阅读说明：本技术 燃料电池系统 (Fuel cell system ) 是由 今西雅弘 于 2019-08-22 设计创作，主要内容包括：公开了燃料电池系统。燃料电池系统包括：燃料电池单元,包括彼此并联连接的第一燃料电池和第二燃料电池；供应系统,向燃料电池单元供应反应气体；所需输出电力获得单元,被配置成获得到燃料电池单元的所需输出电力；供应系统控制单元,被配置成控制供应系统,使得燃料电池单元的输出电力是所需输出电力；确定单元,被配置成确定是否满足预定条件；以及性能获得单元,被配置成获得第一燃料电池的输出电力性能。(A fuel cell system is disclosed. The fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell unit including a first fuel cell and a second fuel cell connected in parallel with each other; a supply system that supplies a reaction gas to the fuel cell unit; a required output power obtaining unit configured to obtain required output power to the fuel cell unit; a supply system control unit configured to control the supply system such that the output power of the fuel cell unit is a required output power; a determination unit configured to determine whether a predetermined condition is satisfied; and a performance obtaining unit configured to obtain an output power performance of the first fuel cell.)

1. A fuel cell system comprising:

a fuel cell unit including a first fuel cell and a second fuel cell connected in parallel with each other;

a supply system that supplies a reaction gas to the fuel cell unit;

a required output power obtaining unit configured to obtain required output power to the fuel cell unit;

a supply system control unit configured to control the supply system such that the output power of the fuel cell unit is a required output power;

a determination unit configured to determine whether a predetermined condition is satisfied; and

a performance obtaining unit configured to obtain an output power performance of the first fuel cell,

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

the supply system control unit is configured to: when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, first electric power generation control is executed to control the supply system such that the output electric power of the first fuel cell is increased and the output electric power of the second fuel cell is decreased as compared to when it is determined that the predetermined condition is not satisfied, and

the performance obtaining unit is configured to obtain an output power performance of the first fuel cell during execution of the first power generation control.

2. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition includes a condition of: the required output power increases at a rate lower than the first threshold.

3. The fuel cell system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the predetermined condition includes a condition that: the speed of increase of the accelerator opening of a vehicle equipped with an electric motor for driving the vehicle operated by the fuel cell unit is lower than a second threshold value.

4. The fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the predetermined condition includes a condition that: an accelerator opening degree of a vehicle equipped with a motor for driving the vehicle, which is operated by the fuel cell unit, is smaller than a third threshold value.

5. The fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the predetermined condition includes a condition that: excluding a predetermined section from a predicted route on which a vehicle equipped with a motor for driving the vehicle operated by the fuel cell unit is predicted to travel, and

the predetermined section includes at least one of an entrance of a highway, and a section in which an inclination angle of an uphill is a predetermined value or more and a section in which an increase rate of the inclination angle of the uphill is a predetermined value or more.

6. The fuel cell system according to claim 5, further comprising a route obtaining unit configured to obtain the predicted route from a navigation device in which a destination is set.

7. The fuel cell system according to claim 5, further comprising a route obtaining unit configured to obtain the predicted route from a storage unit that stores a route that the vehicle has traveled.

8. The fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the predetermined condition includes at least one of the following conditions: the output power performance of the first fuel cell has not been obtained since the start of the fuel cell system, the accumulated operating time of the fuel cell system exceeds a predetermined time, the travel distance of a vehicle equipped with the fuel cell system exceeds a predetermined distance, and the elapsed time since the output power performance of the first fuel cell was obtained last time exceeds a predetermined time.

9. The fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the predetermined condition includes a condition that: the temperature of the first fuel cell falls within a predetermined range.

10. The fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 9,

the performance obtaining unit is configured to obtain an output power performance of the second fuel cell,

the supply system control unit is configured to: when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied after the performance obtaining unit obtains the output power performance of the first fuel cell, second power generation control is executed to control the supply system such that the output power of the second fuel cell is increased and the output power of the first fuel cell is decreased as compared to when it is determined that the predetermined condition is not satisfied, and

the performance obtaining unit is configured to obtain the output power performance of the second fuel cell during execution of the second power generation control.

11. The fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising:

a history obtaining unit configured to obtain an operation history of the first fuel cell; and

a transmission unit configured to transmit the operation history and the output power performance of the first fuel cell to an external storage device provided outside the fuel cell system.

12. The fuel cell system according to claim 10, further comprising:

a history obtaining unit configured to obtain operation histories of the first fuel cell and the second fuel cell; and

a transmission unit configured to transmit the operation history of the first fuel cell and the second fuel cell and the output power performance of the first fuel cell and the second fuel cell to an external storage device provided outside the fuel cell system.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a fuel cell system.

Background

There is known a fuel cell system equipped with a fuel cell unit including fuel cells connected in parallel with each other (see, for example, japanese unexamined patent application publication No. 2012-160336).

In general, as the usage time increases, the output power performance of the fuel cell deteriorates. Therefore, it is possible to change the control content of the fuel cell in accordance with the output power performance, and it is preferable to obtain the output power performance of the fuel cell as needed. Herein, when the output power of the fuel cell is high, the output power performance of the fuel cell is significantly reflected in the output power thereof. Therefore, when the output power of the fuel cell is high, accurate output power performance of the fuel cell is obtained. However, depending on the required output power to the fuel cell unit, the output power of the fuel cell may be kept low, and the frequency of obtaining accurate output power performance of the fuel cell may be reduced.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fuel cell system that ensures a frequency at which accurate output power performance of a fuel cell is obtained.

The above object is achieved by a fuel cell system comprising: a fuel cell unit including a first fuel cell and a second fuel cell connected in parallel with each other; a supply system that supplies a reaction gas to the fuel cell unit; a required output power obtaining unit configured to obtain required output power to the fuel cell unit; a supply system control unit configured to control the supply system such that the output power of the fuel cell unit is a required output power; a determination unit configured to determine whether a predetermined condition is satisfied; and a performance obtaining unit configured to obtain an output power performance of the first fuel cell, wherein the supply system control unit is configured to: when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, first power generation control is executed to control the supply system such that the output power of the first fuel cell is increased and the output power of the second fuel cell is decreased as compared to when it is determined that the predetermined condition is not satisfied, and the performance obtaining unit is configured to obtain the output power performance of the first fuel cell during execution of the first power generation control.

