Bipolar plate avoidance structure for hydrogen fuel cell and hydrogen fuel cell

Abstract

The present invention provides a bipolar plate avoidance structure for a hydrogen fuel cell and a hydrogen fuel cell, comprising a avoidance structure disposed on a bipolar plate; two bipolar plates disposed opposite each other, each having a flow channel region disposed in the middle thereof, the avoidance structure disposed at the edge of the flow channel region; a membrane electrode disposed between the two bipolar plates, the membrane electrode frame disposed at the edge thereof; a gas diffusion layer disposed between each bipolar plate and the membrane electrode, the flow channel region contacting the gas diffusion layer; an overlap region formed between the gas diffusion layer and the membrane electrode frame, the avoidance structure disposed corresponding to the overlap region; the avoidance structure having a protrusion extending vertically from the bipolar plate toward a side away from the gas diffusion layer, with the height of the flow channel region serving as a reference plane. The avoidance structure extends outward from a position on the bipolar plate corresponding to the overlap region between the gas diffusion layer and the membrane electrode frame, thereby ensuring uniform force distribution in the overlap region and improving stability during stacking.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of fuel cells, and in particular to a bipolar plate avoidance structure for a hydrogen fuel cell and a hydrogen fuel cell. Background Art

[0002] Bipolar plates are a crucial component of fuel cell stacks, providing gas distribution channels for hydrogen and oxygen, isolating the oxidant and fuel, and transferring heat during the electrochemical reaction. Bipolar plates are a crucial component of membrane electrode fuel cells, supporting the fuel cell and providing channels for reactant gases and coolant.

[0003] The existing Chinese patent, with publication number CN207233866U, discloses a proton exchange membrane fuel cell bipolar plate structure and fuel cell stack, belonging to the field of proton exchange membrane fuel cell technology. The bipolar plate is composed of a stacked and bonded anode and cathode plates; the front of the anode plate is provided with a hydrogen flow field; the front of the cathode plate is provided with an air flow channel, which is composed of multiple air flow channel grooves; the back of the cathode plate is provided with a coolant flow channel, which is composed of multiple coolant flow channel grooves. The fuel cell stack is composed of a membrane electrode and a bipolar plate stacked in sequence, with a cathode reinforcement layer provided between the cathode of the membrane electrode plate and the cathode of the bipolar plate.

[0004] The inventors believe that in the prior art, the stack is subjected to uneven force during assembly due to the overlapping parts of the gas diffusion layer and the membrane electrode frame, and the stress is concentrated at the frame position of the gas diffusion layer. Therefore, it is necessary to provide an avoidance structure to make the force uniform. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the defects in the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a bipolar plate avoidance structure for a hydrogen fuel cell and a hydrogen fuel cell.

[0006] According to the present invention, a bipolar plate avoidance structure for a hydrogen fuel cell includes a avoidance structure, which is arranged on a plate; two plates are arranged opposite to each other, a flow channel area is provided in the middle of any plate, and the avoidance structure is arranged at the edge of the flow channel area; a membrane electrode is provided between the two plates, and a membrane electrode frame is provided at the edge of the membrane electrode; a gas diffusion layer is provided between any plate and the membrane electrode, and the flow channel area is in contact with the gas diffusion layer; the gas diffusion layer and the membrane electrode frame form an overlapping area, and the avoidance structure is arranged corresponding to the overlapping area; the avoidance structure uses the height of the flow channel area as a reference plane, and extends vertically from the plate to the side away from the gas diffusion layer to form a protrusion.

[0007] Preferably, the protrusion comprises a planar protrusion.

[0008] Preferably, the width of the protrusion is consistent with the width of the overlapping area.

[0009] Preferably, the thickness of the protrusion is consistent with the sum of the thickness of the membrane electrode frame and the gas diffusion layer glue.

[0010] Preferably, an inclined surface is formed between the protrusion and the electrode plate.

[0011] Preferably, the inclined surface comprises a right-angled inclined surface.

[0012] Preferably, the inclined surface comprises a rounded inclined surface.

[0013] Preferably, any of the electrode plates comprises a long side and a short side, one of the short sides is sequentially provided with a hydrogen inlet, an air inlet and a water inlet, and the other short side is sequentially provided with a hydrogen outlet, an air outlet and a water outlet.

[0014] Preferably, the electrode plate includes a first electrode plate and a second electrode plate, the flow channel area on the first electrode plate is respectively connected to the hydrogen inlet and the hydrogen outlet; the flow channel area on the second electrode plate is respectively connected to the air inlet and the air outlet.

