Monopolar plates, single cells and fuel cells

Abstract

This application provides a single electrode plate, a single cell, and a fuel cell. The single electrode plate includes: an electrode plate body having a first side and a second side disposed opposite to each other; the electrode plate body includes a liquid distribution section, a flow channel section, and a reaction section; the liquid distribution section and the flow channel section are located on the first side, and the reaction section is located on the second side; on a projection plane perpendicular to the thickness direction, the flow channel region and the reaction region overlap; the dimension of the liquid distribution section in the width direction of the electrode plate body is smaller than the dimension of the flow channel section in the width direction of the electrode plate body; the liquid distribution section has a first edge and a second edge disposed opposite to each other; the electrode plate body has a ridge located on the first side of the flow channel section, the ridge extending meanderingly along the length direction of the electrode plate body; there are multiple ridges, and the multiple ridges are spaced apart along the width direction; wherein, the multiple ridges include a first ridge and a second ridge located on the outermost side in the width direction, the first ridge and the second ridge respectively connecting to the first edge and the second edge on the corresponding side.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of battery technology, specifically to a single plate, a single cell, and a fuel cell. Background Technology

[0002] There are various types of fuel cells. A proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is a highly efficient energy conversion and power generation device that uses hydrogen as the optimal fuel and converts the chemical energy of the fuel and oxidant into electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction. The PEMFC is the fifth generation of fuel cells, developed after alkaline fuel cells, phosphoric acid fuel cells, molten carbonate fuel cells, and solid oxide fuel cells.

[0003] A proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell mainly consists of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and two electrode plates. The MEA, composed of a proton exchange membrane, a gas diffusion layer, and a catalyst layer, is the core component of the fuel cell for generating electricity. The MEA has a cathode and an anode on either side. These plates are used to construct cooling channels. The cooling channels overlap with the MEA's projection onto the thickness direction of the cathode / anode plates, allowing the coolant within the channels to exchange heat with the electrochemical reaction chamber.

[0004] However, in the prior art, the cooling efficiency is low because the coolant tends to flow into the non-electrochemical reaction chamber section when cooling the flow channel. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a single plate, a single cell, and a fuel cell, with the aim of improving cooling efficiency.

[0006] In a first aspect, this application provides a monopolar plate, comprising:

[0007] An electrode body has a first side and a second side disposed opposite to each other in its thickness direction; the electrode body includes a liquid distribution section for constructing a liquid distribution chamber, a flow channel section for constructing a cooling flow channel, and a reaction section for constructing an electrochemical reaction chamber; the liquid distribution section and the flow channel section are located on the first side, and the reaction section is located on the second side; the projections of the flow channel section and the reaction section in the same projection plane perpendicular to the thickness direction overlap each other;

[0008] The liquid distribution section has a first edge and a second edge disposed opposite to each other in the width direction;

[0009] The electrode body has a plurality of ridges disposed on the first side and located in the flow channel portion, each ridge extending meanderingly along the length direction of the electrode body; there are a plurality of ridges, and the plurality of ridges are spaced apart along the width direction; wherein, the plurality of ridges includes a first ridge and a second ridge located on the outermost side in the width direction of the electrode body, the first ridge and the second ridge being connected to the first edge and the second edge of the corresponding side, respectively;

[0010] The dimension of the liquid distribution section in the width direction of the electrode body is smaller than the dimension of the flow channel section in the width direction of the electrode body.

[0011] Optionally, each of the ridges has a meandering section; the electrode body has a first side edge and a second side edge disposed opposite to each other in its width direction; the meandering section includes a plurality of peaks and a plurality of valleys that are alternately disposed and connected along the length direction; each of the peaks bends toward the first side edge, and each of the valleys bends toward the second side edge; each meandering section has a meandering end near the dispensing portion;

[0012] The first ridge further includes a first straight segment connected to the meandering end of the first ridge, and the second ridge further includes a second straight segment connected to the meandering end of the second ridge; wherein the meandering end is configured as a peak or a valley.

[0013] Optionally, each of the peaks includes a peak segment and a first transition segment connected to the peak segment; each of the valleys includes a valley bottom segment and a second transition segment connected to the valley bottom segment;

[0014] The meandering end is configured as a peak, the first straight segment is connected to the first transition segment of the first ridge, and the second straight segment is connected to the first transition segment of the second ridge; both the first ridge and the first transition segment of the second ridge have at least two curvatures.

