Small-power air-cooled fuel cell system for two-wheeled vehicle

Abstract

The utility model discloses a low-power air-cooled fuel cell system for a two-wheeled vehicle, and relates to the technical field of fuel cells. The system comprises a fuel cell stack, a hydrogen bottle and a cooling fan, and further comprises an installation box body, an installation cavity is formed in the installation box body, an air inlet and an air outlet are formed in the two opposite sides of the installation box body respectively, an air channel is formed in the installation cavity, and the air inlet and the air outlet are formed in the two ends of the air channel respectively; at least part of a bottle body of the hydrogen bottle extends into the air duct, the fuel cell stack and the cooling fan are respectively arranged at two ends of the air duct, and the hydrogen bottle is heated by air cooling tail gas discharged by the fuel cell stack. The system layout and the air duct design are optimized, and the hydrogen bottle is heated by the tail gas of the electric pile, so that the problem of insufficient hydrogen supply caused by temperature drop of solid hydrogen storage and desorption is solved.

Description

A low-power air-cooled fuel cell system for two-wheeled vehicles Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of fuel cell technology, and in particular to a low-power air-cooled fuel cell system for two-wheeled vehicles. By optimizing the system layout and air duct design, it utilizes the exhaust gas from the fuel cell stack to heat the hydrogen cylinder, thus solving the problem of insufficient hydrogen supply caused by the drop in hydrogen release temperature in solid-state hydrogen storage. Background Technology

[0002] Shared two-wheeled vehicles use a low-power air-cooling system with a rated power of about 300W to 400W. For safety and hydrogen storage considerations, solid metal hydrogen storage is generally used. The characteristic of this hydrogen storage method is that it absorbs heat when releasing hydrogen, and the temperature of the hydrogen tank will gradually decrease. The lower the temperature, the lower the hydrogen release rate. When the hydrogen release rate is low enough, it cannot meet the needs of the fuel cell stack and a malfunction occurs.

[0003] Current industry practices include: 1. Adding heating elements and temperature sensors to the hydrogen cylinder (such as a solid-state hydrogen storage fuel cell system disclosed in patent CN119275309A that can measure the remaining hydrogen volume, and patent CN114335600A). When the temperature is below 5°C, the hydrogen cylinder is heated. This solution increases costs, auxiliary power consumption, and reduces driving range; 2. Integrating the fuel cell stack and fan together, with the fan placed inside the seat of the two-wheeled vehicle. This requires the use of small-volume hydrogen cylinders, reducing the hydrogen storage capacity and significantly shortening the driving range. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the problems of short driving range and insufficient hydrogen storage caused by high power consumption of heating elements and large space occupation of integrated fans in existing technologies, this utility model provides a low-power air-cooled fuel cell system for two-wheeled vehicles. Through structural layout optimization, the exhaust gas of the fuel cell stack is used to heat the hydrogen tank, so that the temperature of the fuel cell stack is maintained within a certain temperature range to meet the hydrogen release requirements.

[0005] The core innovation of this utility model lies in: through structural layout optimization and air duct design, the hot exhaust gas generated by the fuel cell stack is guided to the surface of the hydrogen cylinder, and the waste heat is used to heat the hydrogen cylinder, reducing additional energy consumption, while avoiding space waste caused by fan integration.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of this utility model is as follows:

[0007] This utility model provides a low-power air-cooled fuel cell system for two-wheeled vehicles, including a fuel cell stack, a hydrogen cylinder and a cooling fan, and also includes a mounting box. The mounting box has a mounting cavity inside, and air inlets and air outlets are respectively provided on opposite sides of the mounting box. The mounting cavity has an air duct, and the two ends of the air duct are the air inlet and the air outlet, respectively.

[0008] The hydrogen cylinder has at least a portion of its body extending into the air duct. The fuel cell stack and the cooling fan are respectively located at both ends of the air duct. The hydrogen cylinder is heated by the air-cooled exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell stack.

[0009] This invention solves the problem of heating the hydrogen cylinder by guiding the high-temperature gas from the fuel cell outlet to the hydrogen cylinder through the design of the air duct within the relatively compact space of a shared two-wheeled vehicle.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment, the hydrogen cylinder is vertically inserted into the mounting housing from the top surface. Vertical installation allows the hydrogen cylinder to extend in the vertical direction, reducing lateral space occupation and accommodating the compact layout of two-wheeled vehicles.

