On November 18, the grand finals of the 2024 China Innovation Method Competition, hosted by the China Association for Science and Technology and the Chongqing Municipal Government, were held in full swing. Under the theme of “Developing New Quality Productivity to Promote High-Quality Development,” the competition aimed to reinforce enterprises as the main driver of technological innovation, deepen industry-academia-research integration led by enterprises, and attracted 5,907 teams nationwide, with 200 making it to the finals. The FAW Jiefang Commercial Vehicle Development Institute’s Powertrain Advanced Technology Research Department stood out with its project, “Stability Enhancement Technology for PFI (Port Fuel Injection) Hydrogen Injectors in Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines,” winning the second prize.
This project is a significant innovation initiative by FAW Jiefang, guided by the national “Medium- and Long-Term Plan for Hydrogen Energy Industry Development (2021-2035).” It focuses on the development of hydrogen injectors, a key component of the fuel supply system in hydrogen internal combustion engines. Empowered by the company’s training on TRIZ innovation methodology and project incubation, the team from the Commercial Vehicle Development Institute—comprising Ni Yongcheng, Liu Hao, and Mei Yundong—leveraged seven TRIZ tools, including resource analysis, contradiction solving, and trimming, to propose 30 initial solutions. Using the FMA (Failure Mode Analysis) method for reliability analysis of seals, the team eventually finalized the solution: a clip-on diaphragm hydrogen injector. This innovation achieved industry-leading hydrogen injection precision, successfully integrated with FAW Jiefang’s self-developed hydrogen engine, and significantly enhanced maximum power, torque, and thermal efficiency. It also completed integration testing with the J6L hybrid-powered vehicle.
Moreover, the project has secured four patent authorizations, with seven patents under review, and published two corporate standards. In terms of capability building, the team’s mastery and application of TRIZ innovation methods expanded their creative thinking, enabling them to identify problems’ core issues quickly, solve challenges efficiently, and propose innovative solutions. Their systematic thinking and capabilities have grown significantly.
Looking ahead, FAW Jiefang will continue its journey of innovation-driven development with greater enthusiasm and steadfast determination. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies, the company aims to enhance the competitiveness of its products and progress toward its strategic goal of becoming a “China’s No. 1, World-Class” provider of green and intelligent transportation solutions.