With such a configuration as described above, when the predetermined condition is satisfied, the output power of the first fuel cell is increased and the output power of the second fuel cell is decreased, and then the output power performance of the first fuel cell is obtained. This ensures the frequency at which accurate output power performance of the first fuel cell is obtained.

The predetermined condition may include the following condition: the required output power increases at a rate lower than the first threshold.

The predetermined condition may include the following condition: the speed of increase of the accelerator opening of a vehicle equipped with a motor for driving the vehicle operated by the fuel cell unit is lower than a second threshold value.

The predetermined condition may include the following condition: the accelerator opening degree of a vehicle equipped with a motor for driving the vehicle, which is operated by the fuel cell unit, is smaller than a third threshold value.

The predetermined condition may include the following condition: the predetermined section is excluded from a predicted route on which a vehicle equipped with a motor for driving the vehicle operated by a fuel cell unit is predicted to travel, and may include at least one of an entrance of an expressway, and a section in which an inclination angle of an uphill is a predetermined value or more and a section in which an increase rate of the inclination angle of the uphill is a predetermined value or more.

The fuel cell system may further include a route obtaining unit configured to obtain the predicted route from the navigation device in which the destination is set.

The fuel cell system may further include a route obtaining unit configured to obtain the predicted route from a storage unit that stores a route that the vehicle has traveled.

The predetermined condition may include at least one of the following conditions: the output power performance of the first fuel cell has not been obtained since the start of the fuel cell system, the accumulated operating time of the fuel cell system exceeds a predetermined time, the travel distance of the vehicle equipped with the fuel cell system exceeds a predetermined distance, and the elapsed time since the output power performance of the first fuel cell was last obtained exceeds a predetermined time.

The predetermined condition may include the following condition: the temperature of the first fuel cell falls within a predetermined range.

The performance obtaining unit may be configured to obtain the output power performance of the second fuel cell, and the supply system control unit may be configured to: when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied after the performance obtaining unit obtains the output power performance of the first fuel cell, the second power generation control is executed to control the supply system such that the output power of the second fuel cell is increased and the output power of the first fuel cell is decreased as compared to when it is determined that the predetermined condition is not satisfied, and the performance obtaining unit may be configured to obtain the output power performance of the second fuel cell during execution of the second power generation control.

The fuel cell system may further include: a history obtaining unit configured to obtain an operation history of the first fuel cell; and a transmission unit configured to transmit the operation history and the output power performance of the first fuel cell to an external storage device provided outside the fuel cell system.

The fuel cell system may further include: a history obtaining unit configured to obtain operation histories of the first fuel cell and the second fuel cell; and a transmission unit configured to transmit the operation history of the first fuel cell and the second fuel cell and the output power performance of the first fuel cell and the second fuel cell to an external storage device provided outside the fuel cell system.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a fuel cell system that ensures a frequency at which accurate output power performance of the fuel cell is obtained.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a configuration view of a vehicle equipped with a fuel cell system;

fig. 2 is a graph showing a change in the IV curve with deterioration of the output power performance of the fuel cell;

fig. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of output power performance obtaining control;

fig. 4 is a timing chart when the output power performance obtaining control is executed;

fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of output power performance obtaining control according to the first modification;

fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of output power performance obtaining control according to a second modification;

fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of output power performance obtaining control according to a third modification;

fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of output power performance obtaining control according to a fourth modification; and

fig. 9 is a configuration view of a vehicle equipped with a fuel cell system according to a modification.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is a configuration view of a vehicle 1 equipped with a fuel cell system and an external server 100. An Electronic Control Unit (ECU)60 is installed in the fuel cell system mounted on the vehicle 1, and as will be described later, the ECU60 transmits predetermined data to the external server 100 via a transmission unit 90 by wireless.

[ configuration of Fuel cell System ]

As shown in fig. 1, the fuel cell system mounted on a vehicle 1 includes fuel cell stacks (hereinafter simply referred to as stacks) 20a and 20b, air compressors 30a and 30b, a fuel tank 40, boost converters 50a and 50b, an inverter 52, an ECU60, a navigation device, a transmission unit 90, and the like. Each of the stacks 20a and 20b receives a supply of oxidant gas and fuel gas to generate electrical power. Each of the stacks 20a and 20b is formed by stacking unit cells of a solid polymer electrolyte type. The stacks 20a and 20b are identical stacks and their rated outputs are also identical. The stacks 20a and 20b are examples of fuel cell units, and are also examples of a first fuel cell and a second fuel cell connected in parallel with each other.

The air compressors 30a and 30b supply air containing oxygen as an oxidant gas to the stacks 20a and 20b via air pipes 32a and 32b, respectively. The fuel tank 40 stores hydrogen gas as fuel gas, and the fuel gas is supplied to the stacks 20a and 20b via a fuel pipe 42, the fuel pipe 42 being connected to the fuel tank 40 and branching off midway to be connected to the stacks 20a and 20 b. Specifically, injectors 44a and 44b are provided at a portion of fuel pipe 42 connected to stack 20a and a portion of fuel pipe 42 connected to stack 20b, respectively. The driving of the injectors 44a and 44b is adjusted, thereby adjusting the flow rate of the fuel gas supplied to the stacks 20a and 20 b. The air compressors 30a and 30b and the injectors 44a and 44b are examples of supply systems that supply the reaction gases to the stacks 20a and 20 b. Pipes (not shown) that discharge the oxidant off-gas and the fuel off-gas, respectively, are connected to each of the stacks 20a and 20 b.

A cooling water supply pipe 22a and a cooling water discharge pipe 24a are connected to the stack 20 a. The cooling water is supplied through the cooling water supply pipe 22a, and the cooling water is discharged through the cooling water discharge pipe 24 a. Similarly, a cooling water supply pipe 22b and a cooling water discharge pipe 24b are connected to the stack 20 b. The cooling water is supplied through the cooling water supply pipe 22b, and the cooling water is discharged through the cooling water discharge pipe 24 b. The cooling water supply pipes 22a and 22b and the cooling water discharge pipes 24a and 24b constitute a part of a circulation path (not shown) through which the cooling water circulates. The radiator provided on the circulation path promotes heat radiation of the cooling water. Temperature sensors 26a and 26b for detecting the temperature of the cooling water are provided on the cooling water discharge pipe 24a near the stack 20a and the cooling water discharge pipe 24b near the stack 20b, respectively.

