Fuel Cell Vehicle Charging Control for Hydrogen Station Reachability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control systems for fuel cell vehicles do not reliably optimize the consumption of power and fuel, leading to inefficient charging and reduced cruising distances.
Innovation Solution
A control device and method that includes a first energy accumulation unit, a second energy accumulation unit, and an electric motor, which calculates and notifies the required amount of second energy needed to reach a supply point where first energy is received, and executes termination-related operations to manage charging efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the amount of charge is determined by user sense without optimization control, then the operation simplicity is maintained, but the energy consumption efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control device automatically calculates the required charge amount based on vehicle position, energy consumption rate, and distance to supply point, enabling the system to self-determine optimal charging parameters without user intervention. This resolves the contradiction by making the system both simple to operate (user only needs to start the process) and energy-efficient (automatic optimization).
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors energy consumption rate, vehicle position, and supply point information to dynamically adjust the charge amount calculation. This feedback mechanism ensures optimal energy efficiency while maintaining operational simplicity through automated decision-making based on real-time data.
2Device complexity
If the charge amount is not optimized, then the control system complexity is reduced, but the cruising distance extends poorly
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs preliminary calculation of the required charge amount before charging begins, using pre-acquired information about supply point location and vehicle energy consumption characteristics. This preliminary action enables extended cruising distance through optimized charging without requiring complex real-time control during charging, thus maintaining acceptable system complexity.
3Reliability
If charging continues without termination control, then the charging reliability is simplified, but unnecessary energy waste occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors the charging process and automatically terminates charging when the calculated required amount is reached. This feedback-based termination control prevents energy waste while maintaining reliability through automated monitoring and precise termination timing based on real-time charge level detection.
4Device complexity
If the required charge amount is not calculated, then the measurement process is simplified, but charging optimization cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The control device automatically performs all calculations of required charge amount based on integrated data from position sensors, energy consumption monitors, and supply point databases. This self-service calculation approach achieves charging optimization without requiring complex user-side measurement processes, as the system autonomously determines optimal parameters.
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 approach allows for more appropriate charging, reducing unnecessary charging and ensuring the vehicle has sufficient energy to reach the nearest hydrogen station, thereby extending cruising distance and reducing charging time and costs.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor configured to generate power to move using any one or both of the second energy obtained by converting the first energy accumulated in the first accumulation unit and the second energy accumulated in the second accumulation unit
Implementation Method 2
a first accumulation unit configured to accumulate first energy
Implementation Method 3
a second accumulation unit configured to accumulate second energy different from the first energy
Data Source
AI summary
A control device is a control device of a moving body that includes a first accumulation unit configured to accumulate first energy, a second accumulation unit configured to accumulate second energy different from the first energy, and an electric motor configured to generate power to move using any one or both of second energy obtained by converting first energy accumulated in the first accumulation unit and second energy accumulated in the second accumulation unit, in which a required amount, which is an amount of the second energy required to move from a current place to a supply point that is a point where supply of the first energy is received, is acquired when the second energy is accumulated in the second accumulation unit and, if the required amount has been supplied to the second accumulation unit, a termination-related operation related to termination of the supply is executed.