Control device for a work machine and method for controlling a work machine

Abstract

To efficiently operate a plurality of fuel cells mounted on a work machine.SOLUTION: A load factor determination section determines a load factor of a plurality of fuel cells respectively on the basis of necessary power of a work machine. An operation instruction section makes the plurality of fuel cells respectively operate at the determined load factor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0005] , , ,

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device for a working machine and a control method for a working machine.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in order to use clean energy as the power source of a working machine instead of fossil fuels, it has been considered to mount a fuel cell on the working machine. In order to operate a large machine such as a working machine by a fuel cell, it is conceivable to mount a plurality of fuel cells (fuel cell modules) in parallel (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] On the other hand, it is known that the efficiency of a fuel cell changes depending on the load factor. Therefore, when the power required for the operation of a working machine is evenly output to the fuel cells mounted in parallel, it is not always possible to operate the fuel cells efficiently. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a control device for a working machine and a control method for a working machine that can efficiently operate a plurality of fuel cells mounted on the working machine.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a control device for a working machine is a control device for a working machine including a plurality of fuel cells, and includes a load factor determination unit that determines the load factor of each of the plurality of fuel cells based on the required power of the working machine, and a driving instruction unit that drives each of the plurality of fuel cells at the determined load factor.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] According to the above embodiment, multiple fuel cells mounted on the work machine can be operated efficiently. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a schematic side view showing a transport vehicle according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the power system and drive system of the transport vehicle according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the relationship between the load factor and efficiency of a fuel cell. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the control device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a computer according to at least one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] <First Embodiment> 《Composition of transport vehicles》 The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a transport vehicle 10 according to the first embodiment. The transport vehicle 10 is a dump truck that travels around work sites such as mines to transport cargo. The transport vehicle 10 may be an unmanned dump truck that operates without driver operation, or a manned dump truck that operates based on driver operation. The transport vehicle 10 comprises a vessel (dump body) 11, a vehicle body 12, and a running gear 13.

[0009] The vessel 11 is the component on which the cargo is loaded. At least a portion of the vessel 11 is positioned above the vehicle body 12. The vessel 11 performs a dumping and lowering motion. Through the dumping and lowering motions, the vessel 11 is adjusted to a dumping position and a loading position. The dumping position refers to the position in which the vessel 11 is raised. The loading position refers to the position in which the vessel 11 is lowered.

[0010] The dumping operation refers to the movement of separating the vessel 11 from the vehicle body 12 and tilting it in the dumping direction. The dumping direction is towards the rear of the vehicle body 12. In this embodiment, the dumping operation includes raising the front end of the vessel 11 and tilting the vessel 11 backward. Due to the dumping operation, the loading surface of the vessel 11 tilts downward toward the rear.

[0011] The lowering operation refers to the operation of bringing the vessel 11 closer to the vehicle body 12. In this embodiment, the lowering operation includes lowering the front end of the vessel 11.

[0012] When performing soil removal operations, the vessel 11 performs a dumping operation to change from a loading position to a dumping position. If there is cargo loaded on the vessel 11, the cargo is discharged backward from the rear end of the vessel 11 by the dumping operation. When performing loading operations, the vessel 11 is adjusted to a loading position.

[0013] The vehicle body 12 includes a vehicle frame. The vehicle body 12 supports the vessel 11. The vehicle body 12 is supported by the running gear 13.

[0014] The running gear 13 supports the vehicle body 12. The running gear 13 moves the transport vehicle 10. The running gear 13 moves the transport vehicle 10 forward or backward. At least a portion of the running gear 13 is positioned below the vehicle body 12. The running gear 13 comprises a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels. The front wheels are steering wheels, and the rear wheels are drive wheels.

