Fuel Cell System with Adjustable DC/DC Converter Voltage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel cell systems with integrated electric storage devices are not versatile and require additional output terminals, leading to increased costs and incompatibility with various electric appliances.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell system with a fuel cell, a fuel feeder, a first DC/DC converter to adjust the fuel cell output voltage, an electric storage device, a second DC/DC converter to adjust the storage device output voltage, and a rechargeable battery charge circuit, allowing for adjustable voltage settings and detachable storage devices to accommodate different electric appliances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the fuel cell system is designed with fixed specifications tailored to a particular electric appliance, then the system can operate efficiently with that appliance, but the system cannot be offered as a versatile fuel cell system compatible with various electric appliances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic voltage adjustment capability in the DC/DC converter, allowing the output voltage to be changed based on the connected electric appliance requirements. The control unit dynamically selects appropriate voltage levels (e.g., 12V, 24V, 48V) to match different appliance specifications, enabling the same fuel cell system to serve multiple applications without hardware redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel cell system is designed with universal output terminals that can connect to various electric appliances through voltage adjustment. The system incorporates a rechargeable battery and DC/DC converter combination that can adapt to different voltage requirements, making the system universally applicable to multiple appliance types without requiring appliance-specific customization.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a rechargeable battery built in an electric appliance is used as the rechargeable battery of the fuel cell system, then the system can be adapted to the electric appliance, but it is necessary to provide the electric appliance with an extra direct current output terminal, leading to increased cost or inapplicability to existing electric appliances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the power management functions into distinct modules: the fuel cell stack, the rechargeable battery, and the DC/DC converter are independent components. This segmentation allows the DC/DC converter to handle voltage conversion and output delivery without requiring modifications to the electric appliance itself, eliminating the need for extra output terminals in the appliance and reducing manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The DC/DC converter acts as an intermediary between the fuel cell system and the electric appliance. It provides the necessary voltage conversion and isolation, allowing the fuel cell system to interface with standard appliance input terminals without requiring custom output terminals in the appliance. This intermediary function enables compatibility with existing appliances without modification.
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 high versatility by allowing voltage and storage device type adjustments, supporting various electric appliances and extending the use of the fuel cell system as a charger for the storage device, while protecting the fuel cell and storage device.
Implementation Method 1
a fuel cell stack 1, a fuel feeder 2... The fuel cell stack 1 has a positive electrode output end connected to a positive electrode terminal
Implementation Method 2
a DC/DC converter 5 for rechargeable battery (hereinafter referred to as a rechargeable battery DC/DC converter 5)... a positive electrode output end of the rechargeable battery DC/DC converter 5 is connected to the positive electrode terminal of the system output terminal 7
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell system of the present invention includes a fuel cell stack, a fuel feeder that provides the fuel cell stack with fuel, a fuel cell DC/DC converter that converts the output voltage of the fuel cell stack to a predetermined voltage and then outputs it, a rechargeable battery that is an electric storage device, and a rechargeable battery DC/DC converter that converts the output voltage of the rechargeable battery to a predetermined voltage and then outputs it. The setting of a voltage at a node at which an output end of the fuel cell DC/DC converter and an output end of the rechargeable battery DC/DC converter are connected together is changeable, and the rechargeable battery is detachable. As a result, the fuel cell system of the present invention has high versatility.