Hydrogen storage device

Abstract

To enable a hydrogen storage tank to be replaced through a simple method.SOLUTION: A vehicle comprises hydrogen storage tank holding devices (8 and 9) which hold a plurality of replaceable hydrogen storage tanks (20) to supply hydrogen to a fuel cell (40). A first pair of hydrogen tanks (20) is selected from the hydrogen storage tanks (20) held with the hydrogen storage tank holding devices (8 and 9) and hydrogen is supplied from both of the first pair of hydrogen storage tanks (20) to the fuel cell (40). When an amount of hydrogen in at least either one of the first pair of hydrogen storage tanks (20) becomes lower than a predetermined hydrogen amount, a second pair of hydrogen storage tanks (20) is selected from the hydrogen storage tanks (20) held with the hydrogen storage tank holding devices (8 and 9) other than the first pair of hydrogen storage tanks (20) and hydrogen is supplied from the second pair of hydrogen storage tanks (20) to the fuel cell (40).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hydrogen storage device. [Background technology]

[0002] In a vehicle powered by a fuel cell, a hydrogen storage tank is held in a removable hydrogen storage case in the trunk at the rear of the vehicle, and when the hydrogen storage case is installed in the trunk, the hydrogen storage tank is connected to the fuel cell via a quick connector. A known hydrogen storage device is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-270707 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In this hydrogen storage device, one or more hydrogen storage tanks are connected to a fuel cell, but there is no clear mention of controlling the supply of hydrogen from the hydrogen storage tanks to the fuel cell. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to the present invention, there is provided a hydrogen storage device for a vehicle driven by a fuel cell, comprising: a hydrogen storage tank holding device for holding a plurality of replaceable hydrogen storage tanks for supplying hydrogen to the fuel cell; a hydrogen supply control device that controls the supply of hydrogen from the hydrogen storage tank held by the hydrogen storage tank holding device to the fuel cell, A hydrogen storage device is provided in which the hydrogen supply control device has a residual hydrogen amount estimation unit that estimates the amount of remaining hydrogen in the hydrogen storage tank, and the hydrogen supply control device selects a first pair of hydrogen storage tanks from among the hydrogen storage tanks held by the hydrogen storage tank holding device and causes hydrogen to be supplied from both of the first pair of hydrogen storage tanks to the fuel cell, and when the estimated residual hydrogen amount in at least one of the first pair of hydrogen storage tanks falls below a set hydrogen amount, the hydrogen supply control device selects a second pair of hydrogen storage tanks from among the hydrogen storage tanks held by the hydrogen storage tank holding device and other than the first pair of hydrogen storage tanks, and causes hydrogen to be supplied to the fuel cell from the second pair of hydrogen storage tanks while stopping the supply of hydrogen from the first pair of hydrogen storage tanks to the fuel cell. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] In this way, by configuring the fuel cell to always receive hydrogen from a pair of hydrogen storage tanks, even if, for some reason, hydrogen is not supplied from one of the hydrogen storage tanks to the fuel cell, hydrogen can be supplied from the other hydrogen storage tank to the fuel cell, thereby increasing the likelihood of preventing an interruption in the supply of hydrogen from the hydrogen storage tanks to the fuel cell. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are side and top views, respectively, of a schematic representation of a fuel cell powered vehicle. [Figure 2] Figure 2A is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a hydrogen storage tank, Figure 2B is a side view of Figure 2A, Figure 2C is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a hydrogen storage tank insertion section, and Figure 2D is a view showing the hydrogen storage tank inserted into the hydrogen storage tank insertion section. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a hydrogen supply control device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the electronic control device. [Figure 5]FIG. 5 is a flowchart for performing valve opening control. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] 1A and 1B, which diagrammatically show a fuel cell-powered vehicle, reference numeral 1 denotes a vehicle body, 2 denotes front wheels, 3 denotes rear wheels, 4 denotes a front compartment within the vehicle covered by an openable front hood 5, 6 denotes a rear compartment within the vehicle covered by an openable rear hood 7, 8 denotes a hydrogen storage tank holder having a plurality of hydrogen storage tank insertion portions 10, and 9 denotes another hydrogen storage tank holder having a plurality of hydrogen storage tank insertion portions 10. The hydrogen supply control device 8 is supported by the vehicle body 1 in the front compartment 4, and the hydrogen supply control device 9 is supported by the vehicle body 1 in the rear compartment 6.

