Fuel cell composite heat dissipation structure and heat dissipation method thereof

Abstract

The application provides a fuel cell composite heat dissipation structure and a heat dissipation method thereof. The structure comprises an electric control board radiator, an electric control board heat dissipation air duct, a gas flow structure, an electric pile heat dissipation air duct and an electric pile heat dissipation radiator which are connected in sequence. The structure reduces unnecessary control points on the electric control board by using a common fan and other air inlet devices, reduces the fuel cell system internal consumption to some extent, and thus reduces the burden of electric control design. In the method, the air inlet of the fuel cell composite heat dissipation structure is cold air, the electric control board is subjected to primary heat dissipation by the electric control board radiator, and the electric pile is subjected to secondary heat dissipation by the electric pile heat dissipation radiator. If the electric pile heat dissipation amount is insufficient due to factors such as the heat dissipation air volume of the secondary heat dissipation and the air inlet temperature, the electric pile is subjected to supplementary heat dissipation by other independent gas flows. The problems of the conventional 'one-to-one' heat dissipation structure, such as the consumption of unnecessary control points on the electric control board, the increase of the fuel cell system internal consumption and the space waste are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fuel cell technology, and more particularly to a composite heat dissipation structure for fuel cells and a heat dissipation method thereof. Background Technology

[0002] As the most crucial core component of a fuel cell system, the fuel cell stack generates heat during discharge. Similarly, the DC-DC or DC-AC converters in the control board, being the main electronic components in the fuel cell system, also generate heat during operation. If the power of natural convection cooling is less than the heat generated by the fuel cell stack and control board components, heat dissipation becomes a critical and necessary measure. Insufficient heat dissipation can lead to: overheating of the fuel cell stack damaging the internal membrane electrode assembly (MEA), rendering the entire component unusable; complete failure of the control board; sudden system shutdown; and, in more serious cases, malfunction of the control board parameters, causing the system to operate without feedback, posing a danger to testing personnel.

[0003] Currently, the conventional design uses a "one-to-one" heat dissipation structure, meaning that the fuel cell stack and the control board components each require their own heat sink and fan for cooling. This design not only consumes unnecessary control points on the control board, but the increased number of electronic components may also increase the internal friction of the fuel cell system, which indirectly increases the burden on the electronic control design and operation, as well as the operation of the fuel cell stack. More importantly, it also wastes space in the fuel cell system, directly affecting the rationality of the overall design of the lithium battery system, and indirectly potentially affecting the thermal design of the fuel cell system, causing certain negative impacts on other components. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the issues raised above regarding the unnecessary control point consumption on the electronic control board, increased internal friction of the fuel cell system, and wasted space associated with conventional "one-to-one" heat dissipation structures, this invention provides a composite heat dissipation structure and method for fuel cells. This invention reduces unnecessary control points on the electronic control board by using a shared fan or similar air intake device, and to a certain extent reduces internal friction of the fuel cell system, thereby reducing the burden on electronic control design.

[0005] The technical means employed in this invention are as follows:

[0006] A fuel cell composite heat dissipation structure includes: a control board heat sink, a control board heat dissipation duct, four gas flow structures, a fuel cell stack heat dissipation duct, and a fuel cell stack heat sink connected in sequence; wherein:

[0007] The radiator of the electronic control board is installed at the air inlet of the heat dissipation duct of the electronic control board. The extension direction of the coolant inlet and coolant outlet of the radiator is opposite to the air inlet direction. The air outlet of the two gas flow structures is set to face the air inlet of the heat dissipation duct of the fuel cell stack, and the air inlet is set to face the air outlet of the heat dissipation duct of the electronic control board.

[0008] The fuel cell stack radiator is installed at the air inlet of the fuel cell stack cooling duct. The coolant inlet and coolant outlet of the fuel cell stack radiator extend in the same direction as the air inlet. The air outlets of the other two gas flow structures are directly opposite the air inlet of the fuel cell stack cooling duct.

[0009] Furthermore, the heat dissipation duct of the electronic control board is composed of a first housing structure and a second housing structure. The first housing structure is located at the front end of the heat dissipation duct of the electronic control board and is used to be fixedly connected to the heat sink of the electronic control board. The second housing structure is located at the rear end of the heat dissipation duct of the electronic control board and is used to form the duct.

