Apparatus and method for controlling fuel cell vehicle charging

Abstract

A charging control device and method for a fuel cell vehicle are disclosed. A charging control device for a fuel cell vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a fuel cell stack; a receptacle module coupled to a hydrogen charging nozzle of a charging station and receiving power; a power storage unit that stores power consumed by the fuel cell stack during charging of the fuel cell stack; a heater connected to the receptacle module and generating heat by receiving power from the power storage unit; and a control unit that controls the heating of the receptacle module by supplying power stored in the power storage unit to the heater when charging of the fuel cell stack is completed.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging control device and method for a fuel cell vehicle, and more specifically, to a charging control device and method for a fuel cell vehicle that prevents freezing of the coupling portion between the receptacle module and the hydrogen charging nozzle of the fuel cell vehicle, thereby enabling easy separation after the charging of the fuel cell vehicle is completed. Background Technology

[0002] In general, hydrogen is gaining attention as an energy source to replace fossil fuels because, when burned, it produces only a very small amount of nitrogen oxides and no other pollutants; it is produced using the nearly infinite amount of water existing on Earth as a raw material, and since it is recycled back into water after use, there is no concern about depletion.

[0003] An example of hydrogen utilization is hydrogen vehicles, which use hydrogen to burn hydrogen or to charge batteries to power motors.

[0004] Meanwhile, a hydrogen vehicle uses a gas charging nozzle to charge hydrogen through the nozzle of a hydrogen charger. The gas charging nozzle is coupled to a receptacle provided in an external device and, in a gas charging nozzle that charges gas into a gas storage unit of the external device, comprises: a nozzle body in which a gas supply pipe for supplying gas is housed and a drive lever operated by a user is hinge-coupled; a drive unit housed inside the nozzle body and generating a reciprocating drive force in a direction toward one end of the nozzle body by the rotational drive force of the drive lever; and a coupling unit disposed at one end of the nozzle body and coupled to or uncoupled from the receptacle provided in the external device by the reciprocating drive force of the drive unit. A gas charging nozzle with this configuration was able to easily and securely connect the charging nozzle to the receptacle.

[0005] However, conventional gas charging nozzles had a problem in that, because hydrogen gas is supplied at sub-zero temperatures, the coupling part could not be separated even after charging was complete because the coupling part would freeze due to moisture contained in the air when it came into contact with external air while the coupling part was connected to the receptacle.

[0006] Prior art related to the present invention includes the "gas filling nozzle" of Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 10-2034518 (published on October 21, 2019). The problem to be solved

[0007] The present invention has been devised to improve upon the aforementioned problems, and the objective of the present invention is to provide a charging control device and method for a fuel cell vehicle that prevents freezing of the connection between the receptacle module of the fuel cell vehicle and the hydrogen charging nozzle, thereby enabling easy separation after the charging of the fuel cell vehicle is completed.

[0008] The problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to the problem(s) mentioned above, and other unmentioned problems will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below. means of solving the problem

[0009] A charging control device for a fuel cell vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a fuel cell stack; a receptacle module coupled to a hydrogen charging nozzle of a charging station and receiving power; a power storage unit that stores power generated using residual hydrogen of the fuel cell stack during charging of the fuel cell stack; a heater connected to the receptacle module and receiving power from the power storage unit to generate heat; and a control unit that controls the heating of the receptacle module by supplying power stored in the power storage unit to the heater when charging of the fuel cell stack is completed.

[0010] In the present invention, the receptacle module may include a receptacle coupled to the hydrogen charging nozzle and a heat diffusion part that heats the receptacle by heat generated from the heater.

[0011] In the present invention, the heat diffusion part may be a heat diffusion plate that dissipates heat generated from the heater.

[0012] In the present invention, the power storage unit may be at least one of a supercapacitor and a battery.

[0013] In the present invention, the heater comprises a single heating plate formed in the shape of a plate, wherein the single heating plate is formed as a resistive element with fuel inlet holes perforated at regular intervals, and power terminals for receiving DC power may be formed at one end and the other end of the single heating plate.