[0009] 1A and 1B, hydrogen storage tank holding device 8 has six hydrogen storage tank insertion sections 10 arranged in parallel with one another, and hydrogen storage tank holding device 9 also has six hydrogen storage tank insertion sections 10 arranged in parallel with one another. Furthermore, in the example shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, each hydrogen storage tank insertion section 10 of hydrogen storage tank holding device 8 opens upward in the forward direction of vehicle 1, and each hydrogen storage tank insertion section 10 of hydrogen storage tank holding device 9 opens upward in the rear direction of vehicle 1. The number of hydrogen storage tank insertion sections 10 of hydrogen storage tank holding device 8 can be set arbitrarily, and the number of hydrogen storage tank insertion sections 10 of hydrogen storage tank holding device 9 can also be set arbitrarily.

[0010] Figure 2A shows a schematic side cross-sectional view of a hydrogen storage tank 20 to be inserted into either the hydrogen storage tank insertion portion 10 of the hydrogen storage tank holding device 8 shown in Figure 1B or the hydrogen storage tank insertion portion 10 of the hydrogen storage tank holding device 9, and Figure 2B shows a side view of the hydrogen storage tank 20 shown in Figure 2A when viewed from the right. 2A, a hydrogen storage tank 20 is composed of a tank body 21 and a cylindrical casing 22 that surrounds the tank body 21. In the example shown in Fig. 2A, the tank body 21 is filled with high-pressure hydrogen gas. Note that a hydrogen storage alloy may also be placed inside the tank body 21.

[0011] A hydrogen outflow port 23 is formed at one end of the tank body 21, i.e., one end of the hydrogen storage tank 20, and a grip 24 that can be held by hand, i.e., a palm-sized grip 24, is formed at the other end of the hydrogen storage tank 20. In the example shown in Figures 2A and 2B, both end faces of the cylindrical casing 22, i.e., both end faces of the hydrogen storage tank 20, are formed flat, and the hydrogen outflow port 23 is in the form of a cylindrical groove recessed from one flat end face of the hydrogen storage tank 20. Meanwhile, a groove 25 having a circular outline is formed on the other flat end face of the hydrogen storage tank 20, and a grip 24 is formed within this groove 25, extending between opposing upper edges of the groove 25 at a distance from the bottom of the groove 25 so as to be able to be grasped by hand.

[0012] 2A also shows a diagram of a normally closed outflow control valve 26 disposed within the tank body 21 to control the outflow of hydrogen from the hydrogen outflow port 23. The outflow control valve 26 normally closes the hydrogen outflow port 23 due to the compressed hydrogen pressure within the tank body 21. Meanwhile, FIG. 2C shows an enlarged side cross-sectional view of the hydrogen storage tank insert 10 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Referring to FIG. 2C, a convex hydrogen inflow port 28 is formed at the back of the hydrogen storage tank insert 10, protruding into the hydrogen storage tank insert 10 from an end wall 27 covering one end of the hydrogen storage tank insert 10. A hydrogen inflow passage 29 connected to the vehicle's fuel cell is formed within this convex hydrogen inflow port 28.

[0013] 2D shows the hydrogen storage tank 20 when it has been inserted into the hydrogen storage tank insertion part 10. The hydrogen storage tank 20 is inserted into the hydrogen storage tank insertion part 10 by grasping the grip 24 with one hand, inserting the end of the hydrogen storage tank 20 where the hydrogen outflow part 23 is formed into the hydrogen storage tank insertion part 10, and pushing the hydrogen storage tank 20 into the hydrogen storage tank insertion part 10. When the hydrogen storage tank 20 is pushed into the hydrogen storage tank insertion part 10, the concave hydrogen outflow part 23 fits into the convex hydrogen inflow part 28. Explaining this from a structural perspective, a guide wall is formed around the hydrogen storage tank insertion section 10 to guide the concave hydrogen outlet section 23 of the hydrogen storage tank 20 to the convex hydrogen inlet section 28 when the hydrogen storage tank 20 is inserted into the hydrogen storage tank insertion section 10, and when the hydrogen storage tank 20 is inserted into the hydrogen storage tank insertion section 10, this guide wall guides the concave hydrogen outlet section 23 of the hydrogen storage tank 20 toward the convex hydrogen inlet section 28 so that it fits into the convex hydrogen inlet section 28.