[0015] Alternatively, the meandering end is configured as a valley, the first straight segment is connected to the second transition segment of the first ridge, and the second straight segment is connected to the second transition segment of the second ridge; the first ridge and the second transition segment of the second ridge have at least two curvatures.

[0016] Optionally, each of the ridges further has a plurality of recesses formed by the recesses facing the second side.

[0017] On the same ridge, the plurality of recesses are located on the meandering section of the ridge and are spaced apart from each other.

[0018] Optionally, on the same ridge, the plurality of pits are located in the valley section of the ridge, and only one of two adjacent valley sections has the pit.

[0019] Optionally, the electrode body has a plurality of protrusions spaced apart from each other, disposed on the first side and located in the flow channel portion.

[0020] On the same projection plane perpendicular to the length direction, the projections of the plurality of protrusions are located outside the projections of the plurality of ridges in the width direction.

[0021] Secondly, this application also proposes a single-cell battery, the single-cell battery comprising: a cathode plate, an anode plate, and a membrane electrode assembly, the membrane electrode assembly being disposed between the cathode plate and the anode plate; wherein at least one of the cathode plate and the anode plate is a single electrode plate as described above.

[0022] Thirdly, this application also proposes a fuel cell comprising multiple individual cells; each individual cell includes a cathode plate, an anode plate, and a membrane electrode assembly, the membrane electrode assembly being disposed between the cathode plate and the anode plate; wherein both the cathode plate and the anode plate contain single-electrode plates as described above; the multiple individual cells are stacked sequentially along the thickness direction; wherein the flow channel portion of the cathode plate of one of two adjacent individual cells and the flow channel portion of the anode plate of the other individual cell together define a cooling channel.

[0023] Optionally, the outermost ridge of the cathode plate in its width direction has a first section that connects with the edge of the liquid distribution portion of the cathode plate in its width direction; the outermost ridge of the anode plate in its width direction has a second section that connects with the edge of the liquid distribution area of ​​the anode plate in its width direction; the first section and the second section abut against each other.

[0024] Optionally, in the cathode plate and anode plate that jointly define the cooling channel, the ridges of the cathode plate and the ridges of the anode plate have multiple overlapping portions on the same projection plane perpendicular to the thickness direction, wherein, at a portion of the multiple overlapping portions, the ridges of the cathode plate and the ridges of the anode plate have a gap in the thickness direction; and at another portion of the multiple overlapping portions, the ridges of the cathode plate and the ridges of the anode plate are in contact.

[0025] This application provides a monopolar plate in which the two outermost meandering ridges in the width direction of the monopolar plate extend to the corresponding two edges in the width direction of the liquid distribution section. When the monopolar plate forms a cooling channel with another monopolar plate, the two outermost meandering ridges will block the coolant from flowing to the blank area of ​​the cooling channel, thereby forcing the coolant to flow to the central area of ​​the cooling channel to absorb the heat generated by the electrochemical reaction. Attached Figure Description

[0026] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the monopolar plate provided in an embodiment of this application from one perspective;

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the monopolar plate provided in the embodiment of this application from another perspective;

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another monopole plate provided in an embodiment of this application from one perspective;

[0030] Figure 4 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the monopolar plate provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0031] List of reference numerals

[0032] 1 Electrode body 122a Second straight segment 10 flow channel section 12a Peak 20 Separation section 12a-1 Peak section 30 Discharge part 12a-2 First transition section 10’ Reaction section 12b Tanibe 20’ Gas distribution section 12b-1 Valley bottom section 30’ Exhaust / Liquid Section 12b-2 Second transition section 11 blank area 12c winding end 12 convex ridge 12d pit 13 bulge 110 First lateral edge 121 First ridge 120 Second lateral edge 122 Second ridge 21 First Edge 121a First straight segment 22 Second edge Detailed Implementation

[0033] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the stated features. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0035] In this application, the term "exemplary" is used to mean "serving as an example, illustration, or description." Any embodiment described as "exemplary" in this application is not necessarily to be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments. The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. Details are set forth in the following description for purposes of explanation. It should be understood that those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be made without using these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and processes will not be described in detail to avoid obscuring the description of the invention with unnecessary detail. Therefore, the invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is consistent with the broadest scope of the principles and features disclosed in this application.

