Fuel Cell Module Interconnection Matrix for Converter-Free Voltage Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel cell systems face challenges in efficiently integrating with dynamic energy demands of motor vehicles, requiring complex and costly adaptations to manage voltage and energy distribution, especially when combined with batteries, leading to inefficiencies and reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
An interconnection device that allows flexible electrical connections between fuel cell modules using a base element with a matrix of contact points, connecting elements, busbars, and diode devices, enabling series and parallel configurations without adapting the fuel cell modules themselves, and providing a pre-charging circuit for voltage adjustment without a DC-to-DC converter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fuel cell modules are interconnected using conventional methods with extensive wiring and DC-to-DC converters, then voltage adaptation and energy management are achieved, but system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The base element serves multiple functions: it provides a matrix of contact points for flexible electrical connections, integrates diode devices for voltage adaptation, and enables both series and parallel configurations of fuel cell modules. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate DC-to-DC converters and complex wiring harnesses, directly resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.
2Reliability
If buffer batteries are coupled to fuel cells via DC-to-DC converters, then energy management and voltage matching are improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of voltage adaptation, energy management, and electrical interconnection into a single integrated base element. The diode devices are built directly into the contact points of the base element, combining multiple components into one unified structure. This integration eliminates the need for separate DC-to-DC converters, reducing system complexity while maintaining reliable energy management between fuel cells and buffer batteries.
3Productivity
If fuel cell modules are adapted to meet dynamic energy consumption requirements, then system performance improves, but adaptation effort and complexity increase considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The base element enables dynamic energy management through its flexible matrix of contact points and integrated diode devices. The system can rapidly reconfigure electrical connections between fuel cell modules in series or parallel configurations, allowing quick adaptation to changing energy demands without complex control systems. This dynamic reconfiguration capability improves productivity while keeping the adaptation mechanism simple and intuitive.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an interconnection device for interconnecting several fuel cell modules. A base element is provided therein, which provides a matrix of contact points, which can be equipped with connecting elements for implementing different interconnections. The base element has two input connections and output connections for each fuel cell module to be connected. Further, two busbars are provided, each of which is connected to one half of the output connections and each of which provides an external contact for connecting an electrical load to be supplied by the fuel cell modules. For each provided parallel branch of fuel cell modules, a diode device is provided, which is connected between one of the input connections and one of the busbars and allows a current flow only in the direction from the respective input connection to the respective busbar.