[0015] The power system 14 generates power for driving the traveling device 13 by reacting hydrogen and oxygen. Driving the traveling device 13 includes rotating the rear wheels of the traveling device 13.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the power system 14 and the drive system 15 of the transport vehicle 10 according to the first embodiment. The power system 14 includes a hydrogen tank 141, a hydrogen supply device 142, a fuel cell 143, a battery 144, and a DCDC converter 145. The power system 14 includes a plurality of fuel cells 143. In the first embodiment, the number of fuel cells 143 is M. M is a natural number. The hydrogen supply device 142 supplies the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 141 to the fuel cell 14s. The fuel cell 143 generates electric power by electrochemically reacting the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen supply device 142 and the oxygen contained in the outside air. The battery 144 stores the electric power generated in the fuel cell 143. The DCDC converter 145 outputs electric power from the fuel cell 143 or the battery 144 connected according to an instruction from the control device 16 (see FIG. 3). The power system 14 includes M + 1 DCDC converters 145.

[0017] The electric power output from the power system 14 is output to the drive system 15 via the bus bar B. The drive system 15 includes an inverter 151, a pump drive motor 152, a hydraulic pump 153, a hoist cylinder 154, an inverter 155, and a traveling drive motor 156. The inverter 151 converts the direct current from the bus bar B into a three-phase alternating current and supplies it to the pump drive motor 152. The pump drive motor 152 drives the hydraulic pump 153. The hydraulic oil discharged from the hydraulic pump 153 is supplied to the hoist cylinder 154 via a control valve (not shown). When the hydraulic oil is supplied to the hoist cylinder 154, the hoist cylinder 154 operates. The hoist cylinder 154 causes the vessel 11 to perform a dumping operation or a lowering operation. The inverter 155 converts the direct current from the bus bar B into a three-phase alternating current and supplies it to the traveling drive motor 156. The rotational force generated by the traveling drive motor 156 is transmitted to the rear wheels of the traveling device 13.

[0018] 《Configuration of Control Device 16》 FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a control device 16 according to the first embodiment. The control device 16 includes a situation identification unit 161, an operation amount acquisition unit 162, a required power determination unit 163, a load factor determination unit 164, a sharing determination unit 165, and an operation instruction unit 166.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the load factor and the efficiency of the fuel cell 143. The load factor is the ratio of the output current to the rated current of the fuel cell. As shown in FIG. 4, for each fuel cell 143, the load factor at which the efficiency is maximized is determined for each individual, and the efficiency decreases as the load factor becomes higher or lower than the maximum efficiency point. The control device 16 according to the first embodiment controls the power system 14 so that the overall efficiency of the M fuel cells 143 included in the power system 14 is increased.

[0020] The situation identification unit 161 identifies the usage status of each of the M fuel cells 143. Specifically, the situation identification unit 161 acquires current values from ammeters provided at the output terminals of the fuel cells 143, and determines the usage status by obtaining the average over a certain period of time (for example, 1 hour). The larger the average of the current values, the higher the recent usage load of the fuel cell 143. Note that the situation identification unit 161 according to other embodiments may identify the usage load based on a physical quantity other than the current value. For example, the situation identification unit 161 according to other embodiments may identify the usage load based on the output power of the fuel cell 143, or may identify the usage load based on the outlet temperature of the cooling water of the fuel cell 143. Since the fuel cell 143 generates heat by reaction, the higher the outlet temperature, the higher the recent usage load of the fuel cell 143. The situation identification unit 161 also detects the power supplied to the bus bar B.

[0021] The operation amount acquisition unit 162 acquires an operation signal indicating the operation amounts of the vessel 11 and the traveling device 13 from an operation device of the transport vehicle 10 (not shown). The required power determination unit 163 determines the required power, which is the power that should be output from the M fuel cells 143 to operate the vessel 11 and the running gear 13, based on the manipulated variable acquired by the manipulated variable acquisition unit 162. For example, a power determination function showing the relationship between the manipulated variable and the required power may be determined in advance for each of the vessel 11 and the running gear 13, and the required power determination unit 163 may determine the required power by substituting the acquired manipulated variable into the power determination function. Note that the required power does not necessarily have to be the total power required to operate the vessel 11 and the running gear 13. For example, if the power system 14 causes the fuel cells 143 to output a constant power and the fluctuations in the manipulated variable are mainly absorbed by the battery 144, or if the battery 144 outputs a constant power and the fluctuations in the manipulated variable are mainly absorbed by the fuel cells 143, the required power is calculated as the total power required to operate the vessel 11 and the running gear 13 minus the output of the battery 144.

