Fuel Cell Construction Machine Power Switching on Slopes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Construction machines with fuel cells face issues with water drainage when operating on sloping terrains, leading to potential adverse effects on the fuel cell operation and water draining mechanisms due to undrained water, especially when the machine body is inclined.

Innovation Solution

A construction machine equipped with an inclination angle sensor that switches power supply from the fuel cell to a secondary battery when the inclination exceeds a predetermined threshold, ensuring water drainage by minimizing water generation during high-load states and utilizing battery power during low-load states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the fuel cell operates on sloping terrains, then the construction machine can work on various gradients, but water drainage becomes insufficient and water may remain undrained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to work on sloping terrainsVSAvoidwater drainage performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the fuel cell's power generation state changeable based on machine inclination. The controller dynamically adjusts the fuel cell operation mode (first power generation state vs. second power generation state) according to the inclination angle detected by the sensor, allowing the system to adapt its water drainage capability to the current terrain conditions while maintaining operational versatility on sloping terrains

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Power

If the fuel cell continues to generate power during high inclination, then electric power supply is maintained, but water accumulates and may freeze causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectric power supplyVSAvoidwater accumulation and freezing damage

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by proactively reducing water generation before freezing damage can occur. When the inclination angle exceeds the threshold, the controller switches the fuel cell to the second power generation state (reduced state) beforehand, which decreases water generation while maintaining sufficient power supply through battery supplementation, thus preventing water accumulation and potential freezing damage in advance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Power

If the fuel cell operates in high power generation state, then sufficient electric power is generated, but water generation increases and drainage becomes problematic on slopes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectric power generation amountVSAvoidwater generation amount

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the fuel cell's operational parameters (power generation amount and water generation amount) based on the inclination angle parameter. The controller changes the fuel cell from the first power generation state (high power, high water) to the second power generation state (reduced power, reduced water) when inclination exceeds the threshold, thereby adjusting the water generation parameter to match the drainage capability on sloping terrains while maintaining sufficient overall power supply through battery integration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Prevents water from being left undrained, thereby maintaining fuel cell operation and preventing damage to water draining mechanisms, even on inclined surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

an inclination angle sensor that senses an inclination of the machine body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

a fuel cell that generates electric power to be supplied to the electrically driven motor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFuel cell electrochemical reaction: Fuel Cell

Data Source

PatentUS20260085493A1Construction Machine

Publication Date: 2026.03.26 HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO LTD

AI summary

A construction machine includes a machine body, an electrically driven motor as a power source, a fuel cell that generates electric power to be supplied to the electrically driven motor, a battery that stores the electric power generated by the fuel cell, an inclination angle sensor that senses an inclination of the machine body, and a controller, in which the controller switches supplying of the electric power to the electrically driven motor from the fuel cell to the battery when a sensing result from the inclination angle sensor is equal to or larger than a predetermined inclination angle threshold. With this arrangement, even when the machine body is inclined, the water generated in the process of generating electric power by the fuel cell is prevented from being left undrained.