Hydrogen storage device and vehicle

Abstract

To fill hydrogen efficiently and causing no shortage, into a vehicle equipped with a plurality of receptacles and a plurality of hydrogen tanks.SOLUTION: A hydrogen storage device includes: a plurality of receptacles to which nozzles of the hydrogen storage device are connected; a plurality of hydrogen tanks; and flow paths where hydrogen flows from the receptacles into the hydrogen tanks, in each of the flow paths, an independent flow path ranging from one receptacle to selected hydrogen tank, and an independent flow path ranging from the other receptacle to the other selected hydrogen tank are formed, the independent flow paths are switchable to be shut off from or communicated with each other by opening or closing a solenoid valve which. A control device for controlling the solenoid valve to be opened or closed performs calculation to determine that the solenoid valve is opened or closed on the basis of the status of the hydrogen storage device connected to the receptacles.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a hydrogen storage device mounted on a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a hydrogen filling method for filling hydrogen supplied by a dispenser into an on-board tank mounted on a vehicle, the hydrogen filling method including an initial pressure measurement step S1 for measuring the initial pressure value of hydrogen to be filled into the on-board tank, and a volume estimation step S2 for estimating the volume of the on-board tank after measuring the initial pressure value. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-095982 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Commercial vehicles such as trucks and buses may be equipped with multiple hydrogen tanks to extend their driving distances. However, if there is only one hydrogen filling port, the piping from the filling port to the tank is long, and if the inner diameter of the piping is small, pressure loss increases, slowing the hydrogen filling speed. To address this issue, installing multiple filling ports is an option, but this is not always possible on the hydrogen supply side, making efficient filling impossible. Furthermore, if there is a pressure difference between multiple filling ports, the tank being filled from the filling port with the lower pressure will be filled at a lower pressure, which can result in an insufficient amount being filled in one fill.

[0005] In view of the above problems, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a hydrogen storage device that can efficiently and without shortage fill hydrogen in a vehicle equipped with multiple receptacles and multiple hydrogen tanks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present application discloses a hydrogen storage device that is equipped in a hydrogen-fueled vehicle and stores hydrogen supplied from a hydrogen filling device, the device having a plurality of receptacles to which nozzles of the hydrogen filling device are connected, a plurality of hydrogen tanks, and a flow path through which hydrogen flows from the receptacles to the hydrogen tanks, the flow path being formed with an independent flow path from one receptacle to some of the hydrogen tanks and an independent flow path from other receptacles to some of the other hydrogen tanks, the independent flow paths being switchable between disconnection and connection by opening and closing provided solenoid valves, the device having a control device that controls the opening and closing of the solenoid valves, and the control device performing calculations to determine whether to open or close the solenoid valves based on the status of the hydrogen storage device connected to the receptacle.

[0007] The control device may be configured to control the solenoid valve to open when there is a receptacle among the plurality of receptacles to which hydrogen is not supplied.

[0008] The hydrogen storage device may further include a pressure sensor that measures the pressure inside the flow path, and the control device may be configured to acquire the pressure value from the pressure sensor and control the solenoid valve to open when the pressure difference between the independent flow paths is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

[0009] The present application also discloses a vehicle including the hydrogen storage device and a fuel cell system that receives a supply of hydrogen from the hydrogen tank of the hydrogen storage device and generates electricity. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present disclosure, a vehicle equipped with multiple receptacles and multiple hydrogen tanks can be filled with hydrogen efficiently and without shortages. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a vehicle 1. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the hydrogen filling device 50. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the hydrogen storage device 20. As shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the control device 30. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the hydrogen filling control S10 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the hydrogen filling control S20 according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] 1. Vehicle FIG. 1 shows a schematic overview of a vehicle 1 equipped with a hydrogen tank 21. Note that because the hydrogen storage device 20 will be explained later using another drawing, FIG. 1 only shows the hydrogen tank 21 of the hydrogen storage device 20. The vehicle 1 in this embodiment is a large vehicle (truck) and includes a chassis 2, a driver's section 3 located at the front of the chassis 2, a cargo bed section 4 located at the rear of the chassis 2, wheels 5 located below the chassis 2, an electric motor 6 that drives the vehicle 1, and a fuel cell unit 10. Note that while a truck is shown here as the large vehicle, this is not limited to this and the invention can also be applied to buses and the like. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to large vehicles and can also be applied to ordinary passenger cars.

