Fuel cell stack installed in fixed size and installation method

Abstract

The invention discloses a fuel cell stack installed in a fixed size and an installation method. When the fuel cell stack is installed, the assembly pressure of each cell unit is adjusted by adjusting the position of the stud under the condition that the distance between the rear end plate and the front end plate is not changed, so that the problem that the size of a polar plate, a membrane electrode and a sealing glue line (the polar plate, the membrane electrode and the sealing glue line are all structures in the cell unit) is unstable can be solved; fixed-size installation of the electric pile can be realized, and the adjustable size can be artificially designed. The adjustable design can meet the assembly of galvanic piles with different numbers of battery units; and the batch production requirement of the electric pile can also be met. The design frequency of repeated design change caused by unstable size of designers can be reduced, and meanwhile, potential design risks caused by repeated change can be avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of fuel cells, and in particular relates to a fuel cell stack installed in a fixed size and an installation method. Background Art

[0002] The sizing assembly of fuel cell stacks plays a very important role in the consistency and mass production of fuel cell stacks. However, the fuel cell stacks in the industry are currently under development. Due to the unstable dimensions of the plates, membrane electrodes and seals, the stacks are often unable to be assembled due to the overall size being too large or too small, resulting in the tensioning device of the core being too short / too long. Generally, a 100kw stack requires about 250 cells (that is, a fuel cell stack). When the size of a cell deviates by 0.01mm, the total deviation of 250 cells will reach 25mm, which makes it impossible to implement the sizing process or can only be implemented after the size of the components is stable.

[0003] In the prior art, there are also designs for the structure of a single fuel cell stack to be adjustable. For example, the utility model with authorization announcement number CN221596503U discloses an adjustable fuel cell stack packaging structure, including: a first metal plate, a second metal plate, multiple connecting rods, multiple fixing bolts, multiple adjusting nuts and multiple fastening bolts; the first metal plate and the second metal plate are relatively arranged at a preset first spacing, and multiple connecting rods are vertically arranged between the first metal plate and the second metal plate, and an installation cavity for installing a battery cell consisting of multiple groups of bipolar plates and membrane electrodes is formed between the first metal plate, the second metal plate and the multiple connecting rods, and the fastening bolts pass through the second metal plate, the adjusting nut and the first threaded hole on each connecting rod in turn for fastening.

[0004] For another example, the utility model with the authorization announcement number CN220021183U discloses a fuel cell stack fixing mechanism and a fuel cell stack, wherein the fuel cell stack fixing mechanism is used to fix the fuel cell stack in a packaging box, and a cover plate is provided at one end of the fuel cell stack, which includes a fixing strip, one end of which is fixedly connected to the cover plate, and the other end of which is adjustably connected to the inner wall of the packaging box. The fuel cell stack fixing mechanism and the fuel cell stack provided by the utility model are configured such that one end of the fixing strip is fixedly connected to the cover plate, and the other end of the fixing strip is adjustably connected to the inner wall of the packaging box. When an error occurs in the size of the fuel cell stack or the size of the internal space of the packaging box, the fuel cell stack can be effectively fixed in the packaging box by simply adjusting the connection position between the fixing strip and the packaging box, thereby avoiding the influence of production errors on the fixation.

[0005] However, in the above two prior arts, the size of the fuel cell stack can be adjusted when an error occurs to ensure the stacking pressure or for fixation with an external packaging box, but the size of the entire single fuel cell stack also changes after the adjustment. That is to say, the above two prior arts do not solve the problem of sizing the fuel cell stack when a large number of single stacks are assembled into a stack. Summary of the invention

[0006] In view of the above-mentioned deficiencies in the prior art, the present invention provides a fuel cell stack with fixed-size installation and an installation method, which solves the problem of overall dimensional deviation of the stack when the stack assembly pressure is consistent and caused by errors generated by unstable component sizes in the stack while keeping the assembly dimensions of a single fuel cell stack consistent.

[0007] A fuel cell stack installed in a fixed size comprises a front end plate, a rear end plate, and a plurality of battery cells clamped and fixed between the front end plate and the rear end plate, wherein the front end plate and the rear end plate are fixedly connected by a fixing rod of fixed length, and a pressing plate for pressing the battery cells is provided on the inner side of the rear end plate.

