Adjustable high-power fuel cell stack structure

By introducing airbag assembly and automatically adjusting packaging force design into the fuel cell stack, the risk of waist collapse and structural complexity caused by excessive stack deposits is solved, and a compact, high-reliability and low-cost solution for high-power fuel cell stacks is achieved.

CN119650789APending Publication Date: 2025-03-18DONGFANG ELECTRIC (CHENGDU) HYDROGEN FUEL CELL TECH CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202411778325.2
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-12-05
Publication Date
2025-03-18

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

When existing fuel cell stacks meet high power demands, they face the problems of waist collapse caused by excessive stack deposits, difficulty in adjusting packaging force changes, and complex structure, high cost and reduced power density caused by dual- or multi-stack series and parallel solutions.

Method used

An adjustable high-power fuel cell stack structure is designed, and two smaller fuel cell stacks are connected in series through the airbag assembly, and the internal pressure of the intermediate device is used to automatically adjust the stack packaging force, avoiding waist collapse and improving the compactness and reliability of the structure.

Benefits of technology

The establishment of a high-power battery stack with adjustable functions in a compact space is achieved, improving the reliability and compactness of the stack while saving space and production costs.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The invention discloses an adjustable high-power fuel cell stack structure which comprises an anode end plate, a cathode end plate, an insulating plate, a reactor core structure, an airbag assembly and a conductive structure, the anode end plate and the cathode end plate are respectively arranged on two sides of the air bag assembly, the insulating plates comprise an anode insulating plate and a cathode insulating plate, reactor core structures are arranged on two sides of the air bag assembly, the anode insulating plate is arranged between the anode end plate and the corresponding reactor core structure, and the cathode insulating plate is arranged between the cathode end plate and the corresponding reactor core structure; a cathode insulating plate is arranged between one side, facing the anode end plate, of the air bag assembly and the reactor core structure, and an anode insulating plate is arranged between one side, facing the cathode end plate, of the air bag assembly and the reactor core structure; the reactor core structures are connected through conductive structures; the air bag assembly is connected with the anode end plate and the cathode end plate through screws. According to the invention, a high-power battery stack structure with an adjustable function is established in a compact space.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of fuel cells, and in particular to an adjustable high-power fuel cell stack structure. Background Art

[0002] Fuel cells are devices that convert chemical energy into electrical energy through electrochemical reactions. They are highly efficient, low-noise, and pollution-free, and are a very promising power generation technology. However, the biggest bottleneck in the large-scale application of fuel cells is the high cost. Currently, their application in commercial vehicles is becoming more and more popular, and large-tonnage commercial vehicles are also placing higher and higher power requirements on fuel cell engines.

[0003] In order to meet the market's high-power demand for fuel cell engines, the existing technology generally adopts two solutions: one is a single stack solution, and the number of battery cells is greatly increased according to the power demand; the other is a double stack or multi-stack series and parallel solution. However, when a single stack solution is adopted, due to the excessive length of the battery stack, the following problems will occur: the excessive length of the battery stack will cause the battery stack to collapse, resulting in risks such as gas leakage in the battery stack; when the fuel cell is heated and expanded and contracted, the packaging force changes greatly, and a disc spring structure is usually used, but it will cause the overall structure to be longer, which is not conducive to system layout and the packaging force cannot be adjusted online. When a double stack or even multi-stack series and parallel solution is adopted, the following problems will occur: this solution will use at least two sets of battery stack accessories, resulting in a larger volume and higher cost of the battery stack module; in order to make the three-chamber fluid distribution of the two sets of battery stacks uniform, this solution has higher design requirements for the distribution manifold, the structure is complex, and it is difficult to process, and it is difficult to ensure the airtightness of the battery stack module; the complex distribution manifold and two sets of accessories will reduce the power density of the battery stack module and reduce the competitiveness of the fuel cell. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an adjustable high-power fuel cell stack structure, designs an anti-collapse structure, uses an airbag assembly structure to connect two smaller fuel cell stacks in series, and realizes automatic adjustment of the stack packaging force by controlling the internal pressure of the intermediate device, thereby solving the problem of building a high-power battery stack with adjustable function in a compact space, improving product reliability and saving space and production costs.