[0014] In the present invention, the heater may have an end in contact with the receptacle module formed of an insulating material, and an end opposite to the receptacle module formed of an insulating material.

[0015] The present invention further includes a COD heater connected to the fuel cell stack, and the control unit can determine whether the fuel cell vehicle is parked or charging when the fuel cell vehicle is turned off, and control the operation of the COD heater or the power storage unit according to the result of the determination.

[0016] In the present invention, the control unit measures the temperature of the heater when power is supplied to the heater, determines whether a failure has occurred in the heater based on the measured temperature, and if it is determined that a failure has occurred in the heater, outputs an alarm or cuts off the power supplied to the heater.

[0017] A charging control method for a fuel cell vehicle according to another aspect of the present invention comprises the steps of: when the fuel cell vehicle is being charged after the fuel cell vehicle is turned off, a control unit storing power generated by residual hydrogen of a fuel cell stack in a power storage unit; and when the charging of the fuel cell vehicle is terminated, the control unit controlling the supply of power stored in the power storage unit to a heater to heat a receptacle module.

[0018] In the present invention, after the fuel cell vehicle is turned off, if the fuel cell vehicle is parked, the control unit can operate the COD heater.

[0019] In the control step of the present invention, the control unit measures the temperature of the heater and determines whether a failure has occurred in the heater based on the measured temperature, and if it is determined that a failure has occurred in the heater, it may output an alarm or cut off the power supplied to the heater. Effects of the invention

[0020] A charging control device and method for a fuel cell vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention can prevent freezing of the coupling part by heating the receptacle module through a heater connected to the receptacle module, thereby allowing the hydrogen charging nozzle to be easily separated.

[0021] A charging control device and method for a fuel cell vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention can reduce power consumption of a charging station by utilizing power consumed in a fuel cell stack during charging of a fuel cell stack.

[0022] A charging control device and method for a fuel cell vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention allows the fuel cell vehicle to thaw the freezing of the coupling part on its own, thereby enabling a charging station to continuously charge multiple fuel cell vehicles and reduce the charging waiting time.

[0023] Meanwhile, the effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and various effects may be included within the scope obvious to a person skilled in the art from the contents described below. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0024] FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 2 are drawings for explaining a charging control system of a fuel cell vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an illustrative diagram for explaining a receptacle module according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a charging control method for a fuel cell vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0025] Hereinafter, a charging control device and method for a fuel cell vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In this process, the thickness of lines or the size of components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of explanation.

[0026] Furthermore, the terms described below are defined in consideration of their functions within the present invention, and these may vary depending on the intent or practice of the user or operator. Therefore, the definitions of these terms should be based on the content throughout this specification.

[0027] Additionally, the implementations described herein may be implemented, for example, as methods or processes, devices, software programs, data streams, or signals. Even if discussed only in the context of a single form of implementation (e.g., discussed only as a method), implementations of the discussed features may also be implemented in other forms (e.g., devices or programs). Devices may be implemented in appropriate hardware, software, and firmware, etc. Methods may be implemented in devices such as processors, which generally refer to processing devices including, for example, computers, microprocessors, integrated circuits, or programmable logic devices. Processors also include communication devices such as computers, cell phones, portable / personal digital assistants ("PDAs"), and other devices that facilitate the communication of information between end-users.

[0029] FIGS. 1 and 2 are drawings for explaining a charging control system of a fuel cell vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an illustrative drawing for explaining a receptacle module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a charging control system for a fuel cell vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a fuel cell charging control device (100) provided in a fuel cell vehicle (10) and a charger (200) provided in a fuel cell charging station.

[0031] A fuel cell vehicle (10) is connected to a charger (200) for hydrogen fuel charging, and the fuel cell vehicle (10) and the charger (200) can transmit and receive hydrogen fuel amount and charging information, etc., via infrared (IR) communication. The infrared (IR) communication performed between the vehicle (10) and the charger (200) during hydrogen charging of the fuel cell vehicle (10) is intended for data communication to transmit and receive data necessary for hydrogen charging control of the vehicle (10).

