JP7580025B2 - Gas Charging System - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gas filling system that fills a fuel gas, such as hydrogen gas, into a fuel tank of a vehicle.

Fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) have been actively developed as vehicles to address recent environmental issues. In order to further popularize fuel cell vehicles, regulations on hydrogen stations that supply fuel gas have been relaxed, and self-service hydrogen filling has been allowed, allowing drivers who meet certain conditions to fill their own cars with hydrogen. This has created a demand for a safe and compact gas filling device. The applicant has therefore proposed a gas filling device that is safe, compact, and has a highly designed display unit (Patent Document 1).

JP 2017-187057 A

Meanwhile, fuel cell vehicles are equipped with on-board containers that undergo regular inspections, and fuel filling is prohibited unless the container passes the inspection. The on-board container inspection expiration date is written near the fuel filling port, and hydrogen station staff or customers visually check the expiration date and enter it into the gas filling system.

However, because the check was done visually, mistakes could occur, and because the data was entered manually, input errors could occur, leading to the risk that fuel filling would be permitted even if the expiration date had actually passed. Furthermore, because the data was entered by a human, it was not possible to prevent the on-board container inspection expiration date from being intentionally extended. Filling an on-board container that has expired with fuel could lead to fuel leaks, fires, or explosions, which could result in a serious accident.

The present invention was made in consideration of the problems with the above-mentioned conventional technology, and aims to provide a gas filling system that can correctly determine the inspection expiration date of an on-board container without input by hydrogen station staff or customers, and can safely fill a fuel gas such as hydrogen gas into a vehicle's fuel tank, etc.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a gas filling system comprising: a camera for photographing the vehicle registration plate of a vehicle; a server constituting a cloud that previously records the vehicle registration number of each vehicle in association with inspection expiration date data for the vehicle's on-board container, compares the inspection expiration date data for the on-board container corresponding to the vehicle registration number written on the vehicle registration plate photographed by the camera with current time data clocked by a timing means to determine whether the current time is within the on-board container inspection expiration date, and outputs a fillable signal if the current time is within the expiration date; and a gas filling device which fills gas upon receiving a fillable signal from the server, wherein the vehicle registration number of the vehicle and the inspection expiration date data of the vehicle's on-board container are output to the server from the customer's mobile terminal, and the server which receives the vehicle registration number and the inspection expiration date data of the on-board container compares the inspection expiration date data of the on-board container with current time data clocked by a timing means to determine whether the current time is within the on-board container inspection expiration date, and outputs fillable data to the mobile terminal if the current time is within the expiration date, and outputs non-fillable data to the mobile terminal if the current time is outside the expiration date.

According to the present invention, the system can correctly determine the inspection expiration date of the on-board container, so that safe gas filling is possible without the hydrogen station staff or customers having to input the inspection expiration date. In addition, because the vehicle registration number of the vehicle is linked to the inspection expiration date of the on-board container, gas filling is possible regardless of the driver of the vehicle. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the time and effort required for gas filling work when visiting the store, such as by eliminating the need to enter a password as a measure to prevent impersonation.
Moreover, the vehicle registration number of the vehicle and the inspection expiration date data of the on-board container of the vehicle are output from the customer's mobile terminal to a server constituting the cloud , and the server, having received the vehicle registration number of the vehicle and the inspection expiration date data of the on-board container, compares the inspection expiration date data of the on-board container with the current time data clocked by a clocking means to determine whether the current time is within the on-board container inspection expiration date or not, and outputs fillable data to the mobile terminal if the current time is within the expiration date, and outputs non-fillable data to the mobile terminal if the current time is outside the expiration date, so that the mobile terminal can determine whether filling is possible or not, and if filling is not possible (inspection is required), it is possible to take measures such as undergoing inspection before filling. Also, since the vehicle registration number and the inspection expiration date data of the on-board container can be registered before visiting the gas station, registration work is not required when visiting the station, and preparation for filling at the time of gas filling is simplified.

As described above, according to the present invention, the inspection expiration date of an on-board container can be correctly determined without the need for input by hydrogen station staff or customers, making it possible to safely fill a vehicle's fuel tank with fuel gas such as hydrogen gas.

1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a gas filling system according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of pre-registration in the gas filling system shown in FIG. 1 . 4 is a flowchart showing a pre-registration operation of the gas filling system shown in FIG. 1 . 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the gas filling system shown in FIG. 1 when a customer visits a gas filling station. 2 is a flowchart showing a gas filling operation of the gas filling system shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 13 shows a "Filling Preparation Guide" screen. FIG. 13 shows a "Video of filling operation" screen. FIG. 13 shows an "operation instructions after filling" screen.