[0015] A hydrogen fuel cell provided by the present invention adopts the above-mentioned bipolar plate avoidance structure for hydrogen fuel cells and further includes the gas diffusion layer and the membrane electrode.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0017] 1. The present invention forms an avoidance structure by extending outward at a position on the electrode plate corresponding to the overlapping area of the gas diffusion layer and the membrane electrode frame, which helps to ensure uniform force in the overlapping area, thereby helping to improve stability during the stacking process and further helping to improve stacking efficiency.

[0018] 2. The present invention ensures that the width of the protrusion of the avoidance structure is consistent with the width of the overlapping area of the gas diffusion layer and the membrane electrode frame, which helps to ensure uniform force in the overlapping area and helps to ensure the stability of the bipolar plate.

[0019] 3. The present invention ensures that the thickness of the protrusion of the avoidance structure is consistent with the sum of the thickness of the membrane electrode frame and the gas diffusion layer glue, which helps to ensure uniform force in the overlapping area and helps to ensure the stability of the bipolar plate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the following drawings:

[0021] Figure 1This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a bipolar plate avoidance structure for a hydrogen fuel cell, which is mainly embodied in the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a front view of a bipolar plate avoidance structure for a hydrogen fuel cell, which mainly embodies the present invention.

[0023] As shown in the figure:

[0024] Avoidance structure 1 Plate 2 Flow channel area 21

[0025] Hydrogen inlet 22 Air inlet 23 Water inlet 24

[0026] Hydrogen outlet 25 Air outlet 26 Water outlet 27

[0027] Membrane electrode 3 Membrane electrode frame 31 Gas diffusion layer 4 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments. The following examples will help those skilled in the art to further understand the present invention, but are not intended to limit the present invention in any form. It should be noted that, for those skilled in the art, several changes and improvements can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. These all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] Example 1

[0030] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a bipolar plate avoidance structure for a hydrogen fuel cell provided according to the present invention includes a avoidance structure 1, which is arranged on a pole plate 2; two pole plates 2 are arranged opposite to each other, a flow channel area 21 is provided in the middle of any pole plate 2, and the avoidance structure 1 is arranged at the edge of the flow channel area 21; a membrane electrode 3 is provided between the two pole plates 2, and a membrane electrode frame 31 is provided at the edge of the membrane electrode 3; a gas diffusion layer 4 is provided between any pole plate 2 and the membrane electrode 3, and the flow channel area 21 is in contact with the gas diffusion layer 4; the gas diffusion layer 4 and the membrane electrode frame 31 form an overlapping area, and the avoidance structure 1 is arranged corresponding to the overlapping area; the avoidance structure 1 uses the height of the flow channel area 21 as a reference plane, and extends vertically from the pole plate 2 to the side away from the gas diffusion layer 4 to form a protrusion.

[0031] Since an avoidance structure 1 is provided on the electrode plate 2, the avoidance structure 1 is arranged at the edge of the flow channel area 21 and extends outward from a position on the electrode plate 2 corresponding to the overlapping area of the gas diffusion layer 4 and the membrane electrode frame 31. During the stacking process of the bipolar plates, the overlapping area of the gas diffusion layer 4 and the membrane electrode frame 31 is subjected to uniform force, thereby preventing the stacking work from being affected and damaging the components, and effectively improving the stacking efficiency.

[0032] The protrusions include planar protrusions. The width of the protrusions matches the width of the overlap between the gas diffusion layer 4 and the membrane electrode frame 31. The thickness of the protrusions matches the combined thickness of the membrane electrode frame 31 and the adhesive applied to the gas diffusion layer 4. The planar protrusions ensure stability during bipolar plate stacking. Determining the width and thickness of the protrusions ensures uniform force distribution while controlling the weight of the bipolar plates, thereby ensuring battery efficiency.

[0033] An inclined surface is formed between the protrusion and the electrode plate 2. The inclined surface can be a right-angled inclined surface or a rounded inclined surface. Preferably, the inclined surface is a right-angled inclined surface, which can not only handle the connection between the protrusion and the electrode plate 2 well, but also ensure the simplicity of processing.

[0034] Each electrode plate 2 includes a long side and a short side. A hydrogen inlet 22, an air inlet 23 and a water inlet 24 are sequentially provided on one short side, and a hydrogen outlet 25, an air outlet 26 and a water outlet 27 are sequentially provided on the other short side.

[0035] The electrode plate 2 includes a first electrode plate and a second electrode plate. The flow channel region 21 on the first electrode plate is connected to a hydrogen inlet 22 and a hydrogen outlet 25, respectively. The flow channel region 21 on the second electrode plate is connected to an air inlet 23 and an air outlet 26, respectively. Hydrogen enters the flow channel region 21 on the first electrode plate through the hydrogen inlet 22, and air enters the flow channel region 21 on the second electrode plate through the air inlet 23.

