Fuel cell device

Abstract

A fuel cell device comprises a shell defining an inner space, a flow channel plate disposed in the inner space, two electrode plates, one of which is overlapped with the flow channel plate, and a proton exchange membrane sandwiched between the electrode plates. The flow channel plate comprises a plurality of straight sections and a plurality of connecting sections. The straight sections are arranged in two rows side by side and extend along an axis, and the straight sections in each row define a plurality of openings at intervals, and the openings are staggered with each other. The connecting sections are obliquely connected to opposite ends of the straight sections in one row and to opposite ends of the straight sections in another row. Every two adjacent connecting sections and the straight sections connected together define a drainage channel connected to the individual openings. Even if a plurality of the fuel cell devices are overlapped, the drainage channel can still perform the drainage function.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery, in particular to a fuel cell device. Background Art

[0002] A fuel cell is a device that generates electricity through hydrogen-containing fuel and air. The current mainstream technology uses a proton exchange membrane. After hydrogen is introduced into the anode, it is decomposed into hydrogen ions and electrons. The hydrogen ions will then combine with oxygen molecules at the cathode to produce water. Because fuel cells continue to produce water during continuous operation, in order to ensure the continuous introduction of fuel gas and that the contact and reaction between the proton exchange membrane and the electrode will not be hindered by water, a mechanism must be properly designed to continuously discharge the generated water to maintain the normal operation of the fuel cell.

[0003] Accordingly, currently available fuel cells are designed with flow channels on the electrode plates at the same time, so as to achieve the purpose of draining the generated water. However, in response to the current trend of increasing power consumption of various electrical equipment, fuel cells are usually densely configured to generate as much electricity as possible in a limited space. When multiple fuel cells are densely configured, there may be a situation where the structures are squeezed layer by layer. If the electrode plate designed with flow channels is squeezed, not only may it not be able to contact the proton exchange membrane as expected, but the generated water may also not be drained smoothly. Therefore, how to respond to the current trend of large power consumption while taking into account the smooth drainage of water and maintaining the normal operation of fuel cells has become a topic that practitioners in related fields are eager to break through. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell device that can smoothly drain the water generated during operation and can be adapted for dense configuration.

[0005] The fuel cell device of the present invention comprises a shell surrounding and defining an inner space, a flow channel plate arranged in the inner space, two electrode plates spaced from each other and one of which overlaps with the flow channel plate, and a proton exchange membrane sandwiched between the electrode plates.

[0006] The outer shell includes a shell surrounding and defining the inner space, two air pipes connected to the inner space and respectively suitable for introducing hydrogen and oxygen, and a drainage pipe connected to the inner space and suitable for draining water.

[0007] The flow channel plate includes a plurality of straight sections arranged side by side in two rows at intervals from each other along a first axis, and a plurality of connecting sections respectively connected to opposite ends of the straight sections in one row and opposite ends of the straight sections in another row. The straight sections in each row extend along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and define a plurality of openings spaced adjacent to each other along a third axis perpendicular to both the first axis and the second axis. The openings of the straight sections in the two rows are staggered, and the width of each straight section along the third axis is greater than the width of each opening along the third axis, and each straight section has a plurality of air holes that are through-shaped and spaced from each other along the second axis. Every two adjacent connecting sections and the straight sections connected together define a drainage channel extending along the second axis and connected to the individual openings.

[0008] The purpose of the present invention and the solution to its technical problems can be further achieved by adopting the following technical measures.

[0009] Preferably, in the aforementioned fuel cell device, the flow channel plate is made of a material that will deform at a bend when subjected to an external force.

[0010] Preferably, in the aforementioned fuel cell device, each electrode plate includes a reaction portion for contacting the proton exchange membrane, and a connection portion extending outward from the reaction portion.

[0011] Preferably, in the aforementioned fuel cell device, each electrode plate has a plurality of penetrating micropores.

[0012] Preferably, in the aforementioned fuel cell device, the pore size of each micropore of each electrode plate is 0.01 to 0.02 mm.

