Fuel Cell Assembly Frame Collision Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In fuel cell vehicles, the fuel cell and its peripheral auxiliary apparatuses are prone to rotation and damage during collisions due to inertial forces, making it difficult to predict and prevent damage during such events.

Innovation Solution

The fuel cell and auxiliary apparatuses are integrated with an assembly frame to form a fuel cell assembly, with the assembly frame's height at the radiator side matching the center of gravity of the fuel cell assembly, and the frame is tilted and protrudes towards the radiator, ensuring the assembly frame collides first during a collision, thereby suppressing rotation and minimizing damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the fuel cell and auxiliary apparatuses are mounted separately in the front room, then the layout flexibility is improved, but the fuel cell rotates and damages during collision due to inertial force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelayout flexibilityVSAvoidfuel cell stability during collision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel cell and auxiliary apparatuses are integrated into a single fuel cell assembly with a common assembly frame, transforming separate mounted components into a unified structure that moves as one unit during collision, eliminating relative rotation between components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The assembly frame is designed with a tilted attitude where the vehicle front side is high and the vehicle rear side is low, creating a specific spatial orientation that positions the center of gravity at the front edge height, thereby preventing rotation during collision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the fuel cell is protected with an air bag inside the casing, then the fuel cell protection is improved, but the fuel cell still rotates and damages during violent collision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel cell protectionVSAvoidrotation during collision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The assembly frame protrudes toward the radiator side before collision occurs, positioning the front edge at the same height as the center of gravity in advance. This preliminary geometric configuration ensures that during collision, the impact force acts directly through the center of gravity, preventing torque generation and rotation before they can occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The assembly frame acts as an intermediary structure between the fuel cell assembly and the external collision force. By designing the frame with a specific tilted attitude and protrusion, it mediates the collision impact to act through the center of gravity, protecting the fuel cell from rotational damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of energy

If the assembly frame protrudes toward the radiator side with a tilted attitude, then the collision energy absorption is improved, but the assembly frame complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision energy absorptionVSAvoidassembly frame structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The assembly frame is designed with an asymmetric tilted attitude where the vehicle front side is high and the vehicle rear side is low, rather than a symmetric horizontal configuration. This asymmetric geometry creates the necessary condition for the front edge to be at the same height as the center of gravity, enabling collision energy absorption while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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 configuration effectively suppresses fuel cell rotation and predicts collision locations, stabilizing damage prevention for both the fuel cell and its peripheral apparatuses by absorbing collision energy through strategic positioning and design.

Implementation Method 1

a height of a front edge of the assembly frame at a vehicle front side approximately matches a height of a center of gravity of the entire fuel cell assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCenter of gravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS9895999B2Fuel cell vehicle

Publication Date: 2018.02.20 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

The present invention provides a fuel cell vehicle that is capable of suppressing rotation of a fuel cell when a vehicle collision occurs and minimizing damage to the fuel cell and auxiliary apparatuses.A fuel cell vehicle 1 comprises: a radiator 11 provided in a front room 10; and a fuel cell assembly 12 provided in a vehicle rear direction with respect to the radiator 11 in the front room 10. The fuel cell assembly 12 comprises: an assembly frame 60; and a fuel cell apparatus group 61 that includes a fuel cell 70 and an auxiliary apparatus, the fuel cell apparatus group 61 being integrally mounted to the assembly frame 60. The assembly frame 60 protrudes more than the fuel cell apparatus group 61, toward the radiator 11 at the front side. The fuel cell assembly 12 is installed in the front room 10 such that a height of a front edge part A of the assembly frame 60 at a front side approximately matches a height of a center of gravity P of the entire fuel cell assembly 12.