[0011] Furthermore, the air duct is located at the upper part of the mounting cavity, and the hydrogen cylinder passes vertically through the air duct, with a section of the middle part of the hydrogen cylinder located within the air duct. The middle part of the hydrogen cylinder directly contacts the high-temperature exhaust gas, achieving efficient heat exchange through convection and radiation. Simultaneously, the natural upward movement of hot air is matched with the air duct position, reducing additional power consumption and achieving stratified heat utilization.

[0012] Furthermore, it also includes a controller located within the mounting cavity, below the air duct, which keeps the controller away from high-temperature areas to prevent electronic components from failing due to overheating; it also optimizes the vertical space allocation of the mounting cavity.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment, the fuel cell stack is located at the air inlet, and the cooling fan is located at the air outlet.

[0014] The cooling fan draws in outside air, which flows sequentially through the fuel cell stack, hydrogen tank, and fan. As the outside air passes through the fuel cell stack, its temperature rises, and it then flows through the air duct to the hydrogen tank, heating it. Simultaneously, the cool outside air flowing through the fuel cell stack first helps lower its operating temperature.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment, the fuel cell stack includes vertically stacked electrode plates, and the fuel cell stack has an air-cooling channel arranged along the air duct direction.

[0016] The air-cooling channel is parallel to the air duct, ensuring that the exhaust gas flow direction is consistent with the hydrogen cylinder heating path, thus achieving directional heat conduction. The airflow can also be evenly distributed within the fuel cell stack, avoiding localized overheating or insufficient cooling.

[0017] This utility model's low-power air-cooled fuel cell system for two-wheeled vehicles achieves a triple breakthrough in space efficiency, energy efficiency, and hydrogen storage performance through innovative structural layout and optimized thermal management. Its vertical hydrogen tank and layered air duct design significantly saves installation space, while waste heat recycling technology allows the fuel cell stack's exhaust gas to be used for hydrogen tank heating, reducing overall energy consumption. Simultaneously, the optimized hydrogen storage temperature range significantly improves driving range. The system's modular design and intelligent thermal management not only reduce production costs but also extend the lifespan of core components through temperature equalization control, providing a lightweight, long-range, and highly reliable power solution for shared two-wheeled vehicles. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 is a rear view schematic diagram of the low-power air-cooled fuel cell system for two-wheeled vehicles according to this utility model;

[0019] Figure 2 is a front view schematic diagram of the low-power air-cooled fuel cell system for two-wheeled vehicles according to this utility model;

[0020] Figure 3 is a side view schematic diagram of the low-power air-cooled fuel cell system for two-wheeled vehicles of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of AA in Figure 3;

[0022] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the back of the cooling fan structure;

[0023] Figure 6 is a front view of the cooling fan structure.

[0024] The diagram is labeled as follows: 1-Fuel cell stack, 2-Hydrogen tank, 3-Cooling fan, 4-Mounting housing, 41-Mounting cavity, 42-Air inlet, 43-Air outlet, 44-Air duct, 5-Controller. Detailed Implementation

[0025] As shown in Figures 1-6, this utility model provides a low-power air-cooled fuel cell system for two-wheeled vehicles, including a fuel cell stack 1, a hydrogen tank 2, and a cooling fan 3, as well as a mounting box 4. The mounting box 4 has a mounting cavity 41 inside, and air inlets 42 and air outlets 43 are respectively provided on opposite sides of the mounting box 4. The mounting cavity 41 has an air duct 44, and the two ends of the air duct 44 are air inlets 42 and air outlets 43, respectively.

[0026] The body of the hydrogen cylinder 2 extends at least partially into the air duct 44. The fuel cell stack 1 and the cooling fan 3 are respectively located at both ends of the air duct 44. The hydrogen cylinder 2 is heated by the air-cooled exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell stack 1.

[0027] The hydrogen cylinder 2 is designed to be inserted vertically from the top into the mounting box 4, which maximizes the hydrogen storage capacity within the limited mounting cavity and extends the driving range. This design also facilitates the quick replacement or maintenance of the hydrogen cylinder without disassembling the entire system.

[0028] In this invention, the air duct 44 is located at the upper part of the mounting cavity 41. The hydrogen cylinder 2 passes vertically through the air duct 44, with a middle section of the hydrogen cylinder 2 located inside the air duct 44. This allows for concentrated heating of the key areas of the hydrogen cylinder, reducing heat loss to the environment. As shown in Figure 2, this invention inserts the hydrogen cylinder into the round hole of the air duct, and the two are sealed by a groove-type sealing strip, which also prevents scratching of the air duct when replacing the hydrogen cylinder.