[0032] The charger (200) is a device that supplies hydrogen gas by installing a hydrogen charging nozzle (230), and may include an infrared communication unit (210, hereinafter referred to as 'IR communication unit'), a hydrogen supply nozzle (230), and a control unit (220).

[0033] The IR communication unit (210) can receive data such as pressure or temperature within the fuel cell charging control device (100) measured in the vehicle (10) through communication with the vehicle (10) while hydrogen is being charged.

[0034] The hydrogen charging nozzle (230) is attached to the end of a hose connected to the main body of the charger (200) so that hydrogen can be injected into the fuel cell vehicle (10) through the receptacle module (120) of the fuel cell vehicle (10). That is, the hydrogen charging nozzle (230) is coupled to the receptacle module (120) of the fuel cell vehicle (10) so that hydrogen can be injected into the fuel cell vehicle (10) through the receptacle module (120). In addition, the hydrogen charging nozzle (230) enables the charger (200) to perform fault tests (e.g., hydrogen leakage, IR communication, etc.) on its own.

[0035] The control unit (220) can inspect the surface condition of the infrared (IR) terminal formed on the hydrogen charging nozzle (230) (e.g., when charging hydrogen in a fuel cell vehicle (10), the infrared (IR) is attached to the infrared (IR) terminal of the receptacle (122) due to the low temperature, so when removing the nozzle (230) after hydrogen charging is complete, there is a problem that the surface of the terminal or the terminal itself is damaged during the process of forcibly detaching the attached infrared (IR) terminal), or it can inspect whether normal communication is possible by performing communication with the infrared (IR) communication unit through the infrared (IR) terminal formed on the hydrogen charging nozzle (230).

[0036] Although not shown in the drawing, the hydrogen charging nozzle (230) may further include a breakaway (not shown), which is a safety device that automatically cuts off the hydrogen supply when the hose connected to the charger (200) is separated by an external force.

[0037] The fuel cell charging control device (100) is a device that controls the charging of hydrogen supplied through the hydrogen charging nozzle (230). At this time, the fuel cell charging control device (100) can prevent the hydrogen charging nozzle (230) from freezing during hydrogen charging.

[0038] The fuel cell charging control device (100) may include a fuel cell stack (110), a receptacle module (120), a COD (Cathode Oxygen Depletion) heater (130), a power storage unit (140), a heater (150), an IR communication unit (170), and a control unit (160).

[0039] The fuel cell stack (110) can generate electricity by receiving hydrogen and cooling water along with air and through a chemical reaction between air and hydrogen.

[0040] The fuel cell stack (110) receives hydrogen through the hydrogen charging nozzle (230) of the charger (200) and can produce electricity using oxygen contained in the air supplied from an air supply device (not shown). When hydrogen is supplied to the anode of the fuel cell stack (110) and oxygen is supplied to the cathode, the hydrogen at the anode is separated into hydrogen ions and electrons, and electricity is produced by the flow of the separated electrons. The hydrogen ions from which electrons have been separated move to the cathode, combine with oxygen, and become water, which is then discharged.

[0041] The COD heater (130) prevents the fuel cell stack (110) from losing durability when operating for a long time below a certain temperature, raises the temperature of the coolant to prevent freezing of the flow path during cold start, and removes residual hydrogen / oxygen from the fuel cell stack (110) when the vehicle (10) is turned off. The COD heater (130) may have a coolant flow path (not shown) connected in parallel with the fuel cell stack (110). Additionally, the COD heater (130) may be a resistor that generates heat by receiving power from a main bus terminal (not shown) connected to the fuel cell stack (110), and can heat the coolant by the heat generated.

