 1] The outdoor data input / output device is provided with an input means for a customer to input a password, a reading means for reading data recorded by linking the password to the inspection expiration date of the on-board container indicated on the vehicle, and an output means for comparing the data from the reading means with current time data clocked by a clocking means, and outputting a fillable signal if the current time is within the expiration date and the password input to the input means matches the password read by the reading means; the outdoor data input / output device outputs a refill permission signal in response to the refill possible signal from the output means; The gas filling device is a gas filling system that fills gas in response to a filling permission signal from the outdoor data input / output device, A filling system characterized in that when gas filling is completed, the outdoor data input / output device issues a receipt for the customer, on which a QR code (registered trademark) is printed in addition to the receipt amount, and data including the vehicle container inspection expiration date and password is recorded in the QR code.

Images