[0036] A proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell mainly consists of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and two electrodes. The MEA, composed of a proton exchange membrane, a gas diffusion layer, and a catalyst layer, is the core component of the fuel cell that generates electricity. The MEA is flanked by a cathode and an anode. In a single cell, the flow channels and flow field on the anode provide hydrogen fuel to one side of the MEA. The flow channels and flow field on the cathode provide air as an oxidant to the other side. At the anode, hydrogen undergoes a catalytic reaction to produce protons (hydrogen ions) and electrons. Protons migrate through the proton exchange membrane to the cathode, while electrons are led out through the electrodes to the external circuit, flowing through the external circuit to the cathode. At the cathode, oxygen in the air undergoes a catalytic reaction to gain electrons, forming negative ions, which react with the migrating protons to produce water. Throughout the entire electrochemical reaction process, the current drawn from the electrodes is the result of the fuel cell generating electricity.

[0037] A fuel cell comprises multiple individual cells stacked together. Between adjacent cells, a cooling channel is constructed between the cathode plate of one cell and the anode plate of the other for coolant flow to cool the fuel cell and achieve heat dissipation. However, in existing technologies, to improve the diffusion capacity of cathode and anode gases, meandering grooves are formed on the gas side of the cathode and anode plates through stamping, which in turn creates meandering ridges on the cooling side of the cathode and anode plates. Since cooling channels typically have blank areas on both sides in the width direction, resulting in low flow resistance in these blank areas, the meandering ridges increase the flow resistance of the cooling channels. Consequently, when coolant enters the cooling channels from the distribution zone, it flows to the blank areas on both sides of the cooling channels, leaving the central part of the cooling channels lacking coolant and resulting in poor cooling performance.

[0038] To address this, this application proposes a monopolar plate in which the two outermost meandering ridges 12 of the monopolar plate extend to the corresponding two edges of the liquid distribution section in the width direction. This allows the two outermost meandering ridges 12 to block the coolant from flowing into the blank area 11 of the cooling channel when the monopolar plate forms a cooling channel with another monopolar plate, thereby forcing the coolant to flow towards the central area of ​​the cooling channel to absorb the heat generated by the electrochemical reaction.

[0039] Specifically, the single electrode plate can be at least one of an anode plate and a cathode plate. Typically, in a single cell, both the cathode plate and the anode plate have at least some of the technical features of the single electrode plate as described in the following embodiments.

[0040] like Figure 1 As shown, the monopolar plate includes a plate body 1. The plate body 1 has a first side surface S1 and a second side surface S2 disposed opposite to each other in its thickness direction. The plate body 1 includes a liquid distribution section for constructing a liquid distribution chamber, a flow channel section 10 for constructing a cooling flow channel, and a reaction section 10' for constructing an electrochemical reaction chamber; the liquid distribution section and the flow channel section 10 are located on the first side surface S1, and the reaction section 10' is located on the second side surface S2; the projections of the flow channel section 10 and the reaction section 10' in the same projection plane perpendicular to the thickness direction overlap with each other.

[0041] Furthermore, the first side surface S1 of the electrode body 1 also has a liquid outlet 30, which is used to discharge the coolant that has absorbed heat from the fuel cell when it is constructed as a fuel cell. The liquid outlet 30 is connected to the liquid outlet through the flow channel 10.

[0042] like Figure 1As shown, the second side S2 of the electrode body 1 also has a gas distribution section 20' and a gas / liquid discharge section 30'. The gas distribution section 20' is used to create a uniform gas chamber when configured as a fuel cell, for delivering oxidizing gas or hydrogen to the reaction section 10'. The gas / liquid discharge section 30' is used to create a gas / liquid discharge chamber when configured as a fuel cell, for discharging the products of the oxidizing gas or residual hydrogen from the fuel cell. When the electrode body 1 is used as a cathode plate, the gas / liquid discharge section 30' is used for draining water; when the electrode body 1 is used as an anode plate, the gas / liquid discharge section 30' is used for discharging residual gas. Generally, the gas distribution section 20' and the liquid distribution section are arranged opposite each other in the thickness direction. The liquid discharge section 30 and the gas / liquid discharge section 30' are arranged opposite each other in the thickness direction.

[0043] When this monopolar plate is applied to a fuel cell, the liquid distribution chamber is connected to the liquid supply line. The cooling channel and the electrochemical reaction chamber overlap in the thickness direction and are located on opposite sides of the monopolar plate in the thickness direction. When coolant is introduced into the cooling channel, it can absorb the heat generated in the electrochemical reaction chamber, thereby cooling the fuel cell and enabling the fuel cell to operate reliably at a suitable temperature.