[0013] The fuel cell unit 10 is configured to include a fuel cell 11, a hydrogen tank 21, air acquisition means (not shown), and a hydrogen tank storage case 7. This allows hydrogen to be supplied from the hydrogen tank 21 stored in the hydrogen tank storage case 7 to the fuel cell 11 through hydrogen supply piping 10a, and air to be supplied from air acquisition means (not shown) to the fuel cell 11. The fuel cell 11 generates electricity by oxidizing hydrogen with the supplied air (oxygen), and supplies electricity to the electric motor 6 through electric wire 10b to drive the electric motor 6, thereby providing propulsion force for the vehicle 1. Driving the electric motor 6 in such a vehicle 1 by the fuel cell 11 using hydrogen as fuel is well known. As will be explained later, the vehicle 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a hydrogen storage device 20 that receives hydrogen supplied from a hydrogen filling device 50 provided at a hydrogen station and stores the hydrogen in a hydrogen tank 21. The hydrogen storage device 20 fills the hydrogen into the hydrogen tank 21.

[0014] 2. Hydrogen filling equipment FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a hydrogen filling device 50 that supplies hydrogen to the hydrogen storage device 20. In FIG. Hydrogen filling device 50 includes a pressure accumulator 51 in which hydrogen is sealed, a compressor 52 that compresses (boosts) the hydrogen released from pressure accumulator 51 into a pipe, a hydrogen supply pipe 53 that supplies the pressurized hydrogen from compressor 52 to hydrogen storage device 20 of vehicle 1, and a control device 54 that controls the supply of hydrogen. Hydrogen is filled by connecting a nozzle 53a provided at the tip of hydrogen supply pipe 53 to a receptacle 22 provided in hydrogen storage device 20 of vehicle 1. A hydrogen station that supplies hydrogen is equipped with one or more hydrogen filling devices 50. That is, there are hydrogen stations that have one hydrogen filling device 50 and hydrogen stations that have two or more hydrogen filling devices 50.

[0015] 3. Hydrogen storage device As described above, the vehicle 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a hydrogen storage device 20, which is a device for storing hydrogen. Figure 3 conceptually shows the configuration of the hydrogen storage device 20 according to one embodiment. As can be seen from Figure 3, the hydrogen storage device 20 in this embodiment has a hydrogen tank 21, a receptacle 22, a distributor 23, a solenoid valve 24, a communication device 25, and a pressure sensor 26. These components are connected by piping, as will be described later, to form a flow path through which hydrogen flows. Although not shown in Figure 3, the hydrogen storage device 20 is also equipped with a control device 30 that controls these components (see Figure 4).

[0016] 3.1.Hydrogen Tank The hydrogen tank 21 is a container for storing hydrogen, and hydrogen is supplied from the hydrogen tank 21 to the fuel cell 11 . There are no particular limitations on the specific structure of the hydrogen tank 21, and any known structure that can be used as a hydrogen tank can be applied. Typically, a hydrogen tank is equipped with a tank body T, which is the portion that stores hydrogen, and a nozzle K, which serves as an inlet and outlet for hydrogen in the tank body T and to which piping is connected.

[0017] In this embodiment, a plurality of hydrogen tanks 21 (for example, four) are provided, and each hydrogen tank 21 is filled with hydrogen. Here, an example is given in which four hydrogen tanks 21 are provided, and these are designated by the reference numerals 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d to distinguish them from one another. These hydrogen tanks 21 may all have the same capacity, or hydrogen tanks of different capacities may be included.

[0018] 3.2.Receptacle The receptacle 22 is equipped with a hydrogen supply port to which the nozzle 53a of the hydrogen filling device 50 described above is connected, thereby connecting the flow path between the hydrogen filling device 50 and the hydrogen storage device 20 and allowing hydrogen to flow from the hydrogen filling device 50 to the hydrogen tank 21. The specific shape of the receptacle 22 is not particularly limited, and any known shape can be used.

[0019] In this embodiment, a plurality of receptacles 22 (for example, two) are provided. Here, an example in which two receptacles 22 are provided is given, and the receptacles are designated by the reference numerals 22a and 22b to distinguish between them. However, this is not limiting, and three or more receptacles may be provided.

