Fuel Cell Work Vehicle Layout for Rear-Wheel Traction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fuel cell vehicles experience a deterioration in longitudinal weight balance due to the differences in weight distribution of devices compared to engine vehicles, leading to reduced hill-climbing performance on soft road surfaces, especially when unloaded.

Innovation Solution

A work vehicle configuration where the fuel cell is positioned in front of the fuel-cell DCDC converter, battery, and battery DCDC converter, with the battery and DCDC converters placed on the vehicle-body central and rearward sides to optimize weight distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If heavy devices (batteries and DCDC converters) are mounted in an FC vehicle, then the vehicle can operate with fuel cell technology, but the longitudinal weight balance deteriorates and hill-climbing performance worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel cell technology operationVSAvoidlongitudinal weight balance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from conventional front-heavy device placement to a rearward placement strategy, utilizing the longitudinal dimension differently. By positioning heavy batteries and DCDC converters at the rear of the vehicle body, the design creates a more balanced weight distribution that improves both longitudinal weight balance and hill-climbing performance while maintaining fuel cell operation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If heavy devices are concentrated at the front of the vehicle, then device installation is simplified, but traction of rear wheels decreases and hill-climbing performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice installationVSAvoidtraction of rear wheels

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric weight distribution by strategically placing heavy devices (batteries and DCDC converters) at the rear of the vehicle body rather than concentrating them at the front. This asymmetric arrangement shifts the center of gravity rearward, improving rear wheel traction and hill-climbing performance while maintaining practical device installation feasibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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 improves the longitudinal weight balance and traction of the rear wheels, enhancing hill-climbing performance on soft road surfaces by preventing excessive weight concentration at the front of the vehicle.

Implementation Method 1

a fuel cell generating electric power with supply of hydrogen and air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFuel cell electrochemical reaction: Fuel Cell

Implementation Method 2

a fuel-cell DCDC converter that adjusts the voltage output from the fuel cell; a battery DCDC converter that adjusts the voltage output from the battery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20240399897A1Work vehicle

Publication Date: 2024.12.05 KOMATSU LTD

AI summary

A work vehicle includes a fuel cell, a fuel-cell DCDC converter that adjusts the voltage output from the fuel cell, a battery, a battery DCDC converter that adjusts the voltage output from the battery, and a vehicle body that supports the fuel cell, the fuel-cell DCDC converter, the battery, and the battery DCDC converter. The fuel cell is disposed in the vehicle body in front of the fuel-cell DCDC converter, the battery, and the battery DCDC converter.