Flow distribution mechanism and fuel cell

Abstract

The application provides a flow distribution mechanism and a fuel cell, and relates to the technical field of fuel cells.The flow distribution mechanism comprises a busbar and a valve piece.The busbar is provided with a mounting port and a flow channel, and the mounting port is in communication with the flow channel.The valve piece is inserted into the mounting port, and is used for adjusting the communication state of the flow channel.The flow distribution mechanism and the fuel cell realize integrated installation of the busbar and the valve piece, reduce the space occupied by the flow distribution mechanism, and improve the equipment integration and compactness.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fuel cell technology, and in particular to a flow distribution mechanism and a fuel cell. Background Technology

[0002] In a fuel cell system, the cooling module circulates coolant through the opening and closing of valves in conjunction with the pressure of a water pump, ensuring the normal operation of the fuel cell system. During this process, a bypass valve controls the flow distribution across multiple loops, thereby ensuring the proper functioning of the cooling system.

[0003] Typically, the bypass valve and the manifold are connected by pipes and bolted together. This results in a large number of parts in the flow distribution mechanism of the cooling module and a low degree of equipment integration. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a flow distribution mechanism and a fuel cell to improve the integration of the flow distribution mechanism.

[0005] In a first aspect, the flow distribution mechanism provided by the present invention includes: a manifold and a valve;

[0006] The manifold is provided with an installation port and a flow channel, and the installation port is connected to the flow channel;

[0007] The valve is inserted into the mounting port and is used to adjust the connectivity of the flow channel.

[0008] In conjunction with the first aspect, the present invention provides a first possible implementation of the first aspect, wherein the valve element includes a valve core;

[0009] The valve core has an inner cavity and multiple side holes, the multiple side holes are spaced apart around the inner cavity, and all of the multiple side holes communicate with the inner cavity;

[0010] The valve core is movably installed in the mounting port to adjust the communication state between the side hole and the flow channel.

[0011] In conjunction with the first possible implementation of the first aspect, the present invention provides a second possible implementation of the first aspect, wherein a drive device is mounted on the manifold, the drive device is kinetically connected to the valve core, and the drive device covers the mounting port.

[0012] In conjunction with the first possible implementation of the first aspect, the present invention provides a third possible implementation of the first aspect, wherein, on the circumference of the inner cavity, the central angle corresponding to any of the side holes is 50° to 70°, and the central angle corresponding to any two adjacent side hole spacing regions is 50° to 70°.

[0013] In conjunction with the first possible implementation of the first aspect, the present invention provides a fourth possible implementation of the first aspect, wherein the flow channel includes: an axial side port and a plurality of side flow ports;

[0014] The axial port is in fluid communication with the inner cavity, and a plurality of the side ports are arranged at intervals around the valve core;

[0015] In the first connected state, all of the multiple side holes are misaligned with the side outlet, thus separating the inner cavity from the side outlet;

[0016] In the second connected state, one of the plurality of side holes is connected to one of the side outlets;

[0017] In the third connected state, the multiple side holes are connected to the multiple side flow ports one by one.

[0018] In conjunction with the fourth possible implementation of the first aspect, the present invention provides a fifth possible implementation of the first aspect, wherein a seal is installed in the mounting port, and the seal fills the space between the inner wall of the mounting port and the valve core.

[0019] In conjunction with the fifth possible implementation of the first aspect, the present invention provides a sixth possible implementation of the first aspect, wherein the sealing member is provided with a plurality of guide holes, and the plurality of guide holes are connected to the plurality of side outlets in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0020] In conjunction with the fifth possible implementation of the first aspect, the present invention provides a seventh possible implementation of the first aspect, wherein the sealing member is provided with a limiting portion adapted to the manifold.

[0021] In conjunction with the fifth possible implementation of the first aspect, the present invention provides an eighth possible implementation of the first aspect, wherein the valve core is coaxial with and connected to the mandrel, the seal is provided with a shaft bracket, and the mandrel is inserted into a shaft hole on the shaft bracket.

[0022] Secondly, the fuel cell provided by the present invention includes the flow distribution mechanism provided in the first aspect.

[0023] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one feasible solution, the fuel cell includes: a first stack and a second stack;

[0024] The coolant outlets of the first fuel cell stack and the second fuel cell stack are respectively in fluid communication with the flow channel.

