In-Vehicle Fuel Cell Stack Ventilation Labyrinth Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-vehicle fuel cell stacks face challenges with foreign matter entry, such as water, dust, and pebbles, through ventilation mechanisms, which can contaminate the stack case and affect hydrogen gas concentration.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a ventilation mechanism with a labyrinth channel and a mesh member at the air inlet port, which guides air into the stack case while preventing the entry of foreign materials by using a cylindrical labyrinth channel and inclined barrier walls, and drain holes to manage water levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ventilation mechanism with a direct channel is used to ventilate the stack case, then the hydrogen gas concentration can be controlled, but foreign matters such as water, dust, and pebbles can enter the stack case
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation channel is segmented into multiple sections with barrier wall plates creating labyrinthine paths. Foreign matters are blocked at different segments while air can still flow through the曲折 channel to ventilate the stack case and control hydrogen gas concentration.
Solution Approach 2:
The labyrinth channel acts as an intermediary structure between the air inlet port and the stack case interior. It mediates the airflow while filtering out foreign matters through its complex path with barrier walls, allowing ventilation while preventing contamination.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a labyrinth channel is added to prevent foreign matter entry, then foreign matter protection is improved, but the channel cross section area must be maintained to ensure adequate ventilation
Solution Approach 1:
The labyrinth channel uses the vertical dimension with barrier wall plates extending in the height direction to block foreign matters. The channel cross-sectional area in the horizontal plane is maintained adequate for ventilation, while the vertical barrier structures create the filtering effect without restricting airflow capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The labyrinth channel employs curved or inclined barrier wall surfaces that guide airflow smoothly through the channel while blocking foreign matters. The curved surfaces reduce flow resistance and maintain ventilation efficiency while providing effective protection.
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 solution effectively ventilates the stack case, maintaining hydrogen gas concentration within safe limits and preventing the entry of foreign matters, ensuring reliable operation during vehicle use.
Implementation Method 1
The labyrinth channel is formed in a cylindrical shape along a direction of gravity
Data Source
AI summary
An in-vehicle fuel cell stack includes a ventilation mechanism for ventilating a stack case through a ventilation opening opened to the inside of the stack case. The ventilation mechanism includes an inlet member. An air inlet port and an inner channel are formed in the inlet member. A ventilating air is guided into the ventilation mechanism through the air inlet port. The inner channel connects the air inlet port and the ventilation opening. The inner channel includes a labyrinth channel.