[0010] Furthermore, the first housing structure consists of a first upper plate and a first lower plate, and the first upper plate and the first lower plate are respectively provided with through holes for fixing the radiator of the electronic control board, for fixing the radiator of the electronic control board with bolts.

[0011] Furthermore, the second housing structure includes a first inner cavity, the front end of which is an air inlet for the heat dissipation duct of the electronic control board, and the rear end of which is an air outlet for the heat dissipation duct of the electronic control board and a threaded hole for the heat dissipation duct of the electronic control board.

[0012] Furthermore, the fuel cell stack heat dissipation duct is composed of a third shell structure and a fourth shell structure. The third shell structure is located at the front end of the fuel cell stack heat dissipation duct and is used to be fixedly connected to the fuel cell stack heat sink. The fourth shell structure is located at the rear end of the fuel cell stack heat dissipation duct and is used to form the duct.

[0013] Furthermore, the third housing structure is composed of a second upper plate and a second lower plate, and the second upper plate and the second lower plate are respectively provided with through holes for fixing the fuel cell heat sink, for fixing the fuel cell heat sink with bolts.

[0014] Furthermore, the fourth housing structure includes a second inner cavity, the front end of which is an air inlet for the fuel cell heat dissipation duct, and the rear end of which is an air outlet for the fuel cell heat dissipation duct and a threaded hole for the fuel cell heat dissipation duct.

[0015] The present invention also provides a heat dissipation method based on the above-mentioned fuel cell composite heat dissipation structure, comprising:

[0016] The fuel cell composite heat dissipation structure receives cold air, which then passes through the control board radiator to provide primary heat dissipation for the control board. The generated primary heat dissipation air then passes through the stack radiator to provide secondary heat dissipation for the stack. If the heat dissipation of the stack is insufficient due to factors such as the heat dissipation air volume and intake air temperature of the secondary heat dissipation, the stack is supplemented with heat dissipation through other independent gas flows in the structure.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0018] 1. The fuel cell composite heat dissipation structure provided by the present invention can be adjusted according to the heat dissipation of the fuel cell stack and control board, the overall space margin and design specifications in the fuel cell system.

[0019] 2. The fuel cell composite heat dissipation structure provided by the present invention reduces unnecessary control points on the electronic control board by using a shared fan or similar air intake device, and reduces the internal consumption of the fuel cell system to a certain extent, thereby reducing the burden on electronic control design.

[0020] 3. The composite heat dissipation structure for fuel cells provided by this invention saves a certain amount of design space to deal with and handle other indicators in the fuel cell system, thereby indirectly improving the overall performance of the fuel cell system.

[0021] Based on the above reasons, this invention can be widely applied in fields such as fuel cells. Attached Figure Description

[0022] 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.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a composite heat dissipation structure for a fuel cell provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a composite heat dissipation structure for a fuel cell provided in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the heat sink structure of the electronic control board provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the heat dissipation airflow structure of the electronic control board provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the heat dissipation air duct structure of the electronic control board provided in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a cooling fan structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the heat dissipation duct structure of the fuel cell stack provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the heat dissipation duct structure of the fuel cell stack provided in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fuel cell stack heat sink provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] In the diagram: 1. Control board radiator; 2. Control board cooling duct; 2-1. First shell structure; 2-1-1. First upper plate; 2-1-2. First lower plate; 2-2. Second shell structure; 3. Gas flow structure; 4. Stack cooling duct; 4-1. Third shell structure; 4-1-1. Second upper plate; 4-1-2. Second lower plate; 4-2. Fourth shell structure; 5. Stack radiator; 6. Control board radiator coolant inlet; 7. Control board radiator cooling fins; 8. Control board radiator fixing threaded hole; 9. Control board radiator coolant outlet. ; 10. Control board heat sink mounting through hole; 11. Control board heat dissipation duct outlet; 12. Control board heat dissipation duct threaded hole; 13. Control board heat dissipation duct inlet; 14. Fan mounting through hole; 15. Fuel cell stack heat sink mounting through hole; 16. Fuel cell stack heat dissipation duct outlet; 17. Fuel cell stack heat dissipation duct mounting threaded hole; 18. Control board heat dissipation duct mounting through hole; 19. Fuel cell stack heat dissipation duct inlet; 20. Fuel cell stack heat sink mounting threaded hole; 21. Fuel cell stack heat sink coolant outlet; 22. Fuel cell stack heat sink fins; 23. Fuel cell stack heat sink coolant inlet. Detailed Implementation