[0013] Preferably, the aforementioned fuel cell device, wherein the fuel cell device further includes a flow guide module terminated at one end of the flow channel plate toward the air duct, the flow guide module includes an outer side surface located on a side close to the air duct, a buffer groove recessed in the outer side surface and for the air duct to pass through, and a connecting surface located on a side opposite to the outer side surface; the connecting surface has an embedding groove whose shape corresponds to one end of the flow channel plate and for the flow channel plate to be embedded, and a plurality of air inlet holes that are spaced apart from each other and whose positions correspond to the drainage channels, respectively, and are connected to the buffer groove.

[0014] Preferably, in the aforementioned fuel cell device, the flow guide module is made of a material that does not chemically react with hydrogen or oxygen.

[0015] The beneficial effect of the present invention is that when the drainage channel is formed by using the flow channel plate that is directly in contact with one of the electrode plates, the width of each straight section along the third axis is greater than the width of each opening along the third axis, so that the connecting section is inclined relative to the straight section, so that the flow channel plate as a whole has room for deformation along the first axis, thereby being able to produce a buffering effect. Even when a plurality of the fuel cell devices are repeatedly stacked to increase the power supply, when the flow channel plate is subjected to external forces along the first axis caused by the stacking, the connecting section can still be supported between the straight sections, limiting the deformation along the first axis and maintaining the formed drainage channel, so that the water generated by the operation can be continuously drained through the drainage channel, which is conducive to coping with dense configuration. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is a perspective exploded view illustrating a first embodiment of a fuel cell device of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram illustrating the use of repeatedly stacking multiple basic units;

[0018] Figure 3 is a partially enlarged side view illustrating the flow channel plate of the first embodiment;

[0019] Figure 4 It is an incomplete top view, consisting of different Figure 3 A perspective view illustrating a plurality of straight sections of the flow channel plate;

[0020] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the deformation of the flow channel plate caused by external force;

[0021] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating two electrode plates and a proton exchange membrane of the first embodiment, and the water generated by the drainage operation using the flow channel plate;

[0022] Figure 7 is a perspective exploded view illustrating a second embodiment of a fuel cell device of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 8 It is a perspective and Figure 7 A different and partially enlarged three-dimensional exploded view illustrating the flow guide module of the second embodiment; Fig. 9 It is a cross-sectional view illustrating the connection relationship between the guide module and the flow channel plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0025] See also Figure 1 , is a first embodiment of the fuel cell device of the present invention, and the first embodiment comprises a housing 1 surrounding and defining an inner space 100, a flow channel plate 2 disposed in the inner space 100, two electrode plates 3 spaced apart from each other and one of which overlaps with the flow channel plate 2, and a proton exchange membrane 4 sandwiched between the electrode plates 3. It should be noted that the first embodiment is described in the form of a basic unit, and in actual use, it can be as follows Figure 2 As shown, two basic units are repeatedly stacked, or even more basic units are stacked to meet the required power supply, and are not limited to the operation of a single basic unit of the first embodiment. The principle of generating electricity and producing byproduct water through the proton exchange membrane 4 after the introduction of hydrogen and oxygen is not the technical focus required by this case, so it will not be repeated in the following.

[0026] The outer shell 1 includes a shell 10 surrounding and defining the inner space 100, two air pipes 11 connected to the inner space 100 and respectively suitable for introducing hydrogen and oxygen, and a drain pipe 12 connected to the inner space 100 and suitable for draining water. Specifically, the shell 10 has a shell cover 101 that is generally convex, and a frame 102 that can be combined with the shell cover 101 to limit the flow channel plate 2. However, it should be emphasized that the specific shape of the shell 10 is not limited to the state shown in the drawings of the present case as long as it can actually define a space sufficient to accommodate the flow channel plate 2, the electrode plate 3, and the proton exchange membrane 4. In addition, the air pipe 11 can be connected to a hydrogen source and an oxygen source respectively, and the drain pipe 12 can be connected to a downstream water storage or drainage device.

[0027] See also Figure 3 and Figure 4 And cooperate Figure 1 The flow channel plate 2 includes a plurality of straight sections 21 arranged in two rows spaced apart from each other along a first axis L1, and a plurality of connecting sections 22 respectively connected between opposite ends of the straight sections 21 in one row and opposite ends of the straight sections 21 in another row. The straight sections 21 in each row extend along a second axis L2 perpendicular to the first axis L1, and define a plurality of openings 201 spaced apart from each other along a third axis L3 perpendicular to both the first axis L1 and the second axis L2. The openings 201 of the straight sections 21 in the two rows are mutually offset, that is, if each straight section 21 is concerned, one of the openings 201 in the other row will be aligned along the first axis L1.

