Hydrogen generation amount adjustment device, and vehicle hydrogen generator having same

Abstract

According to one embodiment, a vehicle hydrogen generator having a hydrogen generation amount adjustment device may comprise a PEM water electrolysis stack for generating hydrogen by electrolyzing water, wherein the PEM water electrolysis stack includes: a water tank for storing water for generating hydrogen through electrolysis; an electrolysis cell for generating hydrogen by electrolyzing the water provided from the water tank; a water separator which removes moisture contained in the hydrogen provided from the electrolysis cell and which provides the removed moisture to the water tank; and a control unit electrically connected to the electrolysis cell and the water tank.

Description

Hydrogen generation control device and hydrogen generator for vehicles equipped therewith

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a device for controlling the amount of hydrogen generated and a hydrogen generator for a vehicle equipped with the same.

[0002]

[0003] Demand for renewable energy has surged recently, and research into it is actively underway. Research and development are underway on a new form of energy storage: utilizing surplus electrical energy from renewable sources like solar, wind, and tidal power in electrolysis stacks to produce hydrogen. This hydrogen is then stored and supplied to fuel cells for use when needed.

[0004] Most of the hydrogen used here to realize a modern hydrogen society is gray hydrogen, which is extracted hydrogen made by reforming by-product hydrogen and flue gas produced as by-products of petrochemical processes.

[0005] However, gray hydrogen falls far short of addressing the emerging environmental issues of reducing carbon emissions. Instead, the most widely recognized method of producing hydrogen is water electrolysis, which produces pure hydrogen without emitting carbon dioxide or other pollutants. To this end, various water electrolysis methods are being developed, depending on the operating environment and technology.

[0006] Electrolysis of water uses water and electricity to produce hydrogen and oxygen. The resulting emissions are hydrogen and oxygen, with the hydrogen being of high purity (99.9%↑). Therefore, electrolysis is the optimal method for reducing carbon emissions, a key requirement of the current hydrogen economy.

[0007] Meanwhile, research is actively underway on eco-friendly energy sources, particularly vehicles powered by electricity or hydrogen. In particular, powering vehicles with hydrogen, an eco-friendly energy source, can reduce environmental impact. Therefore, appropriately controlling the hydrogen generator, which generates hydrogen fuel for vehicles, based on vehicle conditions to adjust the amount of hydrogen generated can improve fuel efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

[0008]

[0009] Existing internal combustion engine vehicles powered by petroleum compounds emit carbon compounds and harmful gases during fuel combustion, posing numerous problems in terms of environmental pollution and energy efficiency. The goal is to address these issues by producing hydrogen using a vehicle hydrogen generator.

[0010] Meanwhile, the control unit, which monitors and controls the vehicle's electrical operating status, can obtain various information, including vehicle speed and RPM, depending on the vehicle's manufacturer, model, year, and fuel type. Based on this information, a control box (e.g., a control unit) tailored to the vehicle may be required.

[0011] Furthermore, hydrogen generator specifications for each vehicle can vary depending on vehicle information such as manufacturer, model, year, and fuel type. Consequently, each vehicle must be equipped with a separate hydrogen generator tailored to its specific needs. Consequently, vehicle types can vary widely depending on various factors, requiring separate hydrogen generators for each vehicle, resulting in significant cost implications.

[0012] Additionally, the hydrogen generator inside the vehicle is activated when the vehicle is started and begins to move. However, currently, a vibration sensor is separately installed in the vehicle's engine, and the operation of the hydrogen generator is determined based on the engine operation status through the vibration sensor. This can cause problems such as the inconvenience of having to install a vibration sensor separately in the vehicle's engine and the spatial constraints caused by the additional installation of electronic components.

[0013] Therefore, rather than equipping hydrogen generators individually for each vehicle type, such as manufacturer, model, year, and fuel type, it is necessary to simplify the types of hydrogen generators equipped in vehicles by equipping hydrogen generators regardless of vehicle type and appropriately controlling the amount of hydrogen generated by the hydrogen generator according to the condition of the vehicle.

[0014] Additionally, a method is needed to resolve the problem of spatial constraints due to additional mounting of electronic components by controlling the hydrogen generator by determining whether the vehicle's generator is operating without installing a separate vibration sensor on the vehicle's engine.

[0015] The various embodiments disclosed in this document can provide methods and devices for solving the problems described above.