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] like Figure 1-2 As shown, this invention provides a fuel cell composite heat dissipation structure, comprising, in sequence, an electronic control board heat sink 1, an electronic control board heat dissipation duct 2, four gas flow structures 3, a fuel cell stack heat dissipation duct 4, and a fuel cell stack heat sink 5; wherein:

[0041] The radiator 1 of the control board is installed at the air inlet 13 of the heat dissipation duct of the control board. The extension direction of the coolant inlet 6 and coolant outlet 9 of the radiator is opposite to the air inlet direction. The air outlets of the two gas flow structures 3 are set facing the air inlet 16 of the heat dissipation duct of the fuel cell stack, and the air inlets are set facing the air outlet 11 of the heat dissipation duct of the control board.

[0042] The fuel cell heat sink 5 is installed at the air inlet 16 of the fuel cell heat sink duct. The coolant inlet 23 and coolant outlet 21 of the fuel cell heat sink extend in the same direction as the air inlet. The air outlet surfaces of the other two gas flow structures are directly opposite the air inlet 16 of the fuel cell heat sink duct.

[0043] In specific implementation, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 3As shown, the radiator 1 of the control board consists of a coolant inlet 6, a coolant outlet 9, and heat dissipation fins 7. In addition, the top and bottom of the radiator 1 are respectively provided with radiator fixing threaded holes 8, which are threaded to the radiator fixing through holes 10 of the radiator cooling duct 2 and assembled at the air inlet 13 of the radiator cooling duct. The extension direction of the coolant inlet 6 and the coolant outlet 9 is opposite to the air inlet direction.

[0044] In specific implementation, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 4-5 As shown, the heat dissipation duct 2 of the electronic control board consists of a first housing structure 2-1 and a second housing structure 2-2. The first housing structure 2-1 is located at the front end of the heat dissipation duct 2 and is used to fix it to the heat sink of the electronic control board. The second housing structure 2-2 is located at the rear end of the heat dissipation duct 2 and is used to form an air duct. Specifically, the first housing structure 2-1 consists of a first upper plate 2-1-1 and a first lower plate 2-1-2. The first upper plate 2-1-1 and the first lower plate 2-1-2 each have a heat sink fixing through hole 10 for fixing the heat sink 1 of the electronic control board with bolts. The second housing structure 2-2 includes a first inner cavity. The front end of the first inner cavity is the air inlet 13 of the heat dissipation duct, and the rear end of the first inner cavity has an air outlet 11 and a threaded hole 12 for the heat dissipation duct.

[0045] In specific implementation, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 9 As shown, the fuel cell stack radiator 5 consists of a coolant inlet 23, a coolant outlet 21, and heat dissipation fins 22. Additionally, threaded holes 20 are provided at the top and bottom of the radiator 5, which are threaded into the through holes 15 of the fuel cell stack cooling duct 4 and fitted onto the air outlet 19 of the cooling duct. The coolant inlet 23 and outlet 21 are aligned with the air intake direction. This design is because the heat dissipation required by the fuel cell stack is greater than that required by the control board. The primary hot air passing through the control board's radiator can still serve as the primary cold air for cooling the fuel cell stack, thus fully utilizing the energy of the primary hot air.

[0046] In specific implementation, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 7-8As shown, the fuel cell heat dissipation duct 4 consists of a third shell structure 4-1 and a fourth shell structure 4-2. The third shell structure 4-1 is located at the front end of the fuel cell heat dissipation duct 4 and is used to fix it to the fuel cell heat sink 5. The fourth shell structure 4-2 is located at the rear end of the fuel cell heat dissipation duct 4 and is used to form an air duct. Specifically, the third shell structure 4-1 consists of a second upper plate 4-1-1 and a second lower plate 4-1-2. The second upper plate 4-1-1 and the second lower plate 4-1-2 each have a fuel cell heat sink fixing through hole 15 for fixing the fuel cell heat sink 5 with bolts. The fourth shell structure 4-2 includes a second inner cavity. The front end of the second inner cavity is the fuel cell heat dissipation duct inlet 19, and the rear end of the second inner cavity has a fuel cell heat dissipation duct outlet 16 and a fuel cell heat dissipation duct threaded hole 17.

