Fuel Cell Vehicle Air-Conditioning Control for Cabin Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel cell vehicle air-conditioning systems inefficiently manage waste heat during normal operation, leading to increased fuel cell temperature and decreased power generation efficiency, which deteriorates vehicle fuel efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell vehicle air-conditioning apparatus and control method that calculates and adjusts the fuel cell temperature to an optimum level by utilizing waste heat for cabin heating, balancing heating power generation and travel power generation to minimize fuel consumption, incorporating a control unit to manage the cooling system and heat creation units like electric or combustion heaters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If waste heat from the fuel cell is stored in the fuel cell system during normal operation, then heating can be provided, but the temperature of the fuel cell rises beyond the optimal operating temperature, causing power generation efficiency to decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts waste heat from the fuel cell system through a heat exchanger and directs it to a heater core for cabin heating, separating the heating function from the fuel cell temperature management. This allows the fuel cell to maintain its optimal operating temperature while still providing heating during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cooling system as an intermediary between the fuel cell and the cabin heating system. The cooling system absorbs waste heat from the fuel cell and transfers it to the cabin through a heater core, mediating the heat transfer process to prevent fuel cell overheating while providing heating.
2Ease of operation
If heating is performed during normal operation of the fuel cell vehicle, then cabin comfort is improved, but fuel consumption increases due to reduced power generation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful waste heat that would otherwise be lost during fuel cell operation into a beneficial resource for cabin heating. By capturing and utilizing this waste heat through the cooling system and heater core, the system provides heating during normal operation without additional fuel consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the fuel cell system multi-functional by enabling it to simultaneously perform power generation and cabin heating during normal operation. The cooling system serves dual purposes: managing fuel cell temperature and providing heating to the cabin, allowing the system to meet multiple demands without compromising overall efficiency.
3Device complexity
If the fuel cell temperature is not controlled during heating operation, then the system configuration remains simple, but the fuel cell cannot maintain optimal operating temperature, leading to efficiency deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the cooling system multi-functional, enabling it to perform both temperature control of the fuel cell and heating of the cabin simultaneously. This integrated approach allows the system to maintain fuel cell optimal temperature while providing heating, avoiding the need for separate systems and maintaining relative simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements temperature detection and control mechanisms that monitor fuel cell temperature and adjust the cooling system operation accordingly. This feedback control ensures the fuel cell maintains its optimal operating temperature range while allowing heating to occur, preventing efficiency deterioration through active temperature management.
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 approach reduces fuel consumption and maintains vehicle fuel efficiency during both idling stops and normal operations by optimizing the fuel cell temperature, allowing for effective heating without compromising power generation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a fuel cell that generates power by an electrochemical reaction between an oxidant gas and a fuel gas
Implementation Method 2
a cooling system that adjusts a temperature of the fuel cell
Implementation Method 3
a waste heat collection unit that collects at least a part of waste heat from the fuel cell via the cooling system and uses the collected waste heat to heat a cabin interior of the fuel cell vehicle
Implementation Method 4
a heat creation unit that creates heat for heating the fuel cell vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell vehicle air-conditioning apparatus includes: a cooling system that adjusts a temperature of a fuel cell; a waste heat collection unit that collects at least a part of waste heat from the fuel cell and uses the collected waste heat to heat a cabin interior of the fuel cell vehicle; and a heat creation unit that creates heat for heating the fuel cell vehicle. The fuel cell vehicle air-conditioning apparatus calculates a fuel consumption amount required for the fuel cell to generate a total power generation amount, which is a sum of a heating power generation amount and a travel power generation amount, calculates an optimum temperature, which is a temperature of the fuel cell at which the fuel consumption amount reaches a minimum, and controls the cooling system such that the temperature of the fuel cell reaches the optimum temperature.