[0016]

[0017] According to one embodiment, a vehicle hydrogen generator having a hydrogen generation amount control device may include a PEM water electrolysis stack that generates hydrogen by electrolyzing water, a water tank in which the PEM water electrolysis stack stores water for generating hydrogen by electrolysis, an electrolytic cell that generates hydrogen by electrolyzing the water provided from the water tank, a water separator that removes moisture contained in the hydrogen provided from the electrolytic cell and provides the removed moisture to the water tank, and a control unit electrically connected to the electrolytic cell and the water tank. According to one embodiment, the vehicle hydrogen generator may include a GPS electrically connected to the control unit, and a slope sensor electrically connected to the control unit. According to one embodiment, the control unit may obtain speed data indicating a speed of the hydrogen-fueled vehicle through the GPS, obtain slope data indicating a slope between the hydrogen-fueled vehicle and the ground through the slope sensor, and may control the amount of hydrogen generated through the PEM water electrolysis stack based on at least one of the speed data and the slope data.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the vehicle hydrogen generator may include an ACC power supply electrically connected to the internal combustion engine. The control unit may determine whether the internal combustion engine is operating based on the ACC power supply, and may generate the hydrogen using the PEM electrolysis stack only when the internal combustion engine is operating.

[0019] According to one embodiment, when the speed data is first speed data corresponding to a first speed section, the control unit generates hydrogen in the amount of the first hydrogen generation using the PEM electrolysis stack, when the speed data is second speed data corresponding to a second speed section, the control unit generates hydrogen in the amount of the second hydrogen generation using the PEM electrolysis stack, and when the speed data is third speed data corresponding to a third speed section, the control unit generates hydrogen in the amount of the third hydrogen generation using the PEM electrolysis stack, and the third speed data may be greater than the second speed data, the second speed data may be greater than the first speed data, the first hydrogen generation amount may be greater than the second hydrogen generation amount, and the second hydrogen generation amount may be greater than the third hydrogen generation amount.

[0020] According to one embodiment, when the slope data is first slope data corresponding to a first slope section, the control unit generates hydrogen equivalent to a fourth hydrogen generation amount using the PEM electrolysis stack, when the slope data is second slope data corresponding to a second slope section, the control unit generates hydrogen equivalent to a fifth hydrogen generation amount using the PEM electrolysis stack, and when the slope data is third slope data corresponding to a third slope section, the control unit generates hydrogen equivalent to a sixth hydrogen generation amount using the PEM electrolysis stack, and the first slope data may be greater than the second slope data, the second slope data may be greater than the first slope data, the fourth hydrogen generation amount may be greater than the fifth hydrogen generation amount, and the fifth hydrogen generation amount may be greater than the sixth hydrogen generation amount.

[0021] According to one embodiment, when the control unit determines the amount of hydrogen generated based on the speed data and the slope data, a weight of a first value and a weight of a second value are applied to each of the speed data and the slope data based on the slope data, and the amount of hydrogen generated through the PEM electrolysis stack can be adjusted based on the speed data to which the weight of the first value is applied and the slope data to which the weight of the second value is applied.

[0022]

[0023] Rather than installing hydrogen generators individually for each vehicle type, such as manufacturer, model, year, and fuel type, a hydrogen generator is installed regardless of the vehicle type, and the amount of hydrogen generated by the hydrogen generator is appropriately controlled according to the vehicle's condition, thereby simplifying the types of hydrogen generators installed in vehicles and eliminating the hassle of having to install a hydrogen generator that suits each vehicle type.

[0024] By controlling the hydrogen generator by determining whether the vehicle is starting without installing a separate vibration sensor in the vehicle's engine, the problem of space constraints due to additional electronic components can be resolved.

[0025] In addition, various effects may be provided directly or indirectly through the present disclosure.

[0026]

[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration diagram of a vehicle interior including a PEM electrolysis stack device, GPS, and an inclination sensor according to one embodiment.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a drawing detailing the movement of electrical signals and fluids between components of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment.

[0029] Figure 3 is a drawing detailing the configuration of an input / output unit connected to a control unit according to one embodiment.

[0030] In connection with the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for identical or similar components.

[0031]

[0032] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and it should be understood that the present invention encompasses various modifications, equivalents, and / or alternatives of the embodiments.

[0033] Below, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the invention. However, the present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In addition, in the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted for clarity of description, and similar parts are designated with similar reference numerals throughout the specification.