[0014] In this case, this guide wall also serves to hold the hydrogen storage tank 20 in a state in which the concave hydrogen outlet portion 23 is fitted into the convex hydrogen inlet portion 28. In the example shown in Figures 2C and 2D, this guide wall is formed from a cylindrical wall. In this case, this guide wall does not necessarily have to be formed from a cylindrical wall, and as shown in Figure 2D, for example, a guide rod or a guide rod with guide rollers that extends in the longitudinal direction of the hydrogen storage tank insertion portion 10 along the periphery of the hydrogen storage tank 20 can be used as this guide wall.

[0015] 2C and 2D, after the hydrogen storage tank 20 is inserted into the hydrogen storage tank insertion part 10 and the concave hydrogen outflow part 23 is fitted into the convex hydrogen inflow part 28, the concave hydrogen outflow part 23 is coupled to the convex hydrogen inflow part 28 by rotating the concave hydrogen outflow part 23 about the longitudinal central axis of the hydrogen storage tank 20. This coupling structure may be, for example, a screw structure in which threads are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the concave hydrogen outflow part 23 and the outer peripheral surface of the convex hydrogen inflow part 28. Therefore, in the example shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D, after the hydrogen storage tank 20 is inserted into the hydrogen storage tank insertion part 10 and the concave hydrogen outflow part 23 is fitted into the convex hydrogen inflow part 28, the grip 24 held by hand is rotated about the longitudinal central axis of the hydrogen storage tank 20, whereby the concave hydrogen outflow part 23 is coupled to the convex hydrogen inflow part 28.

[0016] On the other hand, when replacing the hydrogen storage tank 20, the grip 24 is grasped by hand and the hydrogen storage tank 20 is rotated to release the connection between the concave hydrogen outlet portion 23 and the convex hydrogen inlet portion 28, and the hydrogen storage tank 20 is then pulled out of the hydrogen storage tank insertion portion 10. A new hydrogen storage tank 20 is inserted into the hydrogen storage tank insertion portion 10. New hydrogen is injected into the pulled-out hydrogen storage tank 20 through the hydrogen outlet portion 23 using a hydrogen filling device.

[0017] , In this way, the insertion of the hydrogen storage tank 20 into the hydrogen storage tank insertion portion 10 and the connection of the concave hydrogen outflow portion 23 and the convex hydrogen inflow portion 28 can be achieved by gripping the grip 24, making it possible to easily install and remove the hydrogen storage tank 20 in the hydrogen storage tank holding device 8, i.e., to replace the hydrogen storage tank 20. Furthermore, by holding the grip 24 with one hand, the hydrogen storage tank 20 can be easily transported. Furthermore, because both ends of the hydrogen storage tank 20 are formed with flat surfaces, the hydrogen storage tank 20 can be placed upright on the floor, and hydrogen storage tanks 20 can be easily stacked upright. This makes it easy to store the hydrogen storage tank 20.

[0018] As described above, in this embodiment of the present invention, the hydrogen storage device is comprised of hydrogen storage tank holders 8, 9 supported by a vehicle and having a plurality of hydrogen storage tank insertion sections 10, and replaceable hydrogen storage tanks 20 inserted into each hydrogen storage tank insertion section 10 to supply hydrogen to the vehicle's fuel cell, with a hydrogen inlet section 28 connected to the fuel cell formed at the back of each hydrogen storage tank insertion section 10. A hydrogen outlet section 23 that is connected to the hydrogen inlet section 28 when the hydrogen storage tank 20 is inserted into the hydrogen storage tank insertion section 10 is formed at one end of each hydrogen storage tank 20, and a grip 24 that can be grasped is formed at the other end of each hydrogen storage tank 20, and the hydrogen storage tank 20 is inserted into the hydrogen storage tank insertion section 10 and the hydrogen inlet section 28 and the hydrogen outlet section 23 are connected by grasping the grip 24. In this embodiment of the present invention, the hydrogen inlet section 28 and the hydrogen outlet section 23 are connected by gripping the grip 24 and rotating the hydrogen storage tank 20.

