Information processing device and vehicle

Abstract

To acquire an output decrease amount of a fuel battery at arbitrary timing.SOLUTION: A control device 200 as one example of an information processing device includes an acquisition part 210, a prediction part 220, and a control part 230. The acquisition part 210 acquires use history information showing a use history of a vehicle 100. The prediction part 220 predicts an output decrease amount of an FC stack 105 on the basis of the use history information acquired by the acquisition part 210, and output decrease characteristic information showing an output decrease characteristic of the FC stack 105 corresponding to the use history of the vehicle 100. The control part 230 executes prescribed processing on the basis of the output decrease amount predicted by the prediction part 220.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device and a vehicle equipped with the information processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, efforts to realize a low-carbon or carbon-free society have been gaining momentum as a concrete measure against global climate change. There is also a strong demand for reducing CO2 emissions in vehicles, and the electrification of drive sources is rapidly progressing. Specifically, development is underway for vehicles such as electric vehicles (Electrical Vehicles) and hybrid electric vehicles (Hybrid Electrical Vehicles) that are equipped with an electric motor as a drive source and a power source (e.g., a battery) that can supply power to the electric motor (hereinafter also referred to as "electric vehicles"). Furthermore, as such electric vehicles, fuel cell electric vehicles equipped with a fuel cell as a power source have also been developed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 listed below). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-243477 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2013 / 128610 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Fuel cells deteriorate with use, and their rated output gradually decreases. For this reason, it is desirable for fuel cell vehicles to perform control that takes into account the degree of fuel cell deterioration, or in other words, the amount of decrease in rated output (hereinafter also referred to as "output decrease amount").

[0005] Generally, in a fuel cell vehicle, the required output power required for the vehicle to run is calculated based on the accelerator position according to the user's operation, and the output power of the fuel cell is controlled based on this required output power. In such a fuel cell vehicle, the output power of the fuel cell rarely reaches the rated output power, and there are limited opportunities to measure the current rated output power of the fuel cell. Therefore, in the prior art, it was difficult to obtain the degree of degradation of the fuel cell (in other words, the amount of output reduction) at any time.

[0006] The present invention provides an information processing device that makes it possible to obtain the amount of output reduction of a fuel cell at any timing, and a vehicle equipped with the information processing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The first invention is 1. An information processing device for predicting an amount of output reduction of a fuel cell in a vehicle including a fuel cell and a drive source driven by electric power from the fuel cell, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires usage history information indicating a usage history of the vehicle; a prediction unit that predicts the amount of output reduction based on the usage history information acquired by the acquisition unit and output reduction characteristic information that indicates the output reduction characteristic of the fuel cell according to the usage history; a control unit capable of executing a predetermined process based on the amount of output reduction predicted by the prediction unit; The information processing device includes:

[0008] The second invention is: an information processing device according to a first aspect of the present invention; the fuel cell; The drive source; It is a vehicle equipped with.

[0009] The third invention is 1. An information processing device for predicting an amount of output reduction of a fuel cell in a fuel cell system including the fuel cell, an acquisition unit that acquires usage history information indicating a usage history of the fuel cell system; a prediction unit that predicts the amount of output reduction based on the usage history information acquired by the acquisition unit and output reduction characteristic information that indicates the output reduction characteristic of the fuel cell according to the usage history; a control unit capable of executing a predetermined process based on the amount of output reduction predicted by the prediction unit; The information processing device includes: [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing device that makes it possible to obtain the amount of output decrease of a fuel cell at any timing, and a vehicle equipped with the information processing device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a vehicle 100 according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a control device 200 provided in a vehicle 100. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of updating usage history information in the present embodiment. [Figure 4] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating an example of output reduction characteristic information in the present embodiment and an example of a prediction of an amount of output reduction using the output reduction characteristic information. [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a notification that the control unit 230 of the control device 200 executes in accordance with the amount of output reduction predicted by the prediction unit 220. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an information processing device and a vehicle equipped with the information processing device of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0013] [vehicle] 1, vehicle 100 of this embodiment is a so-called "fuel cell vehicle" and includes a hydrogen tank 101, a hydrogen pump 103, an FC (Fuel Cell) stack 105, a supply unit 107, a capacitor 109, an electric motor 111 as a drive source, a notification unit 121, and a control device 200 which is an example of an information processing device. Note that in FIG. 1, thin solid arrows indicate power, thick solid arrows indicate fuel (hydrogen), and dotted arrows indicate control signals or data.

