Fuel cell manifold seal ring

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fuel cell manifold gasket, and more particularly, to a fuel cell manifold gasket that prevents deformation of a gasket ring and prevents a decrease in performance and durability due to the deformation, and also improves manufacturing precision of the gasket ring and reduces a defective rate, by constituting the gasket ring with a support portion of a cured conductive material and a compression portion of an elastic material covering both sides of the support portion, and that stably measures and monitors voltage by contacting the support portion of the conductive material with a separator plate.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a fuel cell manifold gasket, and more particularly, to a fuel cell manifold gasket that can prevent deformation of a gasket ring and a decrease in performance and durability due to the deformation, can improve manufacturing precision of the gasket ring and reduce a defective rate, and can stably measure and monitor voltage by contacting a support portion of an electrically conductive material with a separator plate. BACKGROUND

[0002] A fuel cell is an energy conversion device that converts chemical energy of a fuel into electric energy through an electrochemical reaction, and can be used to supply industrial, household, and vehicle electric power, as well as electric power for small electric / electronic products and portable devices.

[0003] Although fuel cells include various types, a high-power-density polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) described in the following patent document is mainly used, in which a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is disposed at the innermost side, and a solid polymer electrolyte membrane that can move hydrogen ions and electrode layers, i.e., a cathode and an anode, that can cause hydrogen and oxygen to react by being coated with a catalyst are disposed on both sides of the electrolyte membrane. At this time, hydrogen is supplied to the anode and oxygen is supplied to the cathode, and thus electric power is produced through reaction of hydrogen with oxygen contained in air.

[0004] A separator plate in which an electrically conductive material is combined at both ends of the membrane electrode assembly is used to form a cell structure, but has a problem in that the voltage of a unit cell is low and thus is not practical, and thus several to several hundred unit cells are generally stacked to be used in the form of a stack.

[0005] At this time, a gasket described in the following patent document is formed between the unit cells to support the separator plates and form an airtight structure of the fuel cell, and manifolds are formed at both ends to supply, for example, hydrogen and air to the unit cells.

[0006] However, the conventional gasket 100 generally uses a material having a low hardness, such as silicone and ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), and thus has a problem in that the gasket ring is deformed during a process of combining the stack, and thus the performance and durability of the gasket ring are deteriorated. Figure 1As shown in (a), the seal ring can be deformed in shape due to compression, resulting in airtight damage or breakage of the separator plate due to uneven stress distribution.

[0007] Further, as shown in (b), the thickness of the seal ring is uniform under normal conditions, but with use of the fuel cell, a deviation in compression rate occurs and results in uneven pressing of each cell, and further results in a deviation in contact resistance and mass transfer resistance between components inside the unit cell, resulting in a problem of performance and durability degradation due to unevenness in liquid leakage, electrical resistance, and heat conduction. Figure 1

[0008] Further, a fuel cell stack in which a plurality of unit cells are stacked for use must measure and monitor the voltage of each cell in order to monitor the operating state, performance, and errors, etc., and generally, the cell voltage is measured by contacting a conductor to the side portion of each unit cell.

[0009] Therefore, generally, the side portion of the metal separator plate is contacted with the conductor and the voltage is measured, but recently, as the thickness of the metal separator plate becomes thinner, it is difficult to contact the conductor and the shape is distorted, making it difficult to manufacture a reliable voltage measurement structure.

[0010] Prior Art Documents

[0011] Patent Documents

[0012] (Patent Document) Registered Patent Gazette No. 10-0766155 (Registered on October 4, 2007) "Seal Ring Structure Preventing Contamination of Fuel Cell Stack for Fuel Cell Vehicle" SUMMARY

[0013] The present invention aims to solve the existing problems as described above,

[0014] The present invention aims to provide a fuel cell manifold seal ring that can prevent deformation of the seal ring and degradation of performance and durability due to deformation by constituting a gasket with a support portion of a cured conductive material and a compression portion of an elastic material covering both sides of the support portion, and can also improve the manufacturing precision of the seal ring and reduce the rate of defective products.

[0015] The present invention aims to provide a fuel cell manifold seal ring that can stably measure and monitor the voltage by contacting the support portion of the conductive material with the separator plate.

