Fuel Cell Evaporator Drying Using Stack-Powered Heated Air
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell vehicles face issues with moisture accumulation in the air conditioner evaporator, leading to mold growth and unpleasant odors due to the lack of a moisture removal device, which is not addressed by conventional systems.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell vehicle equipped with an electric heater and blower fan system that uses power from the fuel cell stack to supply hot dry air to the air conditioner evaporator, effectively removing moisture and oxygen during shutdown, thereby functioning as a cathode oxygen depletion system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an air conditioner evaporator is used in a fuel cell vehicle, then cooling function is provided, but moisture accumulates on the evaporator core surface leading to mold growth and unpleasant odors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the evaporator to serve dual purposes: cooling during operation and moisture removal during shutdown. The controller activates the evaporator in reverse mode after shutdown to evaporate accumulated moisture, transforming a single-function component into a multi-functional one that addresses both cooling and moisture management needs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by operating the evaporator in two distinct phases: cooling mode during vehicle operation and moisture evaporation mode during shutdown period. This periodic switching between functions allows the system to accumulate cooling benefits during operation while systematically removing moisture during idle periods, preventing mold growth and odors
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a moisture removal device is added to the air conditioner evaporator, then moisture is removed effectively, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent avoids increasing device complexity by making the existing evaporator multi-functional. Instead of adding a separate moisture removal device, the controller enables the evaporator to perform both cooling and moisture evaporation functions, utilizing the same hardware component for dual purposes
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies self-service by using the evaporator's own structure and the vehicle's existing thermal environment to remove moisture. The evaporator utilizes the temperature differential between the evaporator core and ambient air during shutdown to evaporate accumulated moisture automatically, without requiring external moisture removal equipment
3Temperature
If the evaporator is used for cooling during operation, then interior temperature is controlled, but water condenses on the core surface and remains after shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action by switching the evaporator between cooling mode during operation and moisture evaporation mode during shutdown. This temporal separation allows condensation to occur during cooling phases while systematically removing the accumulated moisture during idle phases, preventing permanent water accumulation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent exploits phase transitions by utilizing the evaporator to condense moisture from air during cooling operation, then reversing the process during shutdown to evaporate the accumulated condensate. This cyclic phase transition approach converts harmful liquid water back into vapor that can be vented away
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 effectively removes moisture from the air conditioner evaporator, preventing mold growth and unpleasant odors, while consuming stack power to manage oxygen and voltage during shutdown, thus enhancing the operational reliability of fuel cell vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
an electric heater and a blower fan which supply air heated by the electric heater to the air conditioner evaporator
Implementation Method 2
a blower fan which supply air heated by the electric heater to the air conditioner evaporator
Implementation Method 3
remove moisture from the air conditioner evaporator
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a fuel cell vehicle, particularly a fuel cell vehicle equipped with a moisture remover that removes moisture from an air conditioner evaporator. The fuel cell vehicle includes: a fuel cell stack as a power supplier; an electric heater operated by power from the fuel cell stack; a blower fan for providing air to the electric heater; an air channel configured to supply the air passing through the electric heater to an air conditioner evaporator; and a controller for controlling the operations of the electric heater and the blower fan, whereby moisture is removed from the air conditioner evaporator by supplying air heated by the electric heater to the air conditioner evaporator. The fuel cell vehicle effectively removes moisture from an air conditioner evaporator, solves the problem of a bad smell in the related art, and further removes the oxygen and the stack voltage which remain in the cathode, such that it is possible to avoid cathode oxygen depletion of the related art.