Fuel Cell Vehicle Controller Power Feedable Period Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell vehicles face challenges in reaching hydrogen stations due to insufficient hydrogen for driving, especially when used as mobile vending vehicles, as they consume hydrogen not only for driving but also for powering external loads, and the limited availability of hydrogen stations increases the risk of running out of fuel.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell vehicle equipped with a controller that calculates and displays a power feedable period, determining the remaining hydrogen amount and required hydrogen for driving to the nearest station, allowing the vehicle to operate in a power feed mode without depleting the hydrogen supply, thereby informing the driver of operational hours and reducing the risk of insufficient hydrogen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the fuel cell vehicle operates in power feed mode to supply electric power to external loads, then the productivity is improved, but the remaining amount of hydrogen decreases, reducing the ability to reach hydrogen stations
Solution Approach 1:
The controller calculates the power feedable period in advance by considering the required hydrogen amount for driving to the nearest hydrogen station, the current remaining hydrogen amount, and the hydrogen consumption rate in power feed mode. This preliminary calculation allows the system to determine the maximum duration for power feed operation before hydrogen depletion occurs, enabling productive operation while ensuring sufficient hydrogen remains for reaching a refueling station.
2Quantity of substance
If the fuel cell vehicle travels to a nearest hydrogen station, then the hydrogen supply is replenished, but the business operation time is reduced due to travel time and station availability
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the current location, remaining hydrogen amount, and calculates the required hydrogen for driving to the nearest hydrogen station. By providing feedback on the power feedable period, the controller enables optimal decision-making regarding when to continue power feed operations and when to proceed to refueling, minimizing unnecessary travel time while ensuring adequate hydrogen supply for the next business operation cycle.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the fuel cell vehicle uses hydrogen for both driving and power feed operations, then the versatility is improved, but the reliability of reaching hydrogen stations decreases due to insufficient hydrogen
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary calculation of the power feedable period by subtracting the required hydrogen amount for driving from the current remaining hydrogen amount, then dividing by the hydrogen consumption rate in power feed mode. This ensures that the vehicle maintains sufficient hydrogen reserves to reach the nearest hydrogen station while maximizing power feed operations, thereby preserving reliability of station access while utilizing dual functionality.
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 solution ensures the fuel cell vehicle can reach hydrogen stations without running out of fuel, enabling continuous operation and enhancing customer convenience by displaying business hours for mobile vending, reducing noise pollution, and eliminating greenhouse gas emissions.
Implementation Method 1
a fuel cell; a hydrogen tank configured to supply hydrogen to the fuel cell
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell vehicle includes a fuel cell, a hydrogen tank, a driving motor, a power feeder and a controller. The controller is configured to: obtain current location information of the fuel cell vehicle, hydrogen supply position information, a fuel consumption of the fuel cell vehicle in a drive mode, a remaining amount of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank, and a consumed amount of hydrogen per unit time in a power feed mode; calculate an amount of hydrogen that is required for the fuel cell vehicle to drive from the current location to the supply position; calculate a power feedable time period when the fuel cell vehicle is operable in the power feed mode without causing the remaining amount of hydrogen to become less than the required amount of hydrogen, and display information with regard to the power feedable period.