A fuel cell air pump filter structure

Abstract

This invention provides a fuel cell air pump filter structure, including an air inlet sealing cover, an air pump filter element, a fixing structure, an air pump filter air inlet sealing structure, a rubber sealing gasket, a rubber sealing ring, and an air pump fixing hole. The air pump filter structure is fixed to the air pump inlet via the fixing structure and the air pump fixing hole. The air pump filter air inlet sealing structure includes an air inlet channel, a sealing groove, an air inlet, a slot, an air pump interface, and a sealing boss. The air inlet sealing cover is snapped onto the slot, the air pump filter element is placed on the air inlet, the rubber sealing gasket is fitted onto the sealing boss, and the rubber sealing ring is fitted onto the sealing groove. This invention provides efficient and targeted protection for the air pump. Regardless of whether there is overall protection within the fuel cell system, the air inlet is firmly controlled in front of the air pump filter element. This solves the problems of lack of targeted protection for the air pump in overall protection and the uncontrollability of risks, while retaining the advantages of overall protection such as ease of operation, processing, and replacement, and reducing the risks of fuel cell stack performance degradation, short circuits, and hydrogen leakage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fuel cell technology, and more particularly to a fuel cell air pump filter structure. Background Technology

[0002] The fuel cell stack, as the most crucial core component of a fuel cell, is the sole source of discharge, and its discharge reaction requires the combination of hydrogen and air. Before feeding liquid fuels (methanol, ethanol, diesel, etc.), filtration measures such as liquid filters can be used to ensure the controllability of fuel composition before it enters the stack, extending the lifespan of the fuel cell and improving its safety and reliability. Air, equally important in the electrochemical reaction, is typically supplied and regulated by an air pump. Currently, air filtration in fuel cell systems usually involves surface-level air filtration protection, i.e., overall protection. While convenient, this method places high demands on the overall system protection, and if the outer shell is damaged, all protective measures will fail, potentially leading to risks such as stack performance degradation due to impurities, short circuits, and even overheating of the reformer combustion chamber and hydrogen leakage in high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the shortcomings of the aforementioned air pump, such as the lack of targeted protection in overall system protection and the uncontrollable risks, this invention provides a fuel cell air pump filtration structure. This invention provides highly efficient targeted protection for the air pump, ensuring that the air inlet is firmly controlled in front of the air pump filter element, regardless of whether overall protection exists within the fuel cell system.

[0004] The technical means employed in this invention are as follows: A fuel cell air pump filter structure includes: an air inlet sealing cover, an air pump filter element, a fixing structure, an air pump filter air inlet sealing structure, a rubber sealing gasket, a rubber sealing ring, and an air pump fixing hole; wherein: The fuel cell air pump filter structure is fixed to the air pump inlet by a fixing structure and air pump fixing holes. The air pump filter inlet sealing structure includes an air inlet channel, a sealing groove, a first air inlet, a slot, an air pump interface, and a sealing boss; the air inlet sealing cover is fastened to the slot, the air pump filter element is set on the first air inlet, the rubber sealing gasket is sleeved on the sealing boss, and the rubber sealing ring is sleeved on the sealing groove.

[0005] Furthermore, the air inlet channel in the air pump filter air inlet sealing structure is located below the first air inlet, which is used to increase the filter area of ​​the filter element and extend the durability of the filtration time.

[0006] Furthermore, a second air inlet is provided on the air inlet sealing cover, and a disassembly edge is provided on the edge of the air inlet sealing cover.

[0007] Furthermore, the air pump filter element is a detachable, circular, customizable item, including a filter element and a fixing sealing strip wrapped around the outer ring of the filter element.

[0008] Furthermore, the fixing structure includes a front sheet metal processing part and a rear sheet metal processing part.

[0009] Furthermore, the sheet metal part before fixing is provided with a fixing hole for the air pump filter structure and a through hole for the sheet metal part before fixing, and the fixing hole for the air pump filter structure is sleeved on the fuel cell air pump filter structure.

