A fuel cell unit module and a fuel cell

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fuel cell unit module and a fuel cell. The fuel cell unit module includes a cathode plate, a cathode injection-molded seal, a membrane electrode, an anode injection-molded seal, and an anode plate, which are stacked in sequence. A cathode gas flow channel is provided between the cathode plate and the membrane electrode, and an anode gas flow channel is provided between the anode plate and the membrane electrode. Multiple unit modules are stacked, and a coolant flow channel is formed between the cathode plate and the anode plate of two adjacent unit modules. The coolant flow channel and the anode gas flow channel have the same layout, wherein the coolant and anode gas flow directions are the same. The cathode gas flow channel and the anode gas flow channel have the same or partially the same layout, wherein the cathode gas and anode gas flow directions are opposite or partially opposite. Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the advantages of efficient internal gas reaction and improved overall battery performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of fuel cells, and in particular to a fuel cell unit module and a fuel cell. Background Art

[0002] Fuel cells are environmentally friendly, highly efficient, and long-lasting power generation devices. Taking a hydrogen fuel cell (proton exchange membrane fuel cell) as an example, hydrogen enters the cell from the anode. Hydrogen atoms lose electrons at the anode, becoming protons. The protons then travel through the proton exchange membrane inside the cell to the cathode. Simultaneously, electrons also travel to the cathode via an external circuit. On the cathode side, the protons and electrons combine with oxygen to form water, generating an electric current. A traditional fuel cell core consists of a simple, staggered stack of membrane electrode and bipolar plates. Cathode and anode gas flow channels are located on the top and bottom surfaces of the bipolar plates, respectively, and a coolant flow channel runs in the center of the plates. This traditional structure currently suffers from a lack of unified and rational planning and layout for the cathode, anode, and coolant flow channels. This results in significant variations in the temperature, humidity, and concentration of the reactant gases across different regions, leading to low local gas reaction efficiency and reduced overall cell performance. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell unit module and a fuel cell in order to overcome the above-mentioned defects in the prior art.

[0004] The purpose of the present invention can be achieved by the following technical solutions:

[0005] A fuel cell unit module comprises a cathode plate, a cathode injection-molded seal, a membrane electrode, an anode injection-molded seal and an anode plate which are stacked in sequence;

[0006] A cathode gas flow channel is provided between the cathode plate and the membrane electrode, an anode gas flow channel is provided between the anode plate and the membrane electrode, a plurality of unit modules are stacked, and a coolant flow channel is formed between the cathode plate and the anode plate of two adjacent unit modules;

[0007] The unit module is provided with a cathode gas inlet, a cathode gas outlet, an anode gas inlet, an anode gas outlet, a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet, the cathode gas inlet and the cathode gas outlet are connected to the cathode gas flow channel, the anode gas inlet and the anode gas outlet are connected to the anode gas flow channel, and the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet are connected to the coolant flow channel;

[0008] The coolant flow channel and the anode gas flow channel have the same layout, wherein the coolant and the anode gas flow directions are the same; the cathode gas flow channel and the anode gas flow channel have the same or partially the same layout, wherein the cathode gas and the anode gas flow directions are opposite or partially opposite.

[0009] Furthermore, it includes two anode gas inlets and two anode gas outlets, the two anode gas inlets are distributed at the two corners on one side of the unit module, and the two anode gas outlets are distributed at the two corners on the other side of the unit module, and the anode gas flow channel includes two symmetrically arranged multiple rows of "U"-shaped anode sub-flow channels, and the two end points of the "U" are respectively connected to an anode gas inlet and an anode gas outlet.

[0010] Furthermore, the cathode gas flow channel is a plurality of rows of straight sub-flow channels, and the two ends of each straight sub-flow channel are respectively connected to the cathode gas inlet and the cathode gas outlet, the cathode gas inlet is located on the side of the unit module with two anode gas outlets, and the cathode gas outlet is located on the side of the unit module with two anode gas inlets.

[0011] Furthermore, it includes a plurality of cathode gas inlets and a plurality of cathode gas outlets of the same number, which are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the unit module.

[0012] Furthermore, the cathode injection-molded seal and the anode injection-molded seal are integrally injection-molded structures.

[0013] Furthermore, it includes two coolant inlets and two coolant outlets, one coolant inlet and one coolant outlet are arranged on the side of a unit module with an anode gas inlet and an anode gas outlet, and the other coolant inlet and one coolant outlet are arranged on the side of another unit module with an anode gas inlet and an anode gas outlet, the coolant inlet is close to the anode gas inlet, and the coolant outlet is close to the anode gas outlet; the coolant flow channel includes two symmetrically arranged multiple rows of "U"-shaped coolant sub-flow channels, and the two end points of the "U" are respectively connected to a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet.

