Fuel Cell Humidification Control for Motorcycle Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The air-cooled type solid polymer fuel cell in fuel cell motorcycles experiences reduced motor output during humidification, leading to instability when cornering, as the humidification process temporarily halts electricity generation, and the secondary battery's limited capacity further complicates maintaining vehicle balance.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell humidification device that includes an inclination detection system to prevent humidification during significant cornering, allowing motor output to increase instantly, and adjusts the inclination threshold based on speed and humidification time to ensure stable running by prioritizing humidification during less critical conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If humidification treatment is performed by blocking air supply to the fuel cell, then the electrolyte film is humidified, but the motor output cannot be sufficiently increased during cornering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the humidification process by adjusting the degree of air supply restriction based on vehicle operating conditions. The control unit monitors vehicle speed, acceleration, and steering angle to dynamically modify the shutter opening degree, allowing the system to transition between humidification mode and power output mode as needed during cornering maneuvers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of air supply restriction from a binary state (fully blocked or fully open) to a continuously adjustable parameter. By controlling the shutter opening degree as a variable parameter rather than a fixed state, the system can optimize the balance between humidification effectiveness and motor power output in real-time.
2Reliability
If air supply to the fuel cell is blocked for humidification, then the electrolyte film maintains wet state, but electricity generation is almost stopped
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing partial air supply restriction rather than complete blocking. The shutter is controlled to provide just enough opening to maintain electricity generation while still allowing sufficient moisture retention in the electrolyte film. This partial restriction approach avoids the extreme of complete blocking while achieving the necessary humidification.
3Volume of moving object
If the secondary battery capacity is limited, then the vehicle structure remains compact, but the duration and magnitude of motor output is limited when driven by secondary battery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous useful action by optimizing the fuel cell's electricity generation capability during cornering maneuvers. By preventing complete shutdown of power generation during humidification, the system maintains a continuous supply of electrical energy from the fuel cell, which can be used to supplement or extend the operation duration of the motor when the secondary battery is depleted.
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 ensures motor output can be sufficiently increased during cornering, maintaining vehicle stability by controlling humidification based on real-time conditions, effectively utilizing both fuel cell and secondary battery power for balanced operation.
Implementation Method 1
an inclination detection portion for detecting an inclination of the fuel cell motorcycle
Implementation Method 2
a solid polymer fuel cell supported on the frame and having a fuel electrode, an air electrode and an electrolyte film... generates electricity by reacting hydrogen supplied to a fuel electrode with air (oxygen) supplied to an air electrode
Implementation Method 3
the vapor and the reaction water are stayed in the electrolyte film, thereby humidifying the electrolyte film
Implementation Method 4
the vapor and the reaction water are stayed in the electrolyte film, thereby humidifying the electrolyte film
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a fuel cell humidification device of a fuel cell motorcycle. When a fuel cell managing device demands to perform a humidification treatment for humidifying an electrolyte film of an air-cooled type solid polymer fuel cell or the humidification treatment is being performed, a humidification permission deciding portion decides whether an inclination of the fuel cell motorcycle is equal to or greater than an inclination threshold, and then permits to perform or continue to perform the humidification treatment if the inclination is not equal to or greater than the inclination threshold, and does not permit to perform or continue to perform the humidification treatment if the inclination is equal to or greater than the inclination threshold.