Electric motor for anode circulating fan, anode circulating fan and fuel cell system

Abstract

This application relates to an electric motor for an anode circulation fan, comprising a motor stator configured to generate a magnetic field based on an input current; a motor rotor configured to rotate relative to the motor stator based on the magnetic field to generate torque; a temperature sensor configured to detect the temperature of the motor stator; and a first AC connector configured to establish an electrical connection with a second AC connector of an inverter for the electric motor, the first AC connector including a first interlocked connection terminal configured to establish an electrical connection with a second interlocked connection terminal of the second AC connector, a first terminal of the temperature sensor being electrically connected to the first interlocked connection terminal, and a detection signal from the temperature sensor being transmitted to the inverter via the first and second interlocked connection terminals. This application also relates to an anode circulation fan for a fuel cell system and the fuel cell system itself.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to fuel cell systems, and more specifically to an electric motor for an anode circulation fan. Furthermore, this application also relates to an anode circulation fan for a fuel cell system and a fuel cell system itself. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of fuel cell technology, higher requirements have been placed on the performance and cost of fuel cell systems.

[0003] Typically, the high-pressure anode recirculation blower (ARB) is a core component of the fuel supply and circulation subsystem in a fuel cell system. It uses active airflow to drive the recovery and reuse of unreacted fuel (such as hydrogen) at the anode, while optimizing the anode reaction environment.

[0004] Here, the high-voltage anode circulating fan consists of an independent inverter and an electric motor, which are electrically connected to each other via a high-voltage wiring harness. This allows the inverter to convert direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) to supply the electric motor. The electric motor comprises a stator and a rotor. A temperature sensor detects the temperature of the motor stator, and the temperature signal is transmitted to the sensor detection circuit via a low-voltage connector located on the electric motor and connected to the sensor wiring harness.

[0005] However, the electric motor requires the additional installation of this low-voltage connector to transmit temperature sensor data. This not only increases manufacturing and assembly costs, but also compromises the robustness of the high-pressure anode circulating fan system due to the additional low-voltage connector. Furthermore, it increases the maintenance costs of the high-pressure anode circulating fan.

[0006] Therefore, given the many shortcomings of the existing technology, there is still a need to improve the above-mentioned technical solutions. Utility Model Content

[0007] In order to overcome one of the above-mentioned disadvantages and / or other possible disadvantages in the prior art not mentioned herein, the purpose of this application is to provide an improved electric motor for an anode circulation fan, an improved anode circulation fan for a fuel cell system, and an improved fuel cell system.

[0008] According to a first aspect of this application, an electric motor for an anode circulation fan is provided, the electric motor comprising:

[0009] A motor stator configured to generate a magnetic field based on an input current;

[0010] A motor rotor configured to rotate relative to the motor stator based on the magnetic field to generate torque;

[0011] A temperature sensor, configured to detect the temperature of the motor stator; and

[0012] A first AC connector, configured to establish an electrical connection with a second AC connector for an inverter used in the electric motor.

[0013] The first AC connector includes a first interlocked connection terminal, which is configured to establish an electrical connection with the second interlocked connection terminal of the second AC connector. The first terminal of the temperature sensor is electrically connected to the first interlocked connection terminal, and the detection signal of the temperature sensor is transmitted to the inverter via the first interlocked connection terminal and the second interlocked connection terminal.

[0014] The basic concept of this application is to utilize the high-voltage interlock terminal of the existing first AC connector of the electric motor to achieve data connection between the temperature sensor and the inverter's sensor detection circuit. This eliminates the need for the low-voltage connector required in the prior art, which is additionally arranged on the electric motor so that the temperature sensor's wiring harness can be connected to this connector for data connection with the inverter's sensor detection circuit. This not only eliminates the need for the low-voltage connector on the electric motor, reducing manufacturing and assembly costs, but also simplifies the temperature sensor's data connection, reduces maintenance costs, and lowers the weight of the electric motor.

[0015] Advantageous configurations of the technical solutions in this application can be obtained from the following optional embodiments.

[0016] According to an alternative embodiment of the electric motor of this application, the first AC connector further includes a first AC connection terminal configured to establish an electrical connection with a second AC connection terminal of the inverter, so that the electric motor obtains AC power from the inverter, wherein the first interlock connection terminal and the first AC connection terminal are arranged in an electrically insulated manner from each other.