[0016] The present invention aims to provide a fuel cell manifold seal ring that can contact the support portion with the separator plate according to the shape and design conditions of the separator plate by deforming the end of the support portion into various shapes and contacting it with the separator plate.​

[0017] The present application aims to provide a fuel cell manifold seal ring that can stably achieve contact of a voltage measurement circuit by forming the outer end of the support portion in a concave or convex shape.

[0018] To achieve the above-mentioned object, the present application is implemented by the following embodiments.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present application, a fuel cell manifold seal ring to which the present application is applied is characterized by including: a support portion formed using a cured conductive material of a certain thickness; and a compression portion formed on both sides of the support portion and formed using an elastic material.

[0020] In another embodiment of the present application, a fuel cell manifold seal ring to which the present application is applied is characterized in that the support portion includes a separator plate contact end that contacts a separator plate by protruding inward.

[0021] In still another embodiment of the present application, a fuel cell manifold seal ring to which the present application is applied is characterized in that the separator plate contact end contacts a lower portion of the seal ring by being bent downward.

[0022] In still another embodiment of the present application, a fuel cell manifold seal ring to which the present application is applied is characterized in that the separator plate contact end includes an elastic separator end that is spread upward and downward and contacts a separator plate on the upper and lower sides by being formed in an elastic manner.

[0023] In still another embodiment of the present application, a fuel cell manifold seal ring to which the present application is applied is characterized in that the support portion includes a measurement contact end that contacts a voltage measurement circuit by being formed on the opposite side of the separator plate contact end, and the measurement contact end includes one of a concave end that is concave inward and a convex end that is convex outward.

[0024] The present application can achieve the following effects through the above-mentioned embodiments and the following described configurations, combinations, and use relationships.

[0025] The present application can prevent deformation of a seal ring and a decrease in performance and durability due to the deformation by configuring a seal gasket with a support portion using a cured conductive material and a compression portion of an elastic material that covers both sides of the support portion, and can also improve manufacturing precision of the seal ring and reduce the rate of defective products.

[0026] The present application can stably measure and monitor voltage by causing the support portion of a conductive material to contact a separator plate.

[0027] The present application can contact the support portion with the separation plate according to the shape of the separation plate and design conditions by forming the end of the support portion into various shapes and contacting it with the separation plate.

[0028] The present application can stably achieve contact of the voltage measurement circuit by forming the outer end of the support portion into a concave or convex shape. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 is a reference diagram illustrating the deformation state of a conventional seal ring.

[0030] Figure 2 is a reference diagram illustrating the deformation state of a manifold hole of a conventional seal ring.

[0031] Figure 3 is a sectional view of a fuel cell manifold seal ring according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0032] Figure 4 is a sectional view of a fuel cell manifold seal ring according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0033] Figure 5 is a sectional view of a fuel cell manifold seal ring according to still another embodiment of the present application.

[0034] Figure 6 is a sectional view illustrating a measurement contact end of a fuel cell manifold seal ring according to the present application.

[0035] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating an actual manufacturing example of a fuel cell manifold seal ring according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0036] SYMBOL EXPLANATION

[0037] 1: support portion

[0038] 11: separation plate contact end

[0039] 111: bent end

[0040] 113: elastic separation end

[0041] 13: measurement contact end

[0042] 131: concave end

[0043] 133: convex end

[0044] 3: compression portion

[0045] B: separation plate

[0046] B1: cathode separation plate

[0047] B11: protrusion

[0048] B13: flat plate portion

[0049] B3: anode separator plate

[0050] 100: seal ring

[0051] 101: flow path

[0052] 200: separator plate DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] Next, a preferred embodiment of a fuel cell manifold seal ring to which the present application is applied will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the course of describing the present application hereinafter, detailed description of known functions or configurations will be omitted when it is determined that such detailed description can cause the gist of the present application to become unclear. Throughout the specification, when it is stated that a certain part "comprises" a certain component, unless otherwise explicitly stated to the contrary, it does not mean that other components are excluded but it means that other components can also be included.