[0014] The hydrogen tank 101 stores hydrogen, which is the fuel for propelling the vehicle 100. The hydrogen tank 101 also sends a signal indicating, for example, the remaining amount of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank 101 (remaining hydrogen amount) to the control device 200. The hydrogen pump 103 is controlled, for example, by the control device 200, and adjusts the amount of hydrogen sent from the hydrogen tank 101 to the FC stack 105. The FC stack 105 takes in hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen pump 103 and oxygen from the air, and generates electrical energy through a chemical reaction. The FC stack 105 is a central component of what is known as a "fuel cell." The FC stack 105 also sends a signal indicating, for example, the output voltage and / or output current of the FC stack 105 to the control device 200.

[0015] The supply unit 107 is configured to be able to supply the electric energy (i.e., power) generated by the FC stack 105 to the battery 109 and the electric motor 111. The supply unit 107 is also able to supply the power of the battery 109 to the electric motor 111. The power supply by the supply unit 107 is controlled by, for example, the control device 200.

[0016] Although a detailed description will be omitted, the control device 200 derives the required output required for the vehicle 100 to travel based on, for example, an accelerator opening corresponding to the operation of a user of the vehicle 100 (hereinafter simply referred to as "user"), and controls the power supplied to the electric motor 111 from the FC stack 105 and the battery 109 via the supply unit 107 so that the output of the electric motor 111 becomes this required output. Note that the supply unit 107 may include a VCU (Voltage Control Unit) that performs voltage conversion of the electric power generated by the FC stack 105. The VCU may also perform voltage conversion of the electric power of the battery 109. As a specific example, the VCU may boost the electric power generated by the FC stack 105 and / or the electric power of the battery 109 and supply it to the electric motor 111.

[0017] The battery 109 functions as a chargeable and dischargeable secondary battery and is composed of multiple storage cells connected in series or series-parallel. The battery 109 stores the power generated by the FC stack 105. The storage cells of the battery 109 can be lithium-ion batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, or the like.

[0018] The electric motor 111 is a so-called "traction motor" that generates power to propel the vehicle 100. The electric motor 111 is driven by the electric power generated by the FC stack 105 and / or the electric power of the battery 109. The power generated by the electric motor 111 is transmitted to the drive wheels of the vehicle 100 by a power transmission mechanism (not shown), driving the drive wheels. This causes the vehicle 100 to move.

[0019] The notification unit 121 is configured to be able to notify various types of information to predetermined notification destinations. Notifications by the notification unit 121 are controlled, for example, by the control device 200. For example, the notification unit 121 is configured to include a display device that can display various types of information, known as a "multi-information display." This display device displays, for example, information about the fuel efficiency and other aspects of the vehicle 100, as well as information about predetermined notifications that may be made to the user based on the amount of output reduction of the FC stack 105 (described below). Note that the notification unit 121 is not limited to display devices such as multi-information displays, and notifications to the user can also be made by speakers that can output audio, lamp indicators that can display various types of information by lighting lamps, or the like.

[0020] The notification unit 121 may also be configured to be able to notify various types of information to notification destinations outside the vehicle 100. In this case, the notification unit 121 may include a communication device that can communicate with a computer outside the vehicle 100 via a predetermined network such as a mobile communication network. This communication device transmits, for example, information regarding a predetermined notification that can be sent to a manager who can perform maintenance on the vehicle 100 based on the amount of output reduction of the FC stack 105, to the manager's computer via the network.

[0021] The control device 200 is responsible for the overall control of the vehicle 100. The control device 200 is realized by, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) including a processor that performs various calculations, a storage device (storage medium) that stores various information, an input / output device that controls input and output of data between the inside and outside of the control device 200, etc. The control device 200 may be realized by one ECU or by multiple ECUs.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 200 includes, for example, an acquisition unit 210, a prediction unit 220, and a control unit 230 as functional units realized by a processor executing a program stored in a storage device of the control device 200.

