Hydrogen fuel cell automobile hydrogen suspension based on metal corrugated pipe air bag and control method of hydrogen fuel cell automobile hydrogen suspension

Abstract

The invention discloses a hydrogen fuel cell automobile hydrogen suspension based on a metal corrugated pipe air bag. The hydrogen fuel cell automobile hydrogen suspension comprises a hydrogen suspension unit, an inflation control unit and a deflation control unit. The hydrogen suspension unit comprises a hydrogen air bag, a shock absorber is arranged in the hydrogen air bag, and the front end and the rear end of the hydrogen air bag are communicated with a main path hydrogen supply system of the hydrogen fuel cell automobile through an inflation pipeline and a deflation pipeline respectively; the inflation control unit comprises a first suspension pressure reducing valve, a first one-way valve and a first electromagnetic valve; the deflation control unit comprises a second suspension pressure reducing valve, a second one-way valve and a second electromagnetic valve. A gas storage bottle, a compressor, a dryer and a filter which are independently arranged are not arranged, and the occupied space is small. Meanwhile, in the running process of the vehicle, the shock absorber can convert mechanical energy into heat energy of hydrogen in the hydrogen air bag through vibration, the temperature is further increased after throttling and pressure reduction by combining the Joule-Thomson effect of the hydrogen, the hydrogen at the proper temperature can be provided for the electric pile, and the energy consumption for additionally heating the hydrogen at the inlet of the fuel cell electric pile is further reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and in particular to a hydrogen suspension of a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle based on a metal bellows airbag and a control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Air suspension refers to a suspension that uses air springs as elastic elements. It mainly consists of two parts: an air spring with compressed air inside and a shock absorber with variable damping. The air spring is the core component of the air suspension. Its height and stiffness can be changed by inflating and deflating air, thereby achieving adjustment of the air suspension.

[0003] For example, the patent document with patent number 201710031942.X discloses an air suspension and a vehicle using the air suspension, wherein the vehicle includes a vehicle body, an axle and an air suspension arranged therebetween, the air suspension includes an air spring and an air shock absorber, the air shock absorber includes a working cylinder body, the air shock absorber is provided with an air port connected to the inner cavity of the working cylinder body, the air port is connected to an air storage cylinder through a shock absorber air circuit, and a shock absorber throttling switch is provided on the shock absorber air circuit.

[0004] The above technical solution sends compressed air to the air chambers of the air spring and the air shock absorber through an air compressor, thereby changing the height of the vehicle. However, it has the following disadvantages:

[0005] 1. High cost and maintenance expenses: The cost and maintenance expenses of air suspension are high due to its complex manufacturing process and numerous components.

[0006] 2. Loud noise: Compared with the traditional shock absorption system, the compressor in the air suspension is frequently inflated, which makes loud noise and affects the NVH performance of the whole vehicle.

[0007] 3. Occupies a large chassis space: The air suspension consists of a large filter, dryer, air compressor and gas cylinder. It occupies a large volume in the chassis layout of the whole vehicle, which is not conducive to the design and layout of other chassis components.

[0008] Therefore, it is necessary for us to improve such a structure to overcome the above-mentioned defects. Summary of the invention

[0009] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a hydrogen suspension for a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle based on a metal bellows airbag and a control method thereof, so as to solve the problems existing in the prior art.

[0010] The above technical objectives of the present invention are achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0011] A hydrogen fuel cell vehicle hydrogen suspension based on a metal bellows airbag, comprising a hydrogen suspension unit, an inflation control unit arranged at the front end of the hydrogen suspension unit, and a deflation control unit arranged at the rear end of the hydrogen suspension unit;

[0012] The hydrogen suspension unit includes a hydrogen airbag, a shock absorber is arranged inside the hydrogen airbag, and a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor are arranged outside the hydrogen airbag, which are used to detect the temperature and air pressure inside the hydrogen airbag respectively. The front and rear ends of the hydrogen airbag are connected to the main road hydrogen supply system of the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle through an inflation pipeline and an exhaust pipeline respectively.

[0013] The charging control unit includes a first suspension pressure reducing valve, a first check valve and a first solenoid valve arranged along the charging pipeline, the first solenoid valve is used to control the on-off of the charging pipeline, the first suspension pressure reducing valve is used to reduce the pressure of hydrogen introduced from the main hydrogen supply system, and the first check valve is used to prevent the hydrogen from flowing back in the charging pipeline;

[0014] The deflation control unit includes a second suspension pressure reducing valve, a second one-way valve and a second solenoid valve arranged along the deflation pipeline. The second solenoid valve is used to control the on-off of the deflation pipeline. The second suspension pressure reducing valve is used to reduce the pressure of hydrogen released from the hydrogen airbag. The second one-way valve is used to prevent the hydrogen from flowing back in the deflation pipeline.