[0014] Furthermore, the cathode injection-molded seal is an annular rectangular plate, including a first fitting edge of an outer ring and a first clamping edge of an inner ring, and the anode injection-molded seal is also an annular rectangular plate, including a second fitting edge of an outer ring and a second clamping edge of an inner ring, the first fitting edge and the second fitting edge are in contact with each other, and the four sides of the membrane electrode are clamped between the first clamping edge and the second clamping edge.

[0015] Furthermore, the first fitting edge and the second fitting edge are bonded to each other, and the four sides of the membrane electrode and the first clamping edge and the second clamping edge are bonded to each other.

[0016] Furthermore, the cathode injection-molded seal or the anode injection-molded seal is provided with a pre-embedded groove, and the end of the membrane electrode is provided with a raised edge, and the raised edge is stuck in the pre-embedded groove.

[0017] A fuel cell comprises a stack core and end plates, wherein the stack core is formed by stacking a plurality of fuel cell unit modules as described above.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0019] 1. The present invention arranges the cathode gas flow paths and the anode gas flow paths to be identical or partially identical, with the cathode and anode gas flows in opposite or partially opposite directions. This layout balances the reaction concentrations of the anode and cathode gases, ensuring a relatively uniform reaction across the entire flow field, including at the inlet, outlet, and intermediate ends.

[0020] 2. The present invention utilizes the same layout for the coolant and anode gas channels, with the coolant and anode gas flowing in the same direction. This structure leverages the coolant's temperature gradient to balance water evaporation and condensation at the cathode, maintaining the appropriate temperature and humidity range throughout the reaction, enhancing mass transfer and improving battery performance.

[0021] 3-The present invention designs two symmetrically arranged multiple rows of "U"-shaped anode sub-channels, and has two anode gas inlets and two anode gas outlets. This structure can significantly reduce the flow resistance and increase the uniformity of the gas on the electrode plate reaction area; at the same time, the cathode gas flow channel adopts multiple inlets and outlets to set up multiple rows of straight sub-channels, which can reduce the resistance along the cathode gas and make the gas concentration on the electrode plate reaction area more uniform; the cathode gas flow channel and the anode gas flow channel thus work together to improve the reaction efficiency.

[0022] 4-The coolant flow channel adopts two multi-row "U"-shaped coolant sub-flow channels, which enhances the heat transfer efficiency and can take away the heat generated by the battery in time, making the heat exchange more sufficient.

[0023] 5. This invention redesigns the core's smallest unit module by designing injection-molded cathode and anode seals. This allows for direct packaging of a single cathode plate, a single anode plate, and membrane electrode through injection molding. During the overall fuel cell installation process, assembly is completed simply by re-stacking the unit modules, reducing the precision requirements of traditional installation and eliminating any issues with the membrane electrode and plate alignment caused by installation, thereby improving the overall stability of the fuel cell. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the top structure of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 3 for Figure 2 AA section view in.

[0027] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the bottom structure of the anode plate.

[0028] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the anode gas flow in the anode plate.

[0029] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the top surface structure of the cathode plate.

[0030] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of cathode gas flow in the cathode plate.

[0031] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the top surface structure of the anode plate.

[0032] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the coolant flow in the anode plate.

[0033] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the stacking installation of unit modules.

[0034] Figure markings: 1-cathode plate; 2-cathode injection-molded seal; 21-first fitting edge; 22-first clamping edge; 3-membrane electrode; 31-raised edge; 4-anode injection-molded seal; 41-second fitting edge; 42-second clamping edge; 5-anode plate; 6-cathode gas flow channel; 61-straight sub-flow channel; 7-anode gas flow channel; 71-anode sub-flow channel; 8-coolant flow channel; 81-coolant sub-flow channel; 9-cathode gas inlet; 10-cathode gas outlet; 11-anode gas inlet; 12-anode gas outlet; 13-coolant inlet; 14-coolant outlet; 15-pre-embedded groove. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. This embodiment is implemented based on the technical solution of the present invention, and provides a detailed implementation method and specific operation process, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0036] Example 1