[0022] Based on the required power determined by the required power determination unit 163, the load factor determination unit 164 determines the pattern among the first and second operating patterns that minimizes energy loss, i.e., the pattern that maximizes the overall efficiency of the fuel cell 143.

[0023] The first operating pattern involves operating M fuel cells under the following conditions: • N fuel cells 143 are operated at a load factor related to the point of maximum efficiency, where N is a natural number satisfying N ≤ M-1. • One fuel cell 143 is made to output power equal to the difference between the required power and the output power of N fuel cells 143. Do not operate the remaining (MN-1) fuel cells.

[0024] The second operating pattern involves operating M fuel cells under the following conditions: • N fuel cells 143 are made to output power equal to the required power divided by N. Here, N is a natural number satisfying N ≤ M. Do not operate the remaining (MN) fuel cells.

[0025] The load allocation determination unit 165 determines the load allocation of each fuel cell 143 based on the usage status of each fuel cell 143 identified by the status identification unit 161. Specifically, the load allocation determination unit 165 determines the allocation so that fuel cells 143 with low recent usage loads are not operated, and instead prioritize the operation of fuel cells 143 with low recent usage loads.

[0026] The operation instruction unit 166 outputs operation instructions to the DC-DC converter 145 connected to the fuel cell 143 according to the workload determination unit 165 and the operation pattern determined by the load factor determination unit 164. The operation instruction unit 166 also outputs operation instructions to the DC-DC converter 145 connected to the battery 144, which causes the device to output power equal to the difference between the busbar power determined by the status identification unit 161 and the required power determined by the required power determination unit 163. In other words, the operation instruction unit 166 is an example of a battery control unit.

[0027] Operation of control device 16 Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device 16 according to the first embodiment. The control device 16 according to the first embodiment executes the control process of the fuel cell 143 shown in Figure 5 at predetermined fuel cell control cycles (for example, several tens of msec). First, the status identification unit 161 of the control device 16 identifies the usage status (load) of each fuel cell 143 by acquiring state quantities from sensors provided on each fuel cell 143 (step S1). Next, the operation quantity acquisition unit 162 acquires operation signals indicating the operation quantities of the vessel 11 and the traction device 13 from an operation device (not shown) (step S2). The required power determination unit 163 determines the power required to operate the vessel 11 and the traction device 13 based on the operation quantities acquired by the operation quantity acquisition unit 162 (step S3).

[0028] Next, the load factor determination unit 164 identifies the integer part N and the remainder V1 of the quotient obtained by dividing the required power determined in step S3 by the power at the maximum efficiency point of each fuel cell 143 (step S4). Since the rated output of the fuel cell 143 is known, the load factor determination unit 164 can determine the power at the maximum efficiency point by multiplying the rated output by the load factor at the maximum efficiency point.

[0029] The load factor determination unit 164 determines whether the integer part N of the quotient is greater than the number M of the fuel cells 143 (step S5). If the integer part N of the quotient is greater than the number M of the fuel cells 143 (step S5: YES), the load factor determination unit 164 identifies the quotient V0 obtained by dividing the required power determined in step S3 by the number M of the fuel cells 143 as the output power (step S6). Then, the operation instruction unit 166 outputs an operation instruction to the DC-DC converter 145 connected to each fuel cell 143 to output the output power V0 identified in step S6 (step S7). In other words, the load factor determination unit 164 determines the operation pattern of the fuel cells 143 to a second operation pattern where N=M.

