Fuel Cell Vehicle Fuel Lid Control for Battery Charge Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell vehicles experience battery charge depletion when the fuel lid is left open for an extended period due to continuous dispensing communication, leading to potential battery discharge and inability to start the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a fuel gas reservoir unit, a fuel lid, and control means to detect the open/close state and fuel gas conditions, which controls dispensing communication based on elapsed time and battery voltage to prevent unnecessary battery discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous dispensing communication is performed while the fuel lid is open, then the fuel gas supply system can monitor and control the refueling process, but the battery charge depletes over time leading to potential vehicle startup failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by stopping dispensing communication after a predetermined time period has elapsed since the fuel lid was opened. The ECU monitors the open/close state of the fuel lid and automatically suspends communication with the external fuel gas supply device after the time limit, thereby preventing continuous battery discharge while still enabling refueling control during the active refueling window.
2Measurement precision
If the ECU continuously monitors fuel gas pressure and temperature during refueling, then accurate control of the refueling process is achieved, but unnecessary battery discharge occurs when the lid is left open for extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies periodic action by limiting the duration of continuous monitoring and communication. The ECU monitors fuel gas conditions (pressure and temperature) only within a predetermined time period after the fuel lid is opened. After this time period elapses, the ECU stops dispensing communication even if the lid remains open, thereby preventing energy loss from unnecessary continuous monitoring while maintaining measurement precision during the active refueling process.
3Productivity
If the predetermined time period for stopping dispensing communication is extended, then complete refueling can be accomplished, but battery charge depletes and vehicle startup may fail
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the time period parameter based on battery voltage conditions. The ECU monitors battery voltage during the refueling process and modifies the predetermined time period for stopping dispensing communication according to the battery's charge state. When battery voltage drops below a predetermined threshold, the ECU shortens or stops the communication time period, thereby preventing vehicle startup failure while still allowing sufficient time for refueling completion under normal battery conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus using fuel gas is provided, ensuring charge amount of a battery. The apparatus includes battery, fuel gas reservoir unit, fuel lid, open/close detection unit for detecting open/close state of fuel lid, fuel gas condition detection unit for detecting pressure and/or temperature being condition of fuel gas reserved in the fuel gas reservoir unit, communication unit for communication with fuel gas supply device, and control unit for, upon reception of signal notifying that fuel lid is in open state from open/close detection unit, performing dispensing communication to notify the fuel gas supply device, via communication unit, of condition of fuel gas having been input from fuel gas condition detection unit. The control unit stops dispensing communication when control unit has determined, according to signal received from open/close detection unit that predetermined time has elapsed with the fuel lid remaining in open state after starting dispensing communication.