Fuel Cell Vehicle Efficiency Measurement Using External Tank Weighing

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fuel efficiency measurement methods for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are plagued by large errors in pressure, temperature, and hydrogen flow sensors, making it difficult to accurately calculate fuel efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A fuel efficiency measurement system that includes a fuel supply tank with an electronic balance to measure weight changes, a high pressure regulator, and a system control unit that calculates fuel efficiency based on vehicle driving distance and weight differences before and after driving, using hydrogen from an external tank instead of the vehicle's hydrogen tank during measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If measurement is based on temperature and pressure change of hydrogen tank, then hydrogen purge amount can be calculated, but sensor errors are large and soaking is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel efficiency measurement accuracyVSAvoidsensor error

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an external hydrogen supply tank and main pipe as intermediary components between the hydrogen source and the fuel cell. This allows the measurement system to use weight change of the external tank rather than relying on temperature and pressure sensors in the vehicle's hydrogen tank, thereby reducing sensor errors and eliminating the need for soaking periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the thermal and pressure-based measurement system with a mechanical weighing system. By using a scale to measure the weight change of the external hydrogen supply tank, the system achieves more accurate fuel efficiency measurement without the large errors associated with temperature and pressure sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If measurement is based on amount of hydrogen supplied, then hydrogen purge amount can be calculated, but hydrogen flow sensor error is quite large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel efficiency measurement accuracyVSAvoidhydrogen flow sensor error

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an external hydrogen supply tank and main pipe as intermediary components between the hydrogen source and the fuel cell. This allows the measurement system to use weight change of the external tank rather than relying on temperature and pressure sensors in the vehicle's hydrogen tank, thereby reducing sensor errors and eliminating the need for soaking periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the thermal and pressure-based measurement system with a mechanical weighing system. By using a scale to measure the weight change of the external hydrogen supply tank, the system achieves more accurate fuel efficiency measurement without the large errors associated with temperature and pressure sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If measurement is based on current amount of fuel cell, then calculation of current amount and reactivity are excellent, but hydrogen purge amount cannot be estimated and current sensor error is quite large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalculation speed and reactivityVSAvoidfuel efficiency measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an external hydrogen supply tank and main pipe as intermediary components between the hydrogen source and the fuel cell. This allows the measurement system to use weight change of the external tank rather than relying on temperature and pressure sensors in the vehicle's hydrogen tank, thereby reducing sensor errors and eliminating the need for soaking periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 method provides a more accurate calculation of fuel efficiency by minimizing sensor errors and ensuring precise measurement of hydrogen usage, leading to improved fuel efficiency assessment for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

Implementation Method 1

an electronic balance for detecting a weight of the fuel supply tank

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

a high pressure regulator provided on the main pipe and reducing the pressure of hydrogen supplied from the fuel supply tank to a pressure that can be used in the fuel cell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure reduction: Pressure Drop

Data Source

PatentUS8190354B2Fuel efficiency measurement system and method for fuel cell vehicle

Publication Date: 2012.05.29 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A fuel efficiency measurement system includes a fuel supply tank for supplying hydrogen to be used as a fuel to a fuel cell of the vehicle during measurement of fuel efficiency and a precision electronic balance for detecting a weight of the fuel supply tank so as to perform the measurement of fuel efficiency based on a vehicle driving distance and a change in weight of the fuel supply tank measured by the electronic balance during measurement of fuel efficiency. According to the fuel efficiency measurement system, it is possible to more accurately calculate fuel efficiency without using hydrogen of a hydrogen tank installed in the vehicle.