[0023] The acquisition unit 210 acquires usage history information that indicates the usage history of the vehicle 100. Here, the usage history information is information that indicates the usage history of the vehicle 100 with respect to items related to deterioration of the FC stack 105. For example, the usage history information includes information that indicates the number of times the vehicle 100 has been started (in other words, the number of times the FC stack 105 has been started), the power generation time of the FC stack 105, and the number of times the output voltage of the FC stack 105 has fluctuated (hereinafter also simply referred to as the "number of voltage fluctuations") as items related to deterioration of the FC stack 105.

[0024] The usage history information may include information indicating the startup time of the vehicle 100 (in other words, the startup time of the FC stack 105) instead of or in addition to the information indicating the number of startups described above. The usage history information may also include information indicating the number of times the FC stack 105 generates electricity instead of or in addition to the information indicating the power generation time described above. Furthermore, the usage history information may also include information indicating the number of times the output current of the FC stack 105 fluctuates (hereinafter simply referred to as the "number of current fluctuations") instead of or in addition to the information indicating the number of voltage fluctuations described above. Generally, counting the number of current fluctuations is easier to achieve in terms of control than counting the number of voltage fluctuations.

[0025] The usage history information may also include information indicating the power generation time and / or the number of times power generation has occurred for each output current of the FC stack 105. As a specific example, the usage history information may include information in which the power generation time of the FC stack 105 to date has been classified into the power generation time for each output current, such as Na [h] for the cumulative power generation time for an output current of Ia [A], Nb [h] for the cumulative power generation time for an output current of Ib [A], and so on. The usage history information may also include information in which the number of times power generation has occurred for each output current has been classified, such as Nx [times] for the cumulative number of times power generation has occurred for an output current of Ia [A], Ny [times] for the cumulative number of times power generation has occurred for an output current of Ib [A], and so on. If the usage history information includes information indicating the power generation time and / or the number of times power generation has occurred for each output current of the FC stack 105, it becomes possible to obtain a highly accurate amount of power reduction even when the output reduction rate of the FC stack 105 differs depending on the current value of the output current. Furthermore, instead of or in addition to the information indicating the power generation time and / or number of times of power generation for each output current, the usage history information may include information indicating the power generation time and / or number of times of power generation for each output voltage of the FC stack 105. In other words, the usage history information may include information that classifies the power generation time or number of times of power generation of the FC stack 105 to date by output voltage.

[0026] Furthermore, the usage history information may include information indicating the driving time and / or number of driving times of the vehicle 100, and information indicating the stopping time and / or number of stopping times of the vehicle 100.

[0027] 3, while the vehicle 100 is starting up (while the ignition power is on), the control device 200 monitors the state of the vehicle 100, including the output voltage of the FC stack 105. Through this monitoring, the control device 200 successively adds up the number of times the vehicle 100 has been started, the power generation time of the FC stack 105, and the number of times voltage has fluctuated, for example, from the first time the vehicle 100 is started up, and stores usage history information indicating these up to the present in the storage device of the control device 200.

[0028] The acquisition unit 210 then acquires the usage history information stored in the storage device of the control device 200 in this manner at a predetermined timing. The timing at which the acquisition unit 210 acquires the usage history information can be, for example, when the vehicle 100 is started. In this way, it becomes possible to predict the amount of output reduction of the FC stack 105 each time the vehicle 100 is started. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 210 may acquire the usage history information not only when the vehicle 100 is started, but also, for example, when a predetermined operation is received from the user. In this way, it becomes possible to predict the amount of output reduction of the FC stack 105 at a timing desired by the user.

[0029] The prediction unit 220 predicts the amount of output reduction of the FC stack 105 based on the usage history information acquired by the acquisition unit 210 and output reduction characteristic information that indicates the output reduction characteristic of the FC stack 105. Here, the output reduction characteristic information is stored in advance in, for example, a storage device of the control device 200. Note that the output reduction characteristic information may also be stored in an external storage device of the control device 200 that is configured to be accessible by the control device 200.

[0030] For example, as shown in Fig. 4(a), the output reduction characteristic information can be information indicating each of the output reduction characteristics, namely, output reduction characteristic A, output reduction characteristic B, and output reduction characteristic C. Here, output reduction characteristic A is an output reduction characteristic that indicates the amount of output reduction of the FC stack 105 according to the number of times the vehicle 100 is started. Output reduction characteristic A indicates that the amount of output reduction of the FC stack 105 increases as the number of times the vehicle 100 is started increases, and for example indicates that the amount of output reduction of the FC stack 105 when the number of times the vehicle 100 is started is n1 (n1>0) is X1.

