Fuel Cell Grille Shutter Control via Impedance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell vehicles struggle to maintain an optimal wet state for the electrolyte membrane, leading to reduced proton conductivity and power generation efficiency due to temperature-based control of the grille shutter, which does not account for changes in the fuel cell's wet state.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an impedance sensor to measure the fuel cell's impedance and a control unit that adjusts the grille shutter's opening based on a predetermined threshold, ensuring the electrolyte membrane remains in an appropriate wet state by opening the shutter when impedance exceeds the threshold, thereby maintaining optimal wettability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the grille shutter is controlled to open and close according to the temperature of the fuel cell, then the temperature control is improved, but the wet state maintenance of the fuel cell deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control parameter from temperature to impedance. The control unit now controls the grille shutter based on impedance values measured by the impedance sensor, rather than temperature readings. This parameter change allows direct monitoring of the electrolyte membrane's wet state through impedance variations, resolving the contradiction by making the control parameter directly related to the desired outcome (wet state maintenance) while still achieving temperature management as a secondary effect.
2Reliability
If the grille shutter is opened to increase wettability of the electrolyte membrane, then the wet state is improved, but the traveling resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the impedance sensor continuously monitors the electrolyte membrane's wet state and provides real-time impedance values to the control unit. The control unit adjusts the grille shutter position based on this feedback, opening it only when impedance indicates the membrane is too dry. This feedback-based approach minimizes grille shutter opening time, thereby reducing traveling resistance while maintaining adequate wettability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the grille shutter dynamically adjustable based on real-time impedance measurements rather than maintaining a fixed position. The control unit continuously adjusts the shutter opening degree according to the measured impedance, allowing the system to adapt to changing wet state conditions. This dynamic control optimizes the balance between maintaining wettability and minimizing traveling resistance.
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 approach allows for consistent and efficient electric power generation by maintaining the electrolyte membrane in an optimal wet state, improving the fuel cell's performance and reducing traveling resistance.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor configured to measure an impedance of the fuel cell
Implementation Method 2
a radiator configured to cool a coolant which has been warmed by cooling the fuel cell
Implementation Method 3
a flow rate of air taken into the radiator can be adjusted by adjusting an amount of opening of the grille shutter
Implementation Method 4
A present disclosure is a fuel cell vehicle including a fuel cell
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell vehicle capable of generating electric power in an optimum wet state is provided. A fuel cell vehicle including a fuel cell, a radiator configured to cool a coolant which has been warmed by cooling the fuel cell and send it back to the fuel cell, a grille shutter configured to adjust a flow rate of air taken into the radiator from an air intake, a sensor configured to measure an impedance of the fuel cell, and a control unit configured to control the grille shutter to open and close. The control unit controls the grille shutter to open when a measured value of the impedance becomes greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold.