Polar plate, fuel cell system and automobile

By designing corrugated flow channels on the plates of the fuel cell, the problem of poor electrochemical reaction consistency in the reaction zone is solved, and the performance and life of the fuel cell are improved.

CN119920923APending Publication Date: 2025-05-02GUANGZHOU AUTOMOBILE GROUP CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202311399119.6
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-10-25
Publication Date
2025-05-02

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Due to the DC channel design of the reaction zone of the existing fuel cells, the electrochemical reaction consistency is poor, and hot spots are prone to occur, damage to the proton exchange membrane, affecting the performance and life of the fuel cell.

Method used

A kind of electrode plate is designed, including anode plate and cathode plate. The flow channel of the hydrogen reaction zone and the air reaction zone is designed with a corrugated segment. The length of the corrugated segment is gradually reduced to improve flow resistance and residence time and improve the electrochemical reaction consistency of the reaction zone.

Benefits of technology

By improving the electrochemical reaction consistency of the reaction zone, the performance and life of the fuel cell stack are improved, the occurrence of hot spots is reduced, and the service life of the proton exchange membrane is extended.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The invention belongs to the field of fuel cells, and particularly relates to a polar plate, a fuel cell system and an automobile, the polar plate comprises an anode plate and a cathode plate, the front surface of the anode plate is provided with a hydrogen reaction zone, and the hydrogen reaction zone comprises a plurality of hydrogen flow channels arranged at intervals; the front surface of the cathode plate and the front surface of the anode plate are oppositely arranged, an air reaction area is arranged on the front surface of the cathode plate and comprises a plurality of air flow channels arranged at intervals, and a cooling area is arranged on the back surface of the cathode plate and comprises a plurality of cooling flow channels arranged at intervals; at least one of the hydrogen flow channel, the air flow channel and the cooling flow channel comprises a plurality of corrugated sections, and the lengths of the corrugated sections are gradually reduced in the flowing direction of hydrogen, air or cooling liquid. And the corrugated sections of the hydrogen flow channel, the air flow channel or the cooling flow channel adopt the design of gradually reducing the length along the flow direction, so that the problem of non-uniform distribution caused by consumption of hydrogen and air can be improved or eliminated, and the electrochemical reaction consistency at different positions of the reaction area is improved.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application belongs to the field of fuel cells, and specifically relates to a polar plate, a fuel cell system and a car. Background Art

[0002] Hydrogen fuel cells are power generation devices that directly convert the chemical energy of hydrogen into electrical energy. Hydrogen fuel cells have the advantages of being environmentally friendly, quiet in operation, and highly efficient in generating electricity, and have broad application prospects.

[0003] Hydrogen fuel cells are mainly composed of fuel cell stacks, fuel supply systems, air supply systems, etc. Bipolar plates are the core components of fuel cell stacks, and their functions include providing gas flow fields, supporting membrane electrodes, and conducting current.

[0004] The existing bipolar plate consists of three parts: the inlet and outlet area, the distribution area and the reaction area. The reaction area includes multiple flow channels, and the distribution area evenly distributes hydrogen, oxygen or coolant to different flow channels in the reaction area. However, the reaction area adopts a straight flow channel design. Along the extension direction of the flow channel, the electrochemical reaction consistency at different positions in the reaction area is poor. In severe cases, hot spots will appear, causing damage to the proton exchange membrane, affecting the performance and life of the fuel cell. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present application is to provide a plate, a fuel cell system and a car to improve the consistency of electrochemical reactions at different positions in the reaction zone, thereby improving the performance and life of the fuel cell.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present application provides a plate, comprising:

[0007] An anode plate having a front side and a back side opposite to each other, wherein a hydrogen reaction zone is disposed on the front side of the anode plate, and the hydrogen reaction zone comprises a plurality of hydrogen flow channels disposed at intervals;

[0008] A cathode plate having a front side and a back side opposite to each other, wherein the front side of the cathode plate is arranged opposite to the front side of the anode plate, and an air reaction zone is arranged on the front side of the cathode plate, wherein the air reaction zone includes a plurality of air flow channels arranged at intervals, and a cooling zone is arranged on the back side of the cathode plate, wherein the cooling zone includes a plurality of cooling flow channels arranged at intervals, and at least one of the hydrogen flow channel, the air flow channel and the cooling flow channel includes a plurality of corrugated sections, wherein the corrugated section includes two straight flow channel segments connected at a certain angle, and the length of the corrugated section gradually decreases along the flow direction of hydrogen, air or coolant.

