FCEV Power Source Control for Fuel Cell Overload Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) face power output degradation due to fuel cell degradation, which impairs driving performance, and existing power source switching methods in vehicles using both fuel cells and batteries are not optimized.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus that stores travel history data for fuel cell and battery usage, using a controller to increase battery usage proportion when an overload on the fuel cell is detected, thereby reducing fuel cell usage and delaying its deterioration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the fuel cell is used as the primary power source, then the vehicle can maintain driving performance, but the fuel cell deteriorates faster due to overload
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus dynamically adjusts power source selection based on real-time travel amount accumulation. When the fuel cell's travel amount exceeds a threshold, the system switches to battery power, creating a dynamic adaptation mechanism that prevents fuel cell overload while maintaining power output requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery serves as an intermediary power source between the fuel cell and the vehicle load. By introducing this intermediate element, the system can offload excessive demands from the fuel cell to the battery, protecting the fuel cell from deterioration while ensuring continuous power supply.
2Reliability
If the battery is used more frequently, then the fuel cell deterioration is reduced, but the overall energy efficiency may decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus implements feedback control by continuously monitoring travel amounts of both power sources and adjusting power source selection accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that the battery is used strategically to protect the fuel cell only when necessary, optimizing the balance between fuel cell lifespan extension and energy efficiency maintenance.
Data Source
AI summary
A control apparatus includes a memory configured to store information indicating a first travel amount on a fuel cell and a second travel amount on a battery for a vehicle that runs on the fuel cell and the battery as power sources, and a controller configured to control use of the fuel cell or the battery to increase a proportion of the second travel amount in the first travel amount and the second travel amount overall when an event indicating an overload on the fuel cell occurs.