[0015] The hydrogen airbag adopts a double-layer composite structure, which includes an anti-permeation layer located on the inner side and a protective layer located on the outer side; the anti-permeation layer is a metal bellows made of stainless steel material, and the protective layer is an elastic material made of thermoplastic polyurethane TPU or polyvinyl chloride PVC.

[0016] The main hydrogen supply system includes a hydrogen storage cylinder, which is connected to the hydrogen fuel cell stack / engine through a main delivery pipeline. A filter, a fuel-electricity pressure reducing valve and a hydrogen low-pressure buffer tank are arranged in sequence on the main delivery pipeline.

[0017] The front end of the hydrogen airbag is connected to the hydrogen storage cylinder of the main hydrogen supply system through an inflation pipeline, and the rear end of the hydrogen airbag is connected to the hydrogen low-pressure buffer tank through an exhaust pipeline.

[0018] A control method for a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle hydrogen suspension based on a metal bellows airbag comprises the following steps:

[0019] 1) When the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle needs to be lifted, the first solenoid valve is opened to connect the charging pipeline with the main delivery pipeline, and the high-pressure hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage cylinder enters the charging pipeline through the main delivery pipeline, and enters the hydrogen airbag through the first one-way valve after being decompressed by the first suspension pressure reducing valve, thereby increasing the height and rigidity of the hydrogen airbag;

[0020] 2) When the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle needs to lower its height, the first solenoid valve is closed and the second solenoid valve is opened, so that the deflation pipeline is connected to the hydrogen low-pressure buffer tank. The hydrogen stored in the hydrogen airbag enters the deflation pipeline, is reduced in pressure by the second suspension pressure reducing valve, and then enters the hydrogen low-pressure buffer tank through the second one-way valve, thereby reducing the height and stiffness of the hydrogen airbag.

[0021] The hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage cylinder is decompressed to P1 by the fuel-electricity pressure reducing valve, and enters the fuel-electricity stack after passing through the hydrogen low-pressure buffer tank;

[0022] The outlet pressure of the first suspension pressure reducing valve at the front end of the hydrogen airbag is P2, the outlet pressure of the second suspension pressure reducing valve at the rear end of the hydrogen airbag is P3, and P2>P1=P3.

[0023] When the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle is raised or lowered, the vehicle body vibrates, and the shock absorber converts mechanical energy into thermal energy of the hydrogen in the hydrogen airbag, combined with the Joule-Thomson effect of hydrogen, to increase the temperature of the hydrogen entering the low-pressure buffer tank.

[0024] In summary, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0025] 1. When the height needs to be raised, gas is taken from the hydrogen storage cylinder that comes with the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. The hydrogen in the hydrogen storage cylinder is decompressed and enters the hydrogen airbag. The height and stiffness of the suspension are increased by increasing the pressure in the hydrogen airbag. When the height needs to be lowered, the solenoid valve at the rear end of the hydrogen airbag is opened, and the hydrogen is further decompressed and flows into the low-pressure buffer tank. At this time, the pressure of the hydrogen airbag is reduced, thereby reducing the height and stiffness of the suspension.

[0026] 2. Because there is no separate gas tank, compressor, dryer and filter, the hydrogen suspension occupies a very small volume. At the same time, when the vehicle is driving, the weight of the vehicle body above the shock absorber vibrates, converting mechanical energy into thermal energy of hydrogen in the hydrogen airbag. Combined with the Joule-Thomson effect of hydrogen, it further heats up after throttling and decompression, which can provide hydrogen at a suitable temperature to the fuel cell stack, further reducing the energy consumption of additional heating of hydrogen at the inlet of the fuel cell stack. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the hydrogen suspension of a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle based on a metal bellows airbag according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] In order to make the technical means, creative features, objectives and effects achieved by the present invention easy to understand, the present invention is further described below in conjunction with illustrations and specific embodiments.

[0029] like Figure 1As shown, the present invention proposes a hydrogen suspension for a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle based on a metal bellows airbag, comprising a hydrogen suspension unit 1, an inflation control unit 2 arranged at the front end of the hydrogen suspension unit 1, and a deflation control unit 3 arranged at the rear end of the hydrogen suspension unit 1;

[0030] The hydrogen suspension unit 1 includes a hydrogen airbag 11, a shock absorber 12 is provided inside the hydrogen airbag 11, and a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor are provided outside the hydrogen airbag 11, which are used to detect the temperature and air pressure inside the hydrogen airbag 11 respectively. The front and rear ends of the hydrogen airbag 11 are connected to the main road hydrogen supply system 4 of the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle through an inflation pipeline and an exhaust pipeline respectively;

[0031] The charging control unit 2 includes a first suspension pressure reducing valve 21, a first check valve 22 and a first solenoid valve 23 arranged along the charging pipeline. The first solenoid valve 23 is used to control the on-off of the charging pipeline. The first suspension pressure reducing valve 21 is used to reduce the pressure of hydrogen introduced from the main hydrogen supply system 4. The first check valve 22 is used to prevent the hydrogen from flowing back in the charging pipeline.