[0031] Furthermore, here, output reduction characteristic B is an output reduction characteristic that indicates the amount of output reduction of FC stack 105 according to the power generation time of FC stack 105. Output reduction characteristic B indicates that the longer the power generation time of FC stack 105, the greater the amount of output reduction of FC stack 105, and for example indicates that when the power generation time of FC stack 105 is n2 [h] (n2>0), the amount of output reduction of FC stack 105 is X2.

[0032] Here, output reduction characteristic C is an output reduction characteristic that indicates the amount of output reduction of the FC stack 105 according to the number of voltage fluctuations. Output reduction characteristic C indicates that the amount of output reduction of the FC stack 105 increases as the number of voltage fluctuations increases, and for example, indicates that the amount of output reduction of the FC stack 105 when the number of voltage fluctuations is n3 (n3>0) is X3.

[0033] By referencing such output reduction characteristic information, the prediction unit 220 obtains the amount of output reduction of the FC stack 105 for each of the number of starts of the vehicle 100, the power generation time of the FC stack 105, and the number of voltage fluctuations indicated in the usage history information obtained by the acquisition unit 210. The prediction unit 220 then derives the sum of the obtained amounts of output reduction as the prediction result.

[0034] 4(b), assume that the amount of output reduction for the number of starts of the vehicle 100 is X1, the amount of output reduction for the power generation time of the FC stack 105 is X2, and the amount of output reduction for the number of voltage fluctuations is X3. In this case, the prediction unit 220 derives the predicted result of the amount of output reduction of the FC stack 105 as X10 = X1 + X2 + X3.

[0035] For example, if the usage history information includes information indicating the startup time of the vehicle 100, output reduction characteristic information is prepared in advance, including information indicating the amount of output reduction of the FC stack 105 corresponding to the startup time of the vehicle 100. Similarly, if the usage history information includes information indicating the number of times the FC stack 105 has generated electricity, the driving time and / or number of times the vehicle 100 has been driven, or the stopping time and / or number of times the vehicle 100 has been stopped, output reduction characteristic information is prepared in advance, including information indicating the amount of output reduction of the FC stack 105 corresponding to these.

[0036] The control unit 230 is configured to be able to execute a predetermined process based on the amount of output reduction predicted by the prediction unit 220.

[0037] 5(a), the control unit 230 performs processing to provide a predetermined notification to the user when the amount of output reduction predicted by the prediction unit 220 exceeds a predetermined first threshold value Th1. This notification can be, for example, a notification that the deterioration of the FC stack 105 is progressing. As a specific example, the control unit 230 provides the above notification to the user by causing the notification unit 121 to display a message or the like indicating that the deterioration of the FC stack 105 is progressing.

[0038] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5( a), when the amount of output reduction predicted by the prediction unit 220 exceeds the first threshold value Th1, the control unit 230 may perform processing to send a predetermined notification to an administrator (e.g., a distributor (i.e., a dealer) and / or manufacturer of the vehicle 100) who can perform maintenance on the vehicle 100. This notification may be, for example, a notification notifying the vehicle's chassis number and a notice that the FC stack 105 of the vehicle 100 identified by the chassis number is deteriorating. As a specific example, the control unit 230 transmits the vehicle's chassis number and information indicating the deteriorating state of the FC stack 105 of the vehicle 100 identified by the chassis number to the administrator's computer via the network, thereby displaying the information on the administrator's computer. This allows the administrator to predict that a user will soon visit to replace the FC stack 105. The administrator can then arrange for and obtain a new FC stack 105 before the user arrives. Therefore, when a user visits, the manager can quickly replace the FC stack 105 of the vehicle 100 with the FC stack 105 that he or she has already obtained. The manager's computer (for example, a terminal device installed in the manager's store or a server device managed by the manager) that is the notification destination is set in advance in the control device 200, for example.

