Hydrogen Fueling Control for Multi-Tank Vehicles With Partial Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fuel supply systems for vehicles with multiple large-capacity fuel tanks, such as large trucks and buses, face inefficiencies and safety risks due to incomplete communication filling protocols, leading to prolonged filling times and potential hazards.

Innovation Solution

A fuel supply apparatus with two supply systems, each equipped with a control device that determines communication filling status and adjusts fuel supply modes based on vehicle data, ensuring safe and efficient hydrogen delivery to multiple tanks by utilizing data from communicating or non-communicating systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single filling nozzle is used to fill multiple large-capacity fuel tanks, then the filling system complexity is reduced, but the filling time becomes very long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling system complexityVSAvoidfilling time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The filling system is segmented into multiple independent filling systems (first and second filling systems), each with its own filling nozzle, control device, and supply pipe. This allows parallel filling of multiple fuel tanks, significantly reducing total filling time while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple filling systems are combined to work simultaneously on the same vehicle, with each system connected to different fuel tanks. The control devices coordinate to manage the combined system, achieving rapid filling of all tanks through parallel operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If communication filling is attempted in all supply systems, then filling efficiency is maximized, but safety risks increase when communication is not established

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling efficiencyVSAvoidfilling safety
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control mode of each filling system is made dynamic, automatically switching between communication filling and non-communication filling based on whether communication with the vehicle is established. This ensures optimal efficiency when communication is available while maintaining safety through conservative non-communication mode when it is not.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control devices receive feedback from communication attempts with the vehicle and adjust their operation accordingly. When communication filling is established, the system operates in high-efficiency mode using vehicle data; when not established, it switches to safe non-communication mode, with the ability to switch modes based on real-time communication status.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If non-communication filling is used as a safe alternative, then filling safety is maintained, but filling time increases due to lack of real-time vehicle data

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling safetyVSAvoidfilling time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Each filling system is designed to perform multiple functions: communication filling when vehicle data is available, and non-communication filling when it is not. This multi-functionality allows the system to adapt to different situations, maintaining safety while minimizing time loss by using the appropriate mode for each specific case.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4403817B1Fuel supply apparatus and fuel supply method
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 TOKYO TATSUNO CO LTD
  • EP4403817B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4403817B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4403817B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[OBJECT] To provide a fuel supply apparatus that can quickly supply hydrogen gas to a vehicle equipped with a plurality of large-capacity fuel tanks while observing a filling protocol. [SOLUTION] A fuel supply apparatus 100 according to the present invention including: a plurality of supply systems (101, 102); a supply control device (10, 20) provided in each of the supply systems (101, 102); a supply pipe (31, 41) communicating each of the supply systems (101, 102) and each of rear facilities (50, 60); a supply member (flow rate regulating valve 2, 12, etc.) interposed in the supply pipe (31, 41) and connected to each of the supply control devices (10, 20); and a supply hose (7, 17) connected to the supply pipe (31, 41), the supply hose (7, 17) having a supply nozzle (8, 18) at its tip, wherein the supply control device (10, 20) includes: a function of determining whether or not communication filling is established in one side of the supply system (101) and/or the other side of the supply system (102); and when communication filling is not established in the supply system (101) on the one side and communication filling is established in the supply system (102) on the other side, a function of supplying using vehicle side data in the supply system (102) on the other side.