Cabin-Mounted Hydrogen Tank Layout for Tractor Heat and Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-pressure hydrogen tanks in fuel cell vehicles can exceed the legal temperature limit of 85°C when rapidly charged, especially in agricultural tractors that operate in high-temperature environments, risking damage from excessive heat and vibrations.
Innovation Solution
The working machine incorporates a hydrogen tank disposed in the upper portion of the cabin, equipped with a hydrogen-gas detection system, an exhaust door for leak discharge, a ventilator for temperature control, and an air conditioning unit that uses the cabin's cooling passage to cool the hydrogen tanks, thereby managing temperature and protecting the tank from vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the hydrogen tank is disposed in the hood together with the fuel cell, then the overall structure becomes compact, but the temperature of the hydrogen tank may exceed the legal limit of 85°C during rapid charging
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrogen tank is extracted from the hood and relocated to the upper portion of the cabin, separating it from the heat-generating fuel cell. This spatial extraction resolves the thermal conflict while the cabin structure itself serves as the new containment space.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrogen tank is positioned in the upper portion of the cabin, utilizing vertical space rather than horizontal space in the hood. This dimensional relocation places the tank in a thermally favorable location away from the fuel cell heat source.
2Temperature
If the hydrogen tank is disposed in the upper portion of the cabin, then the temperature increase is suppressed, but the tank becomes vulnerable to vibration and fall
Solution Approach 1:
A cushioning member is installed between the hydrogen tank and the cabin ceiling to provide beforehand protection against vibration and fall. This cushioning element absorbs shock and prevents direct impact, ensuring tank stability in the upper cabin position.
3Reliability
If a cushioning member is provided between the hydrogen tank and the ceiling, then the tank is protected from vibration and fall, but the space in the upper cabin is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A thin film cushioning member is used between the tank and ceiling, providing necessary vibration protection while occupying minimal space. The flexible thin film structure delivers cushioning functionality without significantly reducing the available upper cabin volume.
4Productivity
If the hydrogen tank is rapidly charged with high pressure, then the charging efficiency is improved, but the temperature of the hydrogen gas inside the tank rises sharply
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrogen tank is extracted from the hot environment of the hood and relocated to the upper cabin, removing it from the thermal influence of the fuel cell. This allows high-pressure rapid charging to proceed while the tank operates in a cooler environment, preventing temperature from exceeding the 85°C legal limit.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration effectively suppresses the temperature increase of the hydrogen tanks, protects them from vibrations and falls, and ensures early detection and discharge of hydrogen leaks, enhancing safety and efficiency while contributing to environmental protection.
Implementation Method 1
The cabin is provided with a cooling passage through which the cooling air introduced from the air conditioning unit passes the outer periphery of the hydrogen tank
Implementation Method 2
A ventilator that performs ventilation of the internal space of the cabin may be further provided in the cabin
Implementation Method 3
A hydrogen-gas detection portion that detects the hydrogen gas may be disposed in the upper portion of the internal space of the cabin
Implementation Method 4
An exhaust door that is opened when the hydrogen-gas detection portion detects the hydrogen gas and that causes the internal space of the cabin and the outside to be in communication with each other
Data Source
AI summary
A working machine includes a vehicle body; a traveling device that supports the vehicle body; a drive that drives the traveling device; and a cabin that accommodates an operator seat. The drive has a drive motor that drives the traveling device; a fuel cell that supplies electric power to the drive motor; a controller that controls power supply from the fuel cell to the drive motor; and a hydrogen tank that supplies a hydrogen gas for fuel to the fuel cell. The hydrogen tank is disposed in an upper portion of an internal space of the cabin.