[0042] To prevent a decrease in the durability of the fuel cell stack (110) during the start-up / shut-down of the fuel cell charging control device (100), a COD heater (130) can be connected to both terminals of the fuel cell stack (110) to consume the power generated by the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen as thermal energy. The COD heater (130) may generate heat from the main bus terminal to raise the temperature of the coolant when it is necessary to raise the temperature of the coolant, but it may also consume power from the main bus terminal to lower the voltage of the fuel cell stack (110). In particular, the COD heater (130) can be operated to consume power from the main bus terminal when the fuel cell charging control device (100) is started or shut-down, or when regenerative braking is continuously performed when the SOC of the high-voltage battery is sufficient. Accordingly, the control unit (160) can control the COD heater (130) to heat the coolant when a voltage drop of the fuel cell stack (110) is required. At this time, the control unit (160) can adjust the flow rate of the cooling water supplied to the COD heater (130) when the COD heater (130) heats the cooling water.

[0043] The IR communication unit (170) enables the hydrogen charging speed to be controlled by providing data such as pressure or temperature within the fuel cell stack (110) measured in the vehicle (10) to the charger (200) through communication with the charger (200) while hydrogen is being charged.

[0044] The power storage unit (140) can store power consumed by the fuel cell stack (110) during the charging of the fuel cell stack (110). That is, the power storage unit (140) can temporarily store power generated by using residual hydrogen of the fuel cell stack (110) during the charging of the fuel cell stack (110). At this time, the power storage unit (140) can generate power by reacting the residual hydrogen of the fuel cell stack (110) with oxygen, and can temporarily store the generated power. Such a power storage unit (140) can be implemented as at least one of a supercapacitor and a battery.

[0045] The receptacle module (120) is coupled to the hydrogen charging nozzle (230) of the charger (200) to receive hydrogen. This receptacle module (120) may include a receptacle (122) and a thermal diffusion section (124).

[0046] Referring to FIG. 3 regarding the receptacle module (120), the receptacle module (120) may be configured to connect a receptacle (122) outside the vehicle and a heat diffusion part (124) inside the vehicle based on the vehicle body (12).

[0047] The receptacle (122) can be coupled to the hydrogen charging nozzle (230).

[0048] The heat diffusion section (124) can heat the receptacle (122) by heat generated from the heater (150). At this time, the heat diffusion section (124) can perform the role of a heat diffusion plate (or heat dissipation plate) that dissipates heat directly generated from the heating element. The heat diffusion section (124) may be composed of an insulating material.

[0049] A heater (150) can be connected to the receptacle module (120) configured as described above.

[0050] The heater (150) is connected to the receptacle module (120) and can generate heat by receiving power from the power storage unit (140). That is, the heater (150) can generate heat using the power discharged from the power storage unit (140) after the fuel cell stack (110) finishes charging.

[0051] The heater (150) may be a single heating plate formed in the shape of a plate. In this case, the single heating plate may be formed as a resistive element with fuel inlet holes perforated at regular intervals. Power terminals (+, -) may be formed at one end of the single heating plate and at the other end furthest away from it to receive DC power. At least one power switching unit (not shown) may be formed at least at one of the power terminals. The power switching unit may switch off to cut off the power when the temperature exceeds a specified temperature, and switch on to conduct power when the temperature is below the specified temperature.

[0052] The heater (150) may have its end in contact with the heat diffusion portion (124) of the receptacle module (120) coated with an insulating material, and its end opposite to the heat diffusion portion (124) of the receptacle module (120) may be formed with an insulating material.

[0053] When the fuel cell vehicle (10) is turned off, the control unit (160) determines whether the fuel cell vehicle (10) is parked or being charged, and can control the operation of the COD heater (130) or power storage unit (140) according to the result of the determination. At this time, if the connection of the hydrogen charging nozzle (230) to the receptacle module (120) is detected or a charging signal is received from the charger (200), the control unit (160) can determine that the fuel cell vehicle (10) is being charged.

[0054] When the fuel cell vehicle (10) is parked, the control unit (160) can operate the COD heater (130).