[0034] Throughout the specification, when a part is said to "include" a component, this does not exclude other components, but rather implies the inclusion of other components, unless otherwise specifically stated. Furthermore, terms such as "part," "unit," and "module" used in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0035] In this document, the expressions “has”, “may have”, “includes”, or “may include” indicate the presence of a feature (e.g., a number, function, operation, or component such as a part), and do not exclude the presence of additional features.

[0036] In this document, the expressions “A or B,” “at least one of A and / or B,” or “one or more of A or / and B” can include all possible combinations of the listed items. For example, “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” or “at least one of A or B” can all refer to cases where (1) at least one A is included, (2) at least one B is included, or (3) at least one A and at least one B are included.

[0037] The terms “first,” “second,” “first,” or “second” used in this document may describe various components, regardless of order and / or importance, and are only used to distinguish one component from another, without limiting the components. For example, “first user device” and “second user device” may refer to different user devices, regardless of order or importance. For example, without departing from the scope of the rights set forth in this document, “first component” may be referred to as “second component,” and similarly, “second component” may be referred to as “first component.”

[0038] Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be "connected" to another part, this includes not only the case where it is "directly connected" but also the case where it is "electrically connected" with another element in between. Furthermore, when a part is said to "include" a component, this should be understood to mean that, unless specifically stated to the contrary, it may include other components rather than excluding them, and does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0039]

[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration diagram of the interior of a vehicle (10) including a PEM electrolysis stack device (100), a GPS (107), and a tilt sensor (108) according to one embodiment.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle (10) may include a PEM electrolysis stack device (100), an internal combustion engine (105), an air pollution reduction device (106), a GPS (107), and a tilt sensor (108). The vehicle (10) may have improved fuel efficiency of the internal combustion engine (105) compared to when the internal combustion engine (105) is operated without the PEM electrolysis stack device (100), and the improved fuel efficiency may significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions of the vehicle.

[0042] For example, in the case of an internal combustion engine vehicle using gasoline, if a PEM electrolysis stack device (100) is installed together with the internal combustion engine (105), fuel efficiency can be improved by about 10 to 20%.

[0043] For another example, in the case of an internal combustion engine vehicle that uses diesel fuel, if a PEM electrolysis stack device (100) is installed together with the internal combustion engine (105), fuel efficiency can be improved by about 10 to 15%.

[0044] As another example, in the case of an internal combustion engine vehicle using LPG, when a PEM electrolysis stack device (100) is installed together with the internal combustion engine (105), fuel efficiency can be improved by about 10 to 15%.

[0045] According to one embodiment, a vehicle hydrogen generator system may refer to a PEM electrolysis stack device (100) that refers to a vehicle fuel efficiency improvement device or a hydrogen generation amount control device. By introducing the vehicle hydrogen generator system to an internal combustion engine vehicle, the fuel efficiency of the vehicle (10) can be improved compared to existing vehicles.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the PEM electrolysis stack device (100) may include a control unit (101), an electrolysis cell (102), a water tank (103), and a water separator (104). The components inside the vehicle (10) may not be limited to those shown in FIG. 1. For example, the connection relationship between the internal components of the PEM electrolysis stack device (100) may be connected in a different form than that shown in FIG. 1.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the electrolytic cell (102) is a core component of the PEM electrolysis stack device (100) and may be a container used for electrolysis. The container may contain electrodes and an electrolyte.

[0048] According to one embodiment, electrolysis stack technology can be classified according to the type of ions transferred and the type of electrolyte used. AEC electrolysis stack technology is a technology that uses an alkaline liquid as an electrolyte and transfers anions through a membrane. On the other hand, PEM electrolysis stack technology is a technology that uses a polymer electrolyte as an electrolyte and transfers cations through a membrane. AEM electrolysis stack technology is a technology that uses an anion exchange membrane as an electrolyte and transfers anions through a membrane.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the water tank (103) can store water, and the stored water can be provided to the electrolysis cell (102) via the control unit (101). The water can be subjected to electrolysis to secure hydrogen. The water tank (103) can receive separated water from the water separator (104).

[0050] According to one embodiment, the water separator (104) may be a device for separating water (or moisture), which is an impurity, from hydrogen gas and oxygen gas generated after water is electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell (102). The water separator (104) may separate the water (or moisture), which is an impurity, and provide it to a water tank (103). The water separator (104) may provide hydrogen gas and oxygen gas, from which the impurities have been removed, to an internal combustion engine (105).

