Fuel Cell Vehicle Hydrogen Tank Layout for Wide Cabin Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel cell electric vehicles face limitations in hydrogen storage capacity due to the need to avoid wheels, requiring reduced numbers or sizes of hydrogen tanks, which narrows the cabin space.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle design includes a pair of side rails under the floor with hydrogen tanks arranged in parallel between them, a main battery at the rear, and a drive unit between the rear wheels, optimizing space utilization and hydrogen storage while preventing hydrogen leakage into the cabin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If hydrogen tanks are disposed under the floor of the vehicle, then the cabin becomes wider, but the hydrogen storage capacity is reduced due to wheel interference
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrogen storage system is segmented into multiple tanks (first hydrogen tank, second hydrogen tank, third hydrogen tank) positioned at different locations under the floor. The first and second tanks are placed between side rails where space is constrained by wheels, while the third tank is positioned in the rear portion where more space is available, collectively achieving both wide cabin and sufficient hydrogen capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the longitudinal dimension (front-to-rear direction) more effectively by extending hydrogen tank placement into the rear portion of the vehicle under the floor. This dimensional expansion allows additional hydrogen storage space without compromising cabin width, as the rear area under the floor provides access to previously underutilized volume
2Area of stationary object
If hydrogen tanks are disposed only outside the side rail, then the cabin is wider, but the number and size of hydrogen tanks must be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges hydrogen storage functionality across multiple locations by combining tanks positioned both inside and outside the side rails. The first and second tanks (between side rails) and third tank (rear portion) work together as an integrated hydrogen storage system, achieving sufficient total capacity while maintaining the side rail configuration that enables wide cabin space
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 configuration allows for a larger hydrogen storage capacity while maintaining a wide cabin and stable weight balance, with improved space efficiency and reduced design changes from existing vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
A fuel cell is a device that generates power by chemically reacting hydrogen and oxygen
Implementation Method 2
a main battery for storing electric power generated by the fuel cell
Implementation Method 3
an exhaust pipe that guides exhaust air, which is cooling air after cooling the external power supply unit, to the outside
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell electric vehicle comprises a fuel cell; a pair of side rails extending in a front-and-rear direction of the vehicle under a floor of the vehicle; a plurality of hydrogen tanks disposed under the floor of the vehicle, at a rear side of a front wheel, and at a front side of a rear wheel; and a main battery for storing electric power generated by the fuel cell, wherein the plurality of hydrogen tanks include two or more hydrogen tanks arranged in parallel in a vehicle width direction between the pair of side rails, and the main battery is disposed on the floor of the vehicle at a rear portion of the vehicle.