Fuel Cell Stack Case Damping for Vibration Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fuel cell vehicle configurations fail to adequately reduce noise and vibration, and there is a need for downsizing, cost reduction, resource conservation, and simplified manufacturing, particularly due to the presence of actuators like pumps that act as vibration sources.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a fuel cell vehicle design that includes a stack case with a mount structure, ribs for increased rigidity, and damping members, such as an aluminum layer, to effectively dampen vibrations and reduce noise. The mount structure is strategically placed on the vehicle's front and rear sides, and the ribs are oriented along the vehicle's width direction to minimize length and enhance stability, while the damping members are positioned on the stack case's upper surface to shift resonance frequencies to higher frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a mount structure is used to fix the fuel cell stack to the vehicle frame, then the fuel cell stack is secured in place, but noise and vibration are not sufficiently reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining the mount structure with damping members made of viscoelastic materials. This composite approach allows the system to simultaneously provide secure mechanical fixation through the mount structure while effectively reducing noise and vibration through the damping properties of the viscoelastic material, directly resolving the contradiction between securing reliability and harmful noise/vibration reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping member acts as an intermediary element between the fuel cell stack and the vehicle frame. This intermediary component absorbs and dissipates vibration energy, preventing it from transmitting between the stack and frame, thereby reducing noise and vibration while maintaining the securing function through the mount structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If actuators such as pumps are placed in the periphery of the fuel cell stack, then system functionality is achieved, but they become vibration sources that increase noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful vibration generated by actuators into a beneficial damping effect. By placing damping members in contact with the fuel cell stack and actuators, the vibration energy that would otherwise be transmitted to the vehicle frame is instead absorbed and dissipated as heat in the viscoelastic material, transforming a harmful effect into a useful vibration reduction mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping members are strategically placed at specific locations where actuators are mounted or where vibration transmission paths exist. This localized application of damping material targets the specific vibration sources and transmission paths created by actuators, allowing system functionality to be maintained while reducing noise and vibration at critical locations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the stack case is made larger to accommodate mount structures, then mounting stability is improved, but vehicle downsizing is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mounting function from the stack case structure by using separate mount structures with integrated damping members. This segmentation allows the stack case to maintain its compact size while the mount structures provide the necessary mounting stability, eliminating the need to increase stack case volume for mounting purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the mount structure by incorporating viscoelastic damping members with specific material properties. This allows the mount structure to achieve high mounting stability through optimized material characteristics rather than increased structural size, thereby maintaining compact stack case dimensions while ensuring stable mounting.
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 significantly reduces noise and vibration, enhances the rigidity of the stack case, and minimizes weight, while also providing improved resistance to impact energy and ease of adaptation for increased power generation cell stacks.
Implementation Method 1
a damping member that is provided in a location that is at least part of the upper surface of the stack case other than a location area of the rib
Implementation Method 2
the damping member may include at least an aluminum layer. Providing the rib shifts the resonance point of vibration of the stack case to the higher frequency. The configuration of the damping member to include the aluminum layer enhances the vibration damping effect at the high frequency
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell vehicle which a fuel cell stack is mounted on comprises a stack case that is configured to place the fuel cell stack therein; mounts that are configured to fix the stack case to a vehicle body; ribs, each being provided to be extended from a position adjacent to the mount across an upper surface of the stack case; and a damping member that is provided between adjacent ribs on the upper surface of the stack case. The damping member is a material formed by applying an aluminum sheet on butyl rubber. This configuration reduces the noise and damps the vibration.