[0051] According to one embodiment, the control unit (101) can collect various information about various electronic components inside the vehicle (10) by transmitting and receiving electric signals to and from the various electronic components, and can control the electronic components based on the various information.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the control unit (101) may be electrically and / or operationally connected to a GPS (107) and an inclination sensor (108). The GPS (Global Positioning System, 107) is a system that measures a location on the Earth using satellites. The GPS (107) is connected to the control unit (101) and may transmit various data measured by the GPS (107) to the control unit (101). The GPS (107) may obtain various data such as the location, speed, velocity, and direction of the vehicle (10), and may transmit the various data to the control unit (101).

[0053] According to one embodiment, the incline sensor (Incinometer, 108) may be a sensor that measures the incline or slope of an object, measures how much the object is inclined from a horizontal state, and can obtain data on the angle or degree of incline. The incline sensor (107) is connected to the control unit (101) and can transmit various data measured by the incline sensor (107) to the control unit (101). The incline sensor (107) can obtain data on the angle or degree of incline between the vehicle (10) and the ground, and can transmit the obtained data to the control unit (101).

[0054] According to one embodiment, the tilt sensor (107) may include an accelerometer-based sensor, an electrolysis sensor, and a magnetometer-based sensor. An accelerometer-based sensor may be a sensor that measures a force acting in the direction of gravity using an accelerometer. When an object is tilted, the force of gravity acts on a different axis within the sensor, and the tilt can be calculated by detecting this change. An electrolysis-based sensor is configured in a form in which electrodes are arranged in an electrolyte liquid, and when the tilt changes, the electrolyte liquid moves, and the electrical resistance between the electrodes changes, and the tilt angle can be calculated by measuring this change. A magnetometer-based sensor measures the tilt of an object using a magnet and a magnetic field, and a change in the magnetic field occurs according to the tilt of the object, and the tilt can be calculated by detecting this. A magnetometer-based sensor can be used together with an accelerometer-based sensor to improve accuracy.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the control unit (101) can control the PEM electrolysis stack device or the hydrogen generation device based on speed data for the speed of the vehicle (10) measured by GPS (107) and slope data for the vehicle (10) and the ground measured by a slope sensor (108), and can adjust the amount of hydrogen generated or the amount of hydrogen generated based on the control.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the GPS (107) can obtain first speed data of the vehicle (10) included in the first speed range. The GPS (107) can transmit the first speed data to the control unit (101). The control unit (101) can control the PEM electrolysis stack device (100) based on the first speed data obtained from the GPS (107), thereby adjusting the hydrogen generation amount to the first hydrogen generation amount. The first speed range can be a speed of the vehicle (10) of 10 to 80 km / h.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the GPS (107) can obtain second speed data of the vehicle (10) included in the second speed range. The GPS (107) can transmit the second speed data to the control unit (101). The control unit (101) can control the PEM electrolysis stack device (100) based on the second speed data obtained from the GPS (107) to adjust the hydrogen generation amount to the second hydrogen generation amount. The second hydrogen generation amount may be smaller than the first hydrogen generation amount. For example, the first hydrogen generation amount may be the maximum hydrogen generation amount of the vehicle (10), and the second hydrogen generation amount may be a value corresponding to 50% of the maximum hydrogen generation amount. The second speed range may be a speed of the vehicle (10) of 80 to 150 km / h.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the GPS (107) can obtain third speed data of the vehicle (10) included in the third speed range. The GPS (107) can transmit the third speed data to the control unit (101). The control unit (101) can control the PEM electrolysis stack device (100) based on the third speed data obtained from the GPS (107) to adjust the hydrogen generation amount to the third hydrogen generation amount. The third hydrogen generation amount may be smaller than the second hydrogen generation amount. For example, the third hydrogen generation amount may be a value corresponding to 20% of the maximum hydrogen generation amount. The third speed range may be a speed of the vehicle (10) of 150 to 200 km / h.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the incline sensor (108) can obtain first incline data regarding the slope between the vehicle (10) and the ground corresponding to the first incline section. The incline sensor (108) can transmit the first incline data to the control unit (101). The control unit (101) can control the PEM electrolysis stack device (100) based on the first incline data to adjust the hydrogen generation amount to a fourth hydrogen generation amount. The fourth hydrogen generation amount may be the same as the first hydrogen generation amount. The first incline section may mean an angle of 10 to 60 degrees between the vehicle (10) and the ground.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the incline sensor (108) can obtain second incline data regarding the slope between the vehicle (10) and the ground corresponding to the second incline section. The incline sensor (108) can transmit the second incline data to the control unit (101). Based on the second incline data, the control unit (101) can control the PEM electrolysis stack device (100) to adjust the hydrogen generation amount to the fifth hydrogen generation amount. The second incline section may mean an angle of 5 to 10 degrees between the vehicle (10) and the ground. The fifth hydrogen generation amount may mean 70% of the maximum hydrogen generation amount.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the incline sensor (108) can obtain third incline data regarding the slope between the vehicle (10) and the ground corresponding to the third incline section. The incline sensor (108) can transmit the third incline data to the control unit (101). Based on the third incline data, the control unit (101) can control the PEM electrolysis stack device (100) to adjust the hydrogen generation amount to the sixth hydrogen generation amount. The third incline section may mean an angle of 0 to 5 degrees between the vehicle (10) and the ground. The sixth hydrogen generation amount may be the same as the second hydrogen generation amount.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the control unit (101) can control the amount of hydrogen generated by controlling the PEM electrolysis stack device (100) by considering both the speed data acquired through GPS (107) and the slope data acquired through the slope sensor (108).

