Intercooler Bracket Segmentation for Fuel Cell Vibration Resistance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell vehicles lack a stable mounting mechanism for intercoolers, which are prone to damage due to vibration during travel, as they do not typically include an intercooler for cooling high-temperature air compressed by the air compressor.
Innovation Solution
A moving body configuration that includes a compressor, intercooler, and fuel cell stack with a stack frame, compressor bracket, and intercooler bracket, where the intercooler bracket has a pair of arms extending from the stack frame to securely mount the intercooler, providing high rigidity and stability against vibrations by integrating the arms via a connecting portion and securing the intercooler bracket between the stack frame and compressor bracket.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the intercooler is mounted to the frame via a bracket, then the intercooler can be installed, but the mounting state is damaged due to vibration during traveling
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is divided into a pair of arms that are integrally formed with a connecting portion, creating a segmented structure that distributes mounting stress and prevents rotation during vibration
Solution Approach 2:
The pair of arms and connecting portion are integrally formed as a single piece, merging the support structure to prevent relative movement and rotation, thereby stabilizing the intercooler mounting state during vibration
2Ease of operation
If the intercooler bracket uses a simple mounting structure, then the installation is simple, but the rigidity in up-down direction is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket extends in multiple dimensions with a pair of arms having length in the up-down direction and width in the horizontal direction, creating a three-dimensional structure that provides rigidity in multiple directions while maintaining installation simplicity
3Reliability
If the intercooler bracket is secured to the stack frame, then the intercooler is mounted, but the compressor maintenance requires disassembly of the intercooler
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is segmented into an intercooler bracket and compressor bracket as separate components, allowing the compressor to be maintained independently without disassembling the intercooler mounting 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
The configuration ensures a stable mounting state of the intercooler, reducing damage from vibrations and enhancing strength, allowing the intercooler to maintain its position during travel, and facilitates easy maintenance by allowing the compressor to be removed without disassembling the intercooler.
Implementation Method 1
The intercooler cools the oxidant gas discharged from the compressor
Data Source
AI summary
A moving body configured to reduce a damage on a mounting state of an intercooler even when traveling or similar situation is provided. The moving body includes an intercooler bracket that has a pair of arms extending from a stack frame. At distal end sides of the respective arms, an intercooler is mounted to the respective arms. At base end sides of the respective arms, the intercooler bracket is secured to the stack frame. A connecting portion that connects the pair of arms is integrally formed with the pair of arms.