Fuel Cell Idle Stop Control via Voltage and Temperature Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Idle stop control in fuel cell systems can disrupt the operation temperature and voltage stability, leading to impaired drivability and slow response during restarts, especially when the fuel cell is cold, necessitating a solution to prevent unstable electricity generation.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell system with an unstable state detection mechanism that prohibits idle stop if the electricity generation is unstable, using temperature and voltage sensing to maintain stable operation, and an electricity storage means to store power and stabilize voltage deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If idle stop control is implemented to improve fuel economy, then fuel economy is improved, but the operation temperature stability and voltage stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The control device monitors operation temperature and cell voltage in real-time, using this feedback to dynamically determine whether to permit or prohibit idle stop. When temperature or voltage falls outside predetermined ranges, idle stop is prohibited, ensuring stable operation conditions are maintained before allowing fuel-saving idle stop.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts idle stop permission based on real-time operating conditions. The control device changes the idle stop state from permitted to prohibited (or vice versa) according to whether temperature and voltage are within acceptable ranges, making the system adaptive to changing conditions.
2Loss of energy
If idle stop is carried out when operation temperature is low, then fuel economy is improved, but the warming-up operation is interrupted and response to restart becomes slow
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary checks of operation temperature and cell voltage before permitting idle stop. By ensuring temperature is above the lower threshold and voltage is within acceptable ranges before allowing idle stop, the system prevents conditions that would slow down subsequent restart response.
Solution Approach 2:
Real-time monitoring of temperature and voltage provides feedback that prevents idle stop when warming-up is needed. The control device detects when temperature is too low or voltage is unstable and prohibits idle stop accordingly, maintaining readiness for quick restart.
3Stability of the object's composition
If idle stop is prohibited to maintain stable electricity generation, then voltage stability is improved, but fuel economy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between permitting and prohibiting idle stop based on real-time voltage and temperature conditions. When voltage and temperature are stable within predetermined ranges, idle stop is permitted to save fuel; when they become unstable, idle stop is prohibited to maintain voltage stability.
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 ensures stable electricity generation, maintains drivability, and improves fuel economy by preventing idle stop during unstable conditions and releasing it when generation becomes stable.
Implementation Method 1
a fuel cell to which the fuel gas and the oxidant gas are supplied for generation of electricity
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensing means for detecting an operation temperature of the fuel cell
Implementation Method 3
a voltage sensing means for detecting voltage of each single cell
Implementation Method 4
an electricity storage means for storing electric power generated by the fuel cell
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell system and an idle stop controlling method for the fuel cell system. The fuel cell system includes: a fuel gas supply means for supplying fuel gas; an oxidant gas supply means for supplying oxidant gas; a fuel cell to which the fuel gas and the oxidant gas are supplied for generation of electricity; an idle stop means for stopping generation of electricity by the fuel cell to perform idle stop; and an unstable state detection means for detecting whether the generation of electricity by the fuel cell is unstable. If the unstable state detection means detects that generation of electricity by the fuel cell is unstable, idle stop by the idle stop means is prohibited so that the fuel cell continues to generate electricity.