[0009] Optionally, the hydrogen flow channel, the air flow channel and the cooling flow channel each include a plurality of corrugated sections, and the length of the corrugated sections gradually decreases along the flow direction of the hydrogen, air or coolant.

[0010] Optionally, along the direction in which hydrogen flows, the cross-sectional shape and size of the hydrogen flow channel are the same, along the direction in which air flows, the cross-sectional shape and size of the air flow channel are the same, and along the direction in which coolant flows, the cross-sectional shape and size of the cooling flow channel are the same.

[0011] Optionally, a density increasing direction of the corrugated section of the air flow channel and the cooling flow channel is opposite to a density increasing direction of the corrugated section of the hydrogen flow channel.

[0012] Optionally, the cathode plate further includes a cooling liquid inlet, a cooling liquid outlet and a cooling liquid distribution area, the cooling liquid inlet and the cooling liquid outlet are respectively arranged at two ends of the cooling zone, the cooling liquid inlet and the cooling liquid outlet are both connected to the front and back sides of the cathode plate, and two cooling liquid distribution areas are both arranged on the back side of the cathode plate, one cooling liquid distribution area connects the cooling liquid inlet and the cooling zone, and the other cooling liquid distribution area connects the cooling liquid outlet and the cooling zone.

[0013] Optionally, the coolant distribution area is provided with a plurality of guide columns arranged at intervals, and the guide columns include cylinders, and the cylindrical surface of the guide columns distributes the coolant at the coolant inlet to different cooling channels or gathers the coolant from different cooling channels to the coolant outlet.

[0014] Optionally, the gap between the guide columns in the middle of the coolant distribution area is smaller than the gap between the guide columns on both sides.

[0015] Optionally, a plurality of the cooling channels are arranged at intervals along the column direction, the coolant inlet, the coolant outlet, the coolant distribution area and the cooling area are arranged along the row direction, a plurality of the guide posts are arranged at intervals along the row direction and the column direction, the spacing between adjacent guide posts in the same row is 2M, the spacing between adjacent guide posts in the same column is 2L, the guide posts in adjacent rows are arranged at an offset of M in the row direction, and the guide posts in adjacent columns are arranged at an offset of L in the column direction;

[0016] The guide column comprises a cylinder, with the guide column close to the cooling zone and aligned with the coolant inlet or the coolant outlet as the center point, and multiple rings of the guide column arranged around the center point, the outer diameter of which gradually decreases from the inside to the outside.

[0017] Optionally, the coolant distribution area is provided with a supporting boss, and a plurality of the supporting bosses are arranged at intervals along a column direction on a side of the coolant distribution area away from the cooling area, and the supporting bosses are used to support the sealing gasket.

[0018] Optionally, the coolant distribution area is provided with a support column, and the support column is located in an area outside the guide column and the support boss.

[0019] Optionally, the support column comprises a cylinder, and an outer diameter of the support column is less than or equal to an outer diameter of any one of the guide columns.

[0020] Optionally, the cathode plate further comprises an air inlet, an air outlet and an air distribution area, the air inlet and the air outlet are respectively arranged at two ends of the air reaction area, the air inlet and the air outlet are both connected to the front and back sides of the cathode plate, two air distribution areas are both arranged on the front side of the cathode plate, one air distribution area is connected to the air inlet and the air reaction area, the other air distribution area is connected to the air outlet and the air reaction area, the air distribution area comprises a plurality of air branch channels, one end of the air branch channel is connected to at least one air flow channel, and the other end of the air branch channel is connected to the air inlet or the air outlet;

[0021] The anode plate also includes a hydrogen inlet, a hydrogen outlet and a hydrogen distribution area. The hydrogen inlet and the hydrogen outlet are respectively arranged at the two ends of the hydrogen reaction area. The hydrogen inlet and the hydrogen outlet are both connected to the front and back of the anode plate. Two hydrogen distribution areas are both arranged on the front side of the anode plate. One hydrogen distribution area connects the hydrogen inlet and the hydrogen reaction area, and the other hydrogen distribution area connects the hydrogen outlet and the hydrogen reaction area. The hydrogen distribution area includes a plurality of hydrogen branch channels, one end of the hydrogen branch channel is connected to at least one hydrogen flow channel, and the other end of the hydrogen branch channel is connected to the hydrogen inlet or the hydrogen outlet.