[0025] The embodiments of the present invention bring the following beneficial effects: the manifold is provided with an installation port and a flow channel, and the installation port is connected to the flow channel. The valve is inserted into the installation port, and the connection state of the flow channel is adjusted by the valve. This realizes the integrated installation of the manifold and the valve, reduces the space occupied by the flow distribution mechanism, and improves the integration and compactness of the equipment.

[0026] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, preferred embodiments are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the specific embodiments or related technologies of the present invention, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or related technologies will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0028] Figure 1 An exploded view of the flow distribution mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the flow distribution mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the valve core and spindle of the flow distribution mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the seal of the flow distribution mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Icons: 100-Manifold; 110-Mounting port; 120-Flow channel; 121-Shaft side port; 122-First side flow port; 123-Second side flow port; 200-Valve component; 210-Valve core; 211-Inner cavity; 212-First side hole; 213-Second side hole; 220-Drive component; 230-Mandrel; 300-Seal; 301-Flow guide hole; 302-Limiting part; 310-Shaft bracket. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The technical solution of the present invention will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. 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 noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. Physical quantities in formulas, unless otherwise specified, should be understood as basic quantities in the International System of Units (SI), or derived quantities derived from basic quantities through mathematical operations such as multiplication, division, differentiation, or integration.

[0035] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0036] Example 1

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, the flow distribution mechanism provided in this embodiment of the invention includes: a manifold 100 and a valve 200; the manifold 100 is provided with an installation port 110 and a flow channel 120, the installation port 110 and the flow channel 120 are connected; the valve 200 is inserted into the installation port 110, and the valve 200 is used to adjust the connection state of the flow channel 120.

[0038] In this embodiment, the main body of the manifold 100 is made of PPS, which is relatively hard and has good water absorption. An installation port 110 is directly opened on the manifold 100, and the valve 200 is inserted and installed in the installation port 110. This eliminates the need for piping to connect the manifold 100 and the valve 200, reducing the number of parts in the upper flow distribution mechanism, shrinking the space occupied by the flow distribution mechanism, and improving the integration and compactness of the equipment.

[0039] It should be noted that the valve 200 can slide or rotate relative to the manifold 100. During this process, when the valve 200 blocks the flow channel 120, the flow channel 120 is blocked and its opening is reduced until it is closed; conversely, when the blocking part of the valve 200 avoids the flow channel 120, the opening of the flow channel 120 can be gradually increased until it is fully opened.

[0040] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, in this embodiment of the invention, the valve 200 includes a valve core 210; the valve core 210 is provided with an inner cavity 211 and a plurality of side holes, the plurality of side holes are spaced around the inner cavity 211, and all the side holes are connected to the inner cavity 211; the valve core 210 is movably installed in the mounting port 110 to adjust the communication state between the side holes and the flow channel 120.

[0041] When the valve core 210 rotates around its own axis, the position of the side hole is displaced relative to the inner wall of the mounting port 110. When the side hole is opposite to and connected to the flow channel 120, the flow channel 120 is in the open state; when the side hole is misaligned with the flow channel 120 and is no longer connected, the flow channel 120 is in the closed state.

[0042] Furthermore, on the circumference of the inner cavity 211, the central angle corresponding to any side hole is 50° to 70°, and the central angle corresponding to the interval between any two adjacent side holes is 50° to 70°.

[0043] In this embodiment, there are two side holes, namely a first side hole 212 and a second side hole 213. On the circumference of the inner cavity 211, the central angles corresponding to the first side hole 212 and the second side hole 213 are both 50° to 70°. On the circumference of the inner cavity 211, the central angles corresponding to the interval between the first side hole 212 and the second side hole 213 are 50° to 70°.

[0044] Furthermore, a drive unit 220 is mounted on the manifold 100, which is connected to the valve core 210 in a driving connection, and the drive unit 220 covers the mounting port 110.

[0045] Specifically, the drive unit 220 is fixed relative to the manifold 100, and the drive shaft of the drive unit 220 is connected to the valve core 210. The drive unit 220 drives the valve core 210 to rotate around its own axis in the mounting port 110, thereby enabling the switching of the connection state.

[0046] It should be noted that the housing of the drive unit 220 has a closed end face. When the drive unit 220 is connected to the manifold 100, the closed end face covers the mounting port 110, thereby sealing the valve core 210 inside the mounting port 110.

[0047] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the flow channel 120 includes: a axial side port 121 and a plurality of side ports;

[0048] The axial port 121 is in fluid communication with the inner cavity 211, and multiple side ports are arranged at intervals around the valve core 210;

[0049] In the first connected state, multiple side holes are misaligned with the side outlet, and the inner cavity 211 is separated from the side outlet, thereby the side outlet is in a completely closed state.