[0019] Meanwhile, a valve opening control device 30 that controls the opening of the normally closed outflow control valve 26 is disposed in the convex hydrogen inflow portion 28. This valve opening control device 30 is shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 2C and 2D . In the example shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D , this valve opening control device 30 is composed of a control rod 31 that can engage with the outflow control valve 26 and an actuator 32, such as a solenoid, for driving the control rod 31. When the solenoid is energized, the control rod 31 abuts against the outflow control valve 26, pushing up the outflow control valve 26. As a result, the outflow control valve 26 opens, and high-pressure stored hydrogen in the tank body 21 flows into the hydrogen inflow passage 29 of the hydrogen inflow portion 28. When the solenoid is de-energized, the outflow control valve 26 closes, and the outflow of stored hydrogen from the tank body 21 stops.

[0020] 2A and 2D, a sensor 33 for detecting the state of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage tank 20 is disposed at the end of the tank body 21 opposite the hydrogen outflow port 23, i.e., at the end of the hydrogen storage tank 20 opposite the hydrogen outflow port 23. This sensor 33 is a sensor that detects at least one of pressure and temperature. In the example shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D, the sensor 33 incorporates a transmitter that transmits a detection signal to the outside. In this case, the detection signal from the sensor 33 can also be transmitted to the outside via a signal line.

[0021] Figure 3 shows an overall view of the hydrogen supply control device. Figure 3 shows hydrogen storage tanks 20 inserted into hydrogen storage tank insertion sections 10 of hydrogen storage tank holding devices 8 and 9. In the example shown in Figure 3, for ease of explanation, the hydrogen storage tanks 20 inserted into the hydrogen storage tank insertion sections 10 of the hydrogen storage tank holding device 8 are respectively labeled No. 1-A, No. 1-B, No. 2-A, No. 2-B, No. 3-A, and No. 3-B, and the hydrogen storage tanks 20 inserted into the hydrogen storage tank insertion sections 10 of the hydrogen storage tank holding device 9 are respectively labeled No. 4-A, No. 4-B, No. 5-A, No. 5-B, No. 6-A, and No. 6-B.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 3, all of the hydrogen storage tanks 20 are connected to a fuel cell 40 for driving the vehicle via hydrogen inflow passages 29 shown by solid lines, and the valve opening control devices 30 provided in each hydrogen storage tank insertion section 10 are connected to an electronic control device 50 as shown by dashed lines. Meanwhile, Fig. 4 shows the electronic control device 50 of Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 4, this electronic control device 50 contains an electronic control unit 51. This electronic control unit 51 is made up of a digital computer and includes a CPU (microprocessor) 53, a memory 54 consisting of ROM and RAM, and an input / output port 55, all connected to each other by a bidirectional bus 52.

[0023] The electronic control device 50 is also provided with a communication device 56, which is connected to the electronic control unit 51. Detection signals emitted from the sensors 33 of each hydrogen storage tank 20 are input to the electronic control unit 51 via the communication device 56. As shown in FIG. 4 , the valve opening control device 30 is connected to the electronic control unit 51, and the valve opening control of the outflow control valve 26 is performed by the valve opening control device 30 based on the output signal of the electronic control unit 51. A display device 57 having a display screen is also connected to the electronic control unit 51, and the display on the display screen of the display device 57 is controlled based on the output signal of the electronic control unit 51.

[0024] In an embodiment according to the present invention, hydrogen is supplied to the fuel cell 40 from a pair of hydrogen storage tanks 20, and when the amount of residual hydrogen in the pair of hydrogen storage tanks 20 becomes low, the supply of hydrogen to the fuel cell 40 from a new pair of hydrogen storage tanks 20 begins, and the supply of hydrogen to the fuel cell 40 from the pair of hydrogen storage tanks 20 that has been used until now is stopped. The supply of hydrogen to the fuel cell 40 can continue without interruption, and therefore the fuel cell 40 can continue to generate power.

