Route-Aware Fuel Cell Power Control for Auxiliary Load Durability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle systems face challenges in effectively controlling the drive of fuel cell systems when power is supplied to loads different from drive devices, such as refrigeration units in trucks, leading to deterioration in durability performance.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle system that includes a fuel cell system, a battery, a drive device, a load, a positional information acquisition unit, and a control device. The control device adjusts power supply from the fuel cell system and battery based on positional information and traveling routes to improve drive control and suppress durability deterioration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the fuel cell system operates continuously to supply power to the load, then the power supply stability is improved, but the durability performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply stabilityVSAvoiddurability performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The control device periodically adjusts the operation state of the fuel cell system based on positional information and traveling routes. The fuel cell system is operated only during specific periods (when the vehicle is moving or positioned appropriately) and stopped during others (when parked or in idle positions), converting continuous operation into periodic operation to maintain power supply stability while reducing cumulative wear and improving durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The operation state of the fuel cell system is dynamically adjusted based on real-time positional information and pre-set traveling routes. The control device continuously monitors the vehicle's position and automatically switches the fuel cell system between operation and stop states, making the system adaptive to changing conditions rather than operating statically or continuously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If the fuel cell system is frequently started and stopped to match load requirements, then the energy efficiency is improved, but the durability performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoiddurability performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Traveling routes and associated control plans are pre-set before the vehicle departs. The control device stores multiple traveling routes with different characteristics (urban, non-urban, highway) and their corresponding optimal fuel cell operation plans. This preliminary preparation allows the system to execute pre-determined start/stop sequences during actual operation, reducing the need for frequent adaptive start/stop decisions that would accelerate wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device continuously receives feedback from the positional information acquisition unit about the vehicle's current position and compares it with the pre-set traveling route. Based on this feedback, the control device determines whether to start or stop the fuel cell system, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes start/stop timing to balance energy efficiency with durability protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Power

If the fuel cell system operates at high output to meet peak power demands, then the power supply capability is improved, but the durability performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply capabilityVSAvoiddurability performance

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The control device adjusts the output parameter of the fuel cell system based on the specific traveling route and positional information. Different traveling routes have different power demands, and the control device modifies the fuel cell's output parameters accordingly - operating at high output only when necessary for specific route requirements and reducing output or stopping when full power is not needed, thus maintaining power supply capability while reducing stress-induced wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12233750B2Vehicle system, control method of vehicle system, and control program of vehicle system

Publication Date: 2025.02.25 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A vehicle system includes a fuel cell system, a battery, a drive device that operates with power, a load different from the drive device, a positional information acquisition unit, a traveling route setting unit, and a control device configured to control power to be supplied to the load from the fuel cell system and the battery based on positional information acquired by the positional information acquisition unit and a traveling route set by the traveling route setting unit.