The boost converters 50a and 50b regulate the dc power output from the stacks 20a and 20b, respectively, and output the dc power to the inverter 52. The inverter 52 converts the direct-current power output from the boost converters 50a and 50b into three-phase alternating-current power, and supplies the alternating-current power to the motor 54. The motor 54 drives the wheel 19 to drive the vehicle 1.

The ECU60 includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), and the like. The ECU60 is electrically connected to the ignition switch 11, the accelerator opening sensor 13, the temperature sensors 26a and 26b, the injectors 44a and 44b, and the boost converters 50a and 50 b. The ECU60 starts or stops the fuel cell system mounted on the vehicle 1 according to the on/off state of the ignition switch 11. The ECU60 calculates an accelerator opening degree, which is an opening degree of an accelerator pedal operated by the driver, based on a detection value of the accelerator opening degree sensor 13. The ECU60 converts the detection values of the temperature sensors 26a and 26b into the temperatures of the stacks 20a and 20b, respectively, and obtains the temperatures of the stacks 20a and 20 b. The ECU60 controls the output power supplied from the boost converters 50a and 50b to the inverter 52 by controlling the boost converters 50a and 50 b. The navigation device 70 is electrically connected to the ECU 60. The navigation device 70 includes a storage device that stores map data, and includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver for obtaining position information of the vehicle 1.

The ECU60 calculates required output power to the entire stacks 20a and 20b based on the electric power required to drive the motor 54 and on the electric power required to drive auxiliary devices such as the air compressors 30a and 30 b. The electric power required to drive the motor 54 is calculated based on the accelerator opening degree. Further, the ECU60 controls the rotation speed of the air compressors 30a and 30b and the opening and closing of the injectors 44a and 44b so that the total output power of the stacks 20a and 20b reaches the required output power. The ECU60 is configured to function as a supply system control unit configured to control the supply system such that the output powers of the stacks 20a and 20b reach the required output powers. In the present specification, the term "required output power" does not refer to the required output power to each of the stacks 20a and 20b, but refers to the required output power to the entire stacks 20a and 20b, that is, the required output power to the fuel cell units. In addition, in this specification, "output power" means output power generated by the stack. Further, the ECU60 executes output power performance obtaining control to obtain each output power performance of the stacks 20a and 20b, which will be described later in detail. The output power performance obtaining control is performed by a required output power obtaining unit, a supply system control unit, a determination unit, a performance obtaining unit, a history obtaining unit, and a transmission unit, which are functionally realized by the CPU, the ROM, and the RAM of the ECU 60.

[ external Server ]

The external server 100 is an example of an external storage device provided outside the fuel cell system. The external server 100 receives and stores data including the output power performance and the operation history of each of the stacks 20a and 20b transmitted by the ECU60, which will be described later in detail.

[ output Power Performance of the Stack ]

Fig. 2 is a graph showing a change in the IV curve with deterioration of the output power performance of the fuel cell. The vertical axis of fig. 2 indicates voltage, and the horizontal axis indicates current. Fig. 2 shows IV curves IV1 and IV 2. IV curves IV1 and IV2 were obtained by plotting the output voltage and the output current of the fuel cell. The upper limit current value Im is a preset upper limit value of a range in which the output current of the fuel cell can be controlled. The lower limit voltage value Vm is a preset lower limit value of a range in which the output voltage of the fuel cell can be controlled.

As shown in fig. 2, in general, as the output power of the fuel cell increases, the output current increases and the output voltage decreases. Further, the IV curve IV1 indicates that its output power performance is higher than that of the IV curve IV 2. Herein, as the output power performance of the fuel cell decreases, the decrease amount of the output voltage increases relative to the increase amount of the output current. For example, as shown in fig. 2, when the output current of the fuel cell is controlled to the upper limit current value Im, the difference between the voltage values V1 and V2 indicated by the IV curves IV1 and IV2, respectively, is larger than the difference between the voltage values corresponding to current values smaller than the upper limit current value Im. Further, for example, as shown in fig. 2, when the output voltage of the fuel cell is controlled to the lower limit voltage value Vm, the difference between the current values I1 and I2 indicated by the IV curves IV1 and IV2, respectively, is larger than the difference between the current values corresponding to voltage values higher than the lower limit voltage value Vm. In this way, as the output power increases, the output power performance of the fuel cell is significantly reflected in the output power. Therefore, when the output power is large, the output power performance of the fuel cell is accurately obtained. In the present embodiment, the ECU60 executes the output power performance obtaining control when a predetermined condition is satisfied. This control increases the output power of one of the stacks 20a and 20b, decreases the output power of the other thereof, and obtains the output power performance of one of the stacks 20a and 20 b. Details will be described below.

[ control of output Power Performance ]

Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of output power performance obtaining control. This flowchart is repeatedly executed by the ECU60 at a constant cycle. First, the ECU60 obtains the required output power (step S1). As described above, the ECU60 obtains the required output electric power calculated based on the electric power required to drive the motor 54 and the auxiliary devices. However, since the electric power required to drive the electric motor 54 occupies a large portion of the total required output electric power, for example, the ECU60 may calculate and obtain the required output electric power based on the magnitude of the accelerator opening degree. The process of step S1 is an example of a process performed by a required output power obtaining unit that obtains required output power to the stacks 20a and 20 b.

Next, it is determined whether each output power performance of the stacks 20a and 20b has been obtained since the start of the fuel cell system (step S3). By referring to an output power performance obtaining flag described later, it is determined whether the output power performance of the stacks 20a and 20b has been obtained. Whether the fuel cell system is started is determined by referring to the state of the ignition switch 11. This is an example of a predetermined condition for executing the first power generation control and the second power generation control described later, that is, each output power performance of the stacks 20a and 20b has not been obtained since the fuel cell system was started up.

[ Normal Power Generation control ]

When each output power performance of the stacks 20a and 20b has been obtained since the start of the fuel cell system (yes in step S3), the ECU60 executes normal power generation control (step S21). This control makes the output powers of the stacks 20a and 20b the same so that the total output power of the stacks 20a and 20b is the same as the required output power. Specifically, by adjusting the driving of the air compressors 30a and 30b and the injectors 44a and 44b, the flow rates of the fuel gas supplied to the stacks 20a and 20b are controlled to be substantially the same, and the flow rates of the oxidant gas supplied to the stacks 20a and 20b are controlled to be substantially the same.

