Fuel Cell Vehicle Surplus Power Switching Across Auxiliary Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle systems, particularly in fuel cell vehicles, struggle to manage surplus power generated by both the fuel cell and regenerative systems effectively, leading to inefficiencies and potential battery charge restrictions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system that includes a fuel cell, a power storage device, and auxiliary machines, controlled by an electronic control unit, dynamically determines power consumption modes to utilize surplus power from both the fuel cell and regenerative sources, distributing it among multiple auxiliary machines such as the FC cooling device, temperature adjustment unit, and air conditioner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the secondary battery is used to store surplus regenerative power, then the regenerative power can be utilized, but the battery free capacity becomes insufficient and charge restrictions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the surplus power consumption function from the secondary battery system by introducing a dedicated power consumption device. This device specifically handles the surplus power that cannot be stored in the battery, thereby resolving the capacity constraint problem while maintaining regenerative power utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The power consumption device acts as an intermediary between the regenerative power source and the secondary battery. It absorbs the surplus power that would otherwise overflow the battery capacity, enabling continuous regenerative braking without charge restrictions
2Device complexity
If only the secondary battery stores power from the fuel cell and regenerative system, then the power management is simple, but surplus power cannot be effectively utilized when battery capacity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The power consumption device serves as a mediator that handles surplus power without requiring complex battery management adjustments. The control unit manages power distribution by directing surplus power to this dedicated device, maintaining relatively simple system architecture while improving power utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the surplus power handling function from the battery system and assigns it to a dedicated power consumption device. This separation allows the battery to focus on energy storage while the new device handles power consumption, improving overall utilization without excessive complexity
3Device complexity
If a single auxiliary machine consumes all surplus power, then the system is simple to control, but the machine may become overloaded and cannot effectively utilize all available surplus power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power consumption function into multiple auxiliary machines (first auxiliary machine and second auxiliary machine). The control unit intelligently distributes surplus power among these machines based on their operational status and power consumption capacity, preventing overload while maximizing power utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit dynamically adjusts power distribution among auxiliary machines based on real-time conditions. When one machine reaches its power consumption limit or becomes unavailable, the system automatically redirects surplus power to other machines, providing adaptive and flexible power management
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
The system effectively manages and consumes surplus power by strategically switching between power consumption modes, ensuring efficient utilization of both fuel cell and regenerative power, even when individual auxiliary machines are overloaded, thereby optimizing energy use.
Implementation Method 1
a fuel cell; a power storage device that stores a first power generated by the fuel cell
Implementation Method 2
a second power regenerated by the electric motor
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle system including a fuel cell, a power storage device storing a first power generated by the fuel cell and a second power regenerated by an electric motor, a first auxiliary machine and a second auxiliary machine driven by using at least one of the first power, the second power and a third power stored in the power storage device, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor is configured to perform determining switching of a power consumption mode between a first power consumption mode where a surplus power in the second power is consumed by the first auxiliary machine and the surplus power in the first power is consumed by the second auxiliary machine and a second power consumption mode where a surplus power in the first power and the second power is consumed by the second auxiliary machine.