Fuel Cell External Power Supply Control for Sensor Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing external power supply systems for vehicles using fuel cells and secondary batteries face issues with immediate power stoppage due to circuit failures and frequent charging/discharging of secondary batteries, leading to battery degradation and reduced usability.
Innovation Solution
A control method that adjusts fuel cell power generation to maintain the state of charge of the secondary battery, ensuring continuous power supply to the outside by increasing or decreasing fuel cell power based on detected changes in the battery's state of charge, and restricting charging/discharging within permissible limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power supply is stopped immediately when a failure occurs in the external power supply circuit, then system safety is improved, but user convenience deteriorates due to insufficient ease of use
Solution Approach 1:
The control device detects failures in sensors measuring external power supply and anticipates potential power supply disruptions. By beforehand cushioning through alternative power supply arrangements (switching to internal battery or adjusting fuel cell operation), the system maintains power supply continuity and prevents immediate stoppage, thus resolving the contradiction between system safety and user convenience
Solution Approach 2:
The control device acts as an intermediary between the failed sensor and the power supply system. When sensor failure is detected, the control device mediates by using alternative measurement methods or estimations to determine the actual power supply status, enabling continued operation without immediate stoppage while maintaining system safety through controlled alternative power supply modes
2Productivity
If secondary battery is frequently charged and discharged to maintain SOC within predetermined range, then power management is improved, but battery life deteriorates due to degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The control device dynamically changes the SOC management parameters by adjusting the predetermined SOC range or charge/discharge thresholds based on battery state, temperature, and power demand. This parameter adaptation reduces unnecessary frequent charging/discharging cycles while maintaining effective power management, thus resolving the contradiction between power management efficiency and battery life
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static SOC management to dynamic SOC management where the control device continuously monitors battery conditions and adjusts charge/discharge operations in real-time. This dynamic approach optimizes the balance between maintaining power availability and minimizing battery degradation cycles, resolving the contradiction between productivity and duration of action
3Reliability
If fuel cell power generation is increased to maintain power supply during sensor failure, then power supply reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device applies partial action by increasing fuel cell power generation only to the extent necessary to compensate for the detected sensor failure and maintain minimum required power supply. Rather than excessive full-power operation, the system adjusts fuel cell output partially to match the actual power deficit, thus resolving the contradiction between power supply reliability and energy consumption
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 improves user convenience by maintaining power supply and extends secondary battery life by controlling state of charge variations, reducing degradation and ensuring power delivery even with sensor failures.
Implementation Method 1
an external power supply system that supplies power to the outside from a fuel cell and a secondary battery mounted on a vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a secondary battery mounted on a vehicle... charging of the secondary battery is performed by the power generation of the fuel cell
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a control method of an external power supply system configured to supply power to the outside from a fuel cell and a secondary battery mounted on a vehicle. When a failure is detected in a sensor that measures an electric power supplied to the outside from an electric power line to which the fuel cell and the secondary battery are connectable, (a) if a decrease in a state of charge of the secondary battery is detected, external power supply is performed by increasing a generated power of the fuel cell so as to stop the decrease in the state of charge, and (b) if an increase in a state of charge of the secondary battery is detected, external power supply is performed by decreasing the generated power of the fuel cell so as to stop the increase in the state of charge.