[ required output Power determination ]

When the output power performance of at least one of the stacks 20a and 20b has not been obtained since the start of the fuel cell system (no in step S3), the ECU60 determines whether the required output power is equal to or higher than a predetermined value α (step S5). the predetermined value α is stored in advance in the ROM of the ECU 60. the predetermined value α is equal to or higher than the output power required to perform the processing of steps S13a, S15a, S13b, and S15b described later.

[ determination of increase speed ]

When the required output power is equal to or higher than the predetermined value α (YES in step S5), the ECU60 obtains the increase speed of the required output power (step S7), and determines whether the increase speed of the required output power is lower than a first threshold value β (step S9). A first threshold value β is stored in advance in the ROM of the ECU 60. the ECU60 obtains the increase speed of the required output power, for example, as follows.the ECU60 calculates the required output power based on the accelerator opening degree, the driving state of the auxiliary devices, the driving condition of the vehicle 1, and the like.

When the increase speed of the required output power is equal to or higher than the first threshold β (no in step S9), the ECU60 executes normal power generation control (step S21) — that is, when the increase speed of the required output power is equal to or higher than the first threshold β, the output powers of both the stacks 20a and 20b increase.

When the increase speed of the required output power is lower than the first threshold β (yes in step S9), the ECU60 determines whether the output power performance of the stack 20a has been obtained (step S11). specifically, when the output power performance of the stack 20a is obtained after the fuel cell system is started, the ECU60 refers to the output power performance obtaining flag of the stack 20a switched from off to on to perform the determination.

[ first Power Generation control ]

When the output power performance of the stack 20a has not been obtained (no in step S11), the ECU60 executes the first power generation control (step S13 a). In the first half of the first power generation control, the output power of the stack 20a is increased and the output power of the stack 20b is decreased, as compared with the case where the normal power generation control is executed under the condition that the required output power is the same. In the latter half of the first power generation control, the output power of the stack 20a that is increased in the first half of the first power generation control is gradually decreased, and the output power of the stack 20b that is decreased in the first half of the first power generation control is gradually increased, so that each output power of the stacks 20a and 20b is controlled back to each output power thereof in the normal power generation state. Such output power control is performed by adjusting the driving of the air compressors 30a and 30b and the injectors 44a and 44 b. Specifically, in the first half of the first power generation control, the flow rates of the fuel gas and the oxidant gas supplied to the stack 20a are increased, and the flow rates of the fuel gas and the oxidant gas supplied to the stack 20b are decreased. In the latter half of the first power generation control, the flow rates of the fuel gas and the oxidant gas supplied to the stack 20a are gradually decreased, and the flow rates of the fuel gas and the oxidant gas supplied to the stack 20b are gradually increased. In the present embodiment, in the first half of the first power generation control, the output power of the stack 20a is increased until the output current of the stack 20a reaches the upper limit current value Im described above, and, in the second half of the first power generation control, the output power of the stack 20a is decreased back to its initial output power. Further, the output power of the stack 20b is controlled to increase or decrease during this period, so that the total output power of the stacks 20a and 20b is the required output power.

[ obtaining of output Power Performance of the Stack 20a ]

Next, the ECU60 obtains the output power performance of the stack 20a during execution of the first power generation control (step S15 a). Specifically, the ECU60 calculates the output power by multiplying the upper limit current value Im by the actual output voltage value of the stack 20a when the output current of the stack 20a reaches the upper limit current value Im. The ECU60 obtains the output power as an index indicating the output power performance of the present stack 20a, and specifically, the output power is stored in the RAM of the ECU 60. The output power calculated by multiplying the upper limit current value Im by the output voltage value corresponding thereto corresponds to the maximum output power that the stack 20a can currently output. In this way, the ECU60 obtains the output power performance of the stack 20a during execution of the first power generation control in which the output power of the stack 20a is higher than that during execution of the normal power generation control, thereby obtaining accurate output power of the stack 20 a.

When the output power performance of the stack 20a is obtained, the output power performance obtaining flag of the stack 20a described above is switched from off to on. Further, the output power performance of the stack 20a obtained in the output power performance obtaining control performed last time may be updated to the output power performance obtained this time. The output power performance obtained this time may be stored in the RAM of the ECU60 regardless of the output power performance obtained last time. The process of step S15a is an example of the process performed by the output power performance obtaining unit that obtains the output power performance of the stack 20 a.

Herein, unlike the case where the increase speed of the required output power is equal to or higher than the first threshold β, the case where the increase speed of the required output power is lower than the first threshold β indicates a driving state in which high response of the actual output power to the required output power is not required.

[ obtaining of cumulative operating time of the pile 20a ]

Next, the ECU60 obtains the accumulated operating time of the stack 20a (step S17 a). The accumulated operating time of the stack 20a is the total time during which the stack 20a generates power. Here, the CPU of the ECU60 calculates the accumulated operating time by constantly calculating the time during which the output power of the stack 20a is requested during activation of the fuel cell system, and updates and stores the accumulated operating time calculated at predetermined time intervals in the RAM. When obtaining the output power performance of the stack 20a, the CPU of the ECU60 obtains the accumulated operating time of the stack 20a from the RAM. Herein, the accumulated operating time of the stack 20a is an example of an operating history that affects the output power performance of the stack 20 a. This is because the output power performance of the stack 20a tends to deteriorate as the accumulated operating time of the stack 20a increases. The process of step S17a is an example of a process performed by a history obtaining unit that obtains the operation history of the heap 20 a.

[ data transfer of Stack 20a ]

Next, the ECU60 wirelessly transmits data including the obtained output power performance and the accumulated operating time of the stack 20a to the external server 100 via the network (step S19 a). The external server 100 stores data including output power performance and accumulated operating time transmitted by the ECU 60. Therefore, for example, by accessing the external server 100, it is possible to grasp the relationship between the latest output power performance of the stack 20a and the accumulated operating time. The process of step S19a is an example of a process performed by a transmission unit that wirelessly transmits the operation history of the stack 20a and the output power performance of the stack 20a to an external server 100 provided outside the fuel cell system. In addition, instead of the external server 100, a cloud server connected to a network may be used as the external storage device.

