Supply Station

Abstract

To provide a supply station capable of being used safely and suitably even in a limited space.SOLUTION: A supply station 1 includes hydrogen tanks 2 (2A-2D), a hydrogen filling mechanism 4 for filling a fuel cell vehicle 23 with hydrogen from the hydrogen tanks, and a charging mechanism 13 for converting the hydrogen from the hydrogen tanks into electricity and charging an electric vehicle 24. The hydrogen filling mechanism or / and the charging mechanism is movable. The hydrogen filling mechanism includes a plurality of hydrogen tanks and may select a tank to supply hydrogen from the plurality of hydrogen tanks according to initial pressure of a fuel tank of the fuel cell vehicle. The charging mechanism includes a plurality of storage batteries 20 (20A-20C) and may select a storage battery to charge from the plurality of storage batteries according to the initial voltage of the storage batteries of the electric vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a supply station capable of both charging electric vehicles and filling fuel cell vehicles with hydrogen. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, with environmental concerns in mind, electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles are expected to rapidly replace internal combustion engine vehicles. However, amid the global trend toward moving away from engines, it is unclear whether electric vehicles or fuel cell vehicles will take the lead in the future. In this situation, the government is supporting the spread of both electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles by providing subsidies for vehicle purchases and the installation of supply equipment.

[0003] Under these circumstances, the applicant has proposed a compact gas filling device that is easy to handle the filling hose and allows for rapid filling of fuel gas (see Patent Document 1). Although this proposal is effective, the construction and operation costs of hydrogen stations are high, and this is an obstacle to the development of infrastructure such as supply equipment that is necessary as next-generation vehicles become more widespread.

[0004] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 proposes a supply station that can simultaneously or separately charge electric vehicles and refuel hydrogen into fuel cell vehicles, and can dynamically adjust charging and hydrogen refueling according to demand for electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-109350 A [Patent Document 2] Special Publication No. 2021-517549 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, for example, at event venues where next-generation vehicles are test-driven, each vehicle needs to be charged and filled with hydrogen. Considering safety and installation space, however, it is not realistic to permanently install the supply stations described in the above patent documents.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a supply station that can be used safely and suitably even in a limited space. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a supply station comprising a hydrogen tank, a hydrogen filling mechanism for filling a fuel cell vehicle with hydrogen from the hydrogen tank, and a charging mechanism for converting hydrogen from the hydrogen tank into electricity and charging the electric vehicle, the hydrogen filling mechanism and / or the charging mechanism being mobile. When the hydrogen tank becomes low pressure and cannot be used to fill the fuel cell vehicle with hydrogen, the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank is converted into electricity via the FC module for charging. It is characterized by the above.

[0009] According to the present invention, since the hydrogen filling mechanism and / or the charging mechanism are movable, hydrogen filling and electrical charging can be performed in a variety of locations, and the installation space can be minimized. The hydrogen in the hydrogen tank, which has become low pressure and cannot be used to fill the fuel cell vehicle, can be effectively used without waste via the FC module. do.

[0010] At the supply station, the hydrogen filling mechanism is equipped with multiple hydrogen tanks, and by selecting one of the multiple hydrogen tanks to supply hydrogen from depending on the initial pressure of the fuel tank of the fuel cell vehicle, hydrogen can be supplied from the most optimal tank, thereby improving supply efficiency.

[0011] In addition, the charging mechanism includes a plurality of storage batteries, and by selecting one of the plurality of storage batteries to be charged depending on the initial voltage of the storage batteries of the electric vehicle, charging can be performed from the optimal storage battery, thereby improving supply efficiency.

[0012] Furthermore, by installing the electrical equipment that makes up the hydrogen filling mechanism and charging mechanism within an explosion-proof area, accidents such as sparks or heat generated in electrical circuits igniting hydrogen gas can be prevented, making the system safer.

[0013] Furthermore, by supplying power to the electrical appliances constituting the hydrogen filling mechanism and the charging mechanism from the charging mechanism, there is no power transmission loss and it is efficient. Effect of the Invention

[0014] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a supply station that can be used safely and suitably even in a limited space. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a supply station according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is a flowchart showing a hydrogen filling operation of the supply station of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 2 is a flowchart showing a charging operation of the supply station of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0017] 1 shows an embodiment of a supply station according to the present invention, and this supply station 1 is equipped with a hydrogen tank 2 (2A-2D), a hydrogen filling mechanism 4 that fills hydrogen from the hydrogen tank 2 into a fuel cell vehicle 23, and a charging mechanism 13 that converts hydrogen from the hydrogen tank 2 into electricity and charges an electric vehicle 24. The hydrogen tank 2, hydrogen filling mechanism 4 and charging mechanism 13 are fixed to a base of a trailer 22.

[0018] The hydrogen filling mechanism 4 comprises a first switching means 5 for switching the flow path of hydrogen to be filled, a compressor 6, a pressure accumulator 7, a charger 9, and a pressure release valve 10. The compressor 6 and pressure accumulator 7, which are electrically powered devices, are placed in an explosion-proof area 8 to prevent accidents such as sparks or heat generated in the electrical circuits igniting the hydrogen gas.