[0020] 3.3.Distributor Distributor 23 is a component that connects a plurality of flow paths to branch or merge them, and in this embodiment, one distributor 23 is provided for one receptacle 22. That is, in this embodiment, distributor 23a is provided for receptacle 22a, and distributor 23b is provided for receptacle 22b. The specific shape of the distributor 23 is not particularly limited, and a known shape can be used.

[0021] Solenoid Valves The solenoid valve 24 is a valve that can be rapidly opened and closed by the force of an electromagnet, and is an ON-OFF valve that can be set to either a fully open (open) or a fully closed (closed) state. A known solenoid valve can be used as the solenoid valve 24.

[0022] 3.5.Flow path The above-mentioned components are connected by piping to form a flow path through which hydrogen flows. Specifically, receptacle 22a is connected to distributor 23a, and piping is connected from distributor 23a so that the flow path branches to hydrogen tank 21a, hydrogen tank 21b, and solenoid valve 24. Meanwhile, receptacle 22b is connected to distributor 23b, and piping is connected from distributor 23b so that the flow path branches to hydrogen tank 21c, hydrogen tank 21d, and solenoid valve 24. That is, distributor 23a and distributor 23b are connected via solenoid valve 24, and are configured to communicate when solenoid valve 24 is open and not communicate when solenoid valve 24 is closed. Therefore, when solenoid valve 24 is closed, independent hydrogen filling flow paths are formed for hydrogen tanks 21a and 21b, which are some of the hydrogen tanks, via receptacle 22a, which is one of the multiple receptacles, and independent hydrogen filling flow paths are formed for hydrogen tanks 21c and 21d, which are other some of the hydrogen tanks, via receptacle 22b, which is another of the multiple receptacles. When solenoid valve 24 is open, these independent flow paths are connected to form a hydrogen filling flow path from receptacle 22a to all of the hydrogen tanks 21, and a hydrogen filling flow path from receptacle 22b to all of the hydrogen tanks 21.

[0023] 3.6.Communication Equipment The communication device 25 is disposed in each receptacle 22 and is configured to be able to exchange information with the hydrogen station and the hydrogen filling device 50. The hydrogen storage device 20 obtains information about the hydrogen station (hydrogen filling device 50) via the communication means 25. Although there is no particular limitation on the specific embodiment of communication device 25, an infrared communication device can be given as an example. In this embodiment, communication device 25a is disposed in receptacle 22a, and communication device 25b is disposed in receptacle 22b.

[0024] 3.7.Pressure Sensor The pressure sensor 26 is disposed in each distributor 23 and measures the pressure (hydrogen pressure) inside the flow path in the distributor 23. That is, the pressure inside each of the independent flow paths described above is measured. There are no particular limitations on the specific type of pressure sensor, and any known pressure sensor may be used. In this embodiment, a pressure sensor 26a is disposed in the distributor 23a, and a pressure sensor 26b is disposed in the distributor 23b.

[0025] 3.8.Control Device The control device receives information from the communication device 25 and pressure sensor 26, performs calculations, and controls, for example, the solenoid valve 24 so that hydrogen filling is carried out in the desired manner. As conceptually shown in Figure 4, the control device 30 comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 31 which is a processor and performs calculations, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 32 which functions as a work area, a ROM (Read-Only Memory) 33 which functions as a recording medium, a receiving unit 34 which is an interface that receives information into the control device 30 whether wired or wireless, and a transmitting unit 35 which is an interface that sends information from the control device 30 to the outside whether wired or wireless. Therefore, the control device 30 is configured so that the communication device 25 and pressure sensor 26 are connected to the receiving unit 34 to receive information, and the solenoid valve 24 is connected to the transmitting unit 35 to transmit an open / close signal to the solenoid valve 24.

[0026] The control device 30 stores a program that processes information from the communication device 25 and pressure sensor 26 to determine and operate the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 24. In the control device 30, the hardware resources of the CPU 31, RAM 32, and ROM 33 work together with the program. Specifically, the CPU 31 executes the computer program stored in the ROM 33 in the RAM 32, which functions as a work area, thereby operating the solenoid valve 24 and achieving an appropriate hydrogen filling mode. Information acquired or generated by the CPU 31 is stored in the RAM 32. Alternatively, a separate recording medium may be provided inside or outside the control device 30, and the program and various data may be recorded thereon.