[ second Power Generation control ]

After transmitting the data including the output power performance and the accumulated operating time of the stack 20a to the external server 100, the ECU60 executes the processing of step S1 and subsequent steps again. When the ECU60 has not obtained the output power performance of the stack 20b after the start of the fuel cell system, the determination in step S3 is no, and the ECU60 executes the processing of step S5 and subsequent steps. When the determination in step S11 is yes after steps S5, S7, and S9, the ECU60 executes the second power generation control (step S13 b). The second power generation control is performed similarly to the first power generation control. Specifically, in the first half of the second power generation control, the output power of the stack 20b is increased and the output power of the stack 20a is decreased. In the latter half of the second power generation control, the output power of the stack 20b is gradually decreased, and the output power of the stack 20a is gradually increased, and finally, the output powers of the stacks 20a and 20b are controlled back to the output power of the normal power generation state. In the second power generation control similar to the first power generation control, the output power of the stack 20b is increased until the output current of the stack 20b reaches the upper limit current value Im described above in the first half of the second power generation control, and the output power of the stack 20b is decreased in the second half of the second power generation control. Further, during this time, the output power of the stack 20a is controlled to increase or decrease so that the total output power of the stacks 20a and 20b satisfies the required output power.

[ obtaining of output Power Performance of the Stack 20b ]

Next, the ECU60 obtains the output power performance of the stack 20b (step S15 b). Specifically, as well as obtaining the output power performance of the stack 20a, the RAM of the ECU60 stores the output power calculated by multiplying the upper limit current value Im by the actual output voltage value of the stack 20b when the output current of the stack 20b reaches the upper limit current value Im. The ECU60 obtains the output power performance of the stack 20b during execution of the second power generation control in the above-described manner, thereby obtaining accurate output power performance of the stack 20 b. When the output power performance of the stack 20b is obtained after the start of the fuel cell system, the output power performance obtaining flag of the stack 20b is switched from off to on. The process of step S15b is an example of the process performed by the output power performance obtaining unit that obtains the output power performance of the stack 20 b.

[ obtaining of cumulative operating time of the pile 20b ]

Next, the ECU60 obtains the accumulated operating time of the stack 20b (step S17 b). Specifically, as well as obtaining the accumulated operating time of the stack 20a, the CPU of the ECU60 obtains the accumulated operating time of the stack 20b from the RAM when obtaining the output power performance of the stack 20 b. The processing of steps S17a and S17b is an example of processing performed by the history obtaining unit that obtains the operation history of the stacks 20a and 20 b.

[ data transfer of Stack 20b ]

Next, the ECU60 wirelessly transmits data including the obtained output power performance and the accumulated operating time of the stack 20b to the external server 100 via the network (step S19 b). Therefore, for example, by accessing the external server 100 from an external terminal, it is possible to grasp the relationship between the output power performance of the stack 20b and the accumulated operation time.

When the output power performance and the accumulated operating time of both the stacks 20a and 20b have been transmitted to the external server 100, by accessing the external server 100, the relationship between the output power performance and the accumulated operating time of both the stacks 20a and 20b can be grasped. The process of step S19b is an example of a process performed by the transmission unit that transmits the accumulated operating time of the heap 20b and the output power performance of the heap 20b to the external server 100 described above. Further, the processes of steps S19a and S19b are examples of processes performed by the transmission unit that transmits the operation history of the stacks 20a and 20b and the output power performance of the stacks 20a and 20b to the external server 100 described above. After step S19b, normal power generation control is executed (step S21). In addition, after the ECU60 obtains the output power performance of both the stacks 20a and 20b after the start of the fuel cell system, the determination in step S3 is yes, and the ECU60 executes the normal power generation control (step S21).

The ECU60 changes the control of each of the stacks 20a and 20b according to the output power performance of the stacks 20a and 20b obtained in this way. For example, when the output power performance of the stack 20a is lower than the output power performance of the stack 20b, the output power of the stack 20b may be controlled to increase so as to compensate for the decrease in the output power of the stack 20 a. Further, for example, the output power performance of the stacks 20a and 20b may be displayed on a display of the vehicle in such a manner that the driver grasps it. For example, the output power performance of the stacks 20a and 20b may be indicated as the total maximum output power of the stacks 20a and 20 b. It is possible to display whether the output power performance is in a good state or a low state. Further, when the output power performance of at least one of the stacks 20a and 20b is very low, the driver may be notified through the LIM lamp to prompt repair or replacement thereof. In addition, when there is a large difference in output power performance between the stacks 20a and 20b, and when the required output power is equal to or smaller than the maximum output power of one of the stacks 20a and 20b whose output power performance is higher than that of the other, one of the stacks 20a and 20b having high output power performance is preferentially used. This suppresses the frequency of use of the stack having the low output power performance, and suppresses further deterioration of the output power performance of the stack having the low output power performance.

When the ECU60 obtains the output power performance of the stacks 20a and 20b, the output power performance obtaining flag of each of the stacks 20a and 20b is switched on, so that no is determined in step S3. When the ignition is switched off, the ECU60 switches the output power performance obtainment flags of the stacks 20a and 20b off.

In order to perform, for example, the first power generation control when the increase speed of the required output power is equal to or higher than the first threshold value β, the output power of the stack 20a needs to be rapidly increased, however, actually, the output power of the stack 20a cannot be rapidly increased, so that a response delay of the actual output power of the stacks 20a and 20b with respect to the required output power may occur.

In the present embodiment, when the output power performance of both the stacks 20a and 20b has not been obtained after the start-up of the fuel cell system (no in step S3), the first power generation control and the second power generation control may be executed, but are not limited thereto. For example, the predetermined condition described above may include any one of the following conditions: the accumulated operation time of the fuel cell system exceeds a predetermined time, the travel distance of the vehicle 1 exceeds a predetermined distance, and the elapsed time from the time at which the output power performance of any one of the stacks 20a and 20b was previously obtained exceeds a predetermined time. Herein, when the output power performance of one of the stacks 20a and 20b is obtained, the output power of one of the stacks 20a and 20b increases, and generally the loss also increases, and the fuel consumption deteriorates as the output power of the fuel cell increases. Therefore, the predetermined condition described above is preferably set in view of ensuring the frequency of obtaining the output power performance and suppressing the deterioration of the fuel consumption.

In the present embodiment, the accumulated operating time of the stacks 20a and 20b is described as an example of the operating history of the fuel cells, but is not limited thereto. For example, the operation history of the stack 20a may be at least one of its cumulative number of starts, its cumulative number of stops, and its cumulative number of starts at an outside air temperature below the freezing point. This is because the output power performance of the stack 20a tends to deteriorate as the accumulated operating time increases, or as the accumulated number of times of start or stop increases. Further, this is because ice solidified in the unit cells of the stack 20a tends to affect the performance of the electrolyte membrane as the cumulative number of starts increases at an outside air temperature below freezing. Such a travel history is preferably obtained by various sensors and stored in the RAM of the ECU60 as needed. For example, the accumulated number of starts and the accumulated number of stops are calculated by counting the number of times the ignition switch 11 is turned on and off. The cumulative number of starts at the outside air temperature below the freezing point is calculated by counting the cases where the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor indicates below the freezing point when the ignition switch 11 is turned on.