[0010] Furthermore, the fixed sheet metal processing part includes a sheet metal plate and brackets connected to both ends of the sheet metal plate. The sheet metal plate has a fixing hole for the air pump filter structure at its center, and the brackets have through holes for fixing the fixed sheet metal processing part at their bottoms.

[0011] Furthermore, the fixed sheet metal part is a rectangular sheet metal plate, and the rectangular sheet metal plate is respectively provided with screw threads of the fixed sheet metal part corresponding to the through hole and a through hole for fixing the air pump. The through hole for fixing the air pump is fitted on the air pump fixing hole, and the through hole for fixing the sheet metal part is fitted on the screw threads of the fixed sheet metal part.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: 1. The fuel cell air pump filter structure provided by this invention not only solves the problems of lack of targeted protection for the air pump in the overall protection and the uncontrollability of its risks, but also retains the characteristics of convenient operation, convenient processing and convenient replacement of the overall protection, and provides efficient protection for the air pump, thereby indirectly reducing the risks of fuel cell stack performance degradation, short circuit, and even overheating of the reformer combustion chamber and hydrogen leakage in high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells.

[0013] 2. The fuel cell air pump filter structure provided by this invention provides efficient and targeted protection for the air pump. Regardless of whether there is overall protection within the fuel cell system, the air inlet is firmly controlled in front of the air pump filter element.

[0014] 3. The fuel cell air pump filter structure provided by the present invention is very convenient to disassemble and replace the raw material filter element. The structure can be finely adjusted according to the shape of the air pump, the size of its air inlet and the space it occupies in the fuel cell. It can be easily realized through lathe machining and 3D printing technologies.

[0015] Based on the above reasons, this invention can be widely applied in fields such as fuel cells. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art 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 based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the fuel cell air pump filter structure and fixing structure of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell air pump filter structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell air pump filter structure provided in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the fuel cell air pump filter provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the external structure of an air pump provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the external structure of an air pump provided in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the air pump filter air inlet sealing structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of an air pump filter inlet sealing structure provided in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the air pump filter air inlet sealing structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the rubber sealing ring structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the rubber sealing gasket structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the air pump filter element structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the air inlet sealing cover structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the air inlet sealing cover structure provided in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fixed front sheet metal processing part provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fixed sheet metal processing part provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] In the diagram: 1. Air inlet sealing cover; 2. Air pump filter element; 3. Air pump; 4. Pre-fixed sheet metal processing part; 5. Rear-fixed sheet metal processing part; 6. Air pump filter air inlet sealing structure; 7. Rubber sealing gasket; 8. Rubber sealing ring; 9. Air pump air inlet; 10. Air pump air outlet; 11. Air pump fixing hole; 12. Air inlet channel; 13. Sealing groove; 14. First air inlet; 15. Slot; 17. Air pump interface; 18. Sealing boss; 19. Filter element; 20. Fixing sealing strip; 21. Second air inlet; 22. Disassembly edge; 23. Air pump filter structure fixing hole; 24. Pre-fixed sheet metal processing part through hole; 25. Pre-fixed sheet metal processing part screw thread hole; 26. Fixing air pump through hole. Detailed Implementation

[0034] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in the present invention can be combined with each other. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0035] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention 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. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit the present invention or its application or use. 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.

[0036] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of exemplary embodiments according to the invention. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0037] Unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement, numerical expressions, and values ​​of the components and steps described in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention. It should also be understood that, for ease of description, the dimensions of the various parts shown in the drawings are not drawn to actual scale. Techniques, methods, and devices known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and devices should be considered part of the specification. In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limitations. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values. It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters in the following figures denote similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it need not be further discussed in subsequent figures.

[0038] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by directional terms such as "front, back, up, down, left, right", "horizontal, vertical, horizontal" and "top, bottom" is generally based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description. Unless otherwise stated, these directional terms 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 on the scope of protection of this invention. The directional terms "inner" and "outer" refer to the inner and outer contours relative to the outline of each component itself.