[0027] In this embodiment, the control device 30 acquires information from the communication device 25 and the pressure sensor 26 via the receiving unit 34. Then, based on the acquired data, the control device 30 executes a computer program stored in the ROM 33 or another recording medium, while using a database stored in the ROM 33 or another recording medium, to perform calculations and determine whether the solenoid valve 24 is open or closed, and records the determination in the RAM 32 or another recording medium. The specific details of determining whether the solenoid valve 24 is open or closed will be explained later. The result of the open / close determination is sent from the transmitting unit 35 to the solenoid valve 24, and the solenoid valve 24 opens or closes in accordance with this command.

[0028] Such a control device 30 can typically be configured by a computer.

[0029] 4. Hydrogen filling control Next, the hydrogen filling control will be described.

[0030] As described above, in the hydrogen storage device 20 of this embodiment, it is possible to change the hydrogen filling flow path (block or connect independent hydrogen flow paths) between the multiple receptacles 22 and the multiple hydrogen tanks 21 by switching between opening and closing the solenoid valve 24. The basic idea behind opening and closing such solenoid valve 24 is as follows.

[0031] The solenoid valve 24 may be opened in any of the following cases, for example. (A1) Limitation on the number of hydrogen filling equipment (hydrogen stations) If a vehicle has multiple receptacles but only one hydrogen filling device at the hydrogen station, or if there are two or more hydrogen filling devices but only one can be used, hydrogen can only be filled from one receptacle.In this case, the solenoid valve is opened to connect the independent flow paths, allowing hydrogen to be filled into all hydrogen tanks from one receptacle.

[0032] (A2) Fault in the nozzle or receptacle of the hydrogen filling device For example, if the O-ring in one of the multiple receptacles is damaged, or if there are multiple hydrogen filling devices but the nozzle of one of the hydrogen filling devices is broken, and hydrogen cannot be filled even when the nozzles are inserted into each of the multiple receptacles due to a hydrogen leak, etc., some hydrogen tanks cannot be filled if the solenoid valve remains closed.In response to this, the solenoid valve can be opened to connect the independent flow paths, making it possible to fill all hydrogen tanks with hydrogen from the other receptacles.

[0033] On the other hand, the solenoid valve may be closed in any of the following cases, but is not limited thereto. A nozzle is connected to each of the multiple receptacles, and hydrogen is filled into the hydrogen tank assigned to each receptacle (for example, hydrogen tanks 21a and 21b for receptacle 22a) for each independent hydrogen flow path. This allows for efficient hydrogen filling. If there are multiple hydrogen filling devices and hydrogen is supplied to the receptacles in the same way from each of the multiple nozzles, hydrogen can in principle be filled highly efficiently by performing hydrogen filling in this manner.

[0034] It is also possible to change the opening and closing of the solenoid valve during hydrogen filling as follows. Even hydrogen filling devices installed at the same hydrogen station may have different hydrogen pressures. For example, if hydrogen filling device 50A is pressurized at 70 MPa and hydrogen filling device 50B is pressurized at 50 MPa, and nozzle 53a of hydrogen filling device 50A is connected to receptacle 22a and nozzle 53a of hydrogen filling device 50B is connected to receptacle 22b, if solenoid valve 24 remains closed until the end, hydrogen tanks 21a and 21b will be filled with hydrogen up to 70 MPa, but hydrogen tanks 21c and 21d will only be filled with hydrogen up to 50 MPa. In contrast, first, solenoid valve 24 is closed to fill hydrogen tanks 21a and 21b with hydrogen up to 70 MPa, and hydrogen tanks 21c and 21d with hydrogen up to 50 MPa, and then solenoid valve 24 is opened to connect the independent hydrogen flow paths, allowing hydrogen to be filled from hydrogen filling device 50A into hydrogen tanks 21c and 21d, and finally all hydrogen tanks can be filled with hydrogen up to 70 MPa.

[0035] As described above, by changing the opening and closing of the solenoid valve from the perspective of whether or not filling is possible depending on the condition of the nozzle of the hydrogen filling device, or compensating for filling shortages due to pressure conditions, it is possible to efficiently and thoroughly fill hydrogen.

[0036] Below, specific examples include Embodiments 1 and 2. In the embodiments described below, hydrogen filling control is performed by having the control device 30 process information obtained by the communication device 25 and pressure sensor 26, as described above. To specifically implement this method, a computer program having steps corresponding to each process of the method is created, recorded in the ROM 33 or a recording medium of the control device 30, and executed to perform hydrogen filling control. Below, hydrogen filling control according to Embodiments 1 and 2 will be explained, and as described above, a computer program based on this program functions as one component of the hydrogen storage device 20 by being recorded in the ROM 33 or a recording medium of the control device 30.

