Fuel Cell Stack Temperature Control for Drivability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell vehicles experience reduced drivability and durability due to voltage and temperature reductions during idle stop modes, which existing control processes fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A driving control method for fuel cell vehicles that monitors vehicle conditions to enter a minimum driving mode, adjusts the fuel cell stack temperature, maintains stack voltage, and manages coolant and air blower operations to optimize performance and prevent flooding, allowing the vehicle to operate even in cold conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the fuel cell enters an idle stop mode to enhance fuel efficiency, then energy consumption is reduced, but the voltage and temperature of the stack are reduced which worsens drivability and durability
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts cooling pump RPM and coolant flow rate based on real-time temperature monitoring. When the fuel cell stack temperature approaches the target range (60-80°C), the cooling pump RPM is reduced or stopped to allow temperature rise, and when temperature exceeds the range, the pump RPM is increased to cool down, creating a dynamic balance between fuel efficiency and operational reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors the fuel cell stack temperature and uses this feedback to adjust the cooling pump operation. The temperature sensor provides real-time data to the controller, which then modulates the cooling pump RPM accordingly, ensuring the stack temperature remains within the optimal range for both efficiency and durability
2Use of energy by moving object
If the fuel cell stack temperature is reduced during idle stop, then energy savings are achieved, but the voltage reduction worsens drivability
Solution Approach 1:
Before the fuel cell stack temperature drops below the target range, the control system preemptively adjusts the cooling pump operation to prevent excessive temperature reduction. This preliminary action ensures that when the vehicle requires power, the stack temperature is already within the optimal range, maintaining voltage and drivability without sacrificing energy savings
3Temperature
If the cooling pump RPM is increased to maintain temperature, then temperature stability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuously running the cooling pump at high RPM to maintain temperature, the system applies partial action by operating the pump only when necessary (when temperature exceeds the target range). The pump RPM is adjusted to the minimum level required to achieve temperature control, reducing unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining adequate temperature stability
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 method enhances the drivability and durability of fuel cell vehicles by maintaining consistent temperature and voltage, preventing flooding, and enabling operation in cold states, thus improving fuel efficiency and reducing degradation.
Implementation Method 1
A fuel cell is a power generation device that converts chemical energy of fuel into electric energy by an electrochemical reaction in a fuel cell stack
Implementation Method 2
interrupting, by the vehicle controller, coolant flowing from a radiator to the fuel cell stack when the temperature of the fuel cell stack is less than the preset target stack temperature value
Implementation Method 3
interrupting, by the vehicle controller, coolant flowing from a radiator to the fuel cell stack when the temperature of the fuel cell stack is less than the preset target stack temperature value
Data Source
AI summary
A driving control method and system for a fuel cell vehicle are provided. The driving control method includes monitoring, by a vehicle controller, information regarding vehicle conditions and entering a minimum driving mode when the monitored vehicle conditions meet minimum-driving-mode entry conditions. A temperature of a fuel cell stack detected and then adjusted when the determined temperature of the fuel cell stack is different from a preset target stack temperature value, to match the temperature of the fuel cell stack with the preset target stack temperature.