Next, a detailed description of an embodiment of the present invention will be given with reference to the drawings. In the following description, an example will be given in which hydrogen gas is filled into a fuel cell vehicle using the gas filling system according to the present invention.

Figure 1 shows one embodiment of a gas filling system according to the present invention. This gas filling system 1 is composed of a gas filling device 2, an outdoor data input/output device 3 mounted on the gas filling device 2, a camera 4 that photographs the vehicle registration plate (hereinafter referred to as the "number plate") of the fuel cell vehicle V, and a server 5 that communicates with the outdoor data input/output device 3 and the camera 4.

The gas filling device 2 is equipped with a filling nozzle connected via a supply line to a supply tank in which hydrogen gas is stored in advance at a predetermined pressure, a flow measurement means connected to the supply line, a flow control valve, etc., and fills the hydrogen gas using the output from the outdoor data input/output device 3 by utilizing the pressure difference between the on-board container of the fuel cell vehicle V and the supply tank.

The outdoor data input/output device 3 is provided to control the input/output of gas filling setting data, and performs various settings and fee settlements associated with the gas filling operation. In addition, this outdoor data input/output device 3 is provided with a display means for displaying operation guidance and precautions regarding gas filling.

Camera 4 is installed to capture images of the license plate of the fuel cell vehicle V and outputs the captured images to server 5.

The server 5 constituting the cloud is provided to extract the license plate of the fuel cell vehicle V from the captured image input from the camera 4, and to determine whether the vehicle on-board container inspection validity period of the fuel cell vehicle V is within the validity period based on the vehicle registration number (hereinafter referred to as the "vehicle number") written on the extracted license plate.

Next, the operation of the gas filling system 1 having the above configuration will be described. Note that in the following flowchart, in steps where the route branches, the downward direction corresponds to Yes and the horizontal direction corresponds to No.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a customer pre-registers before using a hydrogen station. Using a mobile terminal 6 owned by the customer, the customer photographs the on-board container inspection expiration date and license plate of the fuel cell vehicle V (step S1), and outputs the photographed data to the server 5 (step S2).

When the server 5 receives photographic data from the mobile terminal 6 in step S11 (step S11; Yes), the server 5 extracts the vehicle number and the on-board container inspection expiration date from the photographic data, associates them, and stores them (step S12). Next, in step S13, the server 5 determines whether the current time is within the on-board container inspection expiration date, and outputs the determination result to the mobile terminal 6 (steps S14, S15).

In step S3 of the mobile terminal 6, when data on whether the on-board container inspection expiration date is within/outside the expiration date is input from the server 5 (step S3; Yes), the contents are displayed (step S4). The contents displayed here are the vehicle number, the on-board container inspection expiration date, and the result of the determination whether it is within or outside the expiration date. If it is outside the expiration date, filling is not possible unless an inspection is performed, and a message urging the inspection is also displayed.

Next, we will explain what happens when the customer's fuel cell vehicle V comes to the hydrogen station after the above pre-registration. In step S21 of camera 4 in FIG. 4, when the fuel cell vehicle V stops (step S21; Yes), an image of the license plate of the fuel cell vehicle V is captured, the captured image data is output to server 5 (step S22), and the operation of camera 4 is terminated.

In step S31 of the server 5, when the photographed data is input from the camera 4 (step S31; Yes), the server 5 identifies the vehicle number from the photographed data and extracts the on-board container inspection expiration date (step S32). In step S33, it determines whether the on-board container inspection expiration date is still valid, and outputs the determination result to the outdoor data input/output device 3, thereby completing the operation.

When the outdoor data input/output device 3 receives a determination result from the server 5 indicating that the on-board container has expired (step S41; No), it notifies the user that the on-board container inspection expiration date has expired (step S42) and terminates operation. On the other hand, when the outdoor data input/output device 3 receives a determination result indicating that the on-board container is within its expiration date (step S41; Yes) in step S41, it determines that the on-board container is refillable and proceeds to (1) in FIG. 5.

Next, the gas filling operation will be explained with reference to Figure 5.

In step S51 of the outdoor data input/output device 3 in FIG. 5, when the customer's payment card such as a credit card is read (step S51; Yes), the process proceeds to step S52, which provides information on preparation for refilling.

In the filling preparation guidance in step S52, as shown in FIG. 6, an explanation of the filling procedure is displayed, saying, "Touch the static electricity removal sheet, then hold the nozzle with both hands and begin filling," and guidance is given by voice. Then, if the customer presses the video confirmation button (step S53; Yes), a video of the filling operation is played (step S54), as shown in FIG. 7. In this way, if the customer is unsure of how to operate the filling operation, they can check the operation method on the video and fill the fuel cell vehicle V with fuel safely and without worry.