[0030] On the other hand, if the integer part N of the quotient is less than or equal to the number M of fuel cells 143 (step S5: NO), the load factor determination unit 164 calculates the energy loss when N fuel cells 143 are operated at their maximum efficiency point and one fuel cell outputs a power of V1, based on the integer part N of the quotient and the remainder V1 obtained in step S4 (step S8). In other words, the load factor determination unit 164 calculates the energy loss for the first operating pattern.

[0031] Next, the load factor determination unit 164 identifies the quotient V2 obtained by dividing the required power determined in step S3 by N obtained in step S4 (step S9). The load factor determination unit 164 also calculates the decimal value of the quotient V2. Based on N obtained in step S4 and V2 obtained in step S9, the load factor determination unit 164 calculates the energy loss when N fuel cells 143 are made to output power V2 (step S10). In other words, the load factor determination unit 164 calculates the energy loss for a second operating pattern in which the fuel cells 143 are operated at a load factor exceeding the point of maximum efficiency.

[0032] Next, the load factor determination unit 164 identifies the quotient V3 obtained by dividing the required power determined in step S3 by (N+1) based on N obtained in step S4 (step S11). The load factor determination unit 164 also calculates the decimal value of the quotient V3. Based on N obtained in step S4 and V3 obtained in step S11, the load factor determination unit 164 calculates the energy loss when (N+1) fuel cells 143 are made to output power V3 (step S12). In other words, the load factor determination unit 164 calculates the energy loss for a second operating pattern in which the fuel cells 143 are operated at a load factor below the point of maximum efficiency.

[0033] The load factor determination unit 164 determines the operating pattern for the fuel cell 143 that minimizes energy loss among the operating patterns calculated in steps S8, S10, and S12 (step S13). The load distribution determination unit 165 determines the load factor for each fuel cell 143 based on the load of the fuel cell 143 identified in step S1, such that fuel cells with smaller loads share a higher load factor (step S14). Specifically, if the load factor determination unit 164 determines the first operating pattern in step S8, the load distribution determination unit 165 decides to operate the lower N fuel cells with the lowest usage loads at the point of maximum efficiency, not operate the upper (MN-1) fuel cell with the highest usage loads, and output power V1 to the remaining one. If the load factor determination unit 164 determines the second operating pattern in step S10, the load distribution determination unit 165 decides to output power V2 to the lower N fuel cells with the lowest usage loads, and not operate the rest. If the load factor determination unit 164 determines the second operating pattern in step S12, the load distribution determination unit 165 decides to have the lower N+1 units with the lowest load output power V3, and not operate the rest.

[0034] Furthermore, if the operating pattern and the number of fuel cells 143 to be operated N determined by the load factor determination unit 164 are the same as in the previous determination, the load factor determination unit 165 will not change the load of each fuel cell 143, but will only change the load factor. This prevents frequent changes in load allocation.

[0035] The operation instruction unit 166 outputs an operation instruction to the DC-DC converter 145 connected to the fuel cell 143 according to the workload determined by the workload determination unit 165 and the operation pattern determined by the load factor determination unit 164 (step S15).

[0036] Furthermore, the control device 16, in parallel with the control processing of the fuel cell 143 described above, outputs an operation instruction to the DC-DC converter 145 connected to the battery 144, at a period equivalent to the fuel cell control cycle, to output power equal to the difference between the power of bus B and the required power. The output of the fuel cell 143 does not change instantaneously, but takes several seconds to transition. As described above, by having the battery 144 absorb the difference between the power of bus B and the required power, the power supplied to bus B can be stabilized.

[0037] As described above, the control device 16 according to the first embodiment determines the load factor of each of the multiple fuel cells 143 based on the power requirements of the transport vehicle 10, so as to minimize the total energy loss of each fuel cell 143. This allows the control device 16 to output the necessary power to the multiple fuel cells 143 while operating the multiple fuel cells 143 as a whole with high efficiency.