[0037] 4.1. Example 1 Figure 5 is a diagram showing the flow of hydrogen filling control S10 according to embodiment 1. As can be seen from Figure 5, hydrogen filling control S10 has steps S11 to S17. Each step will be explained below.

[0038] 4.1.1. Process S11 In step S11, the nozzle 53a of the hydrogen filling device 50 is connected to the receptacle 22, and hydrogen filling begins. Note that hydrogen filling (hydrogen supply) continues continuously until hydrogen filling is stopped in step S17. Also, in the initial state, the solenoid valve 24 is closed.

[0039] 4.1.2. Process S12 In step S12, it is determined whether hydrogen can be filled into both receptacles 22a and 22b. If hydrogen can be filled into both receptacles, the answer is Yes and the process proceeds to step S15. If hydrogen needs to be filled into only one of the receptacles, the answer is No and the process proceeds to step S13.

[0040] An example of a case where hydrogen can be filled into both receptacles 22 (Yes) is when multiple hydrogen filling devices 50 are available, nozzles 53a of the hydrogen filling devices 50 are connected to each of receptacles 22a and 22b, and hydrogen can be filled normally. An example of a case where filling must be performed using one of the receptacles 22 (No) is when only one hydrogen filling device 50 is available and the nozzle 53a is connected to only one of the receptacles 22a or 22b. Also, even if the nozzle 53a is connected to both the receptacle 22a and the receptacle 22b, if, for example, the O-ring in one of the receptacles is damaged and hydrogen can only be filled using the other receptacle, this is also considered No.

[0041] The determination in step S12 can be made by acquiring information from the hydrogen station (hydrogen filling device 50) via the communication device 25 connected to the control device 30 as described above.

[0042] 4.1.3. Process S13 If the determination in step S12 is No, the solenoid valve 24 is opened in step S13. This connects the distributor 23a and the distributor 23b, connecting the independent hydrogen flow paths, and allowing hydrogen to be filled into all of the hydrogen tanks 21 from one of the receptacles 22.

[0043] 4.1.4. Process S14 In step S14, while hydrogen is being filled with the solenoid valve 24 open in step S13, it is determined whether pressure condition 1 is satisfied. Whether pressure condition 1 is satisfied is determined based on the pressure value, and more specifically, the determination is made by having the control device 30 acquire and calculate pressure data acquired by the pressure sensors 26a and 26b provided in the distributor 23a and the distributor 23b, respectively. Here, the pressure condition 1 is, for example, P a and the pressure in the distributor 23b is P b When P a and P b meets the threshold indicating that the hydrogen tank is partially filled with hydrogen, and P a and P b The absolute value of the difference between the two is within a predetermined threshold value. This means that at this stage, all of the hydrogen tanks 21 are filled with the same amount of hydrogen at a certain level or above.

[0044] If it is determined in step S14 that pressure condition 1 is satisfied, the answer is Yes and the process proceeds to step S15, but if it is determined in step S14 that pressure condition 1 is not satisfied, the answer is No and step S14 is repeated. As described above, hydrogen filling continues while the answer in step S14 is No.

[0045] 4.1.5. Process S15 In step S15, if the determination in step S14 is Yes, and hydrogen filling satisfies pressure condition 1, the solenoid valve 24 is closed, and the process then proceeds to step S16. Note that if the determination in step S12 is Yes, the process proceeds to step S15, and hydrogen filling is carried out while the solenoid valve 24 remains closed.

[0046] 4.1.6. Process S16 In step S16, while hydrogen is being filled with the solenoid valve 24 closed in step S15, it is determined whether pressure condition 2 is satisfied. Whether pressure condition 2 is satisfied is determined based on the pressure value, and more specifically, the determination is made by having the control device 30 acquire and calculate pressure data acquired by the pressure sensors 26a and 26b provided in the distributor 23a and the distributor 23b, respectively. Here, the pressure condition 2 is, for example, P a and the pressure in the distributor 23b is P b When P a and P b However, it is possible that the threshold value indicating that the hydrogen tank has been filled with hydrogen to a certain extent is met. This means that at this stage, all of the hydrogen tanks 21 are filled with hydrogen at the required level. In this case, P a , P b is P under pressure condition 1 of process S14 a , P b The value is set to be less than or equal to .