[0032] The deflation control unit 3 includes a second suspension pressure reducing valve 31, a second one-way valve 32 and a second solenoid valve 33 arranged along the deflation pipeline. The second solenoid valve 33 is used to control the on-off of the deflation pipeline. The second suspension pressure reducing valve 31 is used to reduce the pressure of hydrogen released from the hydrogen airbag 11, and the second one-way valve 32 is used to prevent the hydrogen from flowing back in the deflation pipeline.

[0033] The hydrogen airbag 11 adopts a double-layer composite structure, which includes an anti-permeation layer located on the inner side and a protective layer located on the outer side; the anti-permeation layer is a metal bellows made of 316 stainless steel material, and the protective layer is an elastic material made of thermoplastic polyurethane TPU or polyvinyl chloride PVC.

[0034] Because the molecular weight of hydrogen gas in the hydrogen airbag 11 is very small, it is very easy to penetrate from the material, which not only leads to a large amount of hydrogen consumption, but also there is a delay and volatility when the stiffness of the airbag is controlled by pressure. In response to this situation, the present application proposes a composite hydrogen airbag 11. The hydrogen airbag 11 is composed of two layers of materials. The inner layer is a metal bellows layer composed of 316 stainless steel material, and the bellows are welded between the upper and lower cover plates by welding. An outer layer composed of elastic materials such as TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) or PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is closely attached to the outside of the metal bellows. The inner layer mainly serves to isolate hydrogen from penetrating. The outer layer serves to protect the inner layer to prevent external particles such as stones from hitting the metal bellows layer during vehicle driving.

[0035] The main hydrogen supply system 4 includes a hydrogen storage cylinder 41, which is connected to the hydrogen fuel cell stack / engine through a main delivery pipeline 42. A filter 43, a fuel-electricity pressure reducing valve 44 and a hydrogen low-pressure buffer tank 45 are sequentially arranged on the main delivery pipeline 42.

[0036] The front end of the hydrogen airbag 11 is connected to the hydrogen storage cylinder 41 of the main hydrogen supply system 4 through an inflation pipeline, and the rear end of the hydrogen airbag 11 is connected to the hydrogen low-pressure buffer tank 45 through an exhaust pipeline.

[0037] A control method for a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle hydrogen suspension based on a metal bellows airbag comprises the following steps:

[0038] 1) When the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle needs to be lifted, the first solenoid valve 23 is opened to connect the charging pipeline with the main delivery pipeline 42, and the high-pressure hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage cylinder 41 enters the charging pipeline through the main delivery pipeline 42, and enters the hydrogen airbag 11 through the first one-way valve 22 after being decompressed by the first suspension pressure reducing valve 21, thereby increasing the height and rigidity of the hydrogen airbag 11;

[0039] 2) When the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle needs to lower its height, the first solenoid valve 23 is closed and the second solenoid valve 33 is opened, so that the deflation pipeline is connected to the hydrogen low-pressure buffer tank 45, and the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen airbag 11 enters the deflation pipeline, is reduced in pressure by the second suspension pressure reducing valve 31, and then enters the hydrogen low-pressure buffer tank 45 through the second one-way valve 32, thereby reducing the height and rigidity of the hydrogen airbag 11.

[0040] The hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage cylinder 41 is decompressed to P1 by the fuel-electricity pressure reducing valve 44, and enters the fuel-electricity stack after passing through the hydrogen low-pressure buffer tank 45;

[0041] The outlet pressure of the first suspension pressure reducing valve 21 at the front end of the hydrogen airbag 11 is P2, the outlet pressure of the second suspension pressure reducing valve 31 at the rear end of the hydrogen airbag 11 is P3, and P2>P1=P3.

[0042] During the process of raising and lowering the height of the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, the vehicle body will vibrate, and the shock absorber 12 converts mechanical energy into thermal energy of the hydrogen in the hydrogen airbag 1 , combined with the Joule-Thomson effect of hydrogen, to increase the temperature of the hydrogen entering the low-pressure buffer tank 45 .

[0043] In this document, the directions or positional relationships indicated by terms such as "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "vertical", and "horizontal" are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the clarity of expressing the technical solutions and the convenience of description, and therefore should not be understood as limitations of the present invention.

[0044] In this document, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion of elements other than those listed and may also include additional elements not expressly listed.

