Hydrogen Tank Layout Shielding Fuel Cell Vehicle Battery Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fuel cell vehicle technologies do not adequately protect high-voltage components such as batteries and fuel cells from impact forces, which is a concern as these components increase in capacity and output, and there is a need to enhance vehicle safety while maintaining cabin space and cruising distance.
Innovation Solution
The arrangement of hydrogen tanks is designed to cover and protect the vertically lower side of the vehicle's protected components, including batteries and fuel cells, by forming a hydrogen tank unit that is fixed to the vehicle's side frames, thereby reducing the direct application of impact forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the battery case is made thicker to protect protected components from impact forces, then the protection level improves, but the vehicle weight increases and cabin space decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrogen tank unit is merged with the battery case structure, where the hydrogen tank unit serves dual purposes: storing hydrogen and providing structural protection for the battery. This integration eliminates the need for a separate thick battery case, reducing overall vehicle weight while maintaining protection levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrogen tank unit is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as a hydrogen storage container and as a protective structure for the battery against impact forces. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve protection without adding dedicated protective components that would increase weight.
2Reliability
If the battery case is made thicker to protect protected components from impact forces, then the protection level improves, but the cabin space decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrogen tank unit is integrated with the battery case, combining hydrogen storage functionality with structural protection. This merger allows the protection function to be achieved without adding a separate thick battery case that would encroach on cabin space.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrogen tank unit serves dual purposes as both a hydrogen storage device and a protective structure for the battery. This multi-functional design achieves the required protection level without requiring additional space that would reduce cabin volume.
3Reliability
If separate protective structures are added to protect protected components, then the protection level improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrogen tank unit and battery case are merged into a single integrated structure. This combination eliminates the need for separate protective structures, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining the required protection level for the battery.
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell vehicle includes a protected component and a hydrogen tank unit. The protected component includes one or more of a battery, a fuel cell, and a hydrogen supply component. The hydrogen tank unit includes hydrogen tanks configured to store hydrogen gas used for power generation of the fuel cell, and a coupler coupling the hydrogen tanks to one another. The hydrogen tank unit is disposed so as to cover at least a vertically lower side of the protected component.