[0039] For ease of description, spatial relative terms such as "above," "over," "on the upper surface of," "above," etc., are used herein to describe the spatial positional relationship of a device or feature as shown in the figures to other devices or features. It should be understood that spatial relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations in use or operation besides the orientation of the device as described in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is inverted, a device described as "above" or "above" other devices or structures would subsequently be positioned as "below" or "under" other devices or structures. Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both "above" and "below." The device may also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptions used herein will be interpreted accordingly.

[0040] Furthermore, it should be noted that the use of terms such as "first" and "second" to define components is merely for the purpose of distinguishing the corresponding components. Unless otherwise stated, the above terms have no special meaning and therefore should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this invention.

[0041] like Figure 1-6As shown, the present invention provides a fuel cell air pump filter structure, including: an air inlet sealing cover 1, an air pump filter element 2, a fixing structure, an air pump filter air inlet sealing structure 6, a rubber sealing gasket 7, a rubber sealing ring 8, and an air pump fixing hole 11; wherein: like Figure 1 As shown, the fuel cell air pump filter structure is fixed to the air pump inlet 9 by a fixing structure and air pump fixing hole 11; through the principle of axial sealing, the compression force between the fuel cell air pump filter structure and the air pump 3 can effectively seal the interface that is difficult to seal, and finally the air can only enter from the air inlet 21 of the air inlet sealing cover, thereby achieving the air filtration effect.

[0042] like Figure 7-9 As shown, the air pump filter inlet sealing structure 6 includes an air inlet channel 12, a sealing groove 13, a first air inlet 14, a retaining groove 15, an air pump interface 17, and a sealing boss 18; the air inlet sealing cover 1 is fastened to the retaining groove 13, the air pump filter element 2 is disposed on the first air inlet 14, the rubber sealing gasket 7 is sleeved on the sealing boss 18, and the rubber sealing ring 8 is sleeved on the sealing groove 13. Figure 10 , 11 The diagram shows the structure of the rubber sealing gasket 7 and the rubber sealing ring 8 provided in an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the air inlet sealing cover 1 is tightly fastened to the slot 15 of the air pump filter air inlet sealing structure 6. The radial sealing structure not only achieves a good sealing effect, but also is very convenient to install and remove. The design of the slot 15 makes its sealing effect even better.

[0043] In a specific implementation, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the air inlet channel 12 in the air pump filter air inlet sealing structure is located below the first air inlet 14, which is used to increase the filter area of ​​the filter element and extend the durability of the filtration time.

[0044] In specific implementation, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 12 As shown, the air pump filter element 2 is a detachable, circular, customizable item, including a filter element 19 and a fixing sealing strip 20 that is wrapped around the outer ring of the filter element. It is very convenient from both the perspective of raw materials and finished product processing, as well as from the perspective of replacement.

[0045] In specific implementation, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 13 , 14 As shown, the air inlet sealing cover 1 has a second air inlet 21, and a disassembly edge (22) is provided on the edge of the air inlet sealing cover 1. In this embodiment, the disassembly edge 22 is designed on the air inlet sealing cover 1 to make the replacement operation more user-friendly.

[0046] In a specific implementation, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fixing structure includes a front sheet metal processing part 4 and a rear sheet metal processing part 5.

[0047] like Figure 15 The diagram shows a structural schematic of the pre-fixed sheet metal part 4. The pre-fixed sheet metal part 4 has one air pump filter structure fixing hole 23 and four pre-fixed sheet metal part through holes 24. The air pump filter structure fixing hole 23 is fitted onto the fuel cell air pump filter structure. The pre-fixed sheet metal part 4 includes a sheet metal plate and four brackets connected to both ends of the sheet metal plate. The air pump filter structure fixing hole 23 is located at the center of the sheet metal plate, and four pre-fixed sheet metal part through holes 24 are respectively located at the bottom of the four brackets.

[0048] like Figure 16 As shown, the fixed sheet metal processing part 5 is a rectangular sheet metal plate. The rectangular sheet metal plate is provided with four screw threads 25 corresponding to the four through holes and four air pump through holes 26. The air pump through holes 26 are fitted on the air pump fixing hole 11, and the fixed sheet metal processing part through holes 24 are fitted on the screw threads 25 of the fixed sheet metal processing part.

