Fuel Cell Vehicle Power Management via Segmented Drive Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell vehicles face challenges in promptly supplying power and efficiently managing load changes due to structural limitations, and they lack the ability to absorb or store regenerative power, leading to reduced energy efficiency and the need for large, inefficient bidirectional converters in hybrid driving systems.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell vehicle system with independent power management for front and rear wheels using a fuel cell and a high voltage battery, incorporating a bidirectional DC/DC converter and relays to adjust power transmission, allowing for EV, FC Only, and high output modes, and enabling regenerative braking energy storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a bidirectional converter is used in a hybrid driving system to manage power between fuel cell and battery, then power management capability is improved, but device complexity and power loss increase due to the need for a substantially-sized converter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the vehicle into two independent driving systems: a front wheel drive system powered by fuel cell and a rear wheel drive system powered by battery. This segmentation eliminates the need for a large bidirectional converter, as each system operates independently with its own motor and power management, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining power management capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The independent dual-drive system allows the vehicle to operate in multiple modes (front-wheel drive only, rear-wheel drive only, or both together) without requiring a complex power conversion system. Each drive system can function independently or in combination, providing universal adaptability across different driving conditions while avoiding the need for a substantially-sized bidirectional converter.
2Device complexity
If the fuel cell is used as the sole power source, then structural simplicity is improved, but the ability to promptly supply power and respond to sudden load changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains structural simplicity by using a fuel cell for front-wheel drive while adding an independent battery-powered rear-wheel drive system. This segmentation allows the battery to provide rapid power response during sudden load changes or acceleration demands, complementing the fuel cell's steady-state efficiency without requiring complex power conversion infrastructure.
3Power
If a large bidirectional converter is installed to handle high power transmission, then power transmission capability is improved, but efficiency deteriorates due to power loss in the converter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves high power transmission capability through independent parallel drive systems rather than a single large bidirectional converter. The fuel cell system handles front-wheel power transmission while the battery system handles rear-wheel power transmission and regenerative braking, eliminating the need for a substantially-sized converter and thereby reducing converter power loss while maintaining overall power transmission capability.
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 system improves power efficiency by minimizing power loss through reduced converter capacity, enabling efficient power distribution and storage, and providing a fail-safe mode for component failures, enhancing overall driving efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
The fuel cell generates electric energy through an electrochemical reaction using hydrogen as reaction gas
Implementation Method 2
a high voltage battery configured to store or supply power by charging or discharging
Implementation Method 3
a bidirectional direct current-direct current (DC/DC) converter positioned between the first bus terminal and the high voltage battery; and a controller configured to operate the bidirectional DC/DC converter to adjust a transmission of power
Implementation Method 4
a first inverter positioned between the fuel cell and the first motor and configured to invert the power of the first bus terminal and supply the inverted power to the first motor; and a second inverter positioned between the high voltage battery and the second motor and configured to invert the power of the second bus terminal and supply the inverted power to the second motor
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell vehicle system is provided. The system includes a fuel cell and a first motor that is connected to the fuel cell via a first bus terminal and driven by power supplied from the fuel cell and that provides power to driving wheels of the vehicle. A high voltage battery stores or supplies power by charging or discharging. Additionally, a second motor is connected to the high voltage battery via a second bus terminal and driven by power supplied from the high voltage battery and provides power to the driving wheels of the vehicle.