[0063] According to one embodiment, the control unit (101) can determine slope data and speed data in sequence. The control unit (101) can first obtain slope data, and determine the proportions of slope data and speed data for controlling the amount of hydrogen generated based on the value of the slope data. For example, when the slope data is first slope data corresponding to a first slope section, the control unit (101) can set the proportions of slope data and speed data for controlling the amount of hydrogen generated to a first value and a second value, respectively. The first value may mean 70%, and the second value may mean 30%. That is, when the control unit (101) is the first slope data, the control unit (101) can multiply the first hydrogen generation amount expected to be generated by the first value proportion, and multiply the expected hydrogen generation amount according to the measured speed data by the second value proportion, thereby determining the final amount of hydrogen generated. For example, in the case of first slope data corresponding to the first slope section and first speed data corresponding to the first speed section, the final hydrogen generation amount can be determined by multiplying the fourth hydrogen generation amount according to the first slope data by 70% and multiplying the first hydrogen generation amount according to the first speed data by 30%.

[0064] According to one embodiment, when the slope data is second slope data corresponding to the second slope section, the control unit (101) may set the proportions of the slope data and the speed data for controlling the hydrogen generation amount to a third value, respectively. The third value may mean 50%. For example, when the slope data is second, the control unit (101) may multiply the fifth hydrogen generation amount expected according to the second slope data by 50%, which is the proportion of the third value, and multiply the second hydrogen generation amount expected according to the second speed data by 50%, which is the proportion of the third value, to determine the final hydrogen generation amount.

[0065] According to one embodiment, when the slope data is third slope data corresponding to the third slope section, the control unit (101) can set the proportions of the slope data and the speed data for controlling the hydrogen generation amount to the second value and the first value, respectively. For example, when the slope data is third, the control unit (101) can multiply the sixth hydrogen generation amount expected according to the third slope data by 30%, which is the proportion of the second value, and multiply the third hydrogen generation amount expected according to the third speed data by 70%, which is the proportion of the first value, to determine the final hydrogen generation amount.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the water tank (103) may include a heating coil and a temperature sensor therein. The temperature sensor may measure the temperature of the water inside the water tank (103) in real time. Based on the measured temperature of the water, the control unit (101) may control the heating coil. For example, the heating coil may be controlled so that the temperature of the water measured by the temperature sensor is maintained at 5 degrees Celsius.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the vehicle's (10) engine may be connected to the vehicle's ACC power. Whether the vehicle's (10) engine is turned on can be determined by whether power is supplied from the ACC power, and the hydrogen generation device can be operated only when the engine is turned on.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the control unit (101) can control the temperature sensor to measure the temperature of the water inside the water tank (103) at specified time intervals through the temperature sensor, and can control the temperature of the water by controlling the heating coil only when the number of times the measured water temperature is 5 degrees Celsius or higher at room temperature is a specified number of times (e.g., 3 times).