[0036] During use, the present application ensures that the overlapping area of the gas diffusion layer 4 and the membrane electrode frame 31 is uniformly stressed by the avoidance structure 1, thereby improving the stability of the bipolar plate during the stacking process and effectively improving the stacking efficiency.

[0037] Example 2

[0038] A hydrogen fuel cell provided by the present invention is based on the bipolar plate of Example 1 and further includes a gas diffusion layer 4 and a membrane electrode 3. Hydrogen enters the flow channel area 21 on the first electrode plate from the hydrogen inlet 22, and air enters the flow channel area 21 on the second electrode plate from the air inlet 23. Through the action of the gas diffusion layer 4 and the membrane electrode 3, the hydrogen molecules are decomposed into two protons and two electrons, wherein the protons are 'attracted' to the other side of the membrane electrode 3 by oxygen, and the electrons form an electric current through the external circuit and reach the second electrode plate. Protons, oxygen and electrons react to form water molecules. Since fuel cells generate electric current and water through the chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, they are not only completely pollution-free, but also avoid the problem of time-consuming charging of traditional batteries. They are currently the most promising new energy source.

[0039] How it works

[0040] Since an avoidance structure 1 is provided on the electrode plate 2, the avoidance structure 1 is arranged at the edge of the flow channel area 21 and extends outward from a position on the electrode plate 2 corresponding to the overlapping area of the gas diffusion layer 4 and the membrane electrode frame 31. During the stacking process of the bipolar plates, the overlapping area of the gas diffusion layer 4 and the membrane electrode frame 31 is subjected to uniform force, thereby improving the stability of the battery.

[0041] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", etc., indicating the orientation or position relationship, are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on this application.

[0042] The above describes specific embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and those skilled in the art may make various changes or modifications within the scope of the claims, which do not affect the essence of the present invention. The embodiments of this application and the features in the embodiments may be combined with each other in any manner unless there is a conflict.

Claims

1. A bipolar plate avoidance structure for a hydrogen fuel cell, characterized in that: It comprises a avoidance structure (1), wherein the avoidance structure (1) is arranged on a pole plate (2); The two electrode plates (2) are arranged opposite to each other, a flow channel area (21) is provided in the middle of each electrode plate (2), and the avoidance structure (1) is provided at the edge of the flow channel area (21); A membrane electrode (3) is provided between the two electrode plates (2), and a membrane electrode frame (31) is provided at the edge of the membrane electrode (3); A gas diffusion layer (4) is provided between any of the electrode plates (2) and the membrane electrode (3), and the flow channel region (21) is in contact with the gas diffusion layer (4); The gas diffusion layer (4) and the membrane electrode frame (31) form an overlapping area, and the avoidance structure (1) is arranged corresponding to the overlapping area; The avoidance structure (1) takes the height of the flow channel region (21) as a reference plane and vertically extends from the electrode plate (2) to a side away from the gas diffusion layer (4) to form a protrusion; The width of the protrusion is consistent with the width of the overlapping area; The thickness of the protrusion is consistent with the sum of the thickness of the membrane electrode frame (31) and the glue of the gas diffusion layer (4); An inclined surface is formed between the protrusion and the electrode plate (2); the inclined surface extends from the edge of the flow channel area toward the protrusion.

2. The bipolar plate avoidance structure for a hydrogen fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein: The protrusions include planar protrusions.

3. The bipolar plate avoidance structure for a hydrogen fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein: The inclined surface includes a right-angled inclined surface.

4. The bipolar plate avoidance structure for a hydrogen fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein: The inclined surface includes a rounded inclined surface.

5. The bipolar plate avoidance structure for a hydrogen fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein: Any of the electrode plates (2) comprises a long side and a short side, one of the short sides is sequentially provided with a hydrogen inlet (22), an air inlet (23) and a water inlet (24), and the other short side is sequentially provided with a hydrogen outlet (25), an air outlet (26) and a water outlet (27).

6. The bipolar plate avoidance structure for a hydrogen fuel cell according to claim 5, characterized in that: The electrode plate (2) comprises a first electrode plate and a second electrode plate, wherein the flow channel region (21) on the first electrode plate is respectively connected to the hydrogen inlet (22) and the hydrogen outlet (25); The flow channel area (21) on the second electrode plate is communicated with the air inlet (23) and the air outlet (26) respectively.

7. A hydrogen fuel cell, characterized in that: The bipolar plate avoidance structure for a hydrogen fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 6 further comprises the gas diffusion layer (4) and the membrane electrode (3).

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