Fuel Cell Current Prediction for Accurate Cruising Distance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods struggle to accurately calculate the cruising distance of a fuel cell vehicle due to difficulties in predicting the amount of electric current supplied by the fuel cell, which is influenced by varying fuel efficiency during travel.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell vehicle equipped with a hydrogen tank, fuel cell, and drive source, along with a prediction device that calculates the total output current, hydrogen consumption, and remaining hydrogen amount to predict the current supply, using equations to accurately forecast the current amount and cruising distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the cruising distance is calculated based on fuel consumption, then the calculation method is simple, but the accuracy of the cruising distance calculation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the calculation parameters from simple fuel consumption to a multi-parameter model including output current, hydrogen consumption amount, and remaining hydrogen amount. This transforms the calculation from a single-parameter approach to a multi-parameter approach, improving accuracy while maintaining computational feasibility through the use of standard sensor data and mathematical relationships.
2Measurement precision
If the fuel cell output is predicted using multiple parameters, then the prediction accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing fuel cell system components serve multiple functions. The current sensor, hydrogen consumption sensor, and control unit are not only used for their primary functions but also for predicting fuel cell output and calculating cruising distance. This multi-functionality approach improves prediction accuracy without adding significant device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own operational data (current output, hydrogen consumption, remaining hydrogen) to predict future performance and calculate cruising distance. The fuel cell vehicle essentially predicts its own state using its own operational parameters, eliminating the need for external complex prediction devices.
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
Enables precise prediction of the current supply and cruising distance, accounting for real-time changes in fuel cell output and battery capacity, thereby improving the accuracy of distance calculations.
Implementation Method 1
a fuel cell configured to generate electric power using the hydrogen
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell vehicle includes a first current amount calculating unit that calculates a first total amount of current output from a fuel cell during a period from a predetermined timing to the present time, a hydrogen amount calculating unit that calculates a hydrogen total amount output from a hydrogen tank during the period from the predetermined timing to the present time, a remaining amount acquisition unit that acquires a hydrogen remaining amount in the hydrogen tank, and a current amount prediction unit that predicts a current amount that can be supplied by the fuel cell based on the first total amount, the total amount, and the hydrogen remaining amount.