[0005] The present invention provides an adjustable high-power fuel cell stack structure, and the specific technical solution is as follows:

[0006] It includes an anode terminal plate, a cathode terminal plate, an insulating plate, a core structure, an airbag assembly and a conductive structure;

[0007] The anode end plate and the cathode end plate are respectively arranged on both sides of the airbag assembly, the insulating plate includes an anode insulating plate and a cathode insulating plate, and a core structure is provided on both sides of the airbag assembly, an anode insulating plate is provided between the anode end plate and the corresponding core structure, and a cathode insulating plate is provided between the cathode end plate and the corresponding core structure; a cathode insulating plate is provided between the side of the airbag assembly facing the anode end plate and the core structure, and an anode insulating plate is provided between the side of the airbag assembly facing the cathode end plate and the core structure; the core structure is connected through the conductive structure; the airbag assembly is connected to the anode end plate and the cathode end plate through a screw.

[0008] Furthermore, the core structure includes a first core structure and a second core structure, which are respectively arranged on both sides of the airbag assembly, and the first core structure and the second core structure are composed of a plurality of fuel cells connected in series.

[0009] Furthermore, the anode insulating plate provided between the first core structure and the anode end plate is a first anode insulating plate, and surfaces of the first anode insulating plate in contact with the first core structure and the anode end plate are all provided with sealing members;

[0010] The cathode insulating plate disposed between the second core structure and the cathode end plate is a second cathode insulating plate, and surfaces of the second cathode insulating plate in contact with the second core structure and the cathode end plate are all provided with sealing members.

[0011] Furthermore, the airbag assembly includes a first distribution plate, an airbag, a second distribution plate and a fixed limiting support frame;

[0012] The airbag is arranged in the fixed position-limiting support frame, and the first distribution plate and the second distribution plate are respectively arranged on both sides of the airbag and assembled on the fixed position-limiting support frame.

[0013] Furthermore, the first distribution plate and the second distribution plate are provided with inlet and outlet cavities and support columns at both ends of one side facing the airbag. The inlet and outlet cavities are connected with the inlet and outlet of the airbag to form an inlet and outlet channel. The inlet and outlet channel is connected with the flow channel of the core structure. The support column is vertically connected to the distribution plate.

[0014] Furthermore, the airbag is provided with inlet and outlet through holes and connecting through holes, which are respectively adapted to the inlet and outlet cavities and the support column;

[0015] An air inlet end is arranged on the side surface of one end of the air bag, and the air inlet end comprises a main air inlet and a plurality of air inlet branches.

[0016] Furthermore, the inlet and outlet cavities protrude from the plate surface of the distribution plate in the direction along the inlet and outlet channels, and the protruding portions are inserted into the inlet and outlet through holes.

[0017] Furthermore, the protruding portion of the inlet and outlet cavity and the contact surface of the support column and the airbag are bonded by an adhesive.

[0018] Furthermore, the fixed limiting support frame is provided with a plurality of assembly holes, the assembly holes are adapted to the screw rods, and the screw rods penetrate the assembly holes to connect the airbag assembly with the anode end plate and the cathode end plate.

[0019] Furthermore, the conductive structure includes a current collecting plate and a connecting copper bar; the current collecting plate includes a first current collecting plate, a second current collecting plate, a third current collecting plate and a fourth current collecting plate, which are respectively arranged between the core structure and the corresponding insulating plate;

[0020] Two ends of the connecting copper bar are respectively connected to two current collecting plates close to the airbag assembly.

[0021] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0022] The airbag of the present invention is placed in a fixed limiting support frame, and the first distribution plate and the second distribution plate are attached to the side of the airbag to form an airbag assembly. The anode end plate and the cathode end plate are connected by a screw penetrating the fixed limiting support frame. The core structure is placed between the end plate and the airbag assembly, separated by an insulating plate, and conductive connection is achieved through a conductive structure. This structure realizes two fuel cell stacks connected in series through the airbag assembly, which are stabilized by the fixed limiting support frame to avoid collapse, improve the ability of the stack to resist vibration and impact, and improve the reliability and compactness of the stack; the distribution plate is bonded to the inlet and outlet through holes of the airbag through the inlet and outlet cavities by an adhesive, and the protruding parts of the inlet and outlet cavities can move in coordination along the thickness direction when the airbag expands as the internal pressure increases, thereby realizing automatic adjustment of the stack packaging force by controlling the internal pressure of the intermediate device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 It is an overall schematic diagram of the battery stack structure of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the composition structure of the airbag assembly of the present invention.

