Fuel Cell Power Control for Predicted Low-Load Driving Events
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The frequent turning on and off of fuel cell systems in vehicles leads to accelerated aging and reduced efficiency, particularly during low load conditions, resulting in increased fuel consumption and reduced service life.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method predicts upcoming driving events and determines the optimal operating condition for the fuel cell system, either keeping it running or turning it off, based on load conditions and duration, to minimize unnecessary degradation and energy waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the fuel cell system is turned off during low load conditions to save fuel, then fuel economy is improved, but the frequent turning on and off accelerates aging and reduces service life
Solution Approach 1:
The control method performs preliminary assessment of upcoming driving events using predicted driving patterns and route information. Before the vehicle actually enters a low-load condition, the system determines whether turning off the fuel cell system is advisable based on the predicted duration and characteristics of upcoming low-load periods. This preliminary action allows the system to avoid frequent shutdowns during short low-load events while still achieving fuel savings during extended low-load periods, thereby resolving the contradiction between fuel economy and service life.
2Reliability
If the fuel cell system is kept running during low load conditions to avoid aging, then service life is extended, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses predicted driving patterns and route information to assess upcoming driving events before making shutdown decisions. By evaluating the predicted duration and characteristics of upcoming low-load periods in advance, the system can determine whether keeping the fuel cell system running will result in unnecessary fuel consumption. This allows the system to turn off the fuel cell system during low-load conditions that are predicted to extend beyond a threshold duration, thereby reducing fuel consumption without excessively compromising service life.
3Productivity
If the fuel cell system is frequently turned on and off to match varying power demands, then power supply efficiency is improved, but the fuel cell stacks experience accelerated degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The control method performs preliminary assessment of upcoming driving events using predicted driving patterns before the vehicle actually experiences varying power demands. By evaluating the predicted duration and characteristics of upcoming low-load periods in advance, the system can determine whether turning off the fuel cell system is advisable. This preliminary action reduces the frequency of shutdowns during short low-load events while still achieving power supply efficiency during extended low-load periods, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and harmful degradation effects.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer system and a method for controlling a power system of a vehicle is disclosed. The power system includes a fuel cell system and an energy storage system comprising one or more batteries. The method includes predicting an upcoming driving event associated with a start time and a time duration, the driving event being an event during which the vehicle is expected to be operated under a load condition. The method further includes determining a preferred operating condition of the fuel cell system during the predicted upcoming driving event based on the load condition and on the time duration, and controlling the power system by performing a preparation action associated with the power system in dependence of the determined operating condition of the fuel system before the start time of the predicted upcoming driving event.