Fuel Cell Module Connector Grouping for Multi-Oriented Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fuel cell module mount structures face challenges in adapting to different vehicle orientations without increasing the weight and size of the case body, as multiple thick reinforced connectors are required for strength and compatibility.

Innovation Solution

A fuel cell module with a case body featuring a first and second connector group, where some connectors are common to both, allowing for flexible orientation without excessive reinforcement, thereby reducing the number of connectors and maintaining a lightweight design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a large number of thick reinforced connectors are provided on the case body to ensure strength and compatibility with various mount structures, then the fuel cell module can be mounted in different orientations, but the case body becomes large and the fuel cell module becomes heavy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting orientation compatibilityVSAvoidfuel cell module weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The connectors are divided into two distinct groups: a first connector group for mounting in a first orientation and a second connector group for mounting in a second orientation. This segmentation allows the fuel cell module to be mounted in different orientations while using only the necessary connectors for each specific application, rather than providing all possible connectors simultaneously, thereby reducing overall weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting system is designed to be dynamically configurable by selecting which connector group to use based on the required mounting orientation. The case body includes both connector groups, but only the relevant group is activated for each mounting scenario, allowing adaptability without permanently adding the weight and complexity of all possible reinforcement structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple thick reinforced connectors are provided on the case body to ensure strength for various mount structures, then the fuel cell module can be mounted in different orientations, but the case body size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting orientation compatibilityVSAvoidcase body area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The connectors are segmented into orientation-specific groups, allowing the case body to accommodate different mounting configurations without requiring all connectors to be present simultaneously. This reduces the overall area occupied by reinforcement structures on the case body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The case body is designed with localized reinforcement only where specific connector groups are needed, rather than uniformly reinforcing the entire case body. This allows adaptability for different orientations while minimizing the overall area occupied by reinforcement structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If thick reinforced portions are added to the case body to ensure collision strength, then mounting strength is improved, but the fuel cell module weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting strengthVSAvoidfuel cell module weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system uses dynamically selectable connector groups based on orientation requirements. Only the necessary reinforced portions are activated for each mounting scenario, providing sufficient strength without the penalty of carrying unnecessary reinforcement weight in all configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the activation state of different connector groups based on mounting orientation parameters. This allows the same case body to provide appropriate strength for different orientations by activating only the relevant reinforced connectors, avoiding the weight increase that would result from all connectors being permanently activated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11502324B2Fuel cell module and method of mounting the fuel cell module

Publication Date: 2022.11.15 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A fuel cell module includes a case body containing a cell stack body formed by stacking a plurality of power generation cells. The case body includes a plurality of connectors for mounting the fuel cell module into a fuel cell vehicle. The plurality of connectors include a first connector group used for mounting the fuel cell module into a first fuel cell vehicle in a manner that a stacking direction of the fuel cell module is substantially aligned with a first direction, and a second connector group used for mounting the fuel cell module into a second fuel cell vehicle in a manner that the stacking direction of the fuel cell module is substantially aligned with a second direction. Some connectors are common to both the first connector group and the second connector group.