In the present embodiment, the ECU60 independently transmits data including the output power performance and the accumulated operating time of the stack 20a and data including the output power performance and the accumulated operating time of the stack 20 b. However, after obtaining two output power performances and two operation histories, data including the output power performances and the accumulated operation time of both the stacks 20a and 20b may be transmitted at once. Further, the ECU60 may transmit the accumulated operating time of the stacks 20a and 20b as needed, and may transmit the output power performance of one of the stacks 20a and 20b when one of the output power performances of the stacks 20a and 20b is obtained. That is, the transmission timing of data is not limited.

In the above-described steps S13a, S13b, S15a and S15b, the ECU60 obtains the output power performance in the state where the output current of the stack is controlled to the upper limit current value Im, but is not limited thereto, for example, the ECU60 may calculate the output power by multiplying the lower limit voltage value Vm by the output current value in the state where the output voltage value of the stack is controlled to the lower limit voltage value Vm described above, and the ECU60 may obtain the output power as the output power performance, in any case, the ECU60 obtains the output power performance in the state where the output power of the stack is controlled to the current maximum output, but is not limited thereto, for example, the ECU60 may control the output current value of the stack to a predetermined current value so as to desirably reach 80%, preferably 90%, the output power may be calculated by multiplying the predetermined value by the actual output voltage value corresponding thereto, and the output power as the output power performance of the stack may be obtained as the output power performance of the stack, and may obtain the output power output as the output performance when the output of the stack is more than 80%, 90%, 80%, and α%, or 20% of the output power output performance may be obtained by multiplying the predetermined value.

Further, in the present embodiment, the ECU60 obtains the actual output power as the output power performance of the stack, but is not limited thereto. For example, the ECU60 may obtain the output voltage value in a state where the output current value of the stack is controlled to the upper limit current value Im as an index indicating the output power performance of the stack. This is because, as shown in fig. 2, the higher the output voltage value corresponding to the upper limit current value Im, the higher the output power performance of the stack. Further, the ECU60 may obtain the output current value in a state where the output voltage of the stack is controlled to the lower limit voltage value Vm as an index indicating the output power performance of the stack. This is because, as shown in fig. 2, the higher the output current value corresponding to the lower limit voltage value Vm is, the higher the output power performance of the stack is.

Next, fig. 4 is a timing chart when the output power performance obtaining control is executed, fig. 4 shows a transition of the required output power, a transition of the degree of increase acceleration of the required output power, and a transition of each of the output powers of the stacks 20a and 20b, the required output power is gradually increased from time t0 to time t1, but since the required output power is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value α (no in step S5), normal power generation control is executed (step S21). although the required output power is equal to or higher than the predetermined value α (yes in step S5) from time t1 to time t2, the increase speed of the required output power is equal to or higher than the first threshold β (no in step S9), the normal power generation control is continued (step S21). therefore, from time t0 to time t2, the output power of the stack 20a and the output power of the stack 20b are increased at substantially the same speed.

After time t2, the required output power continues to be at the predetermined value α or more (yes in step S5), and the increase speed of the required output power is lower than the first threshold value β (yes in step S9). therefore, the first power generation control (step S13a) is executed from time t2 to time t 4. in the first half cycle of the first power generation control from time t2 to time t3, the output power of the stack 20a increases, and the output power of the stack 20b decreases. in time t3, the output power of the stack 20a reaches the maximum value, and the ECU60 obtains the output power performance of the stack 20a (step S15 a). in the second half cycle of the first power generation control from time t3 to time t4, the output power of the stack 20a gradually decreases, and the output power of the stack 20b gradually increases, and then the output powers of the stacks 20a and 20b reach substantially the same at time t 4.

At time t4, the required output power is equal to or higher than the predetermined value α (yes in step S5), the increase speed of the required output power is lower than the first threshold β (yes in step S9), and the output power performance of the stack 20a has been obtained (yes in step S11.) therefore, the second power generation control is executed from time t4 to time t6 (step S13 b). in the first half cycle of the second power generation control from time t4 to time t5, the output power of the stack 20b is increased, and the output power of the stack 20a is decreased. at time t5, the output power of the stack 20b reaches the maximum value, and the ECU60 obtains the output power performance of the stack 20b (step S15 b.) in the second half cycle of the second power generation control from time t5 to time t6, the output power of the stack 20b is gradually decreased, and the output power of the stack 20a is gradually increased, then the stack 20a and the output power of the stack 20b reach the same output power at time t6 after the normal power generation control is executed at time t6 (step S21 6).

In the second half period of the first power generation control described above, the output power of the stack 20a is gradually reduced from the maximum output power. However, the output current value and the output voltage value of the stack 20a may be obtained in the above-described cycle, and at least one of the relationship between the output current value and the output voltage value, the relationship between the output current value and the output power value, and the relationship between the output voltage value and the output power value may be obtained as the output power performance of the stack 20 a. Therefore, the output power performance of the stack 20a belongs to a predetermined range in which the output power of the stack 20a is high, and the output power performance of the stack 20a is grasped in more detail. Further, in the first half of the first power generation control in which the output power of the stack 20a is gradually increased to the maximum output power, the output current value and the output voltage value of the stack 20a can be obtained, and the output power performance of the stack 20a can be obtained. In this case, however, since the flow rate of the oxidant gas is gradually increased during the period in which the output power of the stack 20a is gradually increased, the electrolyte membrane may be dried, and accurate output power performance may not be obtained. Therefore, the output power performance of the stack 20a is preferably obtained in the second half cycle of the first power generation control in which the output power of the stack 20a gradually decreases from the maximum output power. The above description applies to the stack 20 b.

[ output Power Performance obtaining control (first modification) ]

In the first modification, the ECU60 does not obtain the increase speed of the required output power itself, but obtains the increase speed of the accelerator opening from the accelerator opening sensor 13 (step S7a), and determines whether the increase speed of the accelerator opening is lower than the second threshold β a (step S9 a). the first threshold β a is preset in advance in the ROM of the ECU 60. the condition that the increase speed of the accelerator opening is lower than the second threshold β a is an example of a predetermined condition for executing the first power generation control and the second power generation control.