[0069] According to one embodiment, the internal combustion engine (105) may refer to a vehicle engine that operates using fossil fuels (e.g., gasoline, diesel, etc.). The internal combustion engine (105) may be connected to a PEM electrolysis stack device (100). The internal combustion engine (105) may be driven by utilizing electricity generated by the reaction of hydrogen provided from the PEM electrolysis stack device (100) with oxygen in the air, thereby improving fuel efficiency compared to when the engine is driven using only fossil fuels without using the hydrogen. Although not illustrated in FIG. 1, hydrogen gas provided from the PEM electrolysis stack device (100) may react with oxygen in the air that is separately injected to generate electricity and heat, and the generated electricity may drive the vehicle (particularly the internal combustion engine (105)), thereby improving fuel efficiency of the vehicle, and reducing carbon dioxide emissions through improved fuel efficiency. The internal combustion engine (105) can transmit smoke (or exhaust gas) generated while driving the internal combustion engine (105) to a pollution reduction device (106).

[0070] According to one embodiment, the pollution reduction device (106) may include a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) facility and a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). The Selective Catalytic Reduction facility may be a device that purifies exhaust gas of a diesel engine. The Diesel Particulate Filter is a pollution reduction device of a diesel engine and may be a device that performs the function of reducing fine dust emissions from exhaust fumes of a vehicle. The pollution reduction device (107) may process exhaust fumes (or exhaust gas) provided from an internal combustion engine (105) and then discharge them outside the vehicle. The processing may refer to a task of purifying the exhaust fumes (or exhaust gas).

[0071] According to one embodiment, the pollution reduction device (106) may include a DPF operation sensor, and the DPF operation sensor may detect whether the pollution reduction device is operating. The pollution reduction device (106) may perform data communication with the control unit (101) and transmit detection data detected through the DPF operation sensor to the control unit (101). The control unit (101) may control the fuel reduction device using the detection data provided from the pollution reduction device (106).

[0072]

[0073] FIG. 2 is a drawing detailing the movement of electrical signals and fluids between components of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 2, a PEM stack device (100) is provided inside a vehicle (10), and electricity is generated using hydrogen gas generated through the PEM electrolysis stack device (100), and the generated electricity can be used to drive an internal combustion engine (105).

[0075] According to one embodiment, the vehicle (10) may include a control box (or control unit) (101), an electrolytic cell (102), a water tank (103), a water separator (104), an internal combustion engine (105), an air pollution reduction device (106), a GPS (10), and a tilt sensor (108). The components of the vehicle (10) may not be limited to the components illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the water tank (103) can store water, which is a material for generating hydrogen through electrolysis. The water tank (103) can transfer the water to the control unit (101). The control unit (101) can include a water flow control module, and can provide the water stored in the water tank (103) to the electrolysis cell (102) through the water flow control module. The electrolysis cell (102) can electrolyze the provided water to generate oxygen gas and hydrogen gas. The electrolysis cell (102) can generate the oxygen gas and the hydrogen gas, and provide the remaining water back to the water tank (103). The electrolysis cell (102) can provide the oxygen gas and the hydrogen gas to the water exchanger (104). The water exchanger (104) can capture moisture to remove impurities (e.g., moisture) contained in the oxygen gas and the hydrogen gas provided from the electrolysis cell (102). The water exchanger (104) can condense the captured moisture and provide it to the water tank (103).

[0077] According to one embodiment, the remaining oxygen gas and hydrogen gas after removing impurities in the water exchanger (104) can be provided to an internal combustion engine (105). In the process of providing the oxygen gas and hydrogen gas to the internal combustion engine (105), air can be injected through the air inlet (201).

[0078] According to one embodiment, the control unit (101) may include an electrical signal module capable of transmitting and receiving electrical signals and may be electrically connected to a water tank (103). The electrical signal module of the control unit (101) may electrically control to supply water from the water tank (103) to the electrolytic cell (102). The control unit (101) may be operatively and / or electrically connected to an OBD (106), a GPS (107), and an inclination sensor (108), and may be supplied with power from an external source.

[0079]

[0080] Figure 3 is a drawing that explains in detail the configuration of an input / output unit connected to a control unit (101) according to one embodiment.