[0008] A first receiving groove is provided between the rear end plate and the pressure plate, a floating disc is provided in the first receiving groove, a screw hole communicating with the first receiving groove is provided on the rear end plate, a stud is provided in the screw hole and matched with the screw hole thread for pressing the floating disc;

[0009] During installation, the assembly pressure of each battery unit can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the stud without changing the distance between the rear end plate and the front end plate.

[0010] Preferably, the pressure plate is provided with a second accommodating groove at a position directly opposite to the first accommodating groove, a compression spring is provided in the second accommodating groove, and the floating disc indirectly provides pressure to the pressure plate by squeezing the compression spring.

[0011] More preferably, the compression spring is a disc spring.

[0012] More preferably, the first receiving groove is arranged on the rear end plate.

[0013] Further preferably, the pressure plate is provided with a positioning column in the middle area surrounded by the second accommodating groove, and the floating disc is correspondingly provided with a positioning hole for one end of the positioning column to extend into.

[0014] Further preferably, the pressure plate is provided with a threaded mounting hole in the middle area surrounded by the second accommodating groove, and the positioning column is a flat-end set screw with one end cooperating with the threaded mounting hole, and the part of the flat-end set screw protruding from the threaded mounting hole serves as the positioning column.

[0015] Further preferably, the pressure plate protrudes toward one side of the rear end plate in the middle area surrounded by the second accommodating groove to form a boss, the positioning column is arranged in the middle of the boss, the floating disc is provided with a positioning groove matching the boss, and the positioning hole is arranged in the positioning groove.

[0016] Preferably, a positioning portion extending into the screw hole is provided on a side of the floating disc facing the rear end plate, and the stud squeezes the positioning portion.

[0017] More preferably, the stud is a hollow stud with an axial through hole.

[0018] During installation, the pressing column of the press passes through the axial through hole of the hollow stud and acts on the positioning portion.

[0019] The present invention also provides an installation method for the fuel cell stack installed in a fixed size. After the various structures are installed, the distance between the front end plate and the rear end plate is fixed. By adjusting the position of the stud, the assembly pressure of each battery unit can be adjusted without changing the distance between the rear end plate and the front end plate.

[0020] The preferred assembly pressure is 32-38 kN.

[0021] When installing the fuel cell stack installed with fixed dimensions of the present invention, the assembly pressure of each battery cell can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the stud without changing the distance between the rear plate and the front plate, so that the fixed-dimension installation of the stack can be achieved when the dimensions of the plate, membrane electrode, and sealant line (plate, membrane electrode, and sealant line are all structures in the battery cell) are unstable, and the adjustable dimensions can be designed manually. This adjustable design can simultaneously meet the assembly of stacks with different numbers of battery cells; it can also meet the needs of mass production of stacks. It can reduce the number of times designers have to change the design back and forth due to dimensional instability, and it can also avoid potential design risks caused by multiple changes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a fuel cell stack installed in a predetermined size according to the present invention from a first viewing angle.

[0023] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a fuel cell stack installed at a predetermined size according to the present invention from a second viewing angle.

[0024] Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional view of a fuel cell stack installed to a predetermined size according to the present invention.

[0025] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a fuel cell stack installed in a predetermined size according to the present invention from a first viewing angle after removing the battery units.

[0026] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a fuel cell stack installed in a predetermined size according to the present invention from a second viewing angle after removing the battery units.

[0027] Figure 6 It is a cross-sectional view of the partial structure between the rear end plate and the pressure plate.