After the voice guidance (step S52) and video playback (step S54) for the above-mentioned filling operation, the customer removes the filling nozzle from the nozzle hook in the gas filling device 2, the nozzle switch (SW) is turned ON (step S71; Yes), and when the time t1 for waiting until the filling nozzle is connected has arrived (step S72; Yes), it is determined whether the filling nozzle has been connected to the on-board container (step S73).

If the filling nozzle is connected (step S73; Yes), a nozzle connection signal is output to the outdoor data input/output device 3 (step S75); if the filling nozzle is not connected (step S73; No), a nozzle connection failure signal is output to the outdoor data input/output device 3 (step S74).

Next, in step S55 of the outdoor data input/output device 3, if a nozzle connection signal is input (step S55; Yes), it displays that the nozzle is connected (step S57). If a nozzle connection failure signal is input (step S55; No), it displays that the nozzle connection is failure (step S56) and returns to step S55.

After the nozzle connection is displayed in step S57, when the customer presses the filling preparation complete button in step S58 (step S58; Yes), a filling permission signal is output to the gas filling device 2 (step S59). When the filling permission signal is input from the outdoor data input/output device 3 (step S76; Yes), the gas filling device 2 resets to zero (step S77), and when the start switch is pressed (step S78; Yes), valves such as the flow rate adjustment valve are opened (step S79).

In step S80, a flow pulse is input to the flow meter, and in step S81, a count is displayed on the display. When the input of the flow pulse to the flow meter stops (step S80; No), a filling end signal is output to the outdoor data input/output device 3 (step S82).

When the outdoor data input/output device 3 receives a filling completion signal from the gas filling device 2 (step S60; Yes), it displays an explanation of the work to be done after filling is completed, such as "Please handle the nozzle with both hands," as shown in FIG. 8, and also provides audio guidance (step S61). If the customer presses the video confirmation button (step 62; Yes), it plays a video of the work content (step S63).

When the customer returns the filling nozzle to the nozzle hook and the nozzle switch (SW) of the gas filling device 2 is turned OFF (step S83; Yes), valves such as the flow control valve are closed (step S84), a nozzle hook signal and filling data including the filling amount (kg) and amount (yen) are output to the outdoor data input/output device 3 (step S85), and the operation ends. When the outdoor data input/output device 3 receives the nozzle hook signal and filling data from the gas filling device 2 (step S64; Yes), it issues a receipt (voucher) for the customer (step S65) and ends the operation.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the inspection expiration date of the on-board container can be correctly determined without input by the hydrogen station staff or the customer, and hydrogen gas can be filled into the fuel cell vehicle V safely and without mistakes, even if the customer filling the tank is unfamiliar with the filling process.

Although there is no description of sales management for hydrogen stations, this can be done using a POS as in the past, or it can be managed using server 5 that constitutes the cloud.

Although the above example shows the use of payment cards (credit cards, prepaid cards, debit cards, etc.), cash payments can also be accepted. Furthermore, the above example shows the case of full refueling, but it can also be used with preset refueling where the amount and mass are specified.

Furthermore, a signal indicating that gas can be filled may be received from the server 5 by rear equipment or a gas filling device, and gas filling may be performed.

The illustrated embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Reference Signs List 1 Gas filling system 2 Gas filling device 3 Outdoor data input/output device 4 Camera 5 Server 6 Portable terminal V Fuel cell vehicle

Claims (1)

A camera for photographing the vehicle registration plate of the vehicle;
a server constituting a cloud that records in advance the vehicle registration number of each vehicle and the inspection expiration date data of the on-board container of the vehicle in association with each other, compares the inspection expiration date data of the on-board container corresponding to the vehicle registration number printed on the vehicle registration plate photographed by the camera with current time data measured by a timing means to determine whether the current time is within the on-board container inspection expiration date, and outputs a fillable signal if the current time is within the expiration date;
a gas filling device that receives a gas filling ready signal from the server and fills the gas,
The vehicle registration number of the vehicle and the inspection expiration date data of the on-board container of the vehicle are output from the customer's mobile terminal to the server,
The server receives the vehicle's registration number and the inspection expiration date data of the on-board container, compares the inspection expiration date data of the on-board container with the current time data measured by a timing means to determine whether the current time is within the inspection expiration date of the on-board container, and outputs fillable data to the mobile terminal if the current time is within the expiration date, and outputs non-fillable data to the mobile terminal if the current time is outside the expiration date.This gas filling system is characterized by the above.

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