[0055] When the fuel cell vehicle (10) is being charged, the control unit (160) can operate the power storage unit (140). That is, the control unit (160) can control the power generated by the residual hydrogen of the fuel cell stack (110) during the charging of the fuel cell stack (110) to be stored in the power storage unit (140). Additionally, when the charging of the fuel cell stack (110) is complete, the control unit (160) can control the power stored in the power storage unit (140) to be supplied to the heater (150) to heat the receptacle module (120). At this time, the control unit (160) can determine that the charging of the fuel cell stack (110) is complete if it detects the completion of charging on its own or receives a signal of completion of charging from the IR communication unit of the charger (200).

[0056] When the receptacle module (120) is heated, the heat of the receptacle module (120) is transferred to the joint portion connected to the hydrogen charging nozzle (230), thereby preventing freezing of the joint portion and allowing the hydrogen charging nozzle (230) to be easily separated.

[0057] When power is supplied to the heater (150) from the power storage unit (140), the control unit (160) measures the temperature of the heater (150) and determines whether a failure has occurred in the heater (150) based on the measured heater temperature. If the temperature of the heater (150) deviates from a preset range, the control unit (160) may determine that a failure has occurred in the heater (150). If it is determined that a failure has occurred in the heater (150), the control unit (160) may output an alarm or cut off the power supplied to the heater (150).

[0058] Meanwhile, although not shown in the drawings, the fuel cell charging control device (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a pressure regulating unit (not shown), a cooling unit (not shown), and an information output unit (not shown). The pressure regulating unit can regulate the pressure to store power supplied from the hydrogen charging nozzle (230) through the receptacle module (120) in the fuel cell stack (110). The cooling unit can cool the fuel cell stack (110) to lower the temperature rising during the process of regulating the pressure to store hydrogen in the fuel cell stack, according to the control of the control unit (160). The information output unit can output the hydrogen charging status or the self-inspection result when charging hydrogen to the fuel cell vehicle (10) or when performing a self-inspection in the fuel cell charging control device (100), according to the control of the control unit (160).

[0060] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a charging control method for a fuel cell vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 4, when the fuel cell vehicle (10) is turned off (S410), the control unit (160) determines whether the fuel cell vehicle (10) is being charged (S420). At this time, if a hydrogen charging nozzle (230) is connected to the receptacle module (120) or a charging signal is received from the charger (200), the control unit (160) can determine that the fuel cell vehicle (10) is being charged.

[0062] If, as a result of the judgment in step S420, the fuel cell vehicle (10) is being charged, the control unit (160) controls the power generated by the residual hydrogen of the fuel cell stack (110) to be stored in the power storage unit (140) (S430). At this time, the power storage unit (140) can temporarily store the power generated using the residual hydrogen of the fuel cell stack (110).

[0063] When S430 is performed, the control unit (160) determines whether the charging of the fuel cell vehicle (10) has ended (S440). At this time, if the control unit (160) detects the completion of charging on its own or receives a charging completion signal from the charger (200), it can determine that the charging of the fuel cell stack (110) has ended (completed).

[0064] When the charging of the fuel cell vehicle (10) is finished as a result of the judgment in step S440, the control unit (160) supplies power stored in the power storage unit (140) to the heater (150) (S450) to heat the receptacle module (120) (S460). At this time, the heater (150) generates heat with the power supplied from the power storage unit (140), and the generated heat can heat the receptacle module (120).

[0065] When step S460 is performed, the frozen hydrogen charging nozzle is thawed (S470). That is, when the receptacle module (120) is heated, the heat of the receptacle module (120) is transferred to the joint connected to the hydrogen charging nozzle (230), thereby preventing the joint from freezing and allowing the hydrogen charging nozzle (230) to be easily separated.

[0066] If, as a result of the judgment in step S420, the fuel cell vehicle (10) is not charging, the control unit (160) determines that it is parked and operates the COD heater (130) (S480).