[0019] The charging mechanism 13 includes a pressure reducing valve 11, a buffer tank 12, an FC module 14, a second switching means 17 for switching the charging circuit, a DC-AC converter 19, a storage battery 20 (20A to 20C), and a charger 21. Hydrogen of about 1 MPa is stored in the buffer tank 12 via the pressure reducing valve 11. The FC module 14, the second switching means (17), the DC-AC converter 19, and the storage battery 20, which are electrical appliances, are placed in an explosion-proof area 18 to prevent accidents caused by hydrogen gas.

[0020] The control device 3 comprises a hydrogen tank selection determination means 3a for selecting a hydrogen tank to be used for filling, a battery selection determination means 3b for selecting a battery to be used for charging, a compressor drive means 3c for driving the compressor 6, a first switching means 3d for sending commands to a first switching means 5 for switching the flow path of hydrogen to be filled, a valve drive means 3e for opening and closing each valve between each hydrogen tank 2 (2A to 2D) and the first switching means 5 or a pressure reducing valve 11, a second switching means 3f for sending commands to a second switching means 17 for switching the charging circuit, an FC module drive means 3g for driving the FC module 14, and an external power source drive means 3h for driving an external power source 26 (e.g., a solar panel, wind power generation, commercial power source).

[0021] Between the filling machine 9 and the FC module 14, a cooling tower 15 for cooling the FC module 14 and a refrigerator 16 for cooling the hydrogen during rapid filling are arranged.

[0022] The charging mechanism 13 is capable of charging an emergency power source (such as a power source used for home or commercial electrical equipment 25) via a DC-AC converter 19 in preparation for a power outage due to a disaster or the like.

[0023] Next, the operation of the supply station 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the operation of filling hydrogen into the fuel cell vehicle 23 using the hydrogen filling mechanism 4 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The pressure inside the hydrogen tanks 2 (2A-2D) is assumed to be, for example, 82 MPa for hydrogen tank 2A, 50 MPa for 2B, 30 MPa for 2C, and 10 MPa for 2D. In addition, in the steps where the route in Figure 2 branches, the downward direction corresponds to Yes and the horizontal direction corresponds to No.

[0024] In step S1 of the filling machine 9, it determines whether or not the filling nozzle is connected to the filling port of the vehicle tank of the fuel cell vehicle 23, and if it is connected (step S1; Yes), it determines whether or not the pressure inside the vehicle tank of the fuel cell vehicle 23 has been input (step S2), and if it has been input (step S2; Yes), it outputs the input initial pressure to the control device 3.

[0025] When the control device 3 receives an input of the initial pressure from the filling machine 9 (Step S11; Yes), it selects one of the hydrogen tanks 2A-2D based on the input initial pressure. For example, if the initial pressure is 20 MPa, it selects the hydrogen tank 2C, which has a pressure of 30 MPa and is the lowest pressure exceeding the initial pressure.

[0026] When the hydrogen tank to be used for filling is selected (Step S12; Yes), the control device 3 switches the flow path to L2 using the first switching means 5, opens the corresponding valve to enable filling from the hydrogen tank 2C, and outputs a signal to the filling machine 9 informing that preparations for filling are complete.

[0027] When a filling preparation signal is input from the control device 3 (Step S4; Yes) and the start switch (SW) is pressed (Step S5), the filling machine 9 fills hydrogen from the hydrogen tank 2C into the on-board tank of the fuel cell vehicle 23, and when the pressure in the on-board tank reaches the filling pressure (Step S6; Yes), it outputs a tank switching signal to the control device 3 (Step S7).

[0028] When a tank switching signal is input from the filling machine 9 (Step S14; Yes), the control device 3 either switches the hydrogen tank used for filling to hydrogen tank 2B (then 2A) or operates compressor 6 (Step S15), and maintains the flow path at L2 or switches it to L1 using first switching means 5, and opens the appropriate valve to enable filling. Hydrogen is basically filled into the on-board tank of fuel cell vehicle 23 using the differential pressure between hydrogen tank 2 (2A-2D) and the on-board tank, and then hydrogen tank 2 is switched for filling, but when the full filling pressure of 80 MPa is reached, the compressor 6 is used to increase the pressure and complete filling.

[0029] When the pressure in the vehicle tank reaches a predetermined pressure (Step S8; Yes), the filling machine 9 outputs a filling end signal to the control device 3 (Step S9) and ends the operation. When the filling end signal is input from the filling machine 9 (Step S17; Yes), the control device 3 closes each valve that was open for filling and opens the depressurization valve 10 (Step S18). After that, when time t1 has elapsed (Step S19; Yes), it outputs a signal to close the depressurization valve 10 (Step S20) and ends the operation.

[0030] Next, the operation of charging the electric vehicle 24 using the charger 21 will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 3. The storage capacity of the storage batteries 20 (20A to 20C) is assumed to be, for example, 60 kWh for the storage battery 20A, 40 kWh for the storage battery 20B, and 20 kWh for the storage battery 20C. In addition, in the steps where the route in Fig. 3 branches, the downward direction corresponds to Yes and the horizontal direction corresponds to No.