[0037] like Figures 1 to 3As shown, this embodiment provides a fuel cell unit module, including a cathode plate 1, a cathode injection molded seal 2, a membrane electrode 3, an anode injection molded seal 4 and an anode plate 5 stacked in sequence. The cathode injection molded seal 2 is an annular rectangular plate, including a first fitting edge 21 of the outer ring and a first clamping edge 22 of the inner ring. The anode injection molded seal 4 is also an annular rectangular plate, including a second fitting edge 41 of the outer ring and a second clamping edge 42 of the inner ring. The first fitting edge 21 and the second fitting edge 41 are bonded to each other, and the four sides of the membrane electrode 3 are clamped between the first clamping edge 22 and the second clamping edge 42. The cathode plate 1 is bonded to the lower layer of the cathode injection molded seal 2, and the anode plate 5 is bonded to the upper layer of the anode injection molded seal 4. The first fitting edge 21 and the second fitting edge 41 are bonded to each other, and the four sides of the membrane electrode 3 and the first clamping edge 22, as well as the second clamping edge 42, are bonded to each other. A pre-embedded groove 15 is provided on the cathode injection-molded seal 2 or the anode injection-molded seal 4. A raised edge 31 is provided at the end of the membrane electrode 3. This edge 31 snaps into the pre-embedded groove 15, enhancing the connection strength. Consequently, a cathode gas flow channel 6 is formed between the cathode plate 1 and the membrane electrode 3; an anode gas flow channel 7 is formed between the anode plate 5 and the membrane electrode 3. Multiple unit modules are stacked, and a coolant flow channel 8 can be formed between the cathode plates 1 and anode plates 5 of two adjacent unit modules. The cathode injection-molded seal 2 and the anode injection-molded seal 4 can also be integrally injection-molded, simplifying the process and improving strength.

[0038] In this embodiment, the layout of the coolant flow channel 8 and the anode gas flow channel 7 is the same, and the flow directions of the coolant and the anode gas are the same; the layout of the cathode gas flow channel 6 and the anode gas flow channel 7 is the same or partially the same, and the flow directions of the cathode gas and the anode gas are opposite or partially opposite.

[0039] Under normal circumstances, the concentration of both the anode gas and the cathode gas is higher at the inlet and lower at the outlet. The anode gas and cathode gas are arranged in countercurrent flow, which can evenly match the gas concentrations so that the reaction proceeds more uniformly throughout the battery. At the same time, the coolant inlet temperature is lower and the outlet temperature is higher. The anode gas inlet humidity is relatively low, and the outlet humidity is relatively high. The anode gas reaction performance is generally lower at the inlet and then increases. The closer to the outlet, the performance decreases due to the consumption of anode gas. The coolant and anode gas are arranged in the same direction, and the temperature gradient of the coolant can be used to balance the evaporation and condensation of water at the cathode, so that the reaction maintains a suitable temperature and humidity range throughout the entire section, which is conducive to enhancing mass transfer and improving battery performance. The specific layout is described below.

[0040] The unit module is equipped with a cathode gas inlet 9, a cathode gas outlet 10, an anode gas inlet 11, an anode gas outlet 12, a coolant inlet 13, and a coolant outlet 14. The cathode gas inlet 9 and cathode gas outlet 10 are connected to the cathode gas flow channel 6. The anode gas inlet 11 and anode gas outlet 12 are connected to the anode gas flow channel 7. The coolant inlet 13 and coolant outlet 14 are connected to the coolant flow channel 8.

[0041] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the unit module includes two anode gas inlets 11 and two anode gas outlets 12, located at the four corners of the unit module. The two anode gas inlets 11 are located at the upper corners of the unit module, and the two anode gas outlets 12 are located at the lower corners of the unit module. The anode gas flow channel 7 specifically includes two symmetrically arranged rows of "U"-shaped anode sub-flow channels 71, with the two ends of the "U" connected to an anode gas inlet 11 and an anode gas outlet 12, respectively.

[0042] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the cathode gas inlet 9 is located on the side of the unit module with two cathode gas outlets 10, i.e., the upper side of the unit module; the cathode gas outlet 10 is located on the side of the unit module with two anode gas inlets 11, i.e., the lower side of the unit module. The cathode gas flow channel 6 comprises multiple rows of linear sub-flow channels 61, each of which connects the cathode gas inlet 9 and cathode gas outlet 10 at both ends. The number of cathode gas inlets 9 and cathode gas outlets 10 is equal and symmetrically distributed, generally ranging from 4 to 8, with 6 being preferred in this embodiment.

[0043] like Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the unit module includes two coolant inlets 13 and two coolant outlets 14. One coolant inlet 13 and one coolant outlet 14 are arranged on the side of the unit module with an anode gas inlet 11 and an anode gas outlet 12, that is, the left side of the unit module, and the other coolant inlet 13 and one coolant outlet 14 are arranged on the side of the unit module with another anode gas inlet 11 and an anode gas outlet 12, that is, the right side of the unit module. The coolant inlet 13 is close to the anode gas inlet 11, and the coolant outlet 14 is close to the anode gas outlet 12. The coolant flow channel 8 includes two symmetrically arranged multiple rows of "U"-shaped coolant sub-flow channels 81, and the two end points of the "U" are respectively connected to a coolant inlet 13 and a coolant outlet 14. The coolant flow channel 8 uses two multiple rows of "U"-shaped coolant sub-flow channels 81, which enhances the heat transfer efficiency, can promptly take away the heat generated by the battery, and make the heat exchange more sufficient.

