Mercedes-Benz BF CELL is the first electric car market with the same daily use of a vehicle powered by a thermal combustion engine. It is also the first model of the mark of the three-pointed star in manufactured in series production has already begun and whose first 200 units delivered as fleet customers in European and American markets.
Sandwich concept, a structure suitable for the Mercedes-Benz BF Cell
Like the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Mercedes-Benz BF Cell, its architecture based on the concept of flat sandwich double the German mark introduced ten years ago, with a view on such mechanisms. As in the models with thermal combustion engine, the most important components of the electric propulsion system with fuel cells are located beneath the floor of the cabin.
This type of architecture has a number of additional advantages as it does not restrict interior space is limited, nor the boot capacity, while continuing to be as functional as it is a Mercedes-Benz B-Class
The low center of gravity is maintained, providing a more agile and dynamic behavior insurance. The double-deck structure maintains the level of security that characterizes Mercedes models, especially those components of the propulsion system of each axle, in addition, the hydrogen tank.
Safety First: The security system designed for the Mercedes-Benz BF Cell
The developers of the Mercedes-Benz BF Cell defined and laid the foundations for the design of a system of very high security, given the characteristics of innovative propulsion system that equips the car.
He left the high standard of passive safety features and the small station wagon of the German mark and the five stars obtained in the safety tests to which it was submitted for approval by the Institute NCAP (New Car Assessment Program).
All components of the propulsion system have been subjected to thirty-impact test, including the fuel tank, an issue that requires special attention. The hydrogen tanks are located on the double decker sandwich architecture and are designed to withstand very high efforts, since they contain hydrogen compressed to 700 bar pressure.
In case of impact, a safety valve closes the passage of fuel into the supply pipes and tanks are decoupled system components. Hydrogen also is protected against fire. To prevent overheating of the tanks, a valve that is controlled by a thermostat empty the contents of the tanks.
Security of seven levels
Collecting all the experience in the development of Mercedes-Benz S 400 HYBRID, has established a seven-level security that protects both the lithium-ion battery as the high-voltage system, components of the electric propulsion system of the Mercedes - Benz BF Cell.
The security code comprises seven levels that all wires that comprise the system are differentiated by color, so to avoid confusion in the assembly in the production chain or system revisions in workshops approved by the mark.
All components and cables are protected with a special insulation, generous size and used special connectors that also protect against electric shock, while protecting against possible contacts leading to a power failure or fire. When you clear the contact or a fault is detected, the system disconnects high voltage and the same applies but in a split second, if the vehicle has an accident, preventing an outbreak of fire.
The lithium ion battery is mounted inside a protective shell, made of high strength steel. It has separate cooling circuit and an internal electronic controller continuously monitors the safety requirements and immediately signals any faults or short circuits in the system.
The propulsion system: The fuel cell, in-depth
Mercedes-Benz uses in its vehicles CELL F-type fuel cell PEMFC (Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Membran) or, which is the same, fuel cell polymer membrane. The decisive advantage that has influenced their use in the automotive industry is its operating temperature of eighty degrees.
A fuel cell consists of several cells. Each cell is a galvanic cell that converts energy into electrical energy resulting from the reaction of a fuel (in this case, hydrogen) and an oxidant (oxygen from the air). A fuel cell is an energy converter.
A fuel cell vehicle achieves a performance twice that will create a model internal combustion engine. This is because the chemical energy of hydrogen is converted directly into electricity. The core of a fuel cell PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) or proton exchange membrane is a plastic film of few tenths of a millimeter wide to allow passage of protons, separating the two agents of reaction, oxygen and hydrogen.
A layer of platinum acts as a catalyst for the chemical reaction that dissociates hydrogen into protons and electrons. In the chemical reaction, protons are the only particles that pass through the plastic film to react with oxygen while the electrons can not penetrate. The hydrogen protons react with oxygen, producing water molecules are expelled to the outside. The excess of electrons on the hydrogen side and the deficit of electrons on the oxygen side of a voltage rise. Joining the two poles, there is a movement of electric current that drives the electric motor. In addition to electricity, during the reaction in the fuel cell generates heat that is used to heat the car.
In order to achieve the level of electrical power required for a vehicle powered by fuel cells, several individual cells connected in series to set the stacks. A control unit ensures the supply of the stacks with hydrogen and oxygen from the air. As the hydrogen enters the stack through the anode module, the air, it does, through the module from the cathode. A humidification module provides moisture needed by the stack to provide ideal conditions of operation.
Lithium ion battery, compact but large capacity
The electricity storage device is a powerful lithium-ion battery high voltage that can store up to 1.4 kilowatts per hour and the circuit is cooled by air conditioning system.
The battery that this car rides has been developed based on the experience implemented at the Mercedes-Benz S 400 HYBRID. Despite the compact dimensions, the performance is clearly greater than that provided by a rechargeable nickel metal hydride. These lithium ion batteries offer an energy density of thirty per cent higher than those of nickel, and a longer life.
Increase efficiency: Intelligent management of secure boot drive down to -25 degrees
The Mercedes-Benz engineers have succeeded in evolving the strategy of operation of electric propulsion fuel cell. It was necessary to modify the system to equip it with a preheating system.
The stack is able to start the car in temperatures reaching -25 degrees Celsius. The humidification system of hollow fibers prevents the water in the stack freezes and makes it difficult to start, so that the vehicle starts as a heat engine does diesel fuel.
Increased efficiency in motion, with a range up to 400 miles
Mercedes-Benz BF Cello is equipped with a system that manages the energy efficiency of the fuel cell in an intelligent way. Therefore, since the driver lifts off the throttle to stop or reduce speed, the electric motor recovers a part of converting kinetic energy into electrical energy that is stored in the battery.
Further examples and exercises on short trips. The electric motor is powered exclusively by electricity stored in the battery but if the electrical storage capacity is not sufficient, then automatically connects the fuel cell. Is this smart power management that connects the most appropriate mode from time to time depending on the demand for energy: electrical energy from lithium-ion battery, the fuel cell or both.
The hydrogen fuel cell works by gaseous hydrogen stored in three tanks at a maximum pressure of 700 bars. Each of the tanks, sealed, has a capacity of four kilograms of storage and, thanks to high compression, the total capacity offers a range of 400 kilometers.
Once exhausted the three tanks can be filled again within three minutes, simply and quickly in specific refueling stations.
Consumption equivalent to only 3.3 liters of diesel and zero emissions
The electric engine mounts the Mercedes-Benz BF Cell is a magnet synchronous motor develops a maximum power of 100 kilowatts or, which is the same, 136 horsepower limit for a thermal combustion engine.
The torque is high, no less than 290 newton meters of force that is available from the first motor rotation. Its top speed of 170 km / h and an equivalent consumption to 3.3 liters per hundred kilometers from an engine fueled by diesel fuel.
It is also free of CO2 emissions of particulate matter, respecting the environment.
Equipment
Mercedes-Benz BF CELL ULL no surrender of equipment to be a zero-emissions vehicle.
The body is painted in a specific color (Silver Bonamita) and is as elegant as a Mercedes-Benz B-Class, with its evocative design aluminum alloy wheels ten-spoke design.
The equipment includes items such as comfort seats and heated leather upholstery, automatic climate control and infotainment system COMMAND. This system also includes some functions of this model such as the energy flow dynamic indicator that informs the driver about the state of battery charge and the operating mode of the fuel cell system. The navigation system shows the closest hydrogen pumps on the route you are driving.
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