[0025] Explanation of the accompanying drawings: 1-anode end plate, 2-first anode insulating plate, 3-first core structure, 4-first cathode insulating plate, 5-airbag assembly, 51-first distribution plate, 52-airbag, 521-inlet and outlet through holes, 522-connecting through holes, 53-second distribution plate, 531-inlet and outlet cavity, 532-support column, 54-fixed limiting support frame, 541-assembly hole, 6-second anode insulating plate, 7-second core structure, 8-second cathode insulating plate, 9-cathode end plate, 10-screw, 11-conductive structure, 111-first current collecting plate, 112-second current collecting plate, 113-connecting copper busbar, 114-third current collecting plate, 115-fourth current collecting plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The following description clearly and completely describes the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0027] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that the indicated orientation or positional relationship is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship in which the invention product is usually placed when in use, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly understood by those skilled in the art, or the orientation or positional relationship in which the invention product is usually placed when in use, which is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and does 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 the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish the description, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0028] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it is also necessary to explain that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "set" and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0029] Example 1

[0030] Embodiment 1 of the present invention discloses an adjustable high-power fuel cell stack structure, such as Figure 1 As shown, the details are as follows:

[0031] It includes an anode terminal plate 1, a cathode terminal plate 9, an insulating plate, a core structure, an airbag assembly 5 and a conductive structure 11;

[0032] Among them, the inlet and outlet gases and coolant are at one end of the stack;

[0033] The anode end plate 1 and the cathode end plate 9 are respectively arranged on both sides of the airbag assembly 5, and the insulating plate includes an anode insulating plate and a cathode insulating plate;

[0034] Both sides of the airbag assembly 5 are provided with a core structure, an anode insulating plate is provided between the anode end plate 1 and the corresponding core structure, and a cathode insulating plate is provided between the cathode end plate 9 and the corresponding core structure;

[0035] A cathode insulating plate is provided between the side of the airbag assembly 5 facing the anode end plate 1 and the core structure, and an anode insulating plate is provided between the side of the airbag assembly 5 facing the cathode end plate 9 and the core structure;

[0036] As a preferred embodiment, the core structure includes a first core structure 3 and a second core structure 7, which are respectively arranged on both sides of the airbag assembly 5, and the first core structure 3 and the second core structure 7 are composed of a plurality of fuel cells connected in series.

[0037] As a preferred embodiment, the anode insulating plate provided between the first core structure 3 and the anode end plate 1 is a first anode insulating plate 2, and the surfaces of the first anode insulating plate 2 in contact with the first core structure 3 and the anode end plate 1 are all provided with sealing members;

[0038] The cathode insulating plate provided between the second core structure 7 and the cathode end plate 9 is a second cathode insulating plate 8, and the surfaces of the second cathode insulating plate 8 in contact with the second core structure 7 and the cathode end plate 9 are all provided with sealing members;

[0039] Specifically, the sealing member uses a sealing ring or a sealing adhesive to prevent the medium from leaking out.

[0040] Based on the above structure, specifically, starting with the anode end plate 1, the anode end plate 1, the first anode insulating plate 2, the first core structure 3, the first cathode insulating plate 4, the airbag assembly 5, the second anode insulating plate 6, the second core structure 7, the second cathode insulating plate 8 and the cathode end plate 9 are sequentially provided;

[0041] The core structure is connected via the conductive structure 11 ; the airbag assembly 5 is connected to the anode end plate 1 and the cathode end plate 9 via a screw 10 .