[0028] The width of each straight section 21 along the third axis L3 is greater than the width of each through-hole 201 along the third axis L3, so that each straight section 21 and the two connecting sections 22 connected at opposite ends thereof will jointly form a triangle-shaped cross section perpendicular to the second axis L2, and each through-hole 201 is located at one of the vertices of the triangle. Therefore, each two adjacent connecting sections 22 and the straight section 21 connected together will define a drainage channel 200 extending along the second axis L2 and communicating with each through-hole 201.

[0029] It should be noted that, because the flow channel plate 2 is made of a material that will produce moderate deformation at the bend after being subjected to external force, the flow channel plate 2 can produce moderate deformation and accumulate elastic recovery force when subjected to external force along the first axis L1, thereby forming a buffer mechanism. Each straight section 21 has a plurality of vents 210 that are through-shaped and spaced apart from each other along the second axis L2. If the flow channel plate 2 is subjected to external force and is excessively deformed, or even the opening 201 is blocked, the vents 210 can still play the role of conducting gas and discharging water.

[0030] Re-read Figure 1 Each electrode plate 3 includes a reaction portion 31 for contacting the proton exchange membrane 4, and a connection portion 32 extending outward from the reaction portion 31. Each electrode plate 3 has a plurality of micropores 300 formed on the reaction portion 31 and penetrating therethrough, and the aperture of each micropore 300 is 0.01 to 0.02 mm, and preferably 0.01 mm, so that the water liquid mainly generated around the proton exchange membrane 4 due to the reaction of generating electricity can be discharged in a direction away from the proton exchange membrane 4 through the micropores 300. In addition, since the connection portion 32 of the electrode plate 3 extends outside the inner space 100, when the electrode plates 3 represent the cathode and the anode respectively, the external electrical equipment can use the electricity generated by the operation of the first embodiment as long as it is electrically connected to the connection portion 32 of the electrode plate 3.

[0031] See also Figure 5When multiple first embodiments need to be densely configured for use, multiple first embodiments are usually stacked in the direction of the first axis L1. Therefore, when the flow channel plate 2 is superimposed on the electrode plate 3, it will be subjected to external force in the direction of the first axis L1. At this time, since the width of the straight section 21 of the flow channel plate 2 along the third axis L3 is greater than the width of the through-port 201 along the third axis L3, the connecting section 22 will be inclined relative to the straight section 21, so the flow channel plate 2 as a whole has room for deformation along the first axis L1, thereby generating a buffering effect. In addition, the connection between the straight section 21 and the connecting section 22 can also be deformed due to the material relationship. Therefore, when subjected to external force in the direction of the first axis L1, the adjacent straight sections 21 along the third axis L3 will be closer, that is, the through-port 201 will be deformed to narrow it, so that support along the first axis L1 can be formed through the connecting section 22. Without affecting the overall structural strength, the through opening 201 is narrowed due to deformation, so as to contact the straight section 21 of one of the electrode plates 3, thereby being able to push against the electrode plate 3 and actually contact the proton exchange membrane 4, thereby ensuring that the reaction portion 31 of the electrode plate 3 can have a larger area to contact the proton exchange membrane 4, thereby optimizing the power generation efficiency of the first embodiment.

[0032] It should be noted that when more first embodiments are stacked together, each first embodiment should be subjected to a greater external force along the first axis L1, whether considering the weight factor or the degree of interlocking. When the external force is large, the flow channel plate 2 may be deformed greatly, that is, the adjacent straight sections 21 may be almost fitted along the third axis L3, making the opening 201 almost closed. At this time, even if the introduced gas is difficult to flow through the opening 201, the air vents 210 (see FIG. 21 ) of the straight section 21 can pass through the air vents 210. Figure 1 or Figure 4 ), the introduced gas can still flow along the direction of the first axis L1 and then contact the proton exchange membrane 4 through the micropores 300 of the electrode plate 3, thereby ensuring the normal operation of the first embodiment.