[0017] According to an alternative embodiment of the electric motor of this application, the temperature sensor includes two first terminals, which are respectively electrically connected to a first interlocking connection end of the first AC connector.

[0018] According to a second aspect of this application, an anode circulation fan for a fuel cell system is provided, the anode circulation fan including one embodiment of an electric motor according to the first aspect and including an inverter, wherein the inverter includes a second AC connector and a sensor detection circuit, the second AC connector being configured to establish an electrical connection with a first AC connector of the electric motor, and the sensor detection circuit being configured to receive a detection signal from a temperature sensor of the electric motor.

[0019] According to an optional embodiment of the anode circulating fan of this application, the second AC connector includes a second interlocking connection terminal, which is configured to establish an electrical connection with a first interlocking connection terminal of the electric motor, and the sensor detection circuit is directly or indirectly electrically connected to the second interlocking connection terminal.

[0020] According to an alternative embodiment of the anode circulation fan of this application, the inverter includes a first DC connector and a second connector, the first DC connector being configured to be electrically connected to an energy supply source to input DC power into the inverter, wherein the first DC connector includes a third interlocked connection terminal, the third interlocked connection terminal being electrically connected to the second interlocked connection terminal.

[0021] According to an alternative embodiment of the anode circulation fan of this application, the inverter includes a second connector electrically connected to the first DC connector and configured to be electrically connected to a control device for the anode circulation fan and / or to the sensor detection circuit, wherein the second connector includes a fourth interlocked connection terminal electrically connected to the third interlocked connection terminal.

[0022] According to an optional embodiment of the anode circulating fan of this application, the sensor detection circuit includes a second terminal, which is electrically connected to the fourth interlock connection terminal.

[0023] According to an optional embodiment of the anode circulating fan of this application, the control device includes a third terminal, which is electrically connected to the fourth interlocking connection terminal.

[0024] According to an optional embodiment of the anode circulation fan of this application, the anode circulation fan further includes a connecting wire, the connecting wire including a fourth terminal and a wire harness, the fourth terminal being electrically connected to the first AC connector and the second AC connector respectively.

[0025] According to a third aspect of this application, a fuel cell system is provided, the fuel cell system including one embodiment of the anode circulation fan according to the second aspect.

[0026] Further features of this application become apparent from the claims, drawings, and description of the figures. Features and combinations of features mentioned in the foregoing description, as well as features and combinations of features mentioned in the following description of the figures and / or shown only in the figures, can be used not only in the correspondingly specified combinations, but also in other combinations without departing from the scope of this application. Therefore, the following are also considered to be covered and disclosed by this application: those not explicitly shown in the figures and not explicitly interpreted, but rather derived from and produced by combinations of separate features derived from the interpreted content. The following combinations of features are also considered to be disclosed: those that do not possess all the features of the originally drafted independent claims. Furthermore, the following combinations of features are considered to be disclosed, especially those exceeding or deviating from the feature combinations defined in the reference relationships of the claims. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Further optional details and features of this application are derived from the following description of the preferred embodiments schematically illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0028] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an anode circulation fan in the prior art is shown;

[0029] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an anode circulation fan according to one embodiment of this application is shown;

[0030] Figure 3 It shows Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the electric motor of the anode circulating fan;

[0031] Figure 4 It shows Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the first AC connector of the electric motor; and

[0032] Figure 5 It shows Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the connection lines for the anode circulation fan.

[0033] List of reference numerals

[0034] 1. Anode circulating fan

[0035] 2 Electric motors

[0036] 3 Inverter

[0037] 4. Control device

[0038] 5. Connecting wires

[0039] 21 Motor stator

[0040] 22 Motor rotor

[0041] 23 Temperature sensor

[0042] 24 First AC connector

[0043] 25 First Connector

[0044] 31 Second AC connector

[0045] 32 First DC connector

[0046] 33 Second Connector

[0047] 34 Sensor Detection Circuit

[0048] 41 Third terminal

[0049] 51 Fourth terminal

[0050] 52 Wire Harness

[0051] 231 First Terminal

[0052] 241 First Interlock Connection End

[0053] 242 First AC connection terminal

[0054] 311 Second Interlock Connection Terminal

[0055] 312 Second AC connection terminal

[0056] 321 Third Interlock Connection Terminal

[0057] 331 Fourth Interlock Connection Terminal

[0058] 341 Second Terminal Detailed Implementation

[0059] To make the technical problems to be solved, the technical solutions, and the beneficial technical effects of this application clearer, the application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and several exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only for explaining this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application.