[0081] Referring to FIG. 3, the control unit (101) may be operatively and / or electrically connected to a wireless communication (503), an input control unit (310), and an output control unit (320). The input control unit (310) may include a current recognition sensor (511), a temperature sensor (512), and a water level sensor (513). The output control unit (320) may include a stack operating power source (321), a hydrogen gas flow meter (322), a heating coil power source (323), a water pump (324), a hydrogen gas leak detection sensor (325), and a heat exchanger (326).

[0082] According to one embodiment, the components connected to the control unit (101) illustrated in FIG. 3 can be divided into those for vehicles and those for boilers.

[0083] According to one embodiment, in the case of a vehicle, the current recognition sensor (511) of the input control unit (310) can recognize current through a generator (vehicle generator). The temperature sensor (512) of the input control unit (310) can operate only when the water temperature inside the water tank (103) is 5 degrees or higher than the room temperature. The water level sensor (513) can check whether the water level inside the water tank (103) is 10% or higher of the total. The output control unit (320) can change the stack operation power (321) from 12 V to 9 V when the stack is 300 to 600 ml / min. The output control unit (320) can change the stack operation power (321) from 24 V to 15 V when the stack is 800 to 1200 ml / min. The flow rate of hydrogen gas measured through the hydrogen gas flow meter (322) may be 25 L / min. The freeze-prevention heating coil power source (323) may be operated based on the temperature of the water inside the water tank (103) being 5 degrees Celsius at room temperature. The water pump (324) may be operated at 12 V. The hydrogen gas leak detection sensor (325) may determine whether hydrogen gas is leaking based on 1000 ppm. The heat exchanger (326) may be a small 60-pi ventilator. The wireless communication (503) may refer to a Bluetooth antenna inside the product and the driver's mobile phone.

[0084] According to one embodiment, in the case of a boiler, the stack operation power (321) of the output control unit (320) can be changed from 220V to 24V when the stack is 1500 to 3000ml / min. The stack operation power (321) of the output control unit (320) can be changed from 220V to 48V when the stack is 4000 to 6000ml / min. The flow rate of hydrogen gas measured through the hydrogen gas flow meter (322) can be 100L / min. The freeze prevention heating coil power (323) can be operated based on the temperature of the water inside the water tank (103) being 5 degrees Celsius at room temperature. The water pump (324) can be operated at 200V to 24V. The hydrogen gas leak detection sensor (325) can determine whether there is a hydrogen gas leak based on 1000ppm. The heat exchanger (326) may be a 24V fan of 100 pi. Wireless communication (503) may refer to a Bluetooth antenna inside the product and the operator's mobile phone.

[0085]

[0086] According to one embodiment, a vehicle hydrogen generator having a hydrogen generation amount control device may include a PEM water electrolysis stack that generates hydrogen by electrolyzing water, a water tank in which the PEM water electrolysis stack stores water for generating hydrogen by electrolysis, an electrolytic cell that generates hydrogen by electrolyzing the water provided from the water tank, a water separator that removes moisture contained in the hydrogen provided from the electrolytic cell and provides the removed moisture to the water tank, and a control unit electrically connected to the electrolytic cell and the water tank. According to one embodiment, the vehicle hydrogen generator may include a GPS electrically connected to the control unit, and a slope sensor electrically connected to the control unit. According to one embodiment, the control unit may obtain speed data indicating a speed of the hydrogen-fueled vehicle through the GPS, obtain slope data indicating a slope between the hydrogen-fueled vehicle and the ground through the slope sensor, and may control the amount of hydrogen generated through the PEM water electrolysis stack based on at least one of the speed data and the slope data.

[0087] According to one embodiment, the vehicle hydrogen generator may include an ACC power supply electrically connected to the internal combustion engine. The control unit may determine whether the internal combustion engine is operating based on the ACC power supply, and may generate the hydrogen using the PEM electrolysis stack only when the internal combustion engine is operating.

[0088] According to one embodiment, when the speed data is first speed data corresponding to a first speed section, the control unit generates hydrogen in the amount of the first hydrogen generation using the PEM electrolysis stack, when the speed data is second speed data corresponding to a second speed section, the control unit generates hydrogen in the amount of the second hydrogen generation using the PEM electrolysis stack, and when the speed data is third speed data corresponding to a third speed section, the control unit generates hydrogen in the amount of the third hydrogen generation using the PEM electrolysis stack, and the third speed data may be greater than the second speed data, the second speed data may be greater than the first speed data, the first hydrogen generation amount may be greater than the second hydrogen generation amount, and the second hydrogen generation amount may be greater than the third hydrogen generation amount.