[0025] FIG. 5 shows a valve opening control routine for controlling the opening of the normally closed outflow control valve 26, and this routine is repeatedly executed by the electronic control unit 51. Referring to Figure 5, first, in step 60, it is determined whether the outflow control valve 26 of the pair of hydrogen storage tanks 20 No. m is open. Now, assuming that m=1, It is determined whether the outflow control valve 26 of the No. 1-A hydrogen storage tank 20 and the outflow control valve 26 of the No. 1-B hydrogen storage tank 200 are open. If it is determined that the outflow control valve 26 of the pair of hydrogen storage tanks 20 No. m is not open, the process jumps to step 66. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 60 that the outflow control valve 26 of the pair of hydrogen storage tanks 20 No. m is open, the process proceeds to step 61.

[0026] In step 61, the pressure P of the stored hydrogen in the pair of hydrogen storage tanks 20 No. m, detected by the sensor 33 of the pair of hydrogen storage tanks 20 No. m, is obtained. In the example shown in FIG. 5, this pressure P is used as a value for estimating the amount of residual hydrogen in the hydrogen storage tanks 20. Next, in step 62, it is determined whether the pressure P of the stored hydrogen in at least one of the pair of hydrogen storage tanks 20 No. m has dropped below a set pressure PX, which indicates the allowable limit value for the amount of residual hydrogen, i.e., whether the estimated amount of residual hydrogen in the hydrogen storage tank 20 has dropped below the installed amount of hydrogen. If it is determined that the pressure P of the stored hydrogen in at least one of the pair of hydrogen storage tanks 20 No. m has not dropped below the set pressure PX, the process jumps to step 66. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 62 that the pressure P of the stored hydrogen in at least one of the pair of hydrogen storage tanks 20 No. m has dropped below the set pressure PX, the process proceeds to step 63.

[0027] In step 63, the outflow control valves 26 of the pair of hydrogen storage tanks 20 No. m+1 are opened, and then in step 64, the outflow control valves 26 of the pair of hydrogen storage tanks 20 No. m are closed. Next, in step 65, a message indicating that the pair of hydrogen storage tanks 20 No. m need to be replaced is displayed on the display screen of the display device 57, for example, a message indicating that the No. m-A tank and the No. m-B tank need to be replaced. Next, the process proceeds to step 66. In step 66, it is determined whether the pair of hydrogen storage tanks 20 No. m have been replaced. If it is determined that the pair of hydrogen storage tanks 20 No. m have not been replaced, the process jumps to step 68. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 66 that the pair of hydrogen storage tanks 20 No. m have been replaced, the process proceeds to step 67, where the message indicating that the pair of hydrogen storage tanks 20 No. m need to be replaced is terminated. Next, the process proceeds to step 68.

[0028] Furthermore, when a pair of hydrogen storage tanks 20 No. m is replaced, for example, the sensor 33 of the hydrogen storage tank 20 transmits information indicating the numbers of the hydrogen storage tanks 20, No. m-A tank and No. m-B tank, along with the detection signal so that the detection signal of the sensor 33 of the new pair of hydrogen storage tanks 20 can be recognized as the detection signal of the sensor 33 of the pair of hydrogen storage tanks 20 No. m, and in step 66, based on this information, it is determined whether the pair of hydrogen storage tanks 20 No. m has been replaced.

[0029] In step 68, m is incremented by 1, and then in step 69, it is determined whether m has reached 7. If it is determined that m is not 7, the processing cycle ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that m is 7, the processing proceeds to step 70, m is set to 1, and then the processing cycle ends. Therefore, valve opening control of the normally closed outflow control valves 26 is repeatedly executed from the No. 1 pair of hydrogen storage tanks No. 1-A, No. 1-B to the No. 6 pair of hydrogen storage tanks No. 6-A, No. 6-B.

[0030] In this way, by controlling the supply of stored hydrogen from the pair of hydrogen storage tanks 20 at all times, even if for some reason one of the hydrogen storage tanks 20 is unable to supply stored hydrogen, the other hydrogen storage tank 20 will supply stored hydrogen. This has the advantage of increasing the likelihood that the supply of stored hydrogen from the hydrogen storage tanks 20 will be prevented from being interrupted.