[0028] Reference numerals: front end plate 1,

[0029] rear end plate 2, first receiving groove 21, screw hole 22,

[0030] Battery unit 3, fixing rod 4,

[0031] The pressing plate 5, the second receiving groove 51, the threaded mounting hole 52, the boss 53,

[0032] Floating disc 6, positioning hole 61, positioning groove 62, positioning portion 63,

[0033] Stud 7, disc spring 8, flat end set screw 9. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, a fuel cell stack installed in a fixed size includes a front end plate 1, a rear end plate 2, and a plurality of battery cells 3 clamped and fixed between the front end plate 1 and the rear end plate 2. Among them, the front end plate 1 is provided with a hydrogen inlet, a hydrogen outlet, an air inlet, an air outlet, a coolant inlet, and a coolant outlet. These structures are not improved in this application, and the conventional structural design in the prior art can be directly adopted. A single battery cell 3 is a sheet-like structural unit. The structure shown in the figure is an overall structure after a plurality of battery cells 3 are stacked. The structure of a single battery cell 3 is not improved in the present invention, and the conventional structural design in the prior art can also be directly adopted.

[0035] like Figures 1-2 , Figures 4-5 As shown, the front end plate 1 and the rear end plate 2 are fixedly connected by a fixing rod 4 of fixed length, and a pressing plate 5 for pressing the battery unit 3 is provided on the inner side of the rear end plate 2. The fixing rods 4 include a plurality of fixing rods, which are respectively arranged on the outer peripheral side of the fuel cell stack. The two ends of each fixing rod 4 are fixed to the front end plate 1 and the rear end plate 2 by bolts, respectively. Since the length of the fixing rod 4 is fixed and it is fixedly connected to the front end plate 1 and the rear end plate 2, the overall outline size of the fuel cell stack defined between the front end plate 1 and the rear end plate 2 is fixed.

[0036] like Figure 3 and Figure 6As shown, a first receiving groove 21 is provided between the rear end plate 2 and the pressure plate 5, and preferably the first receiving groove 21 is provided on the rear end plate 2. A floating disc 6 is provided in the first receiving groove 21, and a screw hole 22 connected to the first receiving groove 21 is provided on the rear end plate 2. A stud 7 is provided in the screw hole 22, which is threadedly matched with the screw hole 22 and is used to press the floating disc 6. During installation, the assembly pressure of each battery unit 3 can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the stud 7 without changing the distance between the rear end plate 2 and the front end plate 1.

[0037] The pressure plate 5 is provided with a second receiving groove 51 at a position directly opposite to the first receiving groove 21, and a compression spring is provided in the second receiving groove 51. The floating disc 6 indirectly provides pressure to the pressure plate 5 by squeezing the compression spring. Preferably, the compression spring is a disc spring 8. In the structure shown in the figure, a total of three first receiving grooves 21 are arranged in the width direction of the fuel cell stack, and accordingly, each first receiving groove 21 corresponds to a second receiving groove 51, and each second receiving groove 51 is provided with two disc springs 8, and the two disc springs 8 are arranged opposite to each other. Of course, for the present application, the number of the first receiving grooves 21 and the number of disc springs 8 provided in each second receiving groove 51 can be appropriately increased or decreased. The assembly pressure is transmitted by the disc spring 8, so that the pressure at each position of the pressure plate 5 can be more uniform.

[0038] The pressing plate 5 is provided with a positioning column in the middle area surrounded by the second receiving groove 51, and the floating disc 6 is correspondingly provided with a positioning hole 61 for one end of the positioning column to extend into. The pressing plate 5 is provided with a threaded mounting hole 52 in the middle area surrounded by the second receiving groove 51, and the positioning column is a flat-end set screw 9 with one end matched with the threaded mounting hole 52, and the part of the flat-end set screw 9 protruding from the threaded mounting hole 52 serves as the above-mentioned positioning column.

[0039] The pressure plate 5 protrudes toward one side of the rear end plate 2 in the middle area surrounded by the second accommodating groove 51 to form a boss 53, a positioning column is arranged in the middle of the boss 53, a positioning groove 62 cooperating with the boss 53 is provided on the floating disc 6, and a positioning hole 61 is arranged in the positioning groove 62.

[0040] A positioning portion 63 extending into the screw hole 22 is provided on one side of the floating disc 6 facing the rear end plate 2 , and the stud 7 presses the positioning portion 63 .

[0041] The arrangement of the flat-end set screw 9 can realize the axial positioning of the floating disc 6, so that when the floating disc 6 is adjusted axially, no deviation in the vertical axial direction occurs. The arrangement of the boss 53 and the positioning groove 62, as well as the positioning portion 63, also play a positioning and guiding role, ensuring that when the floating disc 6 is adjusted axially, no deviation in the vertical axial direction occurs.