The ECU60 obtains the speed of increase in the accelerator opening degree, for example, as follows. The ECU60 obtains the accelerator opening degree from the accelerator opening degree sensor 13 at predetermined time intervals, and divides the difference between the accelerator opening degree obtained last time and the accelerator opening degree obtained this time by the predetermined time intervals. The obtained value is obtained as the speed of increase of the accelerator opening degree. When the value obtained in this way is negative, the value indicates that the accelerator opening is decreasing. When the value is positive, the value indicates that the accelerator opening is increasing.

Herein, the larger the "accelerator opening degree", the higher the output power supplied from the stacks 20a and 20b to the motor 54, that is, the higher the required output power, therefore, the larger the accelerator opening degree, the higher the "increase speed" of the required output power, furthermore, as described above, the "required output power" includes the power required to drive not only the motor 54 but also other auxiliary devices, but in general, the power required to drive the motor 54 is higher than the power required to drive the auxiliary devices.

The speed of increase in the accelerator opening degree is obtained in advance, as compared with the case where the speed of increase in the required output power is obtained in the present embodiment described above. After calculating the required output power based on the accelerator opening degree, the driving state of the auxiliary device, the driving condition of the vehicle 1, and the like, the increase speed of the required output power is calculated. Instead, the increase speed of the accelerator opening degree is calculated based only on the change per unit time of the accelerator opening degree. Therefore, the process of step S9a and the subsequent processes such as the process of step S13a may be started in advance before the increase speed of the required output power actually increases. Therefore, the output power performance is obtained in a short time.

The order of steps S5, S7a, and S9a is not limited to the above. Further, when both of step S9a and step S9 of the present embodiment are performed and yes is determined in both steps, the process of step S11 and subsequent processes may be performed. This is because a state in which the increase speed of the required output power does not increase is accurately estimated.

[ output Power Performance obtaining control (second modification) ]

In the second modification, the ECU60 does not obtain the increase speed of the accelerator opening degree, but obtains the accelerator opening degree itself (step S7b), and determines whether the accelerator opening degree is smaller than a third threshold β b (step S9 b). when the accelerator opening degree is smaller than the third threshold β b, the first power generation control or the second power generation control may be executed, but when the accelerator opening degree is not smaller than the third threshold β b, the normal power generation control is executed.

Further, when the accelerator opening degree is large, the required output power itself is estimated to be high and the increase speed of the required output power is estimated to be high.

The order of steps S5, S7b, and S9b is not limited to the case described above. Further, when step S9b and at least one of steps S9 and 9a are performed and it is determined to be yes in any process, the process of step S11 and subsequent processes may be performed.

[ output Power Performance obtaining control (third modification) ]

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of output power performance obtaining control according to the third modification. In the third modification, the ECU60 obtains a predicted route on which the vehicle 1 is predicted to travel from the current position within a predetermined period of time, for example, one minute (step S7c), and the ECU60 determines whether a predetermined section is excluded from the predicted route (step S9 c). When the predetermined section is excluded from the predicted route, the first power generation control or the second power generation control may be executed. However, when the predetermined section is included in the predicted route, the normal power generation control is executed. The condition excluding the predetermined section from the predicted route is an example of a predetermined condition for executing the first power generation control and the second power generation control.

Herein, the above-mentioned predetermined section includes an entrance of an expressway, a section in which an inclination angle of an ascending slope is a predetermined value or more, and a section in which an increase rate of the inclination angle of the ascending slope is a predetermined value or more. When these sections are included in the predicted route, the increase speed of the required output power is predicted to be high. In this context, the entrance to the highway is, for example, an electronic toll collection system (ETC) gate or a toll gate. For example, in the case where the entrance of the expressway is included in the predicted route, it is predicted that when the vehicle 1 enters the ETC gate from a general road, or after the vehicle 1 temporarily stops at a toll booth and pays a fee, the vehicle 1 will accelerate quickly and the increase speed of the required output power will increase. Similarly, it is also predictable that the same is true when the vehicle 1 enters the expressway from a general road. In addition, in a section where the inclination angle on the uphill is a predetermined value or more, it can be predicted that the increase speed of the required output power will increase when the vehicle 1 enters such a section. Even in a section where the rate of increase in the inclination angle on the uphill slope is a predetermined value or more, it is predicted that the rate of increase in the required output power will increase.

Further, the predetermined section may include any one of a section in which the inclination angle of the uphill is a predetermined value or more and a section in which the rate of increase in the inclination angle of the uphill is a predetermined value or more. This is because, in many cases, the section in which the inclination angle of the uphill is the predetermined value or more includes a section in which the rate of increase in the inclination angle of the uphill is the predetermined value or more, and the section in which the rate of increase in the inclination angle of the uphill is the predetermined value or more includes a section in which the inclination angle of the uphill is the predetermined value or more. Further, in the case where the predetermined section includes a section in which the inclination angle of the uphill is a predetermined value or more and a section in which the rate of increase in the inclination angle of the uphill is a predetermined value or more, it is possible to accurately predict a section in which the increase speed of the required output power will further increase.

The predicted route may be obtained from the navigation device 70 in which the destination is set. This is because, when a destination is set in the navigation device 70, the navigation device 70 calculates a route suitable for the travel of the vehicle 1 based on the set destination, the current position obtained by the GPS receiver, and the stored map data. Further, in a case where a travel history indicating a route on which the vehicle 1 has traveled is stored in the RAM of the ECU60, a predicted route may be obtained based on such a travel history. Further, the predicted route on which the vehicle 1 is predicted to travel from the current position within the predetermined period of time may be obtained based on the average vehicle speed of the vehicle 1, the speed limit of the route on which the vehicle 1 is predicted to travel, and the like.

The case of obtaining the predicted route predicted to be traveled by the vehicle 1 from the current position within one minute is described above as an example, but is not limited thereto. The predicted route may be, for example, within any one of 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 7 minutes, and 10 minutes from the current position. These periods are preferably set in consideration of the time required to execute the first power generation control and the second power generation control and the time required to obtain each output power performance of the stacks 20a and 20 b. That is, in the case where a long time is required to obtain each output power performance of the stacks 20a and 20b, the period is preferably set to be long.

The order of steps S5, S7c, and S9c is not limited to the case described above. Further, when step S9c and at least one of steps S9, S9a, and S9b are performed and yes is determined in any step, the processing of step S11 and the subsequent processing may be performed.