[0060] Where there is no conflict, features in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other. In different drawings, the same components are represented by the same reference numerals, and other components are omitted for brevity, but this does not mean that the technical solution of this application cannot include other components. It should be understood that the dimensions, scale relationships, and number of components in the drawings are not intended to limit this application.

[0061] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an anode circulating fan 1 in the prior art is shown.

[0062] like Figure 1 As shown, the anode circulation fan 1 is exemplarily used in a fuel cell system and includes an electric motor 2 and an inverter 3. The electric motor 2 includes a motor stator 21 and a motor rotor 22. The motor stator 21 is capable of generating a magnetic field based on an input current. The motor rotor 22 is capable of rotating relative to the motor stator 21 based on the generated magnetic field to generate and output torque, for example, for driving a fuel cell vehicle.

[0063] The electric motor 2 also includes a temperature sensor 23. The temperature sensor 23 is exemplarily a PT1000 and is used to detect the temperature of the motor stator 21. The inverter 3 includes a sensor detection circuit 34. The sensor detection circuit 34 is capable of receiving and analyzing the detection data from the temperature sensor 23.

[0064] Furthermore, the electric motor 2 includes a first AC connector 24. The inverter 3 includes a second AC connector 31. Figure 1 In the diagram, the electrical connection between the first AC connector 24 and the second AC connector 31 is shown using a bold black solid line. Through this electrical connection, the inverter 3 can supply AC power to the electric motor 2. Therefore, the first AC connector 24 and the second AC connector 31 constitute a high-voltage connector.

[0065] like Figure 1 As also shown, the inverter 3 further includes a first DC connector 32 and a second connector 33. The first DC connector 32 is configured as a high-voltage connector and can be electrically connected to a DC power supply device, such as a power battery, so that the inverter 3 converts DC power into AC power for driving the electric motor 2.

[0066] The second connector 33 is a low-voltage connector and is used to electrically connect to the control device 4, such as the fuel cell control unit FCCU (FCCU), and to enable the control device 4 to control the inverter 3.

[0067] To achieve reliable data connection and data transmission, in the prior art, the electric motor 2 includes a specially designed first connector 25. The first connector 25 is configured as a low-voltage connector, and the sensor harness of the temperature sensor 23 needs to be electrically and data-connected to the sensor detection circuit 34 through the first connector 25, such as... Figure 1 As shown by the dashed line. However, this requires additional placement of a temperature sensor 23 on the electric motor 2 and corresponding wiring to achieve reliable electrical and data connections.

[0068] Furthermore, in the prior art, the first AC connector 24, the second AC connector 31, the first DC connector 32, the first connector 25, and the second connector 33 are electrically connected to each other and form a high-voltage interlock loop (HVIL), thereby enabling the control device 4 to detect the electrical connection status of each connector with its corresponding connected object through the high-voltage interlock loop. This high-voltage interlock loop... Figure 1 It is illustrated by drawing a thin black solid line.

[0069] Due to the placement of the first connector 25, the manufacturing and assembly costs of the existing anode circulation fan 1, or electric motor 2, are relatively high, and the wiring harness layout is complex and the harness length is relatively long. Furthermore, it increases maintenance costs and reduces the robustness of the anode circulation fan 1.

[0070] Below, in conjunction with Figures 2 to 5 The technical solution of this application is described in detail.

[0071] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an anode circulating fan 1 according to an embodiment of this application is shown. Figure 3 It shows Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the electric motor 2 of the anode circulating fan 1. Figure 4 It shows Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the first AC connector 24 of the electric motor. Figure 5 It shows Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the connecting line 5 of the anode circulating fan 1.

[0072] like Figure 2 As shown, the anode circulating fan 1 also includes an electric motor 2 and an inverter 3. According to this embodiment, see also... Figure 3 Electric motor 2 and Figure 1 The existing technology similarly includes a motor stator 21, a motor rotor 22, a temperature sensor 23, and a first AC connector 24. The inverter 3 includes a second AC connector 31, a first DC connector 32, a second connector 33, and a sensor detection circuit 34.

