Fuel Cell Work Vehicle Airflow Layout for Stable Radiator Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

In vehicles with multiple radiators, cool and warm air interference leads to reduced heat exchange efficiency, affecting the stability of fuel cell power generation.

Innovation Solution

A working vehicle design with separate passages for cool and warm air exchange around the fuel cell and radiators, ensuring minimal interference and optimal temperature control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If multiple radiators are mounted inside the vehicle body to cool the fuel cell and other heat generating components, then the temperature control capability is improved, but the heat exchange efficiency of each radiator is lowered due to air interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control capabilityVSAvoidheat exchange efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the air passages into separate first and second passages, with each passage dedicated to a specific radiator (first radiator for fuel cell cooling, second radiator for motor cooling). This segmentation prevents air flow interference between radiators while maintaining individual temperature control capabilities, resolving the contradiction between temperature control and heat exchange efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple radiators are mounted inside the vehicle body, then individual temperature adjustment is enabled, but cool air and warm air interfere with each other reducing power generation efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual temperature adjustmentVSAvoidpower generation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements separate air passages for each radiator system, allowing independent temperature control for the fuel cell and motor while preventing warm air from interfering with the fuel cell's cool air supply. This ensures stable power generation efficiency while maintaining individual temperature adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first passage acts as an intermediary channel that guides cool air to the first radiator and discharges warm air separately, preventing interference with the second passage's air flow. This intermediary structure enables independent temperature management while protecting fuel cell performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design enhances the stability of fuel cell power generation efficiency by preventing air exchange interference between radiators, maintaining optimal temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

a first radiator device to cool a refrigerant to be circulated through a cooling passage of a heat-producing component including the driving motor by heat exchange with outside air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

a second radiator device to cool a refrigerant to be circulated through a cooling passage of the fuel cell by heat exchange with outside air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP4644155A1Work vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP4644155A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4644155A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4644155A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To provide a working vehicle (1) having proper output stability of a fuel cell (8). A working vehicle (1) including a vehicle body (2), a traveling device (4) to support the vehicle body (2) such that the vehicle body (2) is allowed to travel, a driving motor (7) to drive the traveling device (4), a fuel cell to supply electric power to the driving motor, a first radiator device (21) to cool a refrigerant to be circulated through a cooling passage (H1) of a heat-producing component including the driving motor by heat exchange with outside air, a second radiator device (22) to cool a refrigerant to be circulated through a cooling passage (H2) of the fuel cell by heat exchange with outside air, a housing (11) to cover the fuel cell, the first radiator device, and the second radiator device, a first passage (41) to allow air for heat exchange of the first radiator device guided into the housing to pass by the fuel cell and go out of the housing, and a second passage (42) to allow air for heat exchange of the second radiator device guided into the housing to pass by the fuel cell and out of the housing.