[0044] like Figure 2 As shown, the liquid distribution section 20 has a first edge 21 and a second edge 22 disposed opposite to each other in the width direction. The first edge 21 and the second edge 22 are used to define the space of the liquid distribution section in the width direction. In a specific implementation, a sealing member is also provided to fit along the first edge 21 and the second edge 22, so that a seal is formed by the sealing member under the action of stacking pressure to prevent coolant loss.

[0045] To increase the conductivity between two adjacent individual cells, the dimension of the liquid distribution section in the width direction of the electrode body 1 is smaller than the dimension of the flow channel section 10 in the width direction of the electrode body 1. When this single electrode plate is specifically applied to a fuel cell, the cooling flow channel has blank areas 11 located on both sides in the width direction.

[0046] like Figure 2As shown, the electrode body 1 has a ridge 12 located on the flow channel portion 10 on the first side surface S1, and the ridge 12 extends meanderingly along the length direction of the electrode body 1. This ridge 12 is a protruding structure formed by stamping grooves on the second side surface S2. There are multiple ridges 12, which are spaced apart along the width direction. Among them, the multiple ridges 12 include a first ridge 121 and a second ridge 122 located on the outermost side in the width direction of the electrode body 1. The first ridge 121 and the second ridge 122 are respectively connected to the first edge 21 and the second edge 22 on the corresponding sides. When a monopolar plate forms a cooling flow channel with another monopolar plate, the two outermost meandering ridges 12 block the coolant from flowing into the blank area 11 of the cooling flow channel, forcing the coolant to flow towards the central region of the cooling flow channel to absorb the heat generated by the electrochemical reaction.

[0047] As an optional implementation of the above embodiments, such as Figure 2 and Figure 4As shown, each of the ridges 12 has a meandering section. The electrode body 1 has a first side edge 110 and a second side edge 120 disposed opposite each other in the width direction. The meandering section includes a plurality of peaks 12a and a plurality of valleys 12b that are alternately arranged and connected along the length direction; each peak 12a bends toward the first side edge 110, and each valley 12b bends toward the second side edge 120. A valley 12b is provided between two adjacent peaks 12a. The ridges 12 are designed in this meandering manner: on the gas flow channel side, it is advantageous when used in a fuel cell, because the corresponding trenches are also meandering, the gas flows meanderingly and diffuses disorderly, reducing the occurrence of local gas shortage, which is beneficial for converting chemical energy into electrical energy; on the cooling flow channel side, the coolant is also meandering and disorderly disturbed, which is beneficial for absorbing the heat generated by the electrochemical reaction. In an embodiment, each meandering section has a meandering end 12c near the liquid distribution section. The first ridge 121 further includes a first straight segment 121a connected to the meandering end 12c of the first ridge 121, and the second ridge 122 further includes a second straight segment 122a connected to the meandering end 12c of the second ridge 122; wherein the meandering end 12c is configured as a peak 12a or a valley 12b. When used in a fuel cell, the first straight segment 121a abuts against the corresponding first straight segment 121a on another monopolar plate, and the second straight segment 122a abuts against the corresponding second branch segment on another monopolar plate. This increases the conductivity of two adjacent single cells and also obstructs the flow of coolant, preventing it from flowing into the blank area 11 when it enters the cooling channel. In the embodiment, the first straight segment 121a and the second straight segment 122a are both connected to the peak or valley 12b of the meandering segment, so that when the coolant flows to the end position corresponding to the first straight segment 121a and the second straight segment 122a, it begins to flow randomly under the guidance of the peak 12a or valley 12b.

[0048] As an optional implementation of the above embodiments, such as Figure 4 As shown, each peak 12a includes a peak segment 12a-1 and a first transition segment 12a-2 connected to the peak segment 12a-1; each valley 12b includes a valley bottom segment 12b-1 and a second transition segment 12b-2 connected to the valley bottom segment 12b-1. The first transition segment 12a-2 may be connected to the second transition segment 12b-2.