[0044] Example 2

[0045] This embodiment provides a fuel cell, including a stack core and an end plate. The stack core is formed by stacking multiple fuel cell unit modules described in the first embodiment of the life wheel. Figure 10 This structure redesigns the core's smallest unit module, enabling direct packaging of a single cathode plate, a single anode plate, and membrane electrode through injection molding. During the overall fuel cell installation process, assembly is completed simply by re-stacking the unit modules, reducing the precision requirements of traditional installation and eliminating issues with the alignment of the membrane electrode and plates, thereby improving the overall stability of the fuel cell.

[0046] The above describes in detail the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood that those skilled in the art can make numerous modifications and variations based on the concepts of the present invention without inventive effort. Therefore, any technical solutions that can be derived by those skilled in the art through logical analysis, reasoning, or limited experimentation based on the concepts of the present invention and the prior art should be within the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A fuel cell unit module, characterized in that: It comprises a cathode plate (1), a cathode injection-molded seal (2), a membrane electrode (3), an anode injection-molded seal (4), and an anode plate (5) which are stacked in sequence; A cathode gas flow channel (6) is provided between the cathode plate (1) and the membrane electrode (3), and an anode gas flow channel (7) is provided between the anode plate (5) and the membrane electrode (3). A plurality of unit modules are stacked, and a coolant flow channel (8) is formed between the cathode plate (1) and the anode plate (5) of two adjacent unit modules. The unit module is provided with a cathode gas inlet (9), a cathode gas outlet (10), an anode gas inlet (11), an anode gas outlet (12), a coolant inlet (13) and a coolant outlet (14); the cathode gas inlet (9) and the cathode gas outlet (10) are connected to the cathode gas flow channel (6); the anode gas inlet (11) and the anode gas outlet (12) are connected to the anode gas flow channel (7); and the coolant inlet (13) and the coolant outlet (14) are connected to the coolant flow channel (8); The unit module includes two anode gas inlets (11) and two anode gas outlets (12), the two anode gas inlets (11) are distributed at two corners on one side of the unit module, and the two anode gas outlets (12) are distributed at two corners on the other side of the unit module. The anode gas flow channel (7) includes two symmetrically arranged multiple rows of "U"-shaped anode sub-flow channels (71), and the two ends of the "U" shape are respectively connected to an anode gas inlet (11) and an anode gas outlet (12); The cathode gas flow channel (6) is a plurality of rows of straight sub-flow channels (61), and the two ends of each straight sub-flow channel (61) are respectively connected to a cathode gas inlet (9) and a cathode gas outlet (10), wherein the cathode gas inlet (9) is located on the side of the unit module provided with two anode gas outlets (12), and the cathode gas outlet (10) is located on the side of the unit module provided with two anode gas inlets (11); The unit module comprises a plurality of cathode gas inlets (9) and a plurality of cathode gas outlets (10) of the same number, which are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the unit module; The unit module includes two coolant inlets (13) and two coolant outlets (14), one coolant inlet (13) and one coolant outlet (14) are arranged on the side of the unit module having the anode gas inlet (11) and the anode gas outlet (12), and the other coolant inlet (13) and one coolant outlet (14) are arranged on the side of another unit module having the anode gas inlet (11) and the anode gas outlet (12), the coolant inlet (13) is close to the anode gas inlet (11), and the coolant outlet (14) is close to the anode gas outlet (12); the coolant flow channel (8) includes two symmetrically arranged multiple rows of "U"-shaped coolant sub-flow channels (81), and the two ends of the "U" shape are respectively connected to a coolant inlet (13) and a coolant outlet (14).

2. A fuel cell unit module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cathode injection-molded seal (2) and the anode injection-molded seal (4) are integrally injection-molded structures.

3. A fuel cell unit module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cathode injection-molded seal (2) is an annular rectangular plate, including a first fitting edge (21) of an outer ring and a first clamping edge (22) of an inner ring. The anode injection-molded seal (4) is also an annular rectangular plate, including a second fitting edge (41) of an outer ring and a second clamping edge (42) of an inner ring. The first fitting edge (21) and the second fitting edge (41) are bonded to each other, and the four sides of the membrane electrode (3) are clamped between the first clamping edge (22) and the second clamping edge (42).

4. A fuel cell unit module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first embedding edge (21) and the second embedding edge (41) are bonded to each other, and the four sides of the membrane electrode (3) and the first clamping edge (22) and the second clamping edge (42) are bonded to each other.

5. A fuel cell unit module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cathode injection-molded seal (2) or the anode injection-molded seal (4) is provided with a pre-embedded groove (15), and the end of the membrane electrode (3) is provided with a raised edge (31), and the raised edge (31) is inserted into the pre-embedded groove (15).

6. A fuel cell comprising a stack core and end plates, characterized in that: The fuel cell stack core is formed by stacking a plurality of fuel cell unit modules as described in any one of claims 1 to 5.

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