Reactor Unit Cooling Fin Alignment for Fuel Cell Height Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing reactor units in fuel cell vehicles face challenges with insufficient cooling performance due to excessive heat generation, leading to reduced output and space constraints, particularly in the height direction.
Innovation Solution
A reactor unit design featuring a cooler with a cooling medium flow passage where reactors are disposed on the outer surface, aligned with the flow direction, and equipped with cooling fins, which enhances heat transfer and reduces pressure loss, allowing for efficient cooling and compact height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If reactors are disposed inside a conventional cooler structure, then cooling performance can be maintained, but the height of the reactor unit increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional three-dimensional cooler structure to a two-dimensional cooling configuration. The reactors are disposed on the outer surface of the cooler in a planar arrangement rather than being embedded within a volumetric structure. This dimensional change reduces the height requirement while maintaining effective cooling through direct surface contact between reactors and the cooler's outer surface.
2Temperature
If cooling fins are added to increase heat transfer, then cooling performance improves, but pressure loss in the cooling medium flow passage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies cooling fins selectively at specific locations within the cooling medium flow passage rather than uniformly throughout. The fins are disposed at positions where they can effectively enhance heat transfer from the reactors to the cooling medium without creating excessive flow resistance across the entire passage. This localized application optimizes the balance between heat transfer enhancement and pressure loss minimization.
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
This configuration ensures sufficient cooling performance while minimizing height requirements, preventing heat transfer coefficient deterioration and allowing for space-saving installation above the fuel cell in fuel cell vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a cooler (190) configured such that a cooling medium flows in an inside of the cooler and the plurality of reactors (Lr) are disposed on an outside of the cooler to cool the plurality of reactors (Lr)
Implementation Method 2
The cooling medium flows linearly from an inlet portion to an outlet portion of the cooling medium flow passage
Implementation Method 3
Cooling fins (196) are provided on an inner surface on a reverse side of the reactor cooling surface (192os)
Data Source
AI summary
A reactor unit includes reactors; and a cooler. The reactors are disposed in at least one line on a reactor cooling surface that is one of outer surfaces of the cooler. The cooler has a cooling medium flow passage that is in contact with an inner surface on a reverse side of the reactor cooling surface. The cooling medium flows linearly from an inlet portion to an outlet portion of the cooling medium flow passage. A direction in which the cooling medium flows inside the cooling medium flow passage is same as a direction in which the reactors are disposed in the at least one line. Cooling fins are provided on the inner surface on the reverse side of the reactor cooling surface. A longitudinal direction of each cooling fin is same as the direction in which the cooling medium flows inside the cooling medium flow passage.