[0050] In the second connected state, one of the multiple side holes is connected to a side outlet, and fluid can enter the inner cavity 211 from the shaft side port 121 and then be discharged through the connected side hole and side outlet. The remaining closed side outlets are reserved for opening.

[0051] In the third connected state, multiple side holes are connected to multiple side flow ports one by one. As the valve core 210 rotates around its own axis, the side holes and side flow ports gradually become misaligned, thereby changing the opening degree of the interface between the side holes and side flow ports. When applied to the cooling cycle, the opening degree can be adjusted according to the operating temperature, so as to give full play to the cooling cycle function under different temperature conditions.

[0052] In this embodiment, two side outlets are provided, namely a first side outlet 122 and a second side outlet 123, which are spaced 180° apart around the circumference of the inner cavity 211. Taking the first connected state as the initial state, both the first side outlet 122 and the second side outlet 123 are blocked by the valve core 210. When the valve core 210 rotates 0-60° around its own axis, it enters the second connected state. At this time, the second side hole 213 is opposite to and connected to the second side outlet 123, and the coolant flows into the inner cavity 211 from the shaft side port 121, and flows out through the second side hole 213 and then through the second side outlet 123. As the valve core 210 rotates, the opening degree of the interface between the second side hole 213 and the second side outlet 123 changes, and the first side hole 212 is always misaligned with the first side outlet 122, thus ensuring that the first side outlet 122 is always blocked by the valve core 210. When the valve core 210 rotates 60° to 120° around its own axis, the second side hole 213 is opposite to and connected to the second side outlet 123, and the first side hole 212 is opposite to and connected to the first side outlet 122. The shaft side outlet 121 and the first side outlet 122 are connected to the coolant outlets of the two fuel cell stacks in a one-to-one correspondence. The coolant flowing into the inner cavity 211 can flow into the second side outlet 123 after passing through the second side hole 213, thereby putting both fuel cell stacks in the cooling circulation open state. By adjusting the rotation of the valve core 210 around its own axis, the blocking area of ​​the valve core 210 on the first side outlet 122 and the second side outlet 123 can be changed, thereby realizing the regulation of the coolant circulation flow rate.

[0053] The shaft-side port 121 and the first side outlet 122 are respectively connected to the two fuel cells in fluid communication. This allows the two fuel cells to share a single valve 200 for coolant flow regulation, saving one valve compared to previous models. The rotation angle of the valve core 210 can be used to control the cooling of the two fuel cells individually, simultaneously activate the cooling cycle of the two fuel cells, and simultaneously deactivate the cooling function of the two fuel cells, which is beneficial for the rapid realization of system cold start.

[0054] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, a seal 300 is installed inside the mounting port 110, and the seal 300 fills the space between the inner wall of the mounting port 110 and the valve core 210.

[0055] The sealing element 300 can be a rubber gasket or a silicone gasket, or it can be replaced with other elastic and wear-resistant materials. The sealing element 300 fills the space between the inner wall of the mounting port 110 and the valve core 210, thereby ensuring that the valve core 210 can tightly seal the side outlet and prevent liquid from seeping into the space between the inner wall of the mounting port 110 and the valve core 210.

[0056] Furthermore, the sealing element 300 is provided with multiple guide holes 301, which are connected to multiple side flow ports one by one. The sealing element 300 is arranged around the inner cavity 211, and the multiple guide holes 301 are connected to multiple side flow ports one by one, thereby improving the sealing performance between the valve core 210 and the mounting port 110 in the circumferential direction while ensuring sealing.

[0057] It should be noted that, in order to ensure that the multiple guide holes 301 are connected to the multiple side flow ports one by one, the seal 300 needs to be fixed in position relative to the manifold 100. The seal 300 is provided with a limiting part 302 that is adapted to the manifold 100. The limiting part 302 adopts a groove or a protrusion. By the limiting part 302 cooperating with the manifold 100, the seal 300 is prevented from rotating around the valve core 210 relative to the manifold 100.