[0049] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2As shown, when the meandering end 12c is configured as a peak 12a, the first straight segment 121a connects to the first transition segment 12a-2 of the first ridge 121, and the second straight segment 122a connects to the first transition segment 12a-2 of the second ridge 122; the first transition segment 12a-2 has at least two curvatures. In this embodiment, the first transition segment 12a-2 is configured to have at least two curvatures. The purpose of having at least two curvatures is that, on the gas flow channel side (electrochemical reaction chamber), the gas can have at least one velocity change (including flow direction or rate) when flowing in the corresponding trench to enhance its diffusion capacity; and, on the coolant flow channel side, the coolant will also have a velocity change (including flow direction or rate) after entering the cooling channel, causing it to flow meanderingly so that it can flow to various areas of the channel. In a specific application to a fuel cell, in this embodiment, one of the cathode plate and the anode plate may adopt this structure.

[0050] In other embodiments, similar principles are employed as described above, combined with... Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, when the meandering end 12c is configured as a valley 12b, the first straight segment 121a connects to the second transition segment 12b-2 of the first ridge 121, and the second straight segment 122a connects to the second transition segment 12b-2 of the second ridge 122; the second transition segment 12b-2 has at least two curvatures. In a specific application to a fuel cell, in an embodiment, another of the cathode plate and anode plate may adopt this structure.

[0051] For the same fuel cell, the valleys 12b and peaks 12a in the cathode and anode plates are exactly offset in phase. That is, the valley 12b of the cathode plate corresponds to the peak 12a of the anode plate, and the peak 12a of the cathode plate corresponds to the valley 12b of the anode plate. In this configuration, adjacent cells can have good contact to improve conductivity.

[0052] When the coolant flows into the cooling channel, since the ridges 12 are all meandering, when the coolant begins to flow randomly, some coolant will still flow towards the blank area 11 through the gaps between the two outermost ridges 12. Therefore, in order to concentrate the coolant flow in the central area and control the amount of coolant flowing in the blank area 11, this embodiment reduces the flow resistance in the central area of ​​the coolant channel to reduce the pressure difference between the central area of ​​the cooling channel and the blank area 11. As an optional implementation of the above embodiment, each ridge 12 also has a plurality of recesses 12d formed by recesses towards the second side surface S2; on the same ridge 12, the plurality of recesses 12d are located on the meandering section of the ridge 12 and are spaced apart from each other. When a single plate is applied to a fuel cell, since each ridge 12 has a recess 12d that is recessed toward the second side S2, the overlapping areas of the cathode plate and anode plate on the thickness direction projection plane in two adjacent single cells can have gaps between them, thereby reducing the flow resistance in the central region.

[0053] In specific implementation, in the cathode plate and anode plate that jointly define the cooling channel, the ridges 12 of the cathode plate and the anode plate have multiple overlapping portions on the projection plane perpendicular to the thickness direction. At a portion of these overlapping portions, the ridges 12 of the cathode plate and the anode plate have recesses 12d facing their respective second side surfaces S2, creating a gap in the thickness direction. This allows coolant to flow through this gap without obstructing the flow due to contact, thus reducing coolant flow resistance. At another portion of these overlapping portions, the ridges 12 of the cathode plate and the anode plate are in contact, but still partially contactable, ensuring conductivity between adjacent individual cells.

[0054] As an optional implementation of the above embodiments, on the same ridge 12, the plurality of pits 12d are located at the valley bottom section 12b-1 of the ridge 12, and only one of two adjacent valley bottom sections 12b-1 has the pit 12d. In the embodiment, considering that water will accumulate in the gas flow channel on the cathode plate side during actual application, a protruding structure is generally provided in the area of ​​the groove corresponding to the valley bottom section 12b-1. Therefore, a recessed design is made on the top surface of the ridge 12 of the cathode plate corresponding to the valley bottom section 12b-1 to form the pit 12d. Moreover, only one of two adjacent valley bottom sections 12b-1 has the pit 12d, mainly to balance reducing the amount of water accumulation on the gas flow channel side of the cathode plate and improving the cathode gas diffusion capacity. The valley bottom section 12b-1 of the ridge 12 of the cathode plate and the peak section 12a-1 of the ridge 12 of the anode plate are spaced apart.

[0055] As an optional implementation of the above embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the electrode body 1 has a plurality of spaced-apart protrusions 13 on the first side surface S1 located in the flow channel portion 10. Since the ridges 12 extend meanderingly, a portion of the ridges 12 extends into the blank area 11. On a projection plane perpendicular to the length direction, the plurality of protrusions 13 are located outside the projection area of ​​the plurality of ridges 12 in the width direction. That is, the protrusions 13 are provided within the blank area 11 so that, when applied to a fuel cell, the protrusions 13 can abut against the ridge 12 of another adjacent single cell to increase conductivity.