[0054] Next, a preferred embodiment of a fuel cell manifold seal ring to which the present application is applied will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the course of describing the present application hereinafter, detailed description of known functions or configurations will be omitted when it is determined that such detailed description can cause the gist of the present application to become unclear. Throughout the specification, when it is stated that a certain part "comprises" a certain component, unless otherwise explicitly stated to the contrary, it does not mean that other components are excluded but it means that other components can also be included. Figures 3 to 7 A fuel cell manifold seal ring to which an embodiment of the present application is applied will be described. The fuel cell manifold seal ring includes a support portion 1 formed of a certain thickness of cured conductive material, and a compression portion 3 formed on both sides of the support portion 1 and formed of an elastic material.

[0055] The fuel cell manifold seal ring to which the present application is applied is configured to support between separators B by being inserted between the separators B, and can be inserted between an anode separator plate B3 for forming a passage for supplying hydrogen gas to an anode and a cathode separator plate Bl for forming a passage for supplying air to a cathode and a cooling passage, and can form passages for supplying hydrogen gas, air, etc. to each cell of a fuel cell by a manifold forming a certain space at both ends of the separators B.

[0056] In particular, the fuel cell manifold seal ring, unlike a conventional seal ring formed of a flexible material, can be manufactured by inserting the support portion 1 of a hard material between flexible materials to prevent deformation of the seal ring and stably maintain the interval between the separators B. Thereby, it is possible to prevent problems of air-tight damage or breakage due to deformation of the seal ring, and a decrease in performance and durability due to unevenness of liquid leakage, electrical resistance, and heat transfer, etc. in a battery pack.

[0057] In addition, the conventional seal ring of a flexible material, as described above, has a problem in that it is difficult to maintain the interval between the separators B, and it is difficult to prevent deformation of the seal ring. Figure 2(b) shown in the drawing, the flow becomes uneven when deformation occurs due to the change in the size of the flow path 101 for supplying air or hydrogen, but by forming the support portion 1, the deformation can be minimized and thereby the uniform flow can be maintained.

[0058] Further, the existing seal ring of flexible material is manufactured in a thin sheet shape, and thus has a problem of high defective rate and low yield, but by adding the support portion 1 of the cured material, the manufacturing precision of the seal ring can be improved and the defective rate can be reduced.

[0059] The support portion 1 is formed of a certain thickness of the cured conductive material, and can be formed in a manner of being integrally coupled between the compression portions 3 on both sides. The support portion 1 is formed of the cured material and supports the compression portions 3, and thus can prevent deformation and improve the manufacturing yield as described above, and in particular, can be formed of a conductive material such as metal and conductive plastic, and thus can measure the voltage of the fuel cell. In other words, in the fuel cell, the voltage of each unit cell must be measured in order to monitor the operating state, performance, and error, and when the separator plate B is thinned, it is difficult to connect the separator plate B and measure the voltage, and thus in the present application, by forming the support portion 1 of the conductive material and contacting the separator plate B, the voltage of the separator plate B can be measured by means of the support portion 1. For this, the support portion 1 can contact the separator plate B by forming a separator plate contact end 11 on one side and connect to a circuit for measuring the voltage by forming a measurement contact end 13 on the other side.

[0060] The separator plate contact end 11 is formed at one end of the support portion 1 to contact the separator plate B, as shown in Figure 3 The separator plate contact end 11 can be formed to protrude toward the separator plate B to achieve contact. The separator plate B of the fuel cell can include a cathode separator plate B1 formed toward the air electrode side and an anode separator plate B3 formed toward the hydrogen electrode side, and in general, the cathode separator plate B1 can include protruding portions B11 protruding in a concave-convex shape at a certain interval and a flat plate portion B13 connecting between the protruding portions B11, and by means of the spaces formed on each opposite side of the protruding portions B11 and the flat plate portion B13, air for cooling and air for reaction can flow, respectively. At this time, the separator plate contact end 11 can be formed to contact the side surface of the protruding portion B11 of the cathode separator plate B1, as shown in Figure 3