[0029] The utility model of a low-power air-cooled fuel cell system for two-wheeled vehicles also includes a controller 5 located in the mounting cavity 41. The controller 5 is located below the air duct 44, which can keep the controller away from the high-temperature area, avoid the failure of electronic components due to overheating and extend the equipment life; at the same time, it can also optimize the vertical space allocation of the mounting cavity.

[0030] To achieve simultaneous cooling of the fuel cell stack and heating of the hydrogen tank without the need for additional heating elements, the fuel cell stack 1 is located at the air inlet 42, and the cooling fan 3 is located at the air outlet 43. This prevents the fuel cell stack from overheating and also prevents stress damage to the hydrogen tank caused by sudden temperature changes.

[0031] The cooling fan draws in outside air, which flows sequentially through the fuel cell stack, hydrogen tank, and fan. As the outside air passes through the fuel cell stack, its temperature rises, and it then flows through the air duct to the hydrogen tank, heating it. Simultaneously, the cool outside air flowing through the fuel cell stack first helps lower its operating temperature.

[0032] Using a complex sealing structure for the air duct will first increase costs, and secondly, increase assembly difficulty during mass production. The end plates of the fuel cell stack can be designed with a flat structure to match the air duct surface.

[0033] Specifically, the fuel cell stack 1 includes vertically stacked electrode plates. The fuel cell stack 1 has air-cooling channels arranged along the air duct 44, which stabilize the operating temperature, reduce membrane electrode degradation, and improve fuel cell durability. In actual use, the stack can be connected to the air duct via bolts at four mounting points; tightening these bolts reduces air leakage.

[0034] In use, after confirming that the hydrogen cylinder 2 has been vertically inserted into the round hole at the top of the mounting box 4, the controller 5 is turned on to start the fuel cell stack 1 to generate electricity. The stack plates are stacked vertically, and the air-cooling channel is arranged along the air duct direction to ensure directional flow of exhaust gas. The cooling fan 3 is started simultaneously, and cold air from the outside is introduced from the air inlet 42 through the suction method. The cold air first flows through the fuel cell stack 1, taking away the heat generated by its operation and reducing the stack's operating temperature. The heated exhaust gas enters the air duct 44 and flows along the middle surface of the hydrogen cylinder 2, using waste heat to heat the hydrogen cylinder and maintain its optimal hydrogen release temperature. The heated gas is finally discharged from the air outlet 43, completing the heat exchange cycle.

[0035] Finally, first shut down fuel cell stack 1 to stop power generation. After the stack temperature drops to a safe range, turn off cooling fan 3 and controller 5 to prevent damage to high-temperature components from sudden cooling. When replacing hydrogen cylinder 2, simply pull the old cylinder upwards, insert the new cylinder, and check the seal; there is no need to disassemble the casing.

Claims

1. A low-power air-cooled fuel cell system for two-wheeled vehicles, comprising a fuel cell stack, a hydrogen tank, and a cooling fan, characterized in that, It also includes an installation housing with an installation cavity inside. An air inlet and an air outlet are respectively provided on opposite sides of the installation housing. An air duct is provided inside the installation cavity, with the air inlet and air outlet at both ends of the air duct. At least part of the body of the hydrogen cylinder extends into the air duct. The fuel cell stack and the cooling fan are respectively located at both ends of the air duct. The hydrogen cylinder is heated by the air-cooled exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell stack.

2. The low-power air-cooled fuel cell system for two-wheeled vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hydrogen cylinder is vertically inserted into the mounting box from the top surface.

3. The low-power air-cooled fuel cell system for two-wheeled vehicles according to claim 2, characterized in that, The air duct is located at the upper part of the mounting cavity, the hydrogen cylinder passes vertically through the air duct, and a middle section of the hydrogen cylinder is located inside the air duct.

4. The low-power air-cooled fuel cell system for two-wheeled vehicles according to claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes a controller located within the mounting cavity, below the air duct.

5. The low-power air-cooled fuel cell system for two-wheeled vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fuel cell stack is located at the air inlet, and the cooling fan is located at the air outlet.

6. The low-power air-cooled fuel cell system for two-wheeled vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fuel cell stack includes vertically stacked electrode plates and has an air-cooling channel arranged along the air duct direction.

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