[0047] If it is determined in step S16 that the pressure condition 2 is satisfied, the answer is Yes and the process proceeds to step S17, but if it is determined in step S16 that the pressure condition is not satisfied, the answer is No and step S16 is repeated. As described above, hydrogen filling continues while the answer is No in step S16. 4.1.7. Process S17 In step S17, hydrogen filling is stopped and hydrogen filling is completed.

[0048] 4.2. Example 2 Figure 6 is a diagram showing the flow of hydrogen filling control S20 according to embodiment 2. As can be seen from Figure 6, hydrogen filling control S20 has steps S21 to S29. Each step will be explained below.

[0049] 4.2.1. Process S21 In step S21, the nozzle 53a of the hydrogen filling device 50 is connected to the receptacle 22.

[0050] 4.2.2. Process S22 In step S22, it is determined whether hydrogen can be filled into both receptacle 22a and receptacle 22b. If hydrogen can be filled into both receptacles, the result is Yes and the process proceeds to step S26. If hydrogen needs to be filled into only one of the receptacles, the result is No and the process proceeds to step S23.

[0051] An example of a case where hydrogen can be filled into both receptacles 22 (Yes) is when multiple hydrogen filling devices 50 are available, nozzles 53a of the hydrogen filling devices 50 are connected to each of receptacles 22a and 22b, and hydrogen can be filled normally. An example of a case where filling must be performed using one of the receptacles 22 (No) is when only one hydrogen filling device 50 is available and the nozzle 53a is connected to only one of the receptacles 22a or 22b. Also, even if the nozzle 53a is connected to both the receptacle 22a and the receptacle 22b, if, for example, the O-ring in one of the receptacles is damaged and hydrogen can only be filled using the other receptacle, this is also considered No.

[0052] The determination in step S22 can be made by acquiring information from the hydrogen station (hydrogen filling device 50) via the communication device 25 connected to the control device 30 as described above.

[0053] 4.2.3. Process S23 In step S23, if the answer is No in step S22, the solenoid valve 24 is opened to start filling with hydrogen. According to this step, the independent hydrogen flow paths are connected to each other, and hydrogen is filled into all of the hydrogen tanks 21 from one receptacle 22. Furthermore, hydrogen filling continues until hydrogen filling is stopped in step S25.

[0054] 4.2.4. Process S24 In step S24, it is determined whether hydrogen filling is complete while hydrogen filling is being performed in step S23 with the solenoid valve 24 open. The determination of whether hydrogen filling is complete is made based on the pressure value, and more specifically, the determination is made by obtaining and calculating pressure data obtained by the pressure sensors 26a and 26b provided in the distributor 23a and distributor 23b, respectively, using the control device 30. Here, the condition that hydrogen filling is completed is, for example, when the pressure in the distributor 23a reaches P a and the pressure in the distributor 23b is P b When P a and P b However, the pressure exceeds a threshold value (for example, 70 MPa) that indicates that the hydrogen tanks have been filled with a certain amount of hydrogen. This means that at this stage, all of the hydrogen tanks 21 are filled with hydrogen at the required level.

[0055] If it is determined in step S24 that hydrogen filling is complete, the answer is Yes and the process proceeds to step S25, where hydrogen filling is stopped. If it is determined in step S24 that hydrogen filling is not complete, the answer is No and step S24 is repeated. As described above, hydrogen filling continues as long as the answer in step S24 is No.

[0056] 4.2.5. Process S26 In step S26, if the answer is Yes in step S22, the solenoid valve 24 is closed (kept closed) and hydrogen filling is initiated. According to this step, hydrogen is filled from the receptacle 22 into the hydrogen tank 21 assigned to each independent hydrogen flow path. Furthermore, hydrogen filling continues until hydrogen filling is stopped in step S25.

[0057] 4.2.6. Process S27 In step S27, while hydrogen is being filled with the solenoid valve 24 closed in step S26, it is determined whether the pressure is equal to or greater than a threshold value. Specifically, this determination is made by having the control device 30 acquire and calculate pressure data acquired by the pressure sensors 26a and 26b provided in the distributor 23a and distributor 23b, respectively. Here, the condition that the pressure is equal to or greater than the threshold value is, for example, when the pressure in the distributor 23a is P a and the pressure in the distributor 23b is P b When P a or P b However, the pressure exceeds a threshold value (for example, 68 MPa) that indicates that the hydrogen tanks have been filled with a certain amount of hydrogen. This determines that all hydrogen tanks 21 are filled with hydrogen at the required level at this stage.

