Fuel Cell Stack Impact Relaxing Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fuel cell vehicles require enclosures with high strength to prevent external loads from directly impacting the fuel cell stack, leading to increased equipment size and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A fuel cell vehicle design incorporating an impact relaxing mechanism that is longer than the fuel cell stack in the front-rear direction, with the stack positioned within this mechanism, allowing external loads to be absorbed without directly applying to the fuel cells, thus eliminating the need for a high-strength enclosure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an enclosure with relatively high strength is used to surround the fuel cell stack, then the fuel cells are protected from external loads, but the entire size of the equipment becomes large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of fuel cells from external loadsVSAvoidsize of equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The protection system is segmented into multiple functional components: the impact relaxing mechanism (first protective structure) that absorbs external loads, and the frame member (second protective structure) that provides structural support. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, preventing the need for a single large enclosing structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protective function is extracted from a traditional enclosing structure and implemented through a dedicated impact relaxing mechanism positioned in front of the fuel cell stack. This mechanism specifically handles impact absorption, allowing the fuel cell stack to be protected without requiring a comprehensive high-strength enclosure around all components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Volume of stationary object

If auxiliary devices and radiator are placed adjacent to the fuel cell stack, then the vehicle structure becomes compact, but external loads may directly impact the fuel cell stack

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompactness of vehicle structureVSAvoidexternal load impact on fuel cells

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The impact relaxing mechanism serves as an intermediary structure positioned between external sources of impact and the fuel cell stack. It absorbs and dissipates external loads before they can reach the fuel cell stack, thereby protecting the fuel cells while allowing compact arrangement of auxiliary devices adjacent to the stack.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The impact relaxing mechanism provides beforehand cushioning by being positioned in front of the fuel cell stack to absorb external loads before they can directly impact the fuel cells. This proactive protection allows compact vehicle structure design without compromising fuel cell safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS9079508B2Fuel cell vehicle

Publication Date: 2015.07.14 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A fuel cell vehicle is provided with a fuel cell stack and a vehicle body frame for mounting the fuel cell stack in a front box. The fuel cell stack and a frame member have portions overlapping with each other in a vehicle width direction in a plan view of the vehicle. A vehicle-forward end portion of the fuel cell stack is positioned closer to the rear of the vehicle than a vehicle-forward end portion of the frame member. A vehicle-rearward end portion of the fuel cell stack is positioned closer to the front of the vehicle than a vehicle-rearward end portion of the frame member.