Fuel-Cell Vehicle High-Rigidity Casing Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel-cell vehicles face challenges in protecting precision instruments like fuel cells and fuel tanks from damage during falls due to insufficient mechanical and physical strength, leading to increased vehicle weight and reduced stability and controllability.
Innovation Solution
A fuel-cell vehicle design featuring a vehicle body frame with high-rigidity casings that protrude outward to cover the fuel cell and fuel tank, enhancing protection and frame stability, while maintaining a lightweight structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a radiator is disposed to protrude on both sides of the fuel cell to protect it, then the fuel cell is protected from some damage, but the radiator does not have sufficient mechanical and physical strength to provide adequate protection during falling down
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters of the protective structure by using a case made of resin or metal material with high rigidity, rather than using a radiator structure. This parameter change enables the protective case to have sufficient mechanical strength to withstand impact forces during falling down, while still providing reliable protection for the fuel cell and fuel tank.
2Ease of operation
If the fuel tank is exposed on both sides at the upper portion of the front of the vehicle body frame, then accessibility is improved, but the fuel tank is liable to be easily damaged at the time of falling down
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the protective structure into a separate case that specifically covers the fuel tank and fuel cell, distinct from the main vehicle body frame. This segmentation allows the case to be designed with optimized protective features while maintaining accessibility to the fuel tank through designated access points or removable sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The case is designed to provide beforehand protection for the fuel tank and fuel cell against impact forces. By positioning the case to protrude outward from the vehicle body in the width direction, it creates a protective buffer zone that absorbs impact energy before it reaches the precision instruments, thereby preventing damage during falling down or collisions with scattered stones.
3Reliability
If a cover member is made large and strong with high rigidity to protect the fuel cell and fuel tank valve, then protection function is improved, but the vehicle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The case serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the fuel cell and fuel tank from impact damage, provides structural support to the vehicle body, and contributes to overall vehicle rigidity. By integrating these functions into a single component, the patent avoids the need for separate protective covers, thereby reducing overall vehicle weight while maintaining comprehensive protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies that the case is made of resin or metal material, allowing for the use of composite materials or high-strength lightweight materials. These materials provide high rigidity and protective strength while minimizing weight, thus resolving the contradiction between protection function and vehicle weight.
4Reliability
If the casing protrudes outward from the fuel cell and fuel tank in the vehicle body width direction, then protection coverage is improved, but the vehicle width increases
Solution Approach 1:
The case protrudes outward from the fuel cell and fuel tank in the vehicle body width direction, providing excessive protection coverage that extends beyond the minimum required boundaries. This partial protrusion is strategically designed to cover the critical precision instruments (fuel cell and fuel tank) while minimizing the overall increase in vehicle width, achieving optimal protection with minimal dimensional penalty.
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
The high-rigidity casings effectively protect the fuel cell and fuel tank from impacts and external forces, improving the vehicle's stability, controllability, and reducing the weight of the cover member, while also enhancing cooling performance and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a fuel cell that is disposed in an inside space of a vehicle body frame and generates electric power using hydrogen as fuel
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel-cell vehicle includes a vehicle body provided with a vehicle body frame, a fuel cell that is disposed in an inside space of a vehicle body frame and generates electric power using hydrogen as fuel, a fuel tank including a tank main body storing hydrogen fuel to be supplied to the fuel cell and a tank valve, an engine that generates a drive force for a vehicle with the electric power from the fuel cell, and at least one casing that accommodates a required vehicle component and is formed into a box shape with high rigidity.