[0047] In specific implementation, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, the four gas flow structures 3 use four fans. Two fans 3 have their exhaust faces facing the fuel cell heat dissipation duct inlet 16 of the fuel cell heat dissipation duct 4, and their inlet faces facing the control board heat dissipation duct outlet 11 of the control board heat dissipation duct 2. Long screws are used to directly connect the fans to the control board heat dissipation duct threaded holes 12 from the fuel cell heat dissipation duct outlet 19 of the fuel cell heat dissipation duct 4, through the control board heat dissipation duct fixing through holes 18 and 14. The exhaust faces of the other two fans correspond to the fuel cell heat dissipation duct inlet 16, and long screws are used to thread them through the fan fixing through holes 14 and 17. The purpose of this design is that when the fuel cell stack requires a larger heat dissipation, these two fans can serve as a backup air source, enabling the fuel cell system to operate stably not only under normal temperature conditions but also at higher room temperatures.

[0048] The present invention also provides a heat dissipation method based on the above-mentioned fuel cell composite heat dissipation structure, comprising:

[0049] The fuel cell composite heat dissipation structure receives cold air, which then passes through the control board radiator 1 for primary heat dissipation of the control board. The generated primary heat dissipation air then passes through the stack radiator 5 for secondary heat dissipation of the stack. If the heat dissipation of the stack is insufficient due to factors such as the heat dissipation air volume and intake air temperature of the secondary heat dissipation, the stack is supplemented with heat dissipation through other independent gas flows in the structure.

[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 composite heat dissipation structure for a fuel cell, characterized in that, Comprise: The electric control board radiator (1), the electric control board radiator air duct (2), four gas flow structures (3), the electric pile radiator air duct (4) and the electric pile radiator (5) are sequentially connected;The electric control board radiator air duct (2) is composed of first housing structure (2-1) and second housing structure (2-2), first housing structure (2-1) is arranged at the front end of the electric control board radiator air duct (2), is used for fixed connection with the electric control board radiator;Second housing structure (2-2) is arranged at the rear end of the electric control board radiator air duct (2), is used for forming air duct;The electric pile radiator air duct (4) is composed of third housing structure (4-1) and fourth housing structure (4-1), third housing structure (4-1) is arranged at the front end of the electric pile radiator air duct (4), is used for fixed connection with the electric pile radiator (5);Fourth housing structure (4-2) is arranged at the rear end of the electric pile radiator air duct (4), is used for forming air duct.

2. The fuel cell composite heat sink structure according to claim 1, wherein The first housing structure (2-1) is composed of first upper plate (2-1-1) and first lower plate (2-1-2), first upper plate (2-1-1) and first lower plate (2-1-2) are respectively provided with electric control board radiator fixing through hole (10), is used for fixing the electric control board radiator (1) by bolt.

3. The fuel cell composite heat sink structure of claim 1, wherein The second housing structure (2-2) includes a first inner cavity, the front end of the first inner cavity is the electric control board radiator air duct inlet (13), the rear end of the first inner cavity is provided with electric control board radiator air duct outlet (11) and electric control board radiator air duct thread hole (12).

4. The fuel cell composite heat sink structure of claim 1, wherein The third housing structure (4-1) is composed of second upper plate (4-1-1) and second lower plate (4-1-2), second upper plate (4-1-1) and second lower plate (4-1-2) are respectively provided with electric pile radiator fixing through hole (15), is used for fixing the electric pile radiator (5) by bolt.

5. The fuel cell composite heat sink structure of claim 1, wherein The fourth housing structure (4-2) includes a second inner cavity, the front end of the second inner cavity is the electric pile radiator air duct inlet (19), the rear end of the second inner cavity is provided with electric pile radiator air duct outlet (16) and electric pile radiator air duct thread hole (17).

6. A heat dissipation method based on the fuel cell composite heat dissipation structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by, Comprise: The inlet air of the fuel cell composite heat dissipation structure is cold air, and the electric control board is one-stage radiated through the electric control board radiator (1), the one-stage radiated air is two-stage radiated to the electric pile through the electric pile radiator (5);If the electric pile heat dissipation is insufficient due to the factors of two-stage radiated air volume and inlet air temperature, the electric pile is supplemented by other independent gas flow structures.

Images