[0073] The first AC connector 24 includes a first interlocked connection terminal 241. The second AC connector 31 includes a second interlocked connection terminal 311. The first interlocked connection terminal 241 and the second interlocked connection terminal 311 are electrically connected. The temperature sensor 23 includes two first terminals 231. Each first terminal 231 is electrically connected to one of the first interlocked connection terminals 241. Therefore, the detection signal of the temperature sensor 23 can be transmitted to the inverter 3 via the first interlocked connection terminal 241 and the second interlocked connection terminal 311.

[0074] Furthermore, the first AC connector 24 includes a first AC connection terminal 242, and the inverter 3 includes a second AC connection terminal 312. The first AC connection terminal 242 can establish an electrical connection with the second AC connection terminal 312 so that the electric motor 2 can obtain AC power from the inverter 3.

[0075] See also Figure 4 The first interlocking connection terminal 241 and the first AC connection terminal 242 of the first AC connector 24 are integrated together and arranged in an electrically insulated manner from each other. Therefore, both high-voltage and low-voltage electrical connections can be achieved through the first AC connector 24.

[0076] In this application, "high voltage" should be understood as the voltage of the electrical connections used for fuel cell operation and power output. Typically, in fuel cell systems, high voltage is 200V to 800V or higher. "Low voltage" should be understood as the voltage of the electrical connections used for transmitting control data and communication within the fuel cell. Typically, in fuel cell systems, low voltage is 12V or 24V.

[0077] like Figure 5 As shown, the anode circulation fan 1 also includes a connecting wire 5, which includes a fourth terminal 51 and a wire harness 52. Therefore, the two fourth terminals 51 can be electrically connected to the first AC connector 24 and the second AC connector 31, respectively. Here, the fourth terminal 51 includes corresponding connection pins, which can be electrically connected to the first AC connection terminal 242 and the second AC connection terminal 312, and to the first interlock connection terminal 241 and the second interlock connection terminal 311, respectively. This achieves both a "high-voltage" connection and a "low-voltage" connection between the first AC connector 24 and the second AC connector 31. Correspondingly, the wire harness 52 includes three high-voltage connecting wires corresponding to the three first AC connection terminals 242 and the three second AC connection terminals 312, and two low-voltage connecting wires corresponding to the two first interlock connection terminals 241 and the two second interlock connection terminals 311.

[0078] Alternatively, in another embodiment, the first AC connector 24 and the second AC connector 31 can be electrically connected to each other by direct mating, thereby eliminating the need for the corresponding connecting wire 5.

[0079] Furthermore, inverter 3 includes a first DC connector 32 and a second connector 33. The first DC connector 32 includes two third interlocked connection terminals 321. The second connector 33 includes two fourth interlocked connection terminals 331. (As...) Figure 2As shown, a second interlock connection terminal 311 is electrically connected to a third interlock connection terminal 321, and another third interlock connection terminal 321 is electrically connected to a fourth interlock connection terminal 331. Furthermore, the fourth interlock connection terminal 331 is electrically connected to a third terminal 41 of the control device 4. Another second interlock connection terminal 311 is directly electrically connected to another fourth interlock connection terminal 331, and this fourth interlock connection terminal 331 is also electrically connected to another third terminal 41 of the control device 4.

[0080] Furthermore, the two second terminals 341 of the sensor detection circuit 34 are respectively connected to a fourth interlock connection terminal 331. Thus, the interlock connection terminals of the first AC connector 24, the second AC connector 31, the first DC connector 32, and the second connector 33 are interconnected to form an interlock circuit, i.e., a high-voltage interlock circuit (such as...). Figure 2 (Drawn in the middle with thin black solid lines).

[0081] Therefore, in this embodiment, the two first terminals of the temperature sensor 23 are electrically and data connected to the two second terminals 341 of the sensor detection circuit 34 through a high-voltage interlock circuit, namely through the first interlock connection terminal 241, the second interlock connection terminal 311, the third interlock connection terminal 321 and the fourth interlock connection terminal 331.

[0082] According to this embodiment, the high-voltage interlock circuit already present in the anode circulating fan 1 allows for a reliable and simple electrical and data connection between the temperature sensor 23 of the electric motor 2 and the sensor detection circuit 34 of the inverter 3. This eliminates the need for the first connector 25 and the wiring harness for the corresponding temperature sensor 23 found in the prior art. Consequently, not only is reliable operation of the electric motor 2 and the fuel cell system ensured, but manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance costs are also reduced.