[0068] As described above, in a fuel cell vehicle charging control device and method according to one embodiment of the present invention, when the receptacle module (120) is heated through a heater (150) connected to the receptacle module (120), the heat of the receptacle module (120) is transferred to a coupling part coupled with a hydrogen charging nozzle (230), thereby preventing freezing of the coupling part and allowing the hydrogen charging nozzle (230) to be easily separated.

[0069] A charging control device and method for a fuel cell vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention can reduce power consumption of a charging station by utilizing power consumed in a fuel cell stack (110) during charging of a fuel cell stack (110).

[0070] A charging control device and method for a fuel cell vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention allows the fuel cell vehicle to thaw the freezing of the coupling part on its own, thereby enabling a charging station to continuously charge multiple fuel cell vehicles and reduce the charging waiting time.

[0071] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, this is merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent alternative embodiments are possible therefrom.

[0072] Therefore, the true technical scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the following patent claims. Explanation of the symbols

[0073] 100: Fuel cell charging control unit 110: Fuel cell stack 120 : Receptacle Module 122 : Receptacle 124 : Thermal diffusion section 130 : COD heater 140: Power storage unit 150 : Heater 160, 220 : Control unit 170, 210 : IR Communications Unit 200 : Charger

Claims

Claim 1 A charging control device for a fuel cell vehicle comprising: a fuel cell stack; a receptacle module coupled to a hydrogen charging nozzle of a charging station that supplies hydrogen to the fuel cell stack and receives power; a power storage unit that stores power generated using residual hydrogen of the fuel cell stack during charging of the fuel cell stack; a heater connected to the receptacle module and generating heat by receiving power from the power storage unit; and a control unit that controls the heating of the receptacle module by supplying power stored in the power storage unit to the heater when charging of the fuel cell stack is completed, wherein the control unit measures the temperature of the heater when power is supplied to the heater, determines whether a failure has occurred in the heater based on the measured temperature, and outputs an alarm or cuts off the power supplied to the heater when it is determined that a failure has occurred in the heater. Claim 2 A charging control device for a fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle module comprises: a receptacle coupled to the hydrogen charging nozzle; and a heat diffusion part that heats the receptacle by heat generated from the heater. Claim 3 A charging control device for a fuel cell vehicle, characterized in that, in paragraph 2, the heat diffusion part is a heat diffusion plate that dissipates heat generated from the heater. Claim 4 A charging control device for a fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the power storage unit is at least one of a supercapacitor and a battery. Claim 5 A charging control device for a fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the heater comprises a single heating plate formed in the shape of a plate, wherein the single heating plate is formed as a resistive element with fuel inlet holes perforated at regular intervals, and power terminals for receiving DC power are formed at one end and the other end of the single heating plate. Claim 6 A charging control device for a fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the heater is characterized in that the end contacting the receptacle module is formed of an insulating material, and the end opposite the receptacle module is formed of an insulating material. Claim 7 A charging control device for a fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a COD (Cathode Oxygen Depletion) heater connected to the fuel cell stack, wherein the control unit determines whether the fuel cell vehicle is parked or charging when the fuel cell vehicle is turned off, and controls the operation of the COD heater or the power storage unit according to the result of the determination. Claim 8 delete Claim 9 A method for controlling the charging of a fuel cell vehicle, comprising: a step in which, when the fuel cell vehicle is being charged after the fuel cell vehicle is turned off, a control unit stores power generated by residual hydrogen of the fuel cell stack in a power storage unit; and a step in which, when the charging of the fuel cell vehicle is terminated, the control unit controls the supply of power stored in the power storage unit to a heater to heat a receptacle module, wherein in the controlling step, the control unit measures the temperature of the heater, determines whether a failure has occurred in the heater based on the measured temperature, and if it is determined that a failure has occurred in the heater, outputs an alarm or cuts off the power supplied to the heater. Claim 10 A charging control method for a fuel cell vehicle according to claim 9, further comprising the step of the control unit operating a COD heater when the fuel cell vehicle is parked after the fuel cell vehicle is turned off. Claim 11 delete

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