[0042] Specifically, the first anode insulating plate 2 and the first cathode insulating plate 4 are both provided with grooves for assembling the conductive structure 11; the first anode insulating plate 2 is used to separate the anode terminal plate 1 from the first core structure 3; the first cathode insulating plate 4 is used to separate the first core structure 3 from the airbag assembly 5;

[0043] The surface of the first anode insulating plate 2 in contact with the first core structure 3 and the anode end plate 1 is provided with a sealing groove for installing the sealing member, on which a flow channel is provided for gas and a channel for entering and exiting the stack and is connected with a channel of the first core structure 3;

[0044] The surface of the first cathode insulating plate 4 in contact with the first core structure 3 and the airbag assembly 5 is provided with a sealing groove for installing the sealing member, on which a flow channel is provided for the passage of gas and liquid into and out of the fuel cell stack and is connected with the channel of the airbag assembly 5.

[0045] As a preferred embodiment, the airbag assembly 5 is arranged between the first cathode insulating plate 4 and the second anode insulating plate 6, so that the force on the battery stack is more uniform;

[0046] like Figure 2 As shown, the airbag assembly 5 includes a first distribution plate 51, an airbag 52, a second distribution plate 53 and a fixed limiting support frame 54;

[0047] The airbag 52 is disposed in the fixed position-limiting support frame 54 , and the first distribution plate 51 and the second distribution plate 53 are respectively disposed on both sides of the airbag 52 and assembled on the fixed position-limiting support frame 54 .

[0048] As a preferred embodiment, the first distribution plate 51 and the second distribution plate 53 are provided with an inlet and outlet cavity 531 and a support column 532 at both ends of a side facing the airbag 52;

[0049] The inlet and outlet cavities 531 are connected with the inlet and outlet of the airbag 52 to form an inlet and outlet channel, and the inlet and outlet channel is connected with the flow channels of the first core structure 3 and the second core structure 7;

[0050] The support column 532 is vertically connected to the distribution plate.

[0051] As a preferred embodiment, the airbag 52 is provided with an inlet and outlet through hole 521 and a connecting through hole 522, which are respectively adapted to the inlet and outlet cavity 531 and the support column 532;

[0052] The inlet and outlet cavities 531 protrude from the plate surface of the distribution plate in the direction of the inlet and outlet channels, and the protruding portion is inserted into the inlet and outlet through holes 521;

[0053] Specifically, the portion of the inlet and outlet cavity 531 protruding from the distribution plate can move in coordination along the thickness direction of the distribution plate within a certain distance range.

[0054] As a preferred embodiment, the protruding portion of the inlet and outlet cavity 531 and the contact surface of the support column 532 and the airbag 52 are bonded by an adhesive, and the adhesive must have a certain strength to ensure long-term normal operation of the battery stack.

[0055] As a preferred embodiment, an air inlet end is provided on the side of one end of the air bag 52, and the air inlet end includes a main air inlet and a plurality of air inlet branches to ensure that the force on the battery stack is more uniform;

[0056] Specifically, the fixed position-limiting support frame 54 is provided with a plurality of through holes at the air inlet end corresponding to the air bag 52 , and the air inlet branch of the air bag 52 passes through the fixed position-limiting support frame 54 via the through holes.

[0057] As a preferred embodiment, the fixed limit support frame 54 is provided with a plurality of assembly holes 541, and the assembly holes 541 are adapted to the screw rod 10;

[0058] Specifically, the assembly holes 541 are symmetrically and evenly distributed at the upper and lower ends of the fixed limit support frame 54, and the screw rod 10 is perpendicular to the plane where the fixed limit support frame 54 is located;

[0059] The screw rod 10 passes through the assembly hole 541 to connect the airbag assembly 5 with the anode end plate 1 and the cathode end plate 9, and is fixed by the screw rod 10 to play the role of "anti-collapse".

[0060] As a preferred embodiment, the conductive structure 11 includes a first current collecting plate 111, a second current collecting plate 112, a connecting copper bus 113, a third current collecting plate 114 and a fourth current collecting plate 115;

[0061] The first current collecting plate 111 is arranged between the first anode insulating plate 2 and the first core structure 3, the second current collecting plate 112 is arranged between the first core structure 3 and the first cathode insulating plate 4, the two ends of the connecting copper bus 113 are electrically connected to the second current collecting plate 112 and the third current collecting plate 114, the third current collecting plate 114 is arranged between the second anode insulating plate 6 and the second core structure 7, and the fourth current collecting plate 115 is arranged between the second core structure 7 and the second cathode insulating plate 8.