[0049] The installation process of the fuel cell air pump filter structure provided in this embodiment is as follows: like Figure 4 As shown, the rubber sealing ring 8 is fitted onto the sealing groove 13 of the air pump filter inlet sealing structure 6, and the air pump filter element 2 is positioned on the first air inlet 14 of the air pump filter inlet sealing structure 6; as Figure 2 As shown, the air inlet sealing cover 1 is tightly fastened onto the slot 15 of the air pump filter air inlet sealing structure 6; as Figure 3 As shown, the rubber sealing gasket 7 is fitted onto the sealing boss 18 of the air pump interface 17 of the air pump filter inlet sealing structure 6; as Figure 1 As shown, it will be as follows Figure 2 and 3 The air pump filter structure shown is installed on the air pump inlet 9 of the air pump 3. After fixing, the air pump filter structure fixing hole 23 of the sheet metal part 5 is fitted onto the air pump filter structure, and the fixing air pump through hole 26 is fitted onto the air pump fixing hole 11. Before fixing, the sheet metal part 4 is arranged as shown in the figure. Figure 1 As shown, the through hole 24 of the fixed sheet metal part is installed into the screw thread hole 25 of the unfixed sheet metal part, and then installed in the fuel cell system to achieve the air filtration effect. The present invention proposes an exemplary structure, and the structure can be appropriately fine-tuned according to the shape of the air pump, its air inlet size, and the space it occupies in the fuel cell.

[0050] 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 fuel cell air pump filter structure, characterized in that, include: The components include an air inlet sealing cover (1), an air pump filter element (2), a fixing structure, an air pump filter air inlet sealing structure (6), a rubber sealing gasket (7), a rubber sealing ring (8), and an air pump fixing hole (11); among which: The fuel cell air pump filter structure is fixed to the air pump inlet (9) by a fixing structure and an air pump fixing hole (11); The air pump filter inlet sealing structure (6) includes an air inlet channel (12), a sealing groove (13), a first air inlet (14), a slot (15), an air pump interface (17), and a sealing boss (18); the air inlet sealing cover (1) is fastened to the slot (15), the air pump filter element (2) is set on the first air inlet (14), the rubber sealing gasket (7) is sleeved on the sealing boss (18), and the rubber sealing ring (8) is sleeved on the sealing groove (13).

2. The fuel cell air pump filter structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air inlet channel (12) in the air pump filter air inlet sealing structure is located below the first air inlet (14) to increase the filter area of ​​the filter element and prolong the filtration time.

3. The fuel cell air pump filter structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air inlet sealing cover (1) is provided with a second air inlet (21), and a disassembly edge (22) is provided on the edge of the air inlet sealing cover (1).

4. The fuel cell air pump filter structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air pump filter element (2) is a detachable, round, customizable item, including a filter element (19) and a fixing sealing strip (20) that is wrapped around the outer ring of the filter element.

5. The fuel cell air pump filter structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixing structure includes a front sheet metal processing part (4) and a rear sheet metal processing part (5).

6. The fuel cell air pump filter structure according to claim 5, characterized in that, The fixed sheet metal processing part (4) is provided with a gas pump filter structure fixing hole (23) and a fixed sheet metal processing part through hole (24). The gas pump filter structure fixing hole (23) is sleeved on the fuel cell gas pump filter structure.

7. The fuel cell air pump filter structure according to claim 6, characterized in that, The fixed sheet metal processing part (4) includes a sheet metal plate and a bracket connected to both ends of the sheet metal plate. The air pump filter structure fixing hole (23) is opened at the center of the sheet metal plate, and the bottom of the bracket is respectively opened with a fixed sheet metal processing part through hole (24).

8. The fuel cell air pump filter structure according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The fixed sheet metal processing part (5) is a rectangular sheet metal plate. The rectangular sheet metal plate is provided with screw thread holes (25) of the fixed sheet metal processing part corresponding to the through hole and a fixed air pump through hole (26). The fixed air pump through hole (26) is fitted on the air pump fixing hole (11), and the fixed sheet metal processing part through hole (24) is fitted on the screw thread hole (25) of the fixed sheet metal processing part.

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