[0038] Furthermore, the control device 16 according to the first embodiment controls the multiple fuel cells 143 based on the first operating pattern and the second operating pattern that minimize energy loss. This allows the control device 16 to determine the operating pattern of the fuel cells 143 with less computational effort, without having to solve a complex optimization problem in which the load factor of each of the multiple fuel cells 143 is a variable. In other embodiments, the control device 16 may perform calculations including other operating patterns in addition to, or instead of, the first and second operating patterns.

[0039] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the control device 16 determines which fuel cells 143 will not be operated if some of the fuel cells 143 are not in operation, and which fuel cells 143 have a high load. This allows the load to be distributed among the multiple fuel cells 143.

[0040] Furthermore, the transport vehicle 10 according to the first embodiment is equipped with a battery 144, and the control device 16 causes the battery 144 to output the difference between the power output by the multiple fuel cells 143 and the required power. This allows the battery 144 to absorb fluctuations in the load of busbar B caused by switching the output of the fuel cells 143.

[0041] <Second Embodiment> In the first embodiment, the control device 16 calculates energy loss for multiple operating patterns capable of supplying the required power and identifies the operating pattern with the minimum energy loss. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the operating pattern with the minimum energy loss is determined in advance through optimization calculations, and a pattern table for determining the operating pattern from the required power is stored in the control device 16. The control device 16 then identifies the operating pattern based on the pattern table.

[0042] Configuration of the control device 16 Figure 6 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the control device 16 according to the second embodiment. The control device 16 according to the second embodiment further includes a storage unit 167 in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment. The storage unit 167 stores a pattern table associated with the operating pattern that minimizes energy loss when outputting power within a power range for each power range. The operating pattern may be either the first operating pattern or the second operating pattern, as in the first embodiment, or it may include a different pattern. The pattern table also records the number N of fuel cells 143 to be operated. As a result, the load factor determination unit 164 can identify the operating pattern that minimizes energy loss by reading the operating pattern associated with the power range including the required power determined by the required power determination unit 163 from the pattern table.

[0043] Operation of control device 16 Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device 16 according to the second embodiment. The control device 16 according to the second embodiment executes the control process for the fuel cell 143 shown in Figure 7 at predetermined fuel cell control cycles (for example, several tens of msec). First, the status identification unit 161 of the control device 16 identifies the usage status of each fuel cell 143 by acquiring state quantities from sensors provided on each fuel cell 143 (step S21). Next, the operation quantity acquisition unit 162 acquires operation signals indicating the operation quantities of the vessel 11 and the traction device 13 from an operation device (not shown) (step S22). The required power determination unit 163 determines the power required to operate the vessel 11 and the traction device 13 based on the operation quantities acquired by the operation quantity acquisition unit 162 (step S23).

[0044] Next, the load factor determination unit 164 identifies an operating pattern associated with the power range that includes the required power determined in step S23 from the pattern table stored in the memory unit 167 (step S24). The load factor determination unit 164 determines the fuel cell 143 to be operated and the load factor of each fuel cell 143 according to the identified operating pattern (step S25).

[0045] The load allocation determination unit 165 determines the load percentage of each fuel cell 143 based on the load of the fuel cell 143 identified in step S21, such that fuel cells with smaller loads share a higher load percentage (step S26). The operation instruction unit 166 outputs an operation instruction to the DC-DC converter 145 connected to the fuel cell 143 according to the load allocation determined by the load allocation determination unit 165 and the operation pattern determined by the load percentage determination unit 164 (step S27).

[0046] Furthermore, the control device 16, in parallel with the control processing of the fuel cell 143 described above, outputs an operation instruction to the DC-DC converter 145 connected to the battery 144, at a period equivalent to the fuel cell control cycle, to output power equal to the difference between the power of bus B and the required power. The output of the fuel cell 143 does not change instantaneously, but takes several seconds to transition. As described above, by having the battery 144 absorb the difference between the power of bus B and the required power, the power supplied to bus B can be stabilized.

