Fuel Cell Sensor Substitution Control for Abnormal State Handling

Solution Overview

Problem

In fuel cell systems, when a sensor enters an abnormal state, it is challenging to continue operation, and providing redundant sensors complicates the system and increases costs.

Innovation Solution

A fuel cell system with an abnormal state detecting device, a substitution possibility determining device, and a predetermined operation control device that allows the fuel cell to operate in a predetermined state even if a target substitution sensor is in an abnormal state, without relying on signal values from other sensors, thereby preventing system complications and cost increases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If redundant sensors are provided for computing substitutional values, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by enabling normal sensors to serve dual purposes: their primary measurement function and substitutional function. When a sensor fails, other sensors that normally perform different measurements can be repurposed to provide substitutional values, eliminating the need for dedicated redundant sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies self-service by using its existing sensor resources to compensate for failures. Rather than requiring external redundant components, the system autonomously determines which available sensors can provide substitutional values and continues operation using only its current sensor suite.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If redundant sensors are provided for computing substitutional values, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by enabling normal sensors to serve dual purposes: their primary measurement function and substitutional function. When a sensor fails, other sensors that normally perform different measurements can be repurposed to provide substitutional values, eliminating the need for dedicated redundant sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies self-service by using its existing sensor resources to compensate for failures. Rather than requiring external redundant components, the system autonomously determines which available sensors can provide substitutional values and continues operation using only its current sensor suite.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If the fuel cell operates based on signal values from multiple sensors, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates when sensors enter abnormal states

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation state detection precisionVSAvoidcontinuous operation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by preparing substitutional value computation capabilities in advance. The system pre-establishes relationships between different sensors that can serve as substitutes, so when a sensor failure occurs, the substitutional values are already available and the system can seamlessly continue operation without interruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically switching between using actual sensor signal values and substitutional computed values based on system state. When sensors are normal, actual values are used for precise control. When sensors fail, the system transitions to using substitutional values derived from relationships with other sensors, maintaining operational continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS7687168B2Fuel cell system for setting predetermined operation state when substitutional value control is impossible

Publication Date: 2010.03.30 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A fuel cell system installed in a fuel-cell movable body. The system includes a fuel cell for generating electric power using reaction gases; a plurality of sensors for measuring states of the fuel cell; an abnormal state detecting device for detecting an abnormal state of at least one of said plurality of sensors; a substitution possibility determining device for determining whether there are one or more substitution sensors from among said plurality of sensors, each substitution sensor outputting a signal value used for setting a substitutional value for a signal value output from the sensor whose abnormal state has been detected; and a predetermined operation control device for operating the fuel cell in a predetermined operation state when the abnormal state of the sensor is detected by the abnormal state detecting device and it is determined by the substitution possibility determining device that there is no substitution sensor.