Fuel Cell Vehicle Humidification Using Generated Water and Split Airflow

Solution Overview

Problem

Fuel cell electric vehicles face discomfort due to rapid interior humidity decrease during cooling or heating, leading to dry conditions and window fogging, and existing humidifiers require frequent water replenishment and can obstruct the driver's view with moisture.

Innovation Solution

A humidification system that utilizes water generated during power generation in the fuel cell stack, incorporating a controller to manage HVAC air circulation, a humidification apparatus, and ducts to supply dry or humidified air to prevent window fogging, while minimizing moisture generation and requiring no external water replenishment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a humidifier is used to increase interior humidity, then user comfort is improved, but moisture forms on window glass obstructing the driver's view

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser comfortVSAvoidwindow fogging

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The air supply system is divided into separate ducts: one duct supplies humidified air to the vehicle interior for comfort, while another duct supplies dry air directly to the window area to prevent fogging. This segmentation allows different air conditions to be delivered to different zones simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different quality air is supplied to different locations: humidified air is directed to the passenger compartment where comfort is needed, while dry air is specifically directed to the window area where moisture prevention is critical. Each region receives air with the appropriate properties for its function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If a traditional humidifier with external water tank is used, then interior humidity can be controlled, but frequent water replenishment is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehumidity controlVSAvoidwater replenishment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses itself to provide the resource it needs: the fuel cell stack generates water as a byproduct of power generation, and this internally generated water is automatically captured and used for humidification. The system sustains itself without external water input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of discarding the water generated by the fuel cell stack, the system recovers and reuses it for humidification purposes. The water that would otherwise be wasted is captured from the exhaust and redirected to the humidification system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Quantity of substance

If water is supplied to humidify air, then interior humidity increases, but moisture may accumulate and cause window fogging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater vapor in airVSAvoidwindow moisture

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The air supply system is divided into separate ducts: one duct supplies humidified air to the vehicle interior for comfort, while another duct supplies dry air directly to the window area to prevent fogging. This segmentation allows different air conditions to be delivered to different zones simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different quality air is supplied to different locations: humidified air is directed to the passenger compartment where comfort is needed, while dry air is specifically directed to the window area where moisture prevention is critical. Each region receives air with the appropriate properties for its function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Maintains optimal interior humidity, prevents window fogging, and eliminates the need for frequent water refilling, enhancing user comfort and visibility by effectively utilizing generated water for humidification.

Implementation Method 1

a fuel cell stack for generating electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical reaction: Fuel Cell

Implementation Method 2

a first humidifier including an ultrasonic generator for generating an ultrasonic wave to decompose water stored in the water trap

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 3

a second humidifier including a heating apparatus for heating water supplied from the water supply tank to generate water vapor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS12172499B2System and method for humidification of fuel cell electric vehicle

Publication Date: 2024.12.24 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A system for humidification of a fuel cell electric vehicle includes a fuel cell stack for producing electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, a water supply tank for storing water generated during power generation in the fuel cell stack, a first duct for supplying air exhausted from a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) apparatus to a vehicle glass, a second duct for supplying air exhausted from the HVAC apparatus into the vehicle interior, a humidification apparatus for humidifying air supplied through the second duct using water supplied from the water supply tank, and a controller that supplies air to the vehicle glass through the first duct to perform anti-fogging control of the vehicle glass when adjusting an inside humidity of the vehicle using the humidification apparatus.