[0047] Thus, the control device 16 according to the second embodiment controls the multiple fuel cells 143 based on the first operating pattern and the second operating pattern that minimize energy loss. As a result, the control device 16 can determine the operating pattern of the fuel cells 143 with less computational effort without having to solve a complex optimization problem in which the load factor of each of the multiple fuel cells 143 is a variable. In other embodiments, the control device 16 may perform calculations including other operating patterns in addition to, or instead of, the first and second operating patterns.

[0048] Furthermore, the control device 16 according to the second embodiment determines the load factor of each of the multiple fuel cells 143 based on the pattern associated with the power range that includes the required power in the pattern table. The pattern table is an example of pattern data, which associates the load factor patterns of each of the multiple fuel cells 143 that minimize energy loss when outputting power within the power range for each power range. As a result, the control device 16 can appropriately determine the load factor of the fuel cells 143 with less computation.

[0049] <Other Embodiments> Although one embodiment has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to that described above, and various design changes are possible. In other embodiments, the order of the above-described processes may be changed as appropriate. Also, some processes may be executed in parallel. The control device 16 according to the above embodiment may be composed of a single computer, or the configuration of the control device 16 may be divided among multiple computers, and the multiple computers may cooperate with each other to function as the control device 16. In this case, some of the computers constituting the control device 16 may be mounted inside the transport vehicle 10, while the other computers may be provided outside the transport vehicle 10.

[0050] In the embodiments described above, a dump truck, which is a transport vehicle 10, was described as an example of a work machine, but it is not limited to this. For example, the work machine in other embodiments may be other work machines such as a hydraulic excavator or a wheel loader.

[0051] In the embodiment described above, the control device 16 selects an operating pattern from a predetermined set of operating patterns that minimizes the energy loss of the fuel cell 143, but is not limited to this. For example, in other embodiments, the control device 16 may calculate the operating pattern that minimizes energy loss online by optimization calculations or the like.

[0052] <Computer Configuration> Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a computer according to at least one embodiment. The computer 50 includes a processor 51, main memory 53, storage 55, and an interface 57. The control device 16 described above is implemented in the computer 50. The operation of each processing unit described above is stored in storage 55 in the form of a program. The processor 51 reads the program from storage 55, loads it into main memory 53, and executes the above processing according to the program. The processor 51 also allocates memory areas in main memory 53 corresponding to each of the above-mentioned storage units according to the program. Examples of the processor 51 include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphic Processing Unit), and a microprocessor.

[0053] The program may be for the purpose of realizing some of the functions that the computer 50 is to perform. For example, the program may perform functions in combination with other programs already stored in storage, or in combination with other programs implemented in other devices. In other embodiments, the computer 50 may be equipped with a custom LSI (Large Scale Integrated Circuit) such as a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) in addition to or instead of the above configuration. Examples of PLDs include PAL (Programmable Array Logic), GAL (Generic Array Logic), CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device), and FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). In this case, some or all of the functions realized by the processor 51 may be realized by the integrated circuit. Such an integrated circuit is also included as an example of a processor.

[0054] Examples of storage 55 include magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, optical disks, and semiconductor memory. Storage 55 may be an internal medium directly connected to the bus of the computer 50, or it may be an external medium connected to the computer 50 via an interface 57 or a communication line. Furthermore, if this program is delivered to the computer 50 via a communication line, the computer 50 that receives the delivery may load the program into the main memory 53 and execute the above processing. In at least one embodiment, storage 55 is a tangible storage medium that is not temporary.