[ output Power Performance obtaining control (fourth modification) ]

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of output power performance obtaining control according to the fourth modification. Unlike the output power performance obtainment control according to the present embodiment described above, the output power performance obtainment control according to the fourth modification is realized by a temperature obtaining unit and a temperature determining unit that are functionally realized by the ECU 60. When the output power performance of the stack 20a has not been obtained (no in step S11), the ECU60 obtains the temperature of the stack 20a based on the output value from the temperature sensor 26a (step S121a), and determines whether the temperature falls within a predetermined temperature range (step S122 a). The predetermined temperature range may be, for example, from 50 degrees celsius to 80 degrees celsius, or from 60 degrees celsius to 70 degrees celsius.

When the temperature of the stack 20a does not fall within the predetermined temperature range (no in step S122a), the ECU60 executes normal power generation control (step S21). However, when the determination in step S122a is yes, the ECU60 executes the first power generation control (step S13a), and obtains the output power performance of the stack 20a (step S15 a). Therefore, the ECU60 obtains the output power performance of the stack 20a under substantially constant temperature conditions. Therefore, the ECU60 obtains the output power performance of the stack 20a under the condition that the influence of the temperature variation of the stack 20a on the output power performance is suppressed. In addition, when the temperature of the stack 20a is too low, the amount of condensed water generated in the stack 20a may increase, and the output power performance of the stack 20a may temporarily deteriorate. Further, when the temperature of the stack 20a is too high, the inside of the stack 20a may be dried and the output power performance of the stack 20a may be temporarily deteriorated. The ECU60 obtains the output power performance of the stack 20a in addition to the temperature condition under which the output power performance may temporarily deteriorate. Therefore, the ECU60 obtains accurate output power performance of the stack 20 a. The condition that the temperature of the stack 20a falls within the predetermined range is an example of a predetermined condition for executing the first power generation control.

Similarly, when the output power performance of the stack 20a has been obtained (yes in step S11), the ECU60 obtains the temperature of the stack 20b based on the output value of the temperature sensor 26b (step S121b), and determines whether the temperature falls within a predetermined temperature range (step S122 b). The temperature range of step S122a and the temperature range of step S122b are preferably the same so that the temperature conditions when the ECU60 obtains the output power performance of the stacks 20a and 20b are substantially the same. The condition that the temperature of the stack 20b falls within the predetermined range is an example of a predetermined condition for executing the second power generation control.

[ configuration (modification) of Fuel cell System ]

A fuel cell system according to a modification will be described. Fig. 9 is a configuration view of a vehicle 1a equipped with a fuel cell system according to a modification. In the fuel cell system according to this modification, unlike the present embodiment, a single air compressor 30c is provided instead of the two air compressors 30a and 30 b. The air compressor 30c is larger than any one of the air compressors 30a and 30b, and is capable of supplying the oxidant gas to the stacks 20a and 20b at a flow rate substantially the same as the sum of the maximum flow rates of the oxidant gas achieved by the air compressors 30a and 30 b. One end of the air pipe 32c is connected to the air compressor 30c, the air pipe 32c is branched into two midway, and the other two ends are connected to the stacks 20a and 20b, respectively. The oxidant gas is supplied from the air compressor 30c to the stacks 20a and 20b via an air pipe 32 c.

Further, the valves 34a and 34b are provided at two branch portions of the air pipe 32c that branch from each other. Each opening degree of the valves 34a and 34b is adjusted by the ECU 60. The flow rate of the oxidant gas supplied to each of the stacks 20a and 20b is controlled by adjusting each opening degree of the valves 34a and 34 b. The air compressor 30c, the valves 34a and 34b, and the injectors 44a and 44b are examples of supply systems that supply the reaction gas to the stacks 20a and 20 b.

For example, by increasing the opening degree of the valve 34a from a state in which the opening degrees of the valves 34a and 34b are substantially the same in the normal power generation control and by decreasing the opening degree of the valve 34b, the normal power generation control is switched to the first power generation control. That is, the first electric power generation control is executed by controlling the opening degrees of the valves 34a and 34b without changing the rotation speed of the air compressor 30 c. Similarly, by adjusting the opening degrees of the valves 34a and 34b, the normal power generation control is switched to the second power generation control. Therefore, it is not necessary to change the rotation speed of the air compressor 30c in order to execute the first electric power generation control or the second electric power generation control, thereby suppressing an increase in power consumption due to an increase or decrease in the rotation speed of the air compressor 30 c.

[ others ]

Although the above-described embodiment and modification include the two stacks 20a and 20b connected in parallel with each other, they may include three or more stacks connected in parallel with each other. Also in this case, when the increase speed of the required output power is high, the output powers of all the stacks can be controlled to be substantially the same. When the increase speed of the required output power is low, the output power of at least one stack may be increased and the output power of the other stacks may be decreased, and then the output power performance of the stack having the increased output power may be obtained. This ensures the frequency of obtaining the output power performance of the stack when the increase speed of the required output power is low, while suppressing the response delay of the actual output power when the increase speed of the required output power is high.

The stacks 20a and 20b in the above-described embodiment and modification have the same rated output, but are not limited thereto. When the stacks 20a and 20b are different from each other in rated output power, the ratio of the output power of the stack 20a to its rated output and the ratio of the output power of the stack 20b to its rated output are controlled to be substantially the same in the normal power generation control. In the first power generation control, the ratio of the output power of the stack 20a to its rated output may be controlled to be larger than that in the normal power generation state, and the ratio of the output power of the stack 20b to its rated output may be controlled to be smaller than that in the normal power generation state.

In the above-described embodiment and modifications, the data including the operation history and the output power performance of the stacks 20a and 20b is transmitted to the external server 100 by wireless transmission, but is not limited to wireless transmission. For example, at the repair of the vehicle 1 or the like at the factory, data including the operation history and the output power performance of the stacks 20a and 20b may be transmitted to an information processing terminal such as a computer provided outside the vehicle 1 via a cable connected to the ECU 60.

In the above-described embodiments and modifications, the fuel cell system is mounted on a vehicle, but is not limited thereto. For example, a stationary fuel cell system may be used. The vehicle may be not only an automobile but also a two-wheeled vehicle, a railway vehicle, a ship, an airplane, and the like. In addition, the vehicle 1 may be a hybrid vehicle that is driven using the electric motor 54 together with an internal combustion engine.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, but may be changed or modified within the scope of the claimed invention.