[0042] The stud 7 is a hollow stud with an axial through hole. During installation, the pressing column of the press passes through the axial through hole of the hollow stud and acts on the positioning portion 63 .

[0043] The present invention also provides a method for installing a fuel cell stack with fixed size. After the structures are installed, the spacing between the front end plate 1 and the rear end plate 2 is fixed, and the assembly pressure of each battery unit 3 is adjusted by adjusting the position of the stud 7 without changing the spacing between the rear end plate 2 and the front end plate 1. The preferred assembly pressure is 32 to 38 kN.

[0044] When installing the fuel cell stack of the present invention, the assembly pressure of each battery cell can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the stud 7 without changing the distance between the rear plate 2 and the front plate 1. This can solve the problem of unstable dimensions of the plates, membrane electrodes, and sealant lines (plates, membrane electrodes, and sealant lines are all structures in the battery cells). The stack can be installed in a fixed size, and the adjustable size can be designed manually. This adjustable design can simultaneously meet the assembly of stacks with different numbers of battery cells; it can also meet the needs of mass production of stacks. It can reduce the number of times designers have to change the design back and forth due to unstable dimensions, and it can also avoid potential design risks caused by multiple changes.

Claims

1. A fuel cell stack installed in a fixed size, comprising a front end plate, a rear end plate, and a plurality of battery cells clamped and fixed between the front end plate and the rear end plate, characterized in that: The front end plate and the rear end plate are fixedly connected by a fixing rod of fixed length, and a pressing plate for pressing the battery unit is provided on the inner side of the rear end plate. A first receiving groove is provided between the rear end plate and the pressure plate, a floating disc is provided in the first receiving groove, a screw hole communicating with the first receiving groove is provided on the rear end plate, a stud is provided in the screw hole and matched with the screw hole thread for pressing the floating disc; During installation, the assembly pressure of each battery unit can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the stud without changing the distance between the rear end plate and the front end plate.

2. The fuel cell stack installed in a fixed size according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressure plate is provided with a second accommodating groove at a position directly opposite to the first accommodating groove, a compression spring is provided in the second accommodating groove, and the floating disc indirectly provides pressure to the pressure plate by squeezing the compression spring.

3. The fuel cell stack installed in a fixed size according to claim 2, characterized in that: The compression spring is a disc spring.

4. The fuel cell stack installed in a fixed size according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first accommodating groove is arranged on the rear end plate.

5. The fuel cell stack installed in a predetermined size according to claim 4, characterized in that: The pressure plate is provided with a positioning column in the middle area surrounded by the second accommodating groove, and the floating disc is correspondingly provided with a positioning hole for one end of the positioning column to extend into.

6. The fuel cell stack installed in a predetermined size according to claim 5, characterized in that: The pressure plate is provided with a threaded mounting hole in the middle area surrounded by the second accommodating groove, and the positioning column is a flat-end set screw with one end matched with the threaded mounting hole, and the part of the flat-end set screw protruding from the threaded mounting hole serves as the positioning column.

7. The fuel cell stack installed in a predetermined size according to claim 5, characterized in that: The pressure plate protrudes toward one side of the rear end plate in the middle area surrounded by the second accommodating groove to form a boss, the positioning column is arranged in the middle of the boss, the floating disc is provided with a positioning groove matching with the boss, and the positioning hole is arranged in the positioning groove.

8. The fuel cell stack of fixed size installation according to claim 1, characterized in that: A positioning portion extending into the screw hole is provided on one side of the floating disc facing the rear end plate, and the stud squeezes the positioning portion.

9. The fuel cell stack installed in a predetermined size according to claim 8, characterized in that: The stud is a hollow stud with an axial through hole. During installation, the pressing column of the press passes through the axial through hole of the hollow stud and acts on the positioning portion.

10. The method for installing a fuel cell stack of fixed size installation according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: After the structures are installed, the distance between the front end plate and the rear end plate is fixed, and the assembly pressure of each battery unit can be adjusted without changing the distance between the rear end plate and the front end plate by adjusting the position of the stud.

Images