Fuel Cell Air Suction Duct with Movable Flaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell stacks in vehicles face operational performance degradation due to extreme temperature fluctuations, with existing cooling structures being inefficient and complex, particularly when using natural ventilation air streams, which either over-cool or under-heat the fuel cell stacks.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell apparatus with a vehicle-transversely extending front bumper and radiator configuration, incorporating an air suction duct that directs air from the grill openings to the fuel cell stack, utilizing movable flaps to control air intake and prevent excessive cooling or heating, ensuring efficient air flow and temperature management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If natural ventilation air streams are suctioned into the air suction duct to cool the fuel cell stack, then the cooling effect is improved, but the fuel cell stack may be over-cooled in low temperature environments, degrading operational performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a movable flap mechanism that can dynamically adjust between open and closed positions. The flap is positioned at the air suction duct opening and can be actuated based on temperature conditions. When the fuel cell stack temperature is low, the flap closes to block or reduce the suction of natural ventilation air streams, preventing over-cooling. When the temperature is high, the flap opens to allow adequate cooling. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the cooling system adaptive to varying environmental conditions.
2Reliability
If existing cooling structures with movable grill shutter devices are used, then the fuel cell stack can be protected from over-cooling, but the configuration becomes complicated and the cooling efficiency is reduced due to air streams passing through the radiator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the air suction duct opening from the radiator area and positions it separately at the front bumper. The air suction duct has its own independent opening that directly faces the front of the vehicle, separate from the radiator's air intake. This extraction allows the fuel cell cooling air to be taken directly from the front without passing through the radiator, simplifying the configuration by eliminating the need for complex airflow distribution structures while maintaining cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the air intake system into separate pathways: one for the radiator and another for the fuel cell stack. The air suction duct for the fuel cell stack is positioned independently with its own opening and duct structure, separate from the radiator's air intake system. This segmentation allows independent control and optimization of airflow to each component, reducing overall system complexity while improving cooling efficiency for the fuel cell stack.
3Productivity
If the air suction duct is positioned to maximize natural ventilation air stream intake, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the fuel cell stack may be overheated in high temperature environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where a temperature sensor monitors the fuel cell stack temperature and sends signals to a control unit. The control unit adjusts the flap position based on the temperature feedback. When the temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold, the control unit actuates the flap to close or reduce opening, thereby reducing the suction of hot air streams. This feedback loop allows the system to maintain optimal cooling efficiency while preventing overheating in high temperature environments.
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 enhances the operational performance of fuel cell stacks by efficiently cooling or warming them using natural ventilation air streams, preventing temperature extremes and maintaining optimal performance across varying environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the fuel cell stack needs to be cooled with as much natural ventilation air streams (sometimes referred simply to as air streams) suctioned into an air suction duct to supply to the fuel cell stack
Data Source
AI summary
Fuel cell stacks 3 are arranged in a vehicle-transverse juxtaposition with a radiator 107 disposed in an engine room 104 vehicle-longitudinally rearward of a front member 108, and an air suction duct 2 introducing air to air in-taking aperture areas 31 of the fuel cell stacks 3 vehicle-longitudinally extends from the air in-taking aperture areas 31 up to the front member 108, having an upper air in-taking port 212A and a lower air in-taking port 212B vehicle-longitudinally frontward of the radiator 107 and opened toward a set of upper grill openings 110 and a set of lower grill openings 111, respectively.