Apparatus and method for starting a vehicle with fuel cells

摘要

The invention relates to a device and a method for starting a vehicle which is driven by an electric drive unit which is supplied with electric energy from a fuel cell. A compressor which is driven by an electric motor which is supplied with voltage from the fuel cell itself is arranged in the feed line of the fuel cell for the oxidant flow. According to the invention it is proposed to provide additionally a starter motor for activating the fuel cell for driving the compressor, the said starter motor being fed by a 12V starter battery. In addition, it is proposed to start a safety interrogation before the activation of the vehicle. The fuel cell is not powered up to a prescribed idling power with the aid of the starter motor until the safety interrogation has been successfully terminated. After this idling power is reached, the drive unit is then enabled.