[0031] As described above, an embodiment according to the present invention is provided with a hydrogen supply control device that controls the supply of hydrogen from the hydrogen storage tanks 20 to the fuel cell 40. This hydrogen supply control device has a residual hydrogen amount estimation unit that estimates the amount of hydrogen remaining in the hydrogen storage tanks 20, and the hydrogen storage tank 20 that supplies hydrogen to the fuel cell 40 is selected based on the estimated amount of hydrogen remaining in the hydrogen storage tanks 20. In this case, the electronic control unit 51 forms this residual hydrogen amount estimation unit.

[0032] In this case, in an embodiment according to the present invention, a pair of hydrogen storage tanks 20 is selected from the hydrogen storage tanks 20 held by the hydrogen storage tank holding devices 8, 9, and hydrogen is supplied from the selected pair of hydrogen storage tanks 20 to the fuel cell 40, and when the estimated residual hydrogen amount in at least one of the selected pair of hydrogen storage tanks 20 falls below the installed hydrogen amount, the next pair of hydrogen storage tanks 20 is selected from the hydrogen storage tanks 20 held by the hydrogen storage tank holding devices 8, 9, and hydrogen is supplied from the next selected pair of hydrogen storage tanks 20 to the fuel cell 40.

[0033] In addition, in an embodiment according to the present invention, the hydrogen supply control device has a display device 57 that displays a message indicating that the hydrogen storage tank 20 should be replaced when the estimated remaining hydrogen amount in the hydrogen storage tank 20 falls below the installed hydrogen amount. In an embodiment according to the present invention, a sensor 33 for detecting the state of the stored hydrogen in the hydrogen storage tank 20 is disposed on the end side of the hydrogen storage tank 20 opposite the hydrogen outflow portion 23, and the above-mentioned residual hydrogen amount estimation unit estimates the amount of remaining hydrogen in the hydrogen storage tank 20 based on the detection signal of the sensor 33. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 1. Body 8,9 Hydrogen storage tank holding device 10 Hydrogen storage tank insertion section 20 Hydrogen storage tank 23 Hydrogen Outlet 24 Grip 26 Normally closed spill control valve26 28 Hydrogen inlet 30 Valve opening control device 40 Fuel Cell

Claims

1. In a hydrogen storage device for a vehicle powered by a fuel cell, a hydrogen storage tank holding device for holding a plurality of replaceable hydrogen storage tanks for supplying hydrogen to the fuel cell; a hydrogen supply control device that controls the supply of hydrogen from the hydrogen storage tank held by the hydrogen storage tank holding device to the fuel cell, The hydrogen supply control device has a residual hydrogen amount estimation unit that estimates the amount of remaining hydrogen in the hydrogen storage tank, and the hydrogen supply control device selects a first pair of hydrogen storage tanks from the hydrogen storage tanks held by the hydrogen storage tank holding device and causes hydrogen to be supplied from both of the first pair of hydrogen storage tanks to the fuel cell, and when the estimated remaining hydrogen amount in at least one of the first pair of hydrogen storage tanks falls below a set hydrogen amount, selects a second pair of hydrogen storage tanks from the hydrogen storage tanks held by the hydrogen storage tank holding device other than the first pair of hydrogen storage tanks and causes hydrogen to be supplied from the second pair of hydrogen storage tanks to the fuel cell while stopping the supply of hydrogen from the first pair of hydrogen storage tanks to the fuel cell.

2. The hydrogen supply control device according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays a message indicating that the first pair of hydrogen storage tanks should be replaced when the estimated remaining hydrogen amount in at least one of the first pair of hydrogen storage tanks falls below a set hydrogen amount.

3. 2. The hydrogen storage device according to claim 1, wherein a sensor for detecting the state of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage tank is disposed in the hydrogen storage tank, and the residual hydrogen amount estimation unit estimates the amount of hydrogen remaining in the hydrogen storage tank based on the detection signal of the sensor.

4. 2. The hydrogen storage device according to claim 1, wherein a normally closed outflow control valve that controls the outflow of hydrogen from the hydrogen storage tank is disposed at the hydrogen outflow portion of the hydrogen storage tank, and a valve opening control device that controls the opening of the outflow control valve is disposed at the hydrogen inflow portion to the fuel cell.

Images