[0031] In step S21, the charger 21 determines whether or not the charging coupler is connected to the charging connector of the electric vehicle 24, and if it is connected (step S21; Yes), it outputs a signal to notify the control device 3 of that fact (step S22). Next, if the voltage of the on-board battery is input (step S23; Yes), it outputs an initial voltage to the control device 3 (step S24).

[0032] When a signal is input from the charger 21 notifying that the charging coupler is connected (step S31; Yes), the control device 3 locks the charging coupler (step S32), and when an initial voltage is input (step S33; Yes), it selects one of the storage batteries 20A to 20C to be used for charging (step S34). For example, it selects the storage battery 20B that can be charged at a voltage higher than the initial voltage.

[0033] When the storage battery to be used for charging is selected (step S34; Yes), the second switching means 17 switches the charging circuit to L3 for rapid charging, supplies power to the charger 21, and outputs a signal to the charger 21 notifying that preparation for charging is complete (step S35).

[0034] When a charge preparation signal is input from the control device 3 (step S25; Yes) and the start switch (SW) is pressed (step S26), the charger 21 charges the on-board battery of the electric vehicle 24 from the storage battery 20B. When the on-board battery reaches a charging voltage (step S27; Yes), the charger 21 outputs a storage battery switching signal to the control device 3 (step S28).

[0035] When a battery switching signal is input from the charger 21 (step S36; Yes), the control device 3 switches the battery to battery 20A, or, if the amount of stored electricity in battery 20A is insufficient, activates the FC module 14 (step S37), switches the charging circuit to L3 or L4 by the second switching means 17, and charges the electric vehicle 24 from the charger 21. Charging is performed by selecting and charging the batteries 20A-20C according to the initial voltage, and gradually switching to the battery 20 with the greater amount of stored electricity, and charging is performed via the FC module 14 when fully charged. In addition, hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 2 that has become low pressure and cannot be used for hydrogen filling can also be used for electrical charging via the FC module 14.

[0036] When the voltage of the vehicle battery reaches a predetermined voltage (step S29; Yes), the charger 21 outputs a charging end signal to the control device 3 (step S30) and ends operation. When the charging end signal is input from the charger 21 (step S39; Yes), the control device 3 unlocks the charging coupler (step S40) and ends operation.

[0037] In the above embodiment, the hydrogen tank 2, hydrogen filling mechanism 4 and charging mechanism 13 are fixed to a base of the trailer 22 and made movable, but it is also possible to fix either the hydrogen filling mechanism 4 or the charging mechanism 13 to a base of the trailer 22, or to use a means of transportation other than the trailer 22.

[0038] Furthermore, by supplying power from the charging mechanism 13 to the compressor 6 and accumulator 7, which are electrical equipment in the hydrogen filling mechanism 4, and the FC module 14, second switching means 17, and DC-AC converter 19 in the charging mechanism 13, there is no transmission loss and electricity can be used efficiently.

[0039] Furthermore, when a filling preparation signal is not input from the control device 3 to the filling machine 9, the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 2, which has become low pressure and cannot be used for hydrogen filling, can be effectively utilized without waste via the buffer tank 12 and FC module 14.

[0040] The illustrated embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1 Supply Station 2(2A~2D) Hydrogen tank 3. Control device 4 Hydrogen filling mechanism 5 First switching means 6. Compressor 7 Accumulator 8 Explosion-proof area 9 Filling machine 10. Pressure release valve 11 Pressure reducing valve 12 Buffer Tank 13 Charging mechanism 14 FC Module 15 Cooling Tower 16 Refrigeration Machine 17 Second switching means 18 Explosion-proof area 19 DC-AC converter 20(20A~20C) Storage battery 21 Charger 22 Trailer 23 Fuel cell vehicle 24 Electric Vehicles 25 Electrical Equipment 26 External power supply

Claims

1. Hydrogen tanks and a hydrogen filling mechanism that fills hydrogen from the hydrogen tank into the fuel cell vehicle; a charging mechanism that converts hydrogen from the hydrogen tank into electricity and charges the electric vehicle; the hydrogen filling mechanism and / or the charging mechanism are movable; A supply station characterized in that, when the hydrogen tank becomes low pressure and can no longer be used to fill the fuel cell vehicle with hydrogen, the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank is converted into electricity via an FC module for charging.

2. 2. The supply station according to claim 1, wherein the hydrogen filling mechanism includes a plurality of hydrogen tanks, and selects one of the plurality of hydrogen tanks to which hydrogen is to be supplied depending on the initial pressure of the fuel tank of the fuel cell vehicle.

3. 2. The supply station according to claim 1, wherein the charging mechanism includes a plurality of storage batteries, and a storage battery to be charged is selected from the plurality of storage batteries according to an initial voltage of the storage battery of the electric vehicle.

4. 4. The supply station according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the hydrogen filling mechanism and the electrically-operated devices constituting the charging mechanism are installed in an explosion-proof area.

5. 4. The supply station according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein electrical appliances constituting the hydrogen filling mechanism and the charging mechanism are supplied with power from the charging mechanism.

Images