[0045] The above shows and describes the basic principles, main features and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The above embodiments and descriptions are only for explaining the principles of the present invention. The present invention may be subject to various changes and improvements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. These changes and improvements fall within the scope of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the attached claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A hydrogen fuel cell vehicle hydrogen suspension based on a metal bellows airbag, characterized in that: It comprises a hydrogen suspension unit (1), an inflation control unit (2) arranged at the front end of the hydrogen suspension unit (1), and a deflation control unit (3) arranged at the rear end of the hydrogen suspension unit (1); The hydrogen suspension unit (1) comprises a hydrogen airbag (11), a shock absorber (12) is arranged inside the hydrogen airbag (11), and a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor are arranged outside the hydrogen airbag (11), which are used to detect the temperature and pressure inside the hydrogen airbag (11), respectively; the front and rear ends of the hydrogen airbag (11) are connected to the main hydrogen supply system (4) of the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle through an inflation pipeline and an exhaust pipeline, respectively; The inflation control unit (2) comprises a first suspension pressure reducing valve (21), a first non-return valve (22) and a first electromagnetic valve (23) arranged along the inflation pipeline, the first electromagnetic valve (23) being used to control the on-off of the inflation pipeline, the first suspension pressure reducing valve (21) being used to reduce the pressure of hydrogen introduced from the main hydrogen supply system (4), and the first non-return valve (22) being used to prevent the hydrogen from flowing back in the inflation pipeline; The deflation control unit (3) comprises a second suspension pressure reducing valve (31), a second non-return valve (32) and a second electromagnetic valve (33) arranged along the deflation pipeline. The second electromagnetic valve (33) is used to control the on-off of the deflation pipeline. The second suspension pressure reducing valve (31) is used to reduce the pressure of hydrogen released from the hydrogen airbag (1). The second non-return valve (32) is used to prevent the hydrogen from flowing back in the deflation pipeline.

2. The hydrogen fuel cell vehicle hydrogen suspension based on a metal bellows airbag according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The hydrogen airbag (11) adopts a double-layer composite structure, which includes an anti-permeation layer located on the inner side and a protective layer located on the outer side; the anti-permeation layer is a metal bellows made of 316 stainless steel material, and the protective layer is an elastic material made of thermoplastic polyurethane TPU or polyvinyl chloride PVC.

3. The hydrogen fuel cell vehicle hydrogen suspension based on a metal bellows airbag according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The main hydrogen supply system (4) comprises a hydrogen storage cylinder (41), which is connected to a hydrogen fuel cell stack / engine via a main delivery pipeline (42), and a filter (43), a fuel-electricity pressure reducing valve (44) and a hydrogen low-pressure buffer tank (45) are sequentially arranged on the main delivery pipeline (42).

4. The hydrogen fuel cell vehicle hydrogen suspension based on a metal bellows airbag according to claim 3 is characterized in that: The front end of the hydrogen airbag (11) is connected to the hydrogen storage cylinder (41) of the main hydrogen supply system (4) through an inflation pipeline, and the rear end of the hydrogen airbag (11) is connected to the hydrogen low-pressure buffer tank (45) through an exhaust pipeline.

5. A control method for a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle hydrogen suspension based on a metal bellows airbag, characterized in that: The steps include: 1) When the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle needs to be raised in height, the first solenoid valve (23) is opened to connect the gas charging pipeline with the main delivery pipeline (42), and the high-pressure hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage cylinder (41) enters the gas charging pipeline through the main delivery pipeline (42), is decompressed by the first suspension pressure reducing valve (21), and then enters the hydrogen airbag (11) through the first one-way valve (22), thereby increasing the height and rigidity of the hydrogen airbag (11); 2) When the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle needs to lower its height, the first solenoid valve (23) is closed and the second solenoid valve (33) is opened, so that the deflation pipeline is connected to the hydrogen low-pressure buffer tank (45), and the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen airbag (11) enters the deflation pipeline, is decompressed by the second suspension decompression valve (31), and then enters the hydrogen low-pressure buffer tank (45) through the second one-way valve (32), thereby reducing the height and rigidity of the hydrogen airbag (11).

6. The control method of the hydrogen suspension of a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle based on a metal bellows airbag according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage cylinder (41) is decompressed to P1 by the fuel-electricity pressure reducing valve (44), and then enters the fuel-electricity stack after passing through the hydrogen low-pressure buffer tank (45); The outlet pressure of the first suspension pressure reducing valve (21) at the front end of the hydrogen airbag (11) is P2, the outlet pressure of the second suspension pressure reducing valve (31) at the rear end of the hydrogen airbag (11) is P3, and P2>P1=P3.

7. The control method of the hydrogen suspension of a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle based on a metal bellows airbag according to claim 1 is characterized in that: During the process of raising and lowering the height of the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, the vehicle body vibrates, and the shock absorber (12) converts mechanical energy into thermal energy of the hydrogen in the hydrogen airbag (1), combined with the Joule-Thomson effect of the hydrogen, to increase the temperature of the hydrogen entering the low-pressure buffer tank (45).

Images