[0039] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5(b), when the amount of output reduction predicted by the prediction unit 220 is equal to or less than the first threshold value Th1 and exceeds a second threshold value Th2 that is smaller than the first threshold value Th1, the control unit 230 performs processing to provide a predetermined notification only to the administrator. This notification may be, for example, a notification notifying the vehicle 100's chassis number (i.e., the vehicle 100's identification information) and a notification that the FC stack 105 of the vehicle 100 identified by the chassis number is slightly deteriorating. As a specific example, the control unit 230 transmits the vehicle 100's chassis number and information indicating that the FC stack 105 of the vehicle 100 identified by the chassis number is slightly deteriorating to the administrator's computer via the network, thereby displaying the information on the administrator's computer. This allows the administrator to understand that the FC stack 105 of the vehicle 100 is slightly deteriorating, and therefore, for example, enables the administrator to focus on checking for abnormalities around the FC stack 105 during the next inspection of the vehicle 100. In this case, since no notification is given to the user, it is possible to prevent excessive notifications that may be bothersome to the user.

[0040] As described above, the control device 200 of this embodiment and the vehicle 100 equipped with the control device 200 can predict the amount of output reduction of the FC stack 105 based on usage history information that indicates the usage history of the vehicle 100 and output reduction characteristic information that indicates the output reduction characteristic of the FC stack 105. Therefore, the amount of output reduction of the FC stack 105 can be obtained at any time when the output of the FC stack 105 is not at the rated output.

[0041] Furthermore, even between fuel cell vehicles of the same model, the rate at which the fuel cell output declines varies depending on how each vehicle is used, so with conventional technology it was difficult to predict the degree of output decline (degree of deterioration) of the fuel cell for each individual fuel cell vehicle while it was installed in the vehicle. In contrast, with the control device 200 and vehicle 100 equipped with the control device 200 of this embodiment, it is possible to acquire (predict) the amount of output decline of the FC stack 105 (i.e., the degree of deterioration of the FC stack 105) while the FC stack 105 is installed in the vehicle 100.

[0042] Furthermore, the usage history information includes information indicating any of the number of times and / or the time for which the vehicle 100 (i.e., the FC stack 105) has been started, the time and / or the number of times that the FC stack 105 has generated power, the number of times that the output voltage of the FC stack 105 has fluctuated (i.e., the number of times that the voltage has fluctuated), the time and / or the number of times that the vehicle 100 has been driven, and the time and / or the number of times that the vehicle 100 has been stopped. In this way, since the usage history information includes information about items related to deterioration of the FC stack 105 (in other words, the amount of output reduction of the FC stack 105), it becomes possible to efficiently and accurately predict the amount of output reduction of the FC stack 105.

[0043] In the example described in this embodiment, the usage history information includes information indicating the number of times the vehicle 100 has been started, the power generation time of the FC stack 105, and the number of voltage fluctuations, but this is not limited to this. For example, the usage history information may be information indicating only one of the number of times the vehicle 100 has been started, the power generation time of the FC stack 105, and the number of voltage fluctuations. In this case, the output reduction characteristic information may be information indicating only one of the output reduction characteristic A, the output reduction characteristic B, and the output reduction characteristic C (for example, if the usage history information indicates the number of times the vehicle 100 has been started, then the output reduction characteristic A). For example, the items included in the usage history information can be determined as appropriate by the manufacturer of the vehicle 100.

[0044] Furthermore, the control device 200 (control unit 230) can perform processing to provide a predetermined notification to the user of the vehicle 100 when the amount of output reduction predicted by the prediction unit 220 exceeds the first threshold value Th1. This makes it possible to prompt the user to take appropriate measures (for example, replacing the FC stack 105) in response to the amount of output reduction of the FC stack 105 exceeding the first threshold value Th1.

[0045] Furthermore, the control device 200 (control unit 230) can perform processing to provide a predetermined notification to an administrator who can perform maintenance on the vehicle 100 when the amount of output reduction predicted by the prediction unit 220 is equal to or less than the first threshold value Th1 and exceeds a second threshold value Th2 that is smaller than the first threshold value Th1. This makes it possible to prompt an administrator (e.g., the dealer and / or manufacturer of the vehicle 100) to take appropriate action in response to the amount of output reduction of the FC stack 105 exceeding the second threshold value Th2. Furthermore, when the amount of output reduction predicted by the prediction unit 220 is equal to or less than the first threshold value Th1 and exceeds the second threshold value Th2, the control device 200 (control unit 230) does not provide a notification to the user, thereby making it possible to prevent excessive notifications that may be bothersome to the user.