[0055] Furthermore, the program may be intended to implement some of the functions described above. In addition, the program may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that implements the functions described above in combination with other programs already stored in storage 55. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0056] 10... Transport vehicle 11... Vessel 12... Body 13... Running gear 14... Power system 141... Hydrogen tank 142... Hydrogen supply device 143... Fuel cell 144... Battery 145... DC-DC converter 15... Drive system 151... Inverter 152... Pump drive motor 153... Hydraulic pump 154... Hoist cylinder 155... Inverter 156... Travel drive motor 16... Control device 161... Status identification unit 162... Manipulation input unit 163... Required power determination unit 164... Load factor determination unit 165... Load allocation determination unit 166... ​​Operation instruction unit 167... Memory unit

Claims

1. A control device for a work machine comprising a plurality of fuel cells and batteries connected to a busbar, A load factor determination unit that determines the load factor of each of the plurality of fuel cells based on the power requirements of the aforementioned work machine, An operation instruction unit that operates each of the plurality of fuel cells at the determined load rate, A battery control unit that outputs the difference between the power of the busbar and the required power to the battery, Equipped with, The load factor determination unit determines the load factor of N fuel cells among the plurality of fuel cells to the load factor related to the point of maximum efficiency, determines the load factor of the N fuel cells and one other fuel cell to an output power equal to the difference between the required power and the output power of the N fuel cells, and decides not to operate the remaining fuel cells. The required power is determined based on the amount of adjustment used to adjust the posture of the load-carrying member. Control device for industrial machinery.

2. The load factor determination unit, Based on the power requirements of the aforementioned work machine, the load factor of each of the multiple fuel cells is determined such that the sum of the energy losses of the multiple fuel cells is minimized. A control device for a work machine according to claim 1.

3. The load factor determination unit, The load factor of each of the multiple fuel cells is determined so that at least one of the multiple fuel cells is not operated. A control device for a work machine according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The required power is determined based on at least the amount of operation of the dump body. A control device for a work machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A control device for a work machine comprising a plurality of fuel cells and batteries connected to a busbar, A load factor determination unit that determines the load factor of each of the plurality of fuel cells based on the power requirements of the aforementioned work machine, An operation instruction unit that operates each of the plurality of fuel cells at the determined load rate, A battery control unit that outputs the difference between the power of the busbar and the required power to the battery, Equipped with, The load factor determination unit, A pattern in which N fuel cells out of the plurality of fuel cells are operated at a load factor related to the point of maximum efficiency, the N fuel cells and one other fuel cell output power equal to the difference between the required power and the output power of the N fuel cells, and the remaining fuel cells are not operated, and In this pattern, each of the N fuel cells among the aforementioned multiple fuel cells is made to output power obtained by dividing the required power by N, while the remaining fuel cells are not operated. The load factor is calculated for multiple patterns including the above, and the load factor for each of the multiple fuel cells is determined based on the pattern that minimizes the total energy loss of the multiple fuel cells. The required power is determined based on the amount of adjustment used to adjust the posture of the load-carrying member. Control device for industrial machinery.

6. The system includes a storage unit that stores pattern data relating the load factor patterns of each of the multiple fuel cells, which minimize energy loss when outputting power within the power range for each power range. The load factor determination unit determines the load factor of each of the plurality of fuel cells based on the pattern associated with the power range in the pattern data that includes the required power. A control device for a work machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. A status identification unit that identifies the usage status of the plurality of fuel cells, The load factor determination unit determines which of the fuel cells to keep in operation based on the usage conditions when some of the fuel cells are not to be operated. A control device for a work machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A control method for a work machine comprising a plurality of fuel cells and batteries connected to a busbar, The computer determines the load factor of each of the plurality of fuel cells based on the power requirements of the work machine, The computer operates each of the plurality of fuel cells at the determined load rate, The steps include: outputting the difference between the power of the busbar and the required power to the battery; Equipped with, In the step of determining the load factor, the computer determines the load factor of N fuel cells among the plurality of fuel cells to be the load factor related to the point of maximum efficiency, determines the load factor so that the N fuel cells and one other fuel cell can output the difference between the required power and the output power of the N fuel cells, and decides not to operate the remaining fuel cells. The required power is determined based on the amount of adjustment used to adjust the posture of the load-carrying member. A method for controlling industrial machinery.

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