Fuel Cell Standstill Heating for Hybrid Vehicle Battery Charge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hybrid vehicles face challenges in maintaining consistent temperature control of vehicle interiors and luggage compartments, especially during prolonged low-temperature conditions, which can lead to battery discharge and reduced vehicle functionality.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating a hybrid vehicle that involves monitoring the state-of-charge of the energy store, operating the fuel cell at standstill to charge the energy store, and using waste heat generated by the fuel cell to heat the vehicle interior and/or luggage compartment, in conjunction with an electric heating element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an electric heating element is used to heat the vehicle interior, then the heating function is provided, but the state-of-charge of the energy store decreases, limiting the vehicle range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the auxiliary heating system with the fuel cell system, allowing the fuel cell to serve dual purposes: generating electrical energy to charge the energy store and producing waste heat for vehicle interior heating. This merging eliminates the need for separate heating systems and resolves the contradiction by providing heating without depleting the energy store.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the waste heat that would normally be discarded from the fuel cell operation into a useful heating resource for the vehicle interior. By utilizing this previously harmful waste heat, the system provides heating functionality without consuming additional electrical energy from the energy store, thus maintaining the state-of-charge.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the fuel cell is operated to charge the energy store, then the state-of-charge increases, but waste heat is generated that requires management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the waste heat generated during fuel cell operation, which would normally be a harmful byproduct requiring dissipation, into a beneficial resource for heating the vehicle interior. This approach eliminates the need for separate waste heat management systems and turns a disadvantage into an advantage.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the battery state-of-charge falls below the threshold value, then the heating system must be deactivated, but this reduces comfort in low temperature conditions
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the heating function with the fuel cell system, the patent ensures that heating availability is independent of the energy store's state-of-charge. The fuel cell continuously generates both electrical energy and heat, eliminating the need to deactivate heating when battery charge levels are low, thus maintaining comfort in cold conditions while preserving battery charge.
4Use of energy by moving object
If an auxiliary heating system with independent combustion space is used, then heating is provided without affecting the energy store, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the fuel cell system multi-functional by using it for both electrical energy generation and heating purposes. This eliminates the need for a separate auxiliary heating system with its own combustion space, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the benefit of not depleting the energy store for heating.
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 ensures consistent desired temperature control of vehicle interiors and luggage compartments while maintaining a minimum state-of-charge of the energy store, thereby guaranteeing vehicle start-up capability and extending the vehicle's range.
Implementation Method 1
operating the fuel cell when the hybrid vehicle is at a standstill to charge the energy store, responsive to the state-of-charge of the energy store falling below a first state-of-charge threshold value, wherein waste heat is generated by operating the fuel cell
Implementation Method 2
heating a vehicle interior of the hybrid vehicle and/or a luggage compartment of the hybrid vehicle using the generated waste heat
Implementation Method 3
using an electric heating element for which a first supply current from the energy store is provided
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates in general to a method for operating a hybrid vehicle and to a hybrid vehicle which has a fuel cell and an energy store. A state-of-charge of the energy store of the hybrid vehicle is monitored when the hybrid vehicle is at a standstill. The fuel cell is operated when the hybrid vehicle is at a standstill to charge the energy store, responsive to the state-of-charge of the energy store falling below a first state-of-charge threshold value. Waste heat is generated by the operation of the fuel cell. A vehicle interior of the hybrid vehicle and/or a luggage compartment of the hybrid vehicle is heated using the generated waste heat and/or using an electric heating element for which a first supply current from the energy store is provided.