Fuel Cell Vehicle Air Tank Control for Cost-Effective Fuel Savings
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing techniques for improving fuel consumption in large fuel cell vehicles, such as trucks, result in increased manufacturing costs due to the need for higher power generation performance, which is not cost-effective.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell vehicle configuration that includes an air tank for storing compressed air and a control section to selectively choose between outside air and stored compressed air for supply to the fuel cell based on air pressure, optimizing air supply to reduce energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the output of the fuel cell unit is increased to meet the power demands of large vehicles, then the power generation performance is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-compresses air and stores it in an air tank during periods when the fuel cell generates surplus power. This preliminary action allows the vehicle to use stored compressed air during high-power demands, reducing the required continuous output capacity of the fuel cell unit and thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining adequate power generation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel cell unit serves dual purposes: it generates power for vehicle operation and simultaneously compresses air for storage in the air tank during surplus power conditions. This self-service approach allows the system to meet its own air supply needs without requiring additional dedicated compression capacity, reducing overall system cost while maintaining power generation performance.
2Power
If the output of the fuel cell unit is increased to ensure sufficient power generation, then the power supply capability is improved, but the fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-compresses air during periods of surplus power generation and stores it in an air tank. During high-power demand periods, the vehicle uses this pre-stored compressed air instead of relying solely on the fuel cell, thereby reducing the required fuel cell output and lowering overall fuel consumption while maintaining adequate power supply capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system operates in periodic cycles: during low-demand periods, the fuel cell generates surplus power to compress and store air; during high-demand periods, the stored air is released and used. This periodic action allows the fuel cell to operate at lower average output levels, reducing fuel consumption while ensuring sufficient power supply capability when needed.
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 improves fuel consumption in a cost-effective manner by reducing energy consumption and preventing energy loss through efficient air supply management and regenerative power utilization.
Implementation Method 1
generate electricity by causing a reaction between oxygen in the atmosphere and fuel gas (e.g., hydrogen)
Implementation Method 2
the generated power is used to operate the compressor so as to supply compressed air to the air tank
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a fuel cell vehicle that can improve fuel consumption in a cost-effective manner. A fuel cell vehicle of the present disclosure includes: a fuel cell; an air tank configured to store compressed air; and a control section configured to make a selection for selecting which of outside air and the compressed air in the air tank is to be supplied to the fuel cell on a basis of a first pressure, the first pressure being a pressure of the compressed air in the air tank.