[0058] Furthermore, the valve core 210 and the spindle 230 are coaxial and connected, and the sealing element 300 is provided with a shaft bracket 310, in which the spindle 230 is inserted. In this embodiment, the valve core 210 and the spindle 230 are an integral structure, with the spindle 230 fitting into the shaft hole on the shaft bracket 310, thereby achieving radial positioning of the valve core 210 and the spindle 230, which improves the assembly accuracy of the radial position of the valve core 210. When the valve core 210 blocks the guide hole 301, by improving the radial position stability of the valve core 210, a good seal between the valve core 210 and the sealing element 300 is ensured.

[0059] Example 2

[0060] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the fuel cell provided in this embodiment of the invention includes the aforementioned flow distribution mechanism. The technical effects of the flow distribution mechanism in this embodiment of the invention will not be elaborated further here.

[0061] In one embodiment, the fuel cell includes a first stack and a second stack; the coolant outlets of the first stack and the second stack are respectively in fluid communication with a flow channel 120. The coolant outlet of the first stack is connected to a shaft-side port 121, and the coolant outlet of the second stack is connected to a first side outlet 122. In the first connected state, the circulation of coolant between the first and second stacks and the outside is closed. In the second connected state, the coolant of the first stack flows sequentially through the shaft-side port 121, the inner cavity 211, and the second side outlet 123; the second stack serves as a backup power source, and the circulation of coolant between the second stack and the outside is closed. In the third connected state, both the first and second stacks are in a cooling circulation open state. The angle of the valve core 210 can be adjusted according to the low-temperature cold start state, thereby changing the blocking area of ​​the valve core 210 on the first and second side outlets 122 and 123, thus regulating the coolant circulation flow rate.

[0062] In another embodiment, there are three side outlets and three side holes. The air conditioning system coolant pipeline is in fluid communication with the third side outlet. When the side outlet and the side hole are opposite and connected, the air conditioning system coolant can flow through the third side outlet, the third side hole and the inner cavity 211. The flow rate is regulated by the misalignment of the third side outlet and the third side hole, so that there is no need to set a separate control valve in the air conditioning system coolant circulation pipeline.

[0063] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flow distribution mechanism, characterized in that, include: Manifold (100) and valve (200); The manifold (100) is provided with an installation port (110) and a flow channel (120), and the installation port (110) is connected to the flow channel (120); The valve (200) is inserted into the mounting port (110), and the valve (200) is used to adjust the communication state of the flow channel (120); The valve (200) includes a valve core (210); the valve core (210) has an inner cavity (211) and a plurality of side holes, the plurality of side holes are spaced apart around the inner cavity (211), and the plurality of side holes are all in communication with the inner cavity (211); the valve core (210) is movably installed in the mounting port (110) to adjust the communication state between the side holes and the flow channel (120); The flow channel (120) includes: a shaft-side port (121) and a plurality of side flow ports; the shaft-side port (121) is in fluid communication with the inner cavity (211), and the plurality of side flow ports are spaced apart around the valve core (210); in a first communication state, the plurality of side holes are all misaligned with the side flow ports, and the inner cavity (211) is separated from the side flow ports; in a second communication state, one of the plurality of side holes is in communication with one of the side flow ports; in a third communication state, the plurality of side holes are in one-to-one communication with the plurality of side flow ports; The shaft-side port (121) is used to connect to the coolant outlet of the first fuel cell stack, and one of the side-flow ports is used to connect to the coolant outlet of the second fuel cell stack.

2. The flow distribution mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, A drive unit (220) is mounted on the manifold (100), the drive unit (220) is connected to the valve core (210) in a driving connection, and the drive unit (220) covers the mounting port (110).

3. The flow distribution mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, On the circumference of the inner cavity (211), the central angle corresponding to any of the side holes is 50° to 70°, and the central angle corresponding to the interval between any two adjacent side holes is 50° to 70°.

4. The flow distribution mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, A seal (300) is installed in the mounting port (110), and the seal (300) fills the space between the inner wall of the mounting port (110) and the valve core (210).

5. The flow distribution mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that, The sealing element (300) is provided with a plurality of flow guide holes (301), and the plurality of flow guide holes (301) are connected to the plurality of side flow ports one by one.

6. The flow distribution mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that, The sealing element (300) is provided with a limiting part (302) that is adapted to the manifold (100).

7. The flow distribution mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that, The valve core (210) is coaxial with and connected to the spindle (230), and the sealing element (300) is provided with a shaft bracket (310), and the spindle (230) is inserted into the shaft hole on the shaft bracket (310).

8. A fuel cell, characterized in that, The fuel cell includes the flow distribution mechanism as described in any one of claims 1-7, the first stack, and the second stack.

Images