[0061] Further, the separator plate contact end 11 can be formed to protrude toward the separator plate B to achieve contact. The separator plate B of the fuel cell can include a cathode separator plate B1 formed toward the air electrode side and an anode separator plate B3 formed toward the hydrogen electrode side, and in general, the cathode separator plate B1 can include protruding portions B11 protruding in a concave-convex shape at a certain interval and a flat plate portion B13 connecting between the protruding portions B11, and by means of the spaces formed on each opposite side of the protruding portions B11 and the flat plate portion B13, air for cooling and air for reaction can flow, respectively. At this time, the separator plate contact end 11 can be formed to contact the side surface of the protruding portion B11 of the cathode separator plate B1, as shown in Figure 4 ​As shown, the separation plate contact end 11 can be formed in a manner that forms a curved end 111 curved to the downward side and contacts the flat plate portion B13 of the cathode separation plate B1, and in the case described above, the support portion 1 can be pressed when the unit cells are stacked, thereby more stably maintaining the contact of the separation plate contact end 11 with the cathode separation plate B1.

[0062] Further, the separation plate contact end 11 can include an elastic separation end 113 separated to the upper and lower sides and formed of an elastic material, thereby being able to contact the anode separation plate B3 and the flat plate portion B13 of the cathode separation plate B1 when the elastic separation end 113 is pressed. In the case described above, the separation plate contact end 11 is formed to be separated to the upper and lower sides, and thus the contact with the anode separation plate B3 and the cathode separation plate B1 can be maintained more stably. Figure 5 Figure 3 Further, the separation plate contact end 11 can include an elastic separation end 113 separated to the upper and lower sides and formed of an elastic material, thereby being able to contact the anode separation plate B3 and the flat plate portion B13 of the cathode separation plate B1 when the elastic separation end 113 is pressed. In the case described above, the separation plate contact end 11 is formed to be separated to the upper and lower sides, and thus the contact with the anode separation plate B3 and the cathode separation plate B1 can be maintained more stably. Figure 4 Further, the separation plate contact end 11 can include an elastic separation end 113 separated to the upper and lower sides and formed of an elastic material, thereby being able to contact the anode separation plate B3 and the flat plate portion B13 of the cathode separation plate B1 when the elastic separation end 113 is pressed. In the case described above, the separation plate contact end 11 is formed to be separated to the upper and lower sides, and thus the contact with the anode separation plate B3 and the cathode separation plate B1 can be maintained more stably.

[0063] Figure 6 The measurement contact end 13 is a configuration that is connected to a circuit for measuring a voltage by being formed on the opposite side of the separation plate contact end 11, and in order to achieve stable and simple contact, as shown, a recessed end 131 recessed inward or a protruding end 133 protruding outward can be formed. By the shape of the circuit side contact portion of the measurement contact end 13, the recessed end 131 or the protruding end 133 can be simply contacted and the voltage can be measured, and the contact state can be stably maintained.

[0064] The compression portion 3 is a configuration formed on both sides of the support portion 1, and can be formed of a flexible material having elasticity such as silicone and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM). By this, the compression portion 3 can make the entire gasket elastic, and at the same time, by forming the support portion 1 with a certain thickness of a cured material therebetween, the gasket can be prevented from being deformed and the manufacturing yield can be improved.

[0065] In the above, the applicant has described various embodiments of the present application, but as described above, the embodiments are only one embodiment for implementing the technical idea of the present application, and any modification or change for implementing the technical idea of the present application should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present application.​​

Claims

1. A fuel cell manifold sealing ring, characterized in that: As a sealing ring that supports the separator plates and forms the manifold by being inserted between the separator plates, it includes: The support portion is formed using a cured conductive material of a certain thickness; and the compression portion is formed on both sides of the support portion using an elastic material. The support portion includes: The contact end of the separator plate protrudes inward to make contact with the separator plate. The contact end of the separation plate includes: The elastic separation end expands upwards and downwards, and contacts the separation plates on the upper and lower sides by being formed in an elastic manner.

2. The fuel cell manifold sealing ring according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support portion includes: The measuring contact terminal is formed on the opposite side of the contact terminal of the separation plate and makes contact with the voltage measuring circuit; The measuring contact end, This includes either a recessed end that curves inward or a protruding end that curves outward.

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