[0046] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the components of the above-described embodiment may be combined in any manner without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0047] For example, in the above-described embodiment, when the amount of output reduction predicted by the prediction unit 220 exceeds the first threshold value Th1, processing is performed to provide a predetermined notification to both the user and the administrator, but it is also possible to notify only the user.

[0048] Furthermore, the control device 200 (control unit 230) may not issue the notification as described above, but may simply output information indicating the amount of output reduction predicted by the prediction unit 220 to a predetermined output destination. In this case, the output destination may be a control device other than the control device 200 provided in the vehicle 100, or may be the notification unit 121 (for example, a display device provided in the vehicle 100), or may be a computer external to the vehicle 100.

[0049] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the information processing device of the present invention is realized by the control device 200 provided in the vehicle 100, but this is not limiting. For example, some or all of the functional units of the acquisition unit 210, the prediction unit 220, and the control unit 230 of the control device 200 described above may be realized by a server device capable of communicating with the control device 200. That is, the information processing device of the present invention may be realized by a server device capable of communicating with the control device 200 provided in the vehicle 100. Furthermore, this server device may be a virtual server (cloud server) realized in a cloud computing service, or may be a physical server realized as a single device.

[0050] Furthermore, the information processing device of the present invention is not limited to the vehicle 100 but can be applied to any fuel cell system including a fuel cell. Here, an example of a fuel cell system is a stationary residential power supply system including a fuel cell such as the FC stack 105, known as a "home fuel cell cogeneration system." When the present invention is applied to such a fuel cell system, the acquisition unit 210 included in the control device 200, which is an example of an information processing device, acquires usage history information indicating the usage history of the fuel cell system. The prediction unit 220 predicts the amount of output reduction of the fuel cell based on the usage history information acquired by the acquisition unit 210 and output reduction characteristic information indicating the output reduction characteristic of the fuel cell of the fuel cell system according to the usage history of the fuel cell system. The control unit 230 then performs predetermined processing, such as notifying the residents of the home where the fuel cell system is installed, a gas company, or an electric power company, based on the amount of output reduction predicted by the prediction unit 220. In this way, even when the information processing device of the present invention is applied to any fuel cell system including a fuel cell, the amount of output reduction of the fuel cell can be acquired at any time when the output of the fuel cell is not at its rated output.

[0051] This specification etc. describes at least the following matters. Note that the components etc. corresponding to those in the above-mentioned embodiment are shown in parentheses, but are not limited to these.

[0052] (1) An information processing device (control device 200) for predicting an amount of output reduction of a fuel cell in a vehicle (vehicle 100) including a fuel cell (FC stack 105) and a drive source (electric motor 111) driven by electric power from the fuel cell, an acquisition unit (acquisition unit 210) that acquires usage history information indicating the usage history of the vehicle; a prediction unit (prediction unit 220) that predicts the amount of output reduction based on the usage history information acquired by the acquisition unit and output reduction characteristic information that indicates the output reduction characteristic of the fuel cell according to the usage history; a control unit (control unit 230) capable of executing a predetermined process based on the amount of output reduction predicted by the prediction unit; An information processing device comprising:

[0053] According to (1), the amount of output reduction of the fuel cell can be predicted based on usage history information showing the usage history of the vehicle and output reduction characteristic information showing the output reduction characteristic of the fuel cell. Therefore, the amount of output reduction of the fuel cell can be obtained at any time when the output of the fuel cell is not at the rated output.

[0054] (2) The information processing device according to (1), The usage history information includes information indicating any of the number of times the vehicle has been started and / or the time it has been started, the time and / or the number of times the fuel cell has generated power, the number of times the output voltage or output current of the fuel cell has fluctuated, the time and / or the number of times the fuel cell has generated power for each output voltage or each output current, the time and / or the number of times the vehicle has been driven, and the time and / or the number of times the vehicle has been stopped. Information processing device.

[0055] According to (2), since the usage history information includes information on items related to fuel cell degradation (in other words, the amount of output reduction of the fuel cell), it is possible to efficiently and accurately predict the amount of output reduction of the fuel cell.

[0056] (3) The information processing device according to (1) or (2), The control unit performs a process for issuing a predetermined notification to a user of the vehicle when the amount of output decrease exceeds a first threshold (first threshold Th1). Information processing device.

