Modular Fuel Cell Mounting Structure for Vehicle Frame Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel cell systems for vehicles are often cumbersome to attach to vehicle frames or body parts, requiring many additional connecting elements and enclosed housings that complicate accessibility and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A modular fuel cell system design featuring at least two fuel cell modules with an inner support structure that allows for secure, releasable attachment to a vehicle frame or body part, eliminating the need for a completely enclosed housing and enabling flexible, efficient assembly and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a completely enclosed housing is used to attach fuel cell systems to the vehicle, then the structural integrity and protection are improved, but the accessibility and maintainability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel cell system is divided into modular units (fuel cell modules) that can be independently accessed and maintained. Each module contains specific components (fuel cell stack, oxidizer supply, fuel supply, control electronics, cooling supply) that can be serviced separately without disassembling the entire enclosed housing, thus maintaining structural integrity while improving accessibility.
2Reliability
If a completely enclosed housing is used to attach fuel cell systems to the vehicle, then the protection is improved, but the maintainability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses modular fuel cell modules with defined interfaces, allowing specific components to be replaced or maintained without affecting the entire system. The support structure with inner component supports enables individual module access while the overall enclosed housing provides protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment devices provide releasable connections between modules and the support structure, allowing modules to be easily installed or removed for maintenance while maintaining a protected enclosed configuration during normal operation.
3Reliability
If many additional connecting elements are used to attach fuel cell systems to the vehicle frame, then the secure attachment is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure integrates multiple functions: it provides the attachment interface to the vehicle frame, contains inner component supports for each fuel cell module, and facilitates releasable connections. This consolidation reduces the number of separate connecting elements needed while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure serves multiple purposes simultaneously: structural support, module mounting, and interface provision. The securing interfaces on the inner component supports enable both secure attachment and easy release for maintenance, providing multi-functionality that reduces overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a fuel cell system (100) for a vehicle (F), comprising a vehicle frame or vehicle body part, having: at least one fuel cell module (M1, M2) and a support structure (10) for supporting the fuel cell system (100) on the vehicle frame or the vehicle body part, wherein the support structure (10) has at least one inner component support (13) relative to the at least one fuel cell module (M1, M2), submodules of the at least one fuel cell module (MI, M2) are connected to the at least one inner component support (13), and the at least one component support (13) has at least one securing interface (11, 12) in order to secure the fuel cell system (100) on the vehicle frame or the vehicle body part.