Fuel Cell Injector Valve Timing Control for Water Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fuel cell systems, the varying drive cycle and timing of the injector's valve opening lead to discontinuous operation sounds, causing discomfort for drivers and passengers, especially during low power generation states where water discharge is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell system with a control unit that extends the valve opening time in each drive cycle compared to previous cycles, ensuring stable power generation and continuous sound patterns, while also performing specific control steps for different power generation ranges and system states to effectively discharge water without discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the drive cycle of the injector is made longer while duty ratio is kept constant during low power generation, then water discharge is improved, but the timing of valve open varies causing discontinuous operation sound
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the valve opening time parameter specifically during the water discharge operation to be longer than in normal operation. This parameter change ensures sufficient water discharge while maintaining consistent valve opening timing, thereby resolving the contradiction between water discharge effectiveness and operation sound continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention dynamically adjusts the valve opening time based on the operational mode (normal operation vs. water discharge operation). By making the valve opening time variable rather than fixed, the system can optimize for water discharge when needed while maintaining normal operation characteristics otherwise, thus resolving the contradiction.
2Reliability
If the valve opening time is extended to improve water discharge, then power generation stability is improved, but the operation sound becomes more prominent
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies a localized solution by extending the valve opening time only during specific water discharge operations rather than continuously. This local quality change ensures power generation stability when needed while avoiding unnecessary sound generation during normal operation, thus resolving the contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements periodic water discharge operations with extended valve opening times rather than continuous operation. This periodic action allows the system to maintain power generation stability through scheduled water removal while keeping the operation sound intermittent and manageable, resolving the contradiction between stability and sound.
3Quantity of substance
If the drive cycle timing varies to discharge water effectively, then water discharge is improved, but the timing of maximum operation sound varies causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the valve opening time parameter specifically during water discharge operations to be longer than normal. This parameter change ensures effective water discharge while maintaining consistent valve opening timing relative to the drive cycle, thereby improving water discharge efficiency without compromising operation comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs the valve opening action at a predetermined timing within the drive cycle, ensuring that water discharge occurs at the optimal moment while the valve opening sound occurs at a consistent, predictable time. This preliminary planning of the valve opening timing resolves the contradiction between water discharge effectiveness and operation comfort.
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell system and a method of operating the fuel cell system which is difficult to give an uncomfortable feeling to a driver or passenger by operation sound of the injector while satisfactorily discharging water. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack having an anode flow path, an injector for supplying hydrogen at a predetermined drive cycle toward the anode flow path by being opened, and an ECU for controlling the injector, wherein the ECU performs a valve opening time extension step in which hydrogen is supplied in a valve opening time longer than that in next and previous drive cycles.