Fuel Cell Tractor Layout With Non-Interfering Tank Mount Frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of a fuel cell power generation system in work vehicles, such as tractors, is challenging due to the need for additional components and mechanical structures for towing, lifting, or rotating implements, which complicates the adoption of conventional electric vehicle configurations.
Innovation Solution
A work vehicle design that includes a driver seat, fuel cell, fuel tank, motor, and mounting frame extending across the driver seat, allowing for easy maintenance of the front housing without interference, and supports the fuel tank and motor components without altering the conventional tractor structure significantly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a fuel cell power generation system is integrated into a work vehicle, then power generation capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components and mechanical structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fuel cell system with the existing work vehicle structure by integrating the fuel tank mounting frame with the vehicle frame. The mounting frame serves dual purposes: supporting the fuel tank and being fixed to the vehicle frame structure, thereby reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting frame is designed to extend across the driver seat and serve multiple functions: supporting the fuel tank, being fixed to the vehicle frame, and allowing access to the front housing for maintenance. This multi-functional design reduces the need for separate structural elements.
2Ease of repair
If the mounting frame extends across the driver seat, then ease of maintenance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting frame is integrated with the vehicle frame structure, serving as both a support structure and a maintenance access pathway. The frame extends across the driver seat area, allowing the front housing to be opened for maintenance without requiring separate access mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The front housing is designed as a separate, openable component that can be accessed through the mounting frame structure. This segmentation allows the housing to be opened for maintenance while the mounting frame remains fixed to the vehicle frame.
3Ease of repair
If the front housing is made openable for maintenance, then ease of repair is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The front housing is segmented as a separate, openable component that can be accessed for maintenance. The housing is designed to open while the mounting frame remains fixed to the vehicle frame, allowing easy access to internal components without disassembling the entire structure.
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
Facilitates easy maintenance of the fuel cell and motor components while minimizing structural changes to the vehicle, reducing design and manufacturing costs, and enabling efficient power generation for agricultural tasks.
Implementation Method 1
a fuel cell, at least one fuel tank to store fuel to be supplied to the fuel cell, a motor connected to the fuel cell
Data Source
AI summary
A work vehicle includes a driver seat, a fuel cell, at least one fuel tank to store fuel to be supplied to the fuel cell, a motor connected to the fuel cell, a vehicle frame supporting the driver seat, the fuel cell, and the motor, a mounting frame fixed to the vehicle frame to support the at least one fuel tank, the mounting frame extending across the driver seat, and a front housing covering the fuel cell and being openable and closable. The mounting frame does not interfere with the front housing when a position or orientation of the front housing changes from the closed state to the open state.