[0056] In practical implementation, generally speaking, in two adjacent battery cells, the ridge 12 of one cathode plate is arranged in the pattern of straight line segment-peak 12a-valley 12b-...peak 12a-valley 12b, while the anode plate of the other is arranged in the pattern of straight line segment-valley 12b-peak 12a...valley 12b-peak 12a, thus creating a phase difference. Therefore, the peak 12a of the outermost ridge 12 on the cathode plate will project into the blank area 11 of the anode plate in the thickness direction. Therefore, a protrusion 13 is provided on the blank area 11 of the anode plate, which can abut against the peak 12a of the outermost ridge 12 on the cathode plate, thereby increasing conductivity. Similarly, the peak 12a of the outermost ridge 12 on the anode plate will enter the blank area 11 of the cathode plate when projected in the thickness direction. Therefore, a protrusion 13 is provided on the blank area 11 of the cathode plate, which can abut against the peak 12a of the outermost ridge 12 on the anode plate, thereby increasing conductivity.

[0057] Furthermore, the protrusions 13 on the cathode plate and the protrusions 13 on the anode plate are staggered in the thickness direction.

[0058] Secondly, this application also proposes a single-cell battery, comprising: a cathode plate, an anode plate, and a membrane electrode assembly, wherein the membrane electrode assembly is disposed between the cathode plate and the anode plate; wherein at least one of the cathode plate and the anode plate is a single electrode plate. This single electrode plate employs some or all of the technical solutions of the foregoing embodiments, and therefore this single-cell battery possesses some or all of the advantages of the foregoing embodiments, which will not be elaborated upon here.

[0059] In the embodiments, generally, both the cathode plate and the anode plate adopt the single-plate structure of the aforementioned embodiments. The single-cell battery also includes a membrane electrode assembly disposed between the cathode plate and the anode plate. The cathode plate and the membrane electrode assembly are sealed to form a gas channel for the flow of cathode gas. The anode plate and the membrane electrode assembly are sealed to form a gas channel for the flow of anode gas. Generally, the anode plate adopts... Figure 3 When the structure is such that the cathode plate adopts Figure 2 The structure. Moreover, since the anode plate corresponds to the hydrogen side and does not produce water, it is generally not equipped with pits on the ridge.

[0060] Thirdly, this application also proposes a fuel cell comprising multiple individual cells; each individual cell includes a cathode plate, an anode plate, and a membrane electrode assembly, the membrane electrode assembly being disposed between the cathode plate and the anode plate. Both the cathode plate and the anode plate are single-electrode plates; the individual cells are stacked sequentially along the thickness direction; wherein the flow channel portion 10 of the cathode plate of one of two adjacent individual cells and the flow channel portion 10 of the anode plate of the other jointly define a cooling channel.

[0061] In the embodiments, the monopolar plate adopts some or all of the technical features of the foregoing embodiments, and thus possesses some or all of the technical advantages of the foregoing embodiments.

[0062] In manufacturing a fuel cell, a cathode plate, membrane electrode assembly, and anode plate are first assembled into a single cell. The two sides of this single cell along its thickness direction are respectively a flow channel 10 for forming a cooling channel with another single cell on the cathode plate and a flow channel 10 for forming a cooling channel with another single cell on the anode plate. After stacking multiple single cells along their thickness direction, in two adjacent single cells, the flow channel 10 of one cathode plate and the flow channel 10 of the other anode plate jointly define a cooling channel. Since both the cathode plate and anode plate employ some or all of the technical solutions of the cathode plate described in the previous embodiment, when the coolant flows from the distribution chamber to the cooling channel, the obstruction of the outer ridge 12 forces the coolant to flow towards the central region of the cooling channel, thereby increasing cooling efficiency.

[0063] As an optional embodiment of the above embodiments, the outermost ridge 12 of the cathode plate in its width direction has a first section that connects with the edge of the liquid distribution section of the cathode plate in its width direction; the outermost ridge 12 of the anode plate in its width direction has a second section that connects with the edge of the liquid distribution area of ​​the anode plate in its width direction; the first section and the second section abut against each other. After stacking multiple single cells, the first section and the second section abut against each other to define an inlet into the cooling channel. When the coolant enters the meandering section, the coolant begins to flow randomly. When the coolant first enters the cooling channel, the two outermost ridges 12 also abut against each other, thus blocking the coolant and preventing it from flowing to the blank area 11, but instead flowing towards the central region of the cooling channel. Generally, the first section and the second section are straight sections, that is, they extend straight along the length direction.