[0062] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned specific embodiments, but extends to any new features or any new combination disclosed in this specification, as well as any new method or process steps or any new combination disclosed.

Claims

1. An adjustable high-power fuel cell stack structure, characterized in that: It includes an anode terminal plate, a cathode terminal plate, an insulating plate, a core structure, an airbag assembly and a conductive structure; The anode end plate and the cathode end plate are respectively arranged on both sides of the airbag assembly, the insulating plate includes an anode insulating plate and a cathode insulating plate, and a core structure is provided on both sides of the airbag assembly, an anode insulating plate is provided between the anode end plate and the corresponding core structure, and a cathode insulating plate is provided between the cathode end plate and the corresponding core structure; a cathode insulating plate is provided between the side of the airbag assembly facing the anode end plate and the core structure, and an anode insulating plate is provided between the side of the airbag assembly facing the cathode end plate and the core structure; the core structure is connected through the conductive structure; the airbag assembly is connected to the anode end plate and the cathode end plate through a screw.

2. The adjustable high-power fuel cell stack structure according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The core structure comprises a first core structure and a second core structure, which are respectively arranged on both sides of the airbag assembly. The first core structure and the second core structure are composed of a plurality of fuel cells connected in series.

3. The adjustable high-power fuel cell stack structure according to claim 2 is characterized in that: The anode insulating plate provided between the first core structure and the anode end plate is a first anode insulating plate, and the surfaces of the first anode insulating plate in contact with the first core structure and the anode end plate are all provided with sealing members; The cathode insulating plate disposed between the second core structure and the cathode end plate is a second cathode insulating plate, and surfaces of the second cathode insulating plate in contact with the second core structure and the cathode end plate are all provided with sealing members.

4. The adjustable high-power fuel cell stack structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The airbag assembly includes a first distribution plate, an airbag, a second distribution plate and a fixed limiting support frame; The airbag is arranged in the fixed position-limiting support frame, and the first distribution plate and the second distribution plate are respectively arranged on both sides of the airbag and assembled on the fixed position-limiting support frame.

5. The adjustable high-power fuel cell stack structure according to claim 4 is characterized in that: The first distribution plate and the second distribution plate are provided with inlet and outlet cavities and support columns at both ends of one side facing the airbag. The inlet and outlet cavities are connected with the inlet and outlet of the airbag to form an inlet and outlet channel. The inlet and outlet channel is connected with the flow channel of the core structure. The support column is vertically connected to the distribution plate.

6. The adjustable high-power fuel cell stack structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The airbag is provided with an inlet and outlet through-hole and a connecting through-hole, which are respectively adapted to the inlet and outlet cavity and the support column; An air inlet end is arranged on the side surface of one end of the air bag, and the air inlet end comprises a main air inlet and a plurality of air inlet branches.

7. The adjustable high-power fuel cell stack structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The inlet and outlet cavities protrude from the plate surface of the distribution plate in the direction along the inlet and outlet channels, and the protruding portions are inserted into the inlet and outlet through holes.

8. The adjustable high-power fuel cell stack structure according to claim 7, characterized in that: The protruding portion of the inlet and outlet cavity and the contact surface of the support column and the airbag are bonded by an adhesive.

9. The adjustable high-power fuel cell stack structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The fixed limiting support frame is provided with a plurality of assembly holes, the assembly holes are adapted to the screw rods, and the screw rods penetrate the assembly holes to connect the airbag assembly with the anode end plate and the cathode end plate.

10. The adjustable high-power fuel cell stack structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conductive structure includes a current collecting plate and a connecting copper bar; the current collecting plate includes a first current collecting plate, a second current collecting plate, a third current collecting plate and a fourth current collecting plate, which are respectively arranged between the core structure and the corresponding insulating plate; The two ends of the connecting copper bar are respectively connected to two current collecting plates close to the airbag assembly.