[0057] According to (3), when the predicted amount of output reduction of the fuel cell exceeds the first threshold, processing is performed to provide a predetermined notification to the vehicle user, thereby making it possible to prompt the user to take appropriate measures (e.g., replacing the fuel cell) in response to the amount of output reduction of the fuel cell exceeding the first threshold.

[0058] (4) The information processing device according to (3), When the amount of output decrease is equal to or less than the first threshold value and exceeds a second threshold value (second threshold value Th2) that is smaller than the first threshold value, the control unit performs a process for issuing a predetermined notification to a manager who can perform maintenance on the vehicle. Information processing device.

[0059] According to (4), when the predicted amount of decrease in output of the fuel cell exceeds the second threshold, a process is performed to send a predetermined notification to a manager who can perform maintenance on the vehicle, so it is possible to prompt the manager to take appropriate measures in response to the amount of decrease in output of the fuel cell exceeding the second threshold. Moreover, because the second threshold is smaller than the first threshold, it is possible to prevent excessive notifications to the user compared to when a predetermined notification is sent to the user of the vehicle when the second threshold is exceeded.

[0060] (5) An information processing device according to any one of (1) to (4), the fuel cell; The drive source; A vehicle equipped with:

[0061] According to (5), the amount of output reduction of the fuel cell can be predicted based on usage history information showing the usage history of the vehicle and output reduction characteristic information showing the output reduction characteristic of the fuel cell. Therefore, the amount of output reduction of the fuel cell can be obtained at any time when the output of the fuel cell is not at the rated output.

[0062] (6) An information processing device (control device 200) for predicting an amount of output reduction of a fuel cell (FC stack 105) in a fuel cell system (vehicle 100) including the fuel cell, an acquisition unit (acquisition unit 210) that acquires usage history information indicating the usage history of the fuel cell system; a prediction unit (prediction unit 220) that predicts the amount of output reduction based on the usage history information acquired by the acquisition unit and output reduction characteristic information that indicates the output reduction characteristic of the fuel cell according to the usage history; a control unit (control unit 230) capable of executing a predetermined process based on the amount of output reduction predicted by the prediction unit; An information processing device comprising:

[0063] According to (6), the amount of output reduction of the fuel cell can be obtained at any timing when the output of the fuel cell in the fuel cell system is not at the rated output. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 100 vehicles 105 FC stack (fuel cell) 111 Electric motor (drive source) 200 Control device (information processing device) 210 Acquisition Department 220 Prediction Department 230 Control Unit Th1 First threshold Th2 Second threshold

Claims

1. 1. An information processing device for predicting an amount of output reduction of a fuel cell in a vehicle including a fuel cell and a drive source driven by electric power from the fuel cell, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires usage history information indicating a usage history of the vehicle; a prediction unit that predicts the amount of output reduction based on the usage history information acquired by the acquisition unit and output reduction characteristic information that indicates the output reduction characteristic of the fuel cell according to the usage history; a control unit capable of executing a predetermined process based on the output reduction amount predicted by the prediction unit; An information processing device comprising:

2. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, The usage history information includes information indicating any of the number of times the vehicle has been started and / or the time it has been started, the time and / or the number of times the fuel cell has generated power, the number of times the output voltage or output current of the fuel cell has fluctuated, the time and / or the number of times the fuel cell has generated power for each output voltage or each output current, the time and / or the number of times the vehicle has been driven, and the time and / or the number of times the vehicle has been stopped. Information processing device.

3. 3. The information processing device according to claim 1, the control unit performs processing to provide a predetermined notification to a user of the vehicle when the amount of output reduction exceeds a first threshold value. Information processing device.

4. 4. The information processing device according to claim 3, the control unit performs processing to issue a predetermined notification to a manager who can perform maintenance on the vehicle when the amount of output decrease is equal to or less than the first threshold value and exceeds a second threshold value that is smaller than the first threshold value. Information processing device.

5. An information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4; the fuel cell; The drive source; A vehicle equipped with:

6. 1. An information processing device for predicting an amount of output reduction of a fuel cell in a fuel cell system including the fuel cell, an acquisition unit that acquires usage history information indicating a usage history of the fuel cell system; a prediction unit that predicts the amount of output reduction based on the usage history information acquired by the acquisition unit and output reduction characteristic information that indicates the output reduction characteristic of the fuel cell according to the usage history; a control unit capable of executing a predetermined process based on the output reduction amount predicted by the prediction unit; An information processing device comprising:

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