[0064] When the coolant flows into the cooling channel, since the ridges 12 are all meandering, when the coolant begins to flow randomly, some coolant will still flow towards the blank area 11 through the pores between the two outermost ridges 12. Therefore, in order to control the amount of coolant flowing in the blank area 11 by making the coolant flow relatively concentrated in the central area, this embodiment reduces the flow resistance in the central area of ​​the coolant channel to reduce the pressure difference between the central area of ​​the cooling channel and the blank area 11. As an optional implementation of the above embodiment, in the cathode plate and anode plate that jointly define the cooling channel, the ridges 12 of the cathode plate and the ridges 12 of the anode plate have multiple overlapping portions on the projection plane perpendicular to the thickness direction. In a portion of the multiple overlapping portions, the ridges 12 of the cathode plate and the ridges 12 of the anode plate have a gap in the thickness direction; in another portion of the multiple overlapping portions, the ridges 12 of the cathode plate and the ridges 12 of the anode plate are in contact.

[0065] In the cathode plate and anode plate that jointly define the cooling channel, the ridges 12 of the cathode plate and the ridges 12 of the anode plate have multiple overlapping portions on the projection plane perpendicular to the thickness direction. In a portion of the multiple overlapping portions, the ridges 12 of the cathode plate and the ridges 12 of the anode plate have a gap in the thickness direction, allowing coolant to flow through without obstructing the flow due to contact between the two, thereby reducing the flow resistance of the coolant. In another portion of the multiple overlapping portions, the ridges 12 of the cathode plate and the ridges 12 of the anode plate are in contact, but they are still partially in contact to ensure conductivity between adjacent single cells.

[0066] In the technical solution of this application embodiment, when the gas in the fuel cell has good diffusion ability, the two adjacent individual cells in the fuel cell also have good conductivity, and the coolant in the cooling channel also has good flow ability to enable it to have good heat dissipation ability. In addition, the ridge 12 also causes the coolant to flow meanderingly in the cooling channel, thereby increasing its flow path and enabling the coolant to fully absorb heat.

[0067] It should be noted that the projections of the ridges 12 of the cathode plate and the anode plate onto their thickness-direction projection surfaces have multiple intersecting points, i.e., multiple overlapping points. In three-dimensional space, the ridges 12 of the cathode plate and the anode plate can contact each other at some overlapping points, or have gaps at others. When the coolant flows to the contact point between the ridges 12 of the cathode plate and the anode plate, the coolant is obstructed, increasing flow resistance and causing disturbance to the flow at that contact point. However, when the coolant flows to the overlapping point between the ridges 12 of the cathode plate and the anode plate without contact, the coolant passes through the gap, and its flow resistance decreases. Therefore, throughout the cooling channel, the flow resistance of the coolant is reduced, facilitating its flow.

[0068] In the above embodiments, considering that water may accumulate in the gas channel on the cathode plate side during actual application, a protrusion 13 is generally provided in the area corresponding to the valley bottom section 12b-1 of the groove. Therefore, a recessed design is made on the top surface of the ridge 12 of the cathode plate at the position corresponding to the valley bottom section 12b-1. Thus, while taking into account both reducing the amount of water accumulation on the gas channel side of the cathode plate and improving the cathode gas diffusion capacity, a gap is set between the valley bottom section 12b-1 of the ridge 12 of the cathode plate and the peak section 12a-1 of the ridge 12 of the anode plate.

[0069] In the above embodiments, the fuel cell also includes an end plate, a tie rod, and a seal. Since the end plate, tie rod, and seal are not the focus of this application's improvement, they are not described in detail. Those skilled in the art can configure them conventionally.