[0089] According to one embodiment, when the slope data is first slope data corresponding to a first slope section, the control unit generates hydrogen equivalent to a fourth hydrogen generation amount using the PEM electrolysis stack, when the slope data is second slope data corresponding to a second slope section, the control unit generates hydrogen equivalent to a fifth hydrogen generation amount using the PEM electrolysis stack, and when the slope data is third slope data corresponding to a third slope section, the control unit generates hydrogen equivalent to a sixth hydrogen generation amount using the PEM electrolysis stack, and the first slope data may be greater than the second slope data, the second slope data may be greater than the first slope data, the fourth hydrogen generation amount may be greater than the fifth hydrogen generation amount, and the fifth hydrogen generation amount may be greater than the sixth hydrogen generation amount.

[0090] According to one embodiment, when the control unit determines the amount of hydrogen generated based on the speed data and the slope data, a weight of a first value and a weight of a second value are applied to each of the speed data and the slope data based on the slope data, and the amount of hydrogen generated through the PEM electrolysis stack can be adjusted based on the speed data to which the weight of the first value is applied and the slope data to which the weight of the second value is applied.

Claims

1. In a hydrogen generator for a vehicle equipped with a hydrogen generation amount control device, PEM water electrolysis stack that produces hydrogen by electrolyzing water; The PEM water electrolysis stack includes a water tank for storing water for generating hydrogen through electrolysis, an electrolytic cell for generating hydrogen by electrolyzing the water provided from the water tank, a water separator for removing moisture contained in the hydrogen provided from the electrolytic cell and providing the removed moisture to the water tank, and a control unit electrically connected to the electrolytic cell and the water tank. GPS electrically connected to the above control unit; and A tilt sensor electrically connected to the above control unit; The above control unit: Obtaining speed data indicating the speed of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle hydrogen generator through the GPS; Obtain slope data indicating the slope between the vehicle and the ground through the above slope sensor, A hydrogen generator for a vehicle, which controls the amount of hydrogen generated through the PEM electrolysis stack based on at least one of the speed data or the slope data.

2. In claim 1, The above vehicle further comprises an internal combustion engine and an ACC power source electrically connected to the internal combustion engine, The above control unit: Based on the above ACC power, determine whether the internal combustion engine is operating, A hydrogen generator for a vehicle that generates hydrogen using the PEM electrolysis stack only when the internal combustion engine is running.

3. In claim 1, The above control unit: If the above speed data is the first speed data corresponding to the first speed section, hydrogen is generated in the amount of the first hydrogen generation using the PEM electrolysis stack, If the above speed data is the second speed data corresponding to the second speed section, hydrogen is generated in the amount of the second hydrogen generation using the PEM electrolysis stack, If the above speed data is the third speed data corresponding to the third speed section, hydrogen is generated in the amount of the third hydrogen generation using the PEM electrolysis stack, The third speed data is greater than the second speed data, and the second speed data is greater than the first speed data. A hydrogen generator for a vehicle, wherein the first hydrogen generation amount is greater than the second hydrogen generation amount, and the second hydrogen generation amount is greater than the third hydrogen generation amount.

4. In claim 1, The above control unit: If the above slope data is the first slope data corresponding to the first slope section, hydrogen is generated in the amount of the fourth hydrogen generation using the PEM electrolysis stack, If the above slope data is the second slope data corresponding to the second slope section, hydrogen is generated in the amount of the fifth hydrogen generation using the PEM electrolysis stack, If the above slope data is the third slope data corresponding to the third slope section, hydrogen is generated in the sixth hydrogen generation amount using the PEM electrolysis stack, The first slope data is greater than the second slope data, and the second slope data is greater than the first slope data. A hydrogen generator for a vehicle, wherein the fourth hydrogen generation amount is greater than the fifth hydrogen generation amount, and the fifth hydrogen generation amount is greater than the sixth hydrogen generation amount.

5. In claim 1, The above control unit: When determining the amount of hydrogen generation based on the speed data and the slope data, a weight of a first value and a weight of a second value are applied to each of the speed data and the slope data based on the slope data, A hydrogen generator for a vehicle that controls the amount of hydrogen generated through the PEM electrolysis stack based on speed data to which the weight of the first value is applied and slope data to which the weight of the second value is applied.

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