[0083] In addition, this application also protects a fuel cell system that includes an anode circulation fan 1 of one of the above embodiments of this application.

[0084] According to one embodiment, the fuel cell system is a hydrogen fuel cell system and is exemplary for use in vehicles, such as passenger cars or commercial vehicles.

[0085] In this specification, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "arrangement," "connection," and "linkage" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; a direct connection or an indirect connection via an intermediate component, or a connection within two components. The expressions "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, nor should they be construed as implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Features defined with "first" or "second" may expressly or implicitly indicate the inclusion of at least one of those features. Those skilled in the art will understand the meaning of the above terms in this application as appropriate.

Claims

1. An electric motor for an anode circulating fan, characterized by, The electric motor (2) includes: Motor stator (21), said motor stator (21) is configured to generate a magnetic field based on input current; Motor rotor (22), the motor rotor (22) being configured to rotate relative to the motor stator (21) based on the magnetic field to generate torque; Temperature sensor (23), the temperature sensor (23) being configured to detect the temperature of the motor stator (21); and A first AC connector (24) is configured to establish an electrical connection with a second AC connector (31) of an inverter (3) for the electric motor (2). The first AC connector (24) includes a first interlocked connection terminal (241), which is configured to establish an electrical connection with the second interlocked connection terminal (311) of the second AC connector (31). The first terminal of the temperature sensor (23) is electrically connected to the first interlocked connection terminal (241), and the detection signal of the temperature sensor (23) is transmitted to the inverter (3) via the first interlocked connection terminal (241) and the second interlocked connection terminal (311).

2. The electric motor of claim 1, wherein, The first AC connector (24) further includes a first AC connection terminal (242) configured to establish an electrical connection with a second AC connection terminal (312) of the inverter (3) so that the electric motor (2) obtains AC power from the inverter (3), wherein the first interlock connection terminal (241) and the first AC connection terminal (242) are arranged in an electrically insulated manner from each other.

3. The electric motor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The temperature sensor (23) includes two first terminals (231), which are electrically connected to a first interlocking connection terminal (241) of the first AC connector (24).

4. An anode circulation blower for a fuel cell system, characterized by, The anode circulating fan (1) includes an electric motor (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and includes an inverter (3), wherein the inverter (3) includes a second AC connector (31) and a sensor detection circuit (34), the second AC connector (31) being configured to establish an electrical connection with a first AC connector (24) of the electric motor (2), and the sensor detection circuit (34) being configured to receive a detection signal from a temperature sensor (23) of the electric motor (2).

5. The anode induced draft fan of claim 4, wherein, The second AC connector (31) includes a second interlocked connection terminal (311), which is configured to establish an electrical connection with the first interlocked connection terminal (241) of the electric motor (2), and the sensor detection circuit (34) is directly or indirectly electrically connected to the second interlocked connection terminal (311).

6. The anode induced fan of claim 4 or 5, wherein, The inverter (3) includes a first DC connector (32) configured to be electrically connected to an energy supply source to input DC power into the inverter (3), wherein the first DC connector (32) includes a third interlocked connection terminal (321) electrically connected to a second interlocked connection terminal (311).

7. The anode induced draft fan of claim 6, wherein, The inverter (3) includes a second connector (33) electrically connected to the first DC connector (32) and configured to be electrically connected to a control device (4) for an anode circulation fan and / or to the sensor detection circuit (34), wherein the second connector (33) includes a fourth interlocked connection terminal (331) electrically connected to the third interlocked connection terminal (321).

8. The anode circulating fan according to claim 7, characterized in that, The sensor detection circuit (34) includes a second terminal (341), which is electrically connected to the fourth interlock connection terminal (331); and / or The control device (4) includes a third terminal (41), which is electrically connected to the fourth interlock connection terminal (331).

9. The anode induced draft fan of any one of claims 4, 5, and 8, wherein, The anode circulating fan (1) also includes a connecting line (5), which includes a fourth terminal (51) and a wire harness (52). The fourth terminal (51) is electrically connected to the first AC connector (24) and the second AC connector (31), respectively.

10. A fuel cell system characterized by comprising: The fuel cell system includes an anode circulation fan (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 9.

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