In-Vehicle Fuel Cell Piping Segmentation for Weight Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional in-vehicle fuel cell systems have complex piping structures that result in increased pipe length and weight, leading to pressure losses and high component counts, which are costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The system simplifies the piping structure by positioning coolant pipes on the front and reactant gas pipes on the rear of the vehicle, using a hollow fiber type humidifier integrated with the fuel cell stack, and incorporating multiple-function components to reduce the number of components and weight, while utilizing the heat of the humidifier to maintain reactant gas auxiliary device temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If coolant pipes, fuel gas pipes, and oxygen-containing gas pipes are all provided on the front side of the vehicle and connected to the end plate, then the fuel cell stack can be mounted in the vehicle, but the piping structure becomes complicated and the space required is large
Solution Approach 1:
The piping structure is segmented by function and location: coolant pipes are provided on the front side connected to the first end plate, while fuel gas pipes and oxygen-containing gas pipes are provided on the rear side connected to the second end plate. This segmentation distributes the piping complexity across different locations rather than concentrating all pipes on one side, thereby reducing overall structural complexity and space requirements.
2Ease of operation
If all pipes are provided on the front side of the vehicle, then the fuel cell stack can be mounted, but the pipe length increases leading to pressure losses and increased weight
Solution Approach 1:
The piping system is segmented into front-side coolant pipes and rear-side fuel gas/oxygen pipes, with each pipe type connected to the end plate positioned on its respective side. This segmentation minimizes pipe length by connecting each pipe type to the nearest end plate, thereby reducing overall pipe weight and pressure losses while maintaining mounting capability.
3Reliability
If dedicated support members are provided for the fuel cell and additional support for the humidifier, then both components are properly supported, but the number of components increases and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first support member is designed with multi-functionality: it supports both the fuel cell stack and the humidifier, and also serves as a mounting structure for the oxygen-containing gas supply mechanism. This universal support structure reduces the total number of components and decreases weight while maintaining reliable support for all components.
4Reliability
If multiple dedicated support members are provided for fuel cell and humidifier, then proper support is achieved, but the overall weight of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first support member serves multiple functions: supporting the fuel cell stack, supporting the humidifier, and providing mounting for the oxygen-containing gas supply mechanism. By consolidating these support functions into a single multi-functional component, the overall system weight is reduced while maintaining reliable support for all components.
5Weight of moving object
If the piping structure is simplified by positioning pipes on different sides, then pipe length and weight are reduced, but proper cooling and gas supply must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The piping system is segmented by function and spatial location: coolant pipes on the front side connected to the first end plate, and fuel gas/oxygen pipes on the rear side connected to the second end plate. This segmentation maintains proper cooling and gas supply functions by providing dedicated piping paths for each function while reducing pipe length and weight through optimized spatial arrangement.
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 configuration reduces pressure losses and pipe weight, simplifies the piping structure, decreases the overall weight of the fuel cell system, and effectively maintains reactant gas auxiliary device temperatures without additional heating mechanisms, enhancing efficiency and reliability, especially in cold conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a hollow fiber type humidifier (36) coupled at a position on the rear side in the traveling direction of the vehicle, relative to the fuel cell stack (14)
Implementation Method 2
utilizing the heat of the humidifier to maintain reactant gas auxiliary device temperatures
Implementation Method 3
utilizing the heat of the humidifier to maintain reactant gas auxiliary device temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell system mounted in a vehicle includes a fuel cell stack, a coolant supply mechanism, and a fuel gas supply mechanism. The coolant supply mechanism includes a coolant supply pipe and a coolant discharge pipe, provided on a front side in a traveling direction of the vehicle, relative to the fuel cell stack. The fuel gas supply mechanism includes a fuel gas supply pipe, provided on a rear side in the traveling direction, relative to the fuel cell stack.