Fuel Cell Cold Start Time Estimation and Notification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell systems take a long time to reach a ready state at below-freezing temperatures due to frozen water in the MEGA, leading to user frustration and reduced power generation performance.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell system with a water content acquisition unit, temperature acquisition unit, estimation unit, and notification unit that estimates the time required to reduce ice within the fuel cell and notify the user, allowing for better anticipation of the Ready-on state and desired output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the fuel cell is started at a below-freezing temperature without pre-heating, then the start-up operation can be initiated, but water in the MEGA freezes and the start-up time becomes remarkably long
Solution Approach 1:
The notification unit provides advance information to the user about the expected start-up time and output characteristics before the fuel cell reaches operating temperature. This preliminary notification manages user expectations and reduces frustration during the extended warm-up period required at below-freezing temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The notification unit acts as an intermediary between the fuel cell system and the user, communicating the system's state and expected behavior during cold start-up. This intermediary provides transparency about the freezing condition and time required, preventing user confusion and frustration.
2Productivity
If the fuel cell operates after reaching Ready-on state at below-freezing temperature, then power generation can be provided, but the output is less than expected and user satisfaction decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The notification unit informs the user in advance about the reduced output characteristics that will occur during cold operation. By providing this information before the user attempts to use the fuel cell at below-freezing temperatures, the system manages expectations and prevents user frustration despite the lower than expected power generation output.
Solution Approach 2:
The notification unit provides feedback to the user about the current operating conditions and expected performance characteristics. This feedback mechanism helps users understand the relationship between temperature conditions and output levels, reducing dissatisfaction with the actual performance.
3Ease of operation
If the amount of frozen water in the MEGA is large, then the fuel cell can be started, but the time required to unfreeze and reach Ready-on state increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The notification unit calculates and communicates the expected unfreezing time based on the amount of frozen water detected before start-up. This preliminary information allows users to plan accordingly and understand the extended wait time required, reducing frustration during the prolonged start-up period.
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
Reduces user frustration by providing estimated wait times and eliminates unexpected deviations in output, improving the user experience by informing them of the target output reaching time.
Implementation Method 1
a fuel cell that generates electric power through an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas
Implementation Method 2
water that remains in a part of a MEGA (Membrane Electrode and Gas Diffusion Layer Assembly) is frozen
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a fuel cell system which comprises: a target output reaching time estimation unit configured to estimate a target output reaching time that requires for a fuel cell after start-up at a below-freezing temperature to become capable of providing an expected output desired or expected by a user of the fuel cell system or a predetermined output according to the expected output, based on the water content in the fuel cell and the temperature inside the fuel cell at the time of start-up at a below-freezing temperature; and a target output reaching time notification unit that notifies the user of the time estimated by the target output reaching time estimation unit.