[0070] The above provides a detailed description of a monopolar plate, a single cell, and a fuel cell provided in the embodiments of this application. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present invention. The description of the above embodiments is only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of the present invention. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope based on the ideas of the present invention. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

Claims

1. A single-pole plate, characterized in that, include: An electrode body has a first side and a second side disposed opposite to each other in its thickness direction; the electrode body includes a liquid distribution section for constructing a liquid distribution chamber, a flow channel section for constructing a cooling flow channel, and a reaction section for constructing an electrochemical reaction chamber; the liquid distribution section and the flow channel section are located on the first side, and the reaction section is located on the second side; the projections of the flow channel section and the reaction section in the same projection plane perpendicular to the thickness direction overlap each other; The liquid dispensing section has a first edge and a second edge that are disposed opposite to each other in the width direction; The electrode body has a plurality of ridges disposed on the first side and located in the flow channel portion, each ridge extending meanderingly along the length direction of the electrode body; there are a plurality of ridges, and the plurality of ridges are spaced apart along the width direction; wherein, the plurality of ridges includes a first ridge and a second ridge located on the outermost side in the width direction of the electrode body, the first ridge and the second ridge being connected to the first edge and the second edge of the corresponding side, respectively; The dimension of the liquid distribution section in the width direction of the electrode body is smaller than the dimension of the flow channel section in the width direction of the electrode body.

2. The monopolar plate as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the ridges has a meandering section; the electrode body has a first side edge and a second side edge disposed opposite to each other in its width direction; the meandering section includes a plurality of peaks and a plurality of valleys that are alternately disposed and connected along the length direction; each of the peaks bends toward the first side edge, and each of the valleys bends toward the second side edge; each meandering section has a meandering end near the dispensing portion; The first ridge further includes a first straight segment connected to the meandering end of the first ridge, and the second ridge further includes a second straight segment connected to the meandering end of the second ridge; wherein the meandering end is configured as a peak or a valley.

3. The monopolar plate as described in claim 2, characterized in that, Each of the aforementioned peaks includes a peak segment and a first transition segment connected to the peak segment; each of the aforementioned valleys includes a valley bottom segment and a second transition segment connected to the valley bottom segment; The meandering end is configured as a peak, the first straight segment is connected to the first transition segment of the first ridge, and the second straight segment is connected to the first transition segment of the second ridge; both the first ridge and the first transition segment of the second ridge have at least two curvatures. Alternatively, the meandering end is configured as a valley, the first straight segment is connected to the second transition segment of the first ridge, and the second straight segment is connected to the second transition segment of the second ridge; the first ridge and the second transition segment of the second ridge have at least two curvatures.

4. The monopolar plate as described in claim 2, characterized in that, Each of the ridges also has a plurality of recesses formed by the recesses facing the second side. On the same ridge, the plurality of recesses are located on the meandering section of the ridge and are spaced apart from each other.

5. The monopolar plate as described in claim 4, characterized in that, On the same ridge, the plurality of pits are located at the valley bottom section of the ridge, and only one of two adjacent valley bottom sections has the pit.

6. The monopolar plate as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The electrode body has a plurality of protrusions spaced apart from each other, disposed on the first side and located in the flow channel portion. On the same projection plane perpendicular to the length direction, the projections of the plurality of protrusions are located outside the projections of the plurality of ridges in the width direction.

7. A single-cell battery, characterized in that, The single cell includes: a cathode plate, an anode plate, and a membrane electrode assembly, wherein the membrane electrode assembly is disposed between the cathode plate and the anode plate; wherein at least one of the cathode plate and the anode plate is a single electrode plate as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A fuel cell, characterized in that, It includes multiple single-cell batteries; each single-cell battery includes a cathode plate, an anode plate, and a membrane electrode assembly, wherein the membrane electrode assembly is disposed between the cathode plate and the anode plate; wherein the cathode plate and the anode plate are all single-electrode plates as described in any one of claims 1 to 6; The plurality of individual cells are stacked sequentially along the thickness direction; wherein, the flow channel portion of the cathode plate of one of two adjacent individual cells and the flow channel portion of the anode plate of the other individual cell together define a cooling channel.

9. The fuel cell as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that, The outermost ridge of the cathode plate in its width direction has a first section that connects with the edge of the liquid distribution portion of the cathode plate in its width direction. The outermost ridge of the anode plate in its width direction has a second section that connects with the edge of the liquid distribution area of ​​the anode plate in its width direction. The first segment and the second segment abut together.

10. The fuel cell as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that, In the cathode plate and anode plate that jointly define the cooling channel, the ridges of the cathode plate and the ridges of the anode plate have multiple overlapping portions on the same projection plane perpendicular to the thickness direction, wherein, at a portion of the multiple overlapping portions, the ridges of the cathode plate and the ridges of the anode plate have a gap in the thickness direction; and at another portion of the multiple overlapping portions, the ridges of the cathode plate and the ridges of the anode plate are in contact.

Images