Pivot-Mounted Power Generator for Vehicle Inclination Levelling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power generators in vehicles, such as fuel cells, face operational challenges due to varying gravitational orientations and fluid management issues, which can lead to component damage and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A power generating arrangement with a housing containing fluid, a supporting structure featuring non-parallel pivot joints, and actuators to maintain a horizontal position, ensuring the center of gravity is below the pivot axes, and incorporating sensors and actuators for active levelling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the power generator is positioned at a fixed position in the housing, then the structural simplicity is improved, but the operational reliability deteriorates due to fluid misplacement when vehicle inclination varies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the power generator movable within the housing through a supporting structure with pivot joints. The power generator can rotate and adjust its position relative to the housing, transforming from a static fixed position to a dynamic adjustable position. This allows the power generator to maintain proper orientation and fluid drainage capability despite vehicle inclination changes, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and operational reliability.
2Reliability
If the power generator is made movable with pivot joints, then the operational reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the counterweight principle by positioning the center of gravity of the power generator between the pivot joints and the downward facing side of the housing. This gravitational counterbalance automatically helps maintain the power generator in a substantially horizontal position and facilitates fluid drainage without requiring complex active control systems. The center of gravity arrangement provides passive stabilization that reduces the overall system complexity while maintaining operational reliability.
3Productivity
If the outlet is arranged at the downward facing side, then the fluid drainage capability is improved, but the risk of component soaking increases when the housing is inclined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by enabling the power generator to rotate and adjust its orientation within the housing through the supporting structure with pivot joints. This dynamic adjustment allows the power generator to maintain proper orientation relative to gravity, ensuring that the outlet remains at the downward facing side for effective fluid drainage while preventing fluid from soaking sensitive components during vehicle inclination. The movable design adapts to different vehicle positions to simultaneously achieve drainage capability and component protection.
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
Maintains the power generator in a horizontal position, preventing fluid-related damage and enhancing operational efficiency by reducing oscillations and fluid accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
a center of gravity of the power generator is arranged between at least one of the first and second geometric rotation axes and the downward facing side of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A power generating arrangement, including a power generator, a housing and a supporting structure, wherein the housing is attached to the supporting structure, and a center of gravity of the power generator is arranged between at least one of a first and second geometric rotation axes and a downward facing side of the housing.