[0033] See also Figure 6 And cooperate Figure 5 When the first embodiment is operating to generate electricity, the generated water can seep out through the micropores 300 of the electrode plate 3. Due to the supporting force generated by the connecting section 22 of the flow channel plate 2, even if it is subjected to a large external force due to repeated stacking, the space of the drainage channel 200 can still be maintained, so that the generated water can be smoothly and continuously drained out through the drainage pipe 12 connected to the drainage channel 200, avoiding water accumulation and affecting the normal operation of the first embodiment.

[0034] See also Figure 7 and Figure 8 , is a second embodiment of the fuel cell device of the present invention. The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that the second embodiment further includes a flow guide module 5 connected to one end of the flow channel plate 2 facing the air guide tube 11. In order to prevent the flow guide module 5 from affecting the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, it is made of a material that does not chemically react with hydrogen or oxygen, and is preferably made of aluminum or polypropylene (PP). The flow guide module 5 includes an outer side surface 51 located on a side close to the air guide tube 11, a buffer groove 52 recessed in the outer side surface 51 and for the air guide tube 11 to pass through, and a connecting surface 53 located on a side opposite to the outer side surface 51. The connecting surface 53 has an embedding groove 531 corresponding to one end of the flow channel plate 2 and for the flow channel plate 2 to be embedded, and a plurality of air inlet holes 532 spaced from each other and corresponding in position to the drainage channel 200 and connected to the buffer groove 52.

[0035] See also Fig. 9 And cooperate Figure 7 and Figure 8 , because the hydrogen and oxygen introduced by the air guide pipe 11 will first enter the buffer tank 52 and be evenly mixed, and then be introduced into the drainage channel 200 through the air inlet hole 532 to react, so when the gas to be reacted is introduced into the drainage channel 200 and then contacts the proton exchange membrane 4 through the air vent 210, it is already evenly mixed, which can improve the reaction efficiency. In addition, when the flow channel plate 2 is embedded in the flow guide module 5, because the flow guide module 5 is still made of a slightly elastic material and the structure also has its elastic margin, it can still deform along the first axis L1 together with the flow channel plate 2, so as to achieve the same stacking effect as the first embodiment.

Claims

1. A fuel cell device, comprising a housing, the housing comprising a shell surrounding an inner space, two air pipes connected to the inner space and respectively adapted to introduce hydrogen and oxygen, and a drainage pipe connected to the inner space and adapted to drain water; characterized in that: The fuel cell device further comprises A flow channel plate is arranged in the inner space and includes A plurality of straight sections are arranged in two rows spaced apart from each other along a first axis, the straight sections in each row extend along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and define a plurality of through openings spaced apart from each other along a third axis perpendicular to both the first axis and the second axis, the through openings of the straight sections in the two rows are staggered, and the width of each straight section along the third axis is greater than the width of each through opening along the third axis, and each straight section has a plurality of through-holes spaced apart from each other along the second axis, and A plurality of connecting sections, respectively connected to opposite ends of the straight sections in one row and opposite ends of the straight sections in another row, wherein each two adjacent connecting sections and the connected straight sections define a drainage channel extending along the second axis and communicating with the respective through openings; Two electrode plates, spaced apart from each other and one of the electrode plates overlaps with the flow channel plate; and The proton exchange membrane is sandwiched between the electrode plates.

2. The fuel cell device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flow channel plate is made of a material that will deform at the bend when subjected to external force.

3. The fuel cell device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each electrode plate includes a reaction portion for contacting the proton exchange membrane and a connection portion extending outward from the reaction portion.

4. The fuel cell device according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that: Each electrode plate has a plurality of penetrating micropores.

5. The fuel cell device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The pore size of each micropore of each electrode plate is 0.01 to 0.02 mm.

6. The fuel cell device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The fuel cell device further comprises a flow guide module connected to one end of the flow channel plate facing the air guide pipe, the flow guide module comprising An outer side surface, located on a side close to the airway tube; A buffer groove, which is recessed on the outer side surface and through which the air guide pipe passes; and The connecting surface is located on the side opposite to the outer side surface and has an embedding groove corresponding to one end of the flow channel plate and for the flow channel plate to be embedded, and a plurality of air inlet holes which are spaced from each other and respectively correspond to the drainage channels and are connected to the buffer groove.

7. The fuel cell device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The flow guide module is made of a material that does not chemically react with hydrogen or oxygen.

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