[0058] If it is determined in step S27 that the pressure is equal to or greater than the threshold, the answer is Yes and the process proceeds to step S28. If it is determined in step S27 that the pressure is not equal to or greater than the threshold, the answer is No and step S27 is repeated. As described above, hydrogen filling continues as long as the answer in step S27 is No.

[0059] 4.2.7. Process S28 In step S28, when hydrogen is being filled with the solenoid valve 24 closed in step S27 and the pressure is equal to or higher than the threshold value, P a and P b Specifically, the control device 30 acquires and calculates pressure data acquired by the pressure sensors 26a and 26b provided in the distributor 23a and the distributor 23b, respectively, to determine whether the absolute value of the pressure difference is equal to or greater than a threshold value. Here, the condition that the pressure difference is equal to or greater than the threshold value is, for example, P a and P b The absolute value of the difference between the pressures is equal to or greater than a threshold value (for example, 1 MPa). If the pressure difference is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it means that there is a difference in the hydrogen filling level between the hydrogen tanks at this stage.

[0060] If it is determined in step S28 that the absolute value of the pressure difference is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S29 as Yes. If it is determined in step S28 that the absolute value of the pressure difference is not equal to or greater than the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S25, where hydrogen filling is stopped.

[0061] 4.2.8. Process S29 In step S29, the solenoid valve 24 is opened. This connects the independent hydrogen flow paths, connecting all receptacles 22 (all hydrogen filling devices 50) and all hydrogen tanks 21, so that if there is a pressure difference between multiple hydrogen tanks 21, the pressure difference can be reduced. After the solenoid valve 24 is opened in step S29, the process returns to step S28, and hydrogen is filled with the solenoid valve 24 remaining open until the answer in step S28 becomes No.

[0062] 5. Effects etc. According to the present disclosure, when there are a plurality of receptacles and a plurality of hydrogen tanks, hydrogen can be filled efficiently and without shortage according to the situation on the hydrogen filling device side.

[0063] While the example described above is one having two receptacles and four hydrogen tanks, the number of receptacles and hydrogen tanks is not particularly limited as long as there are multiple receptacles and hydrogen tanks. In other words, there may be a configuration in which there are three or more independent hydrogen flow paths, each consisting of one receptacle and its assigned hydrogen tank, and two or more solenoid valves.

[0064] In addition, in the above explanation, two hydrogen tanks are assigned to each receptacle in each independent hydrogen flow path, but the number of hydrogen tanks assigned to each receptacle does not have to be equal and may be different, for example, the number of hydrogen tanks assigned can be adjusted based on the capacity of the hydrogen tank. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1 vehicle 10 Fuel Cell Unit 20 Hydrogen storage device 21 Hydrogen Tank 22 Receptacle 23 Distributor 24 Solenoid valve 25 Communication equipment 26 Pressure Sensor 30 Control device 50 Hydrogen filling equipment 53a Nozzle

Claims

1. A hydrogen storage device provided in a vehicle that uses hydrogen as fuel and that stores hydrogen supplied from a hydrogen filling device, a plurality of receptacles to which nozzles of the hydrogen filling device are connected, a plurality of hydrogen tanks, and a flow path through which hydrogen flows from the receptacles to the hydrogen tanks; a pressure sensor for measuring a pressure in the flow path; The flow path is an independent flow path from one of the receptacles to some of the hydrogen tanks; and an independent flow path from the other receptacle to another part of the hydrogen tank, The independent flow paths can be switched between disconnection and communication by opening and closing the provided solenoid valves, a control device for controlling the opening and closing of the solenoid valve; The control device The control unit performs a calculation to determine whether to open or close the solenoid valve based on the status of the hydrogen storage device connected to the receptacle, and acquires a pressure value from the pressure sensor and opens the solenoid valve when the pressure difference between the independent flow paths is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Hydrogen storage device.

2. 2. The hydrogen storage device according to claim 1, wherein the control device performs control to open the solenoid valve when there is a receptacle to which hydrogen is not supplied among the plurality of receptacles.

3. 3. A vehicle comprising: the hydrogen storage device according to claim 1; and a fuel cell system that receives a supply of hydrogen from the hydrogen tank of the hydrogen storage device and generates electricity.

Images