Layout of an electrical power system provided with a fuel cell in an electric vehicle

• US 7,469,759 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2003
• Issued: 12/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Botzelmann, Herbert
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher
• Assistant Examiner(s): COLLADO, CYNTHIA FRANCISCA
• Application Number:
  US10/532,347
• Publication Number:
  US 20060127715A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,928 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.4, 180/65.1, 180/205, 180/68.5, 180/65.3, 180/69.4, 180/65.2
• US Class Current: 180/65.28
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/71 Arrangement of fuel cells within vehicles specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/20 Fuel cells in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/2475 Enclosures, casings or containers of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

The subject matter of the invention is an arrangement of an electrical power generating system in an electrical vehicle. The electrical power generating system has a first module (2) for preprocessing and metering of the gases to be supplied to a fuel cell, a second module (4)with the fuel cell, and an electrical power distribution module (15). The first module (2) and the second module (4) are mounted in a container (9). The unit comprising the container with the two modules is installed in the electrical vehicle from underneath, in a cavity provided for this purpose. The electrical power distribution module (15) is then attached to the outside of the container.

Claims

1. An electrical power generating system for an electric vehicle which has at least one electric traction motor, and a load-bearing structure with longitudinal supports, said electrical power generating system comprising:

a first module that includes devices for preprocessing and metering of gases to be supplied to a fuel cell;

a second module that includes the fuel cell; and

an electric power distribution module, which includes distribution circuits with fuses and at least one switching element for switching the distribution circuits on and off;

wherein the fuel cell is connected to the first module by mechanical coupling means for carrying the gases to be supplied to the fuel cell, dissipating the reaction gases from the fuel cell, and carrying at least one coolant via the fuel cell, and by electrical coupling elements for transmitting measured values from sensors;

wherein the first module and the second module are jointly mounted in a container that is of such a size and shape as to be insertable into a corresponding cavity on an underneath side of the vehicle, and has at least four holders which are fitted to the container side walls, for attaching to the longitudinal supports in the vehicle; and

wherein the electric power distribution module can be attached to a side wall of the container and can be connected via connector elements on at least one wall of the electric power distribution module to the electrical outputs of the fuel cell and to cables to the electrical loads in the electrical vehicle.

2. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in an installed position, the first module, including the devices for preprocessing and metering gases to be fed into the fuel cell, is arranged at a front area of the container, relative to a direction of travel of the electric vehicle, and is screwed to the bottom of the container.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the second module has a housing that contains individual fuel cells with electrical connections, and is connected to the container by two screws at a bottom area of the container, via one holder on a left side wall of the container and via one holder on a right side wall of the container.

4. An electrical power generating system for an electric vehicle which has at least one electric traction motor, and a load-bearing structure with longitudinal supports, said electrical power generating system comprising:

a first module that includes devices for preprocessing and metering of gases to be supplied to a fuel cell;

a second module that includes the fuel cell; and

an electric power distribution module, which includes distribution circuits with fuses and at least one switching element for switching the distribution circuits on and off;

wherein the fuel cell is connected to the first module by mechanical coupling means for carrying the gases to be supplied to the fuel cell, dissipating the reaction gases from the fuel cell, and carrying at least one coolant via the fuel cell, and by electrical coupling elements for transmitting measured values from sensors;

wherein the first module and the second module are jointly mounted in a container that is of such a size and shape as to be insertable into a corresponding cavity on an underneath side of the vehicle, and has at least four holders which are fitted to the container side walls, for attaching to the longitudinal supports in the vehicle;

wherein the electric power distribution module can be attached to a side wall of the container and can be connected via coupling elements to the electrical outputs of the fuel cell and to cables to the electrical loads in the electrical vehicle; and

wherein the electrical power distribution module is attachable to said side wall on the outside of the container adjacent to the second module, and said side wall runs transversely with respect to the longitudinal supports.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein at least two holders are provided on each of two longitudinal faces of the container and have guide pins which can be pushed into corresponding holes in the longitudinal supports of said load-bearing structure, and the holders can be attached to the longitudinal supports by screws.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the holders have movement restriction means, which restrict the movement of the container relative to the longitudinal supports, and allow such movement only in the event of an impact beyond a specific impact strength, and the holders have energy absorption means for controlled transmission of kinetic energy from the container to the longitudinal supports, with energy being at least partially dissipated.

7. A method for installing an electric power generating system in an electric vehicle which has at least one electric traction motor, and a load-bearing structure with longitudinal supports, said method comprising:

producing a first module that includes devices for preprocessing and metering of gases to be supplied to a fuel cell, a second module that includes the fuel cell, and a third module, which has connector elements on at least one wall of the third module for electrical connection with the electrical outputs of the fuel cell and electrical power distribution circuits with fuses for the connection of electrical loads and at least one switching element for switching the electrical power distribution circuits on and off

arranging the first and second modules in an apparatus, and connecting them to each other by mechanical coupling elements that include lines for the gases to be supplied to the fuel cell and gases to be dissipated from it, and coolant routing for the fuel cell, and electrical coupling elements for signal transmission between the two modules;

mounting the connected first and second modules in a common container;

inserting the container, including the first and second modules, into a corresponding cavity which is provided in an underneath side of the electric vehicle;

attaching the container to the longitudinal supports;

attaching the third module externally to a side wall of the container;

forming the electrical connections from the third module to the fuel cell and to loads in the electrical vehicle;

connecting the first module to a source for the combustion gas and to a channel for the air supply; and

connecting the first module by means of inputs and outputs to at least one cooling circuit in the electrical vehicle and to output line for the reaction products from the fuel cell.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first module is mounted in the container by means of two screws at a front of the container, relative to a forward direction of travel of the vehicle.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the second module is mounted by means of two screws in a rear part of the container bottom, and by one screw at each of a pair of opposing faces of the module.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the third module is attached to a wall of the container which is adjacent to said second module and runs transversely with respect to the longitudinal supports.