[0022] Optionally, a first groove is provided on the front side of the anode plate, and the first groove at least surrounds the hydrogen reaction zone, the hydrogen inlet and the hydrogen outlet;

[0023] A second groove is provided on the front side of the cathode plate, and the second groove at least surrounds the air reaction area, the air inlet and the air outlet;

[0024] A third groove is arranged on the back side of the cathode plate, and the third groove at least surrounds the cooling area, the cooling liquid inlet and the cooling liquid outlet.

[0025] The present application also provides a fuel cell system, including a fuel cell stack, the fuel cell stack including the electrode plate, a first end plate, a second end plate and a membrane electrode, the membrane electrode is arranged between the first end plate and the second end plate, the anode plate is arranged between the first end plate and the membrane electrode, and the cathode plate is arranged between the membrane electrode and the second end plate.

[0026] The present application also provides a car, comprising:

[0027] Powertrain;

[0028] The fuel cell system is connected to the power system.

[0029] The electrode plate, fuel cell system and automobile disclosed in this application have the following beneficial effects:

[0030] In the present application, the electrode plate includes an anode plate and a cathode plate, a hydrogen reaction zone is arranged on the front of the anode plate, the hydrogen reaction zone includes a plurality of hydrogen flow channels arranged at intervals, an air reaction zone is arranged on the front of the cathode plate, the air reaction zone includes a plurality of air flow channels arranged at intervals, a cooling zone is arranged on the back of the cathode plate, the cooling zone includes a plurality of cooling flow channels arranged at intervals, at least one of the hydrogen flow channel, the air flow channel and the cooling flow channel includes a plurality of corrugated sections, the corrugated section includes two straight flow channel sections connected at a certain angle, and the length of the corrugated section gradually decreases along the flow direction of hydrogen, air or coolant. The corrugated sections of the hydrogen flow channel, the air flow channel or the cooling flow channel are designed to gradually decrease in length along the flow direction, which can gradually increase the flow resistance, the residence time and contact area of ​​hydrogen, air or coolant along the flow direction, improve or eliminate the uneven distribution problem caused by the consumption of hydrogen and air, improve the consistency of electrochemical reactions at different positions in the reaction zone, and improve the performance and life of the fuel cell stack.

[0031] Other features and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the following detailed description, or may be learned in part by the practice of the present application.

[0032] It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] The drawings herein are incorporated into the specification and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present application, and together with the specification are used to explain the principles of the present application. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application, and for ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0034] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the front structure of the anode plate in the embodiment of the present application.

[0035] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the back structure of the anode plate in the embodiment of the present application.

[0036] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the front structure of the cathode plate in the embodiment of the present application.

[0037] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the back structure of the cathode plate in the embodiment of the present application.

[0038] Figure 5It is a schematic diagram of the relative arrangement of the anode plate and the cathode plate in the embodiment of the present application.

[0039] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the corrugated section in the embodiment of the present application.

[0040] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the coolant distribution area in an embodiment of the present application.

[0041] Figure 8 It is a comparison diagram of cooling channel flow distribution in the embodiment of the present application.

[0042] Fig. 9 It is a schematic diagram of the fuel cell stack structure in an embodiment of the present application.

[0043] Description of reference numerals:

[0044] 100, anode plate; 110, hydrogen reaction zone; 111, hydrogen flow channel; 120, hydrogen distribution zone; 121, hydrogen flow channel; 131, hydrogen inlet; 132, hydrogen outlet; 140, first groove;

[0045] 200, cathode plate; 210, air reaction zone; 211, air flow channel; 220, air distribution zone; 221, air flow channel; 231, air inlet; 232, air outlet; 240, cooling zone; 241, cooling flow channel; 250, coolant distribution zone; 251, guide column; 252, support boss; 253, support column; 261, coolant inlet; 262, coolant outlet; 271, second groove; 272, third groove;

[0046] 300, first end plate; 400, second end plate; 500, membrane electrode; 610, first current collecting plate; 620, second current collecting plate; 710, first electrode plate; 720, second electrode plate; 810, positioning hole; 820, voltage collection groove; 900, corrugated section; 910, DC channel segment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, example embodiments can be implemented in a variety of forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this application will be more comprehensive and complete and fully convey the concept of the example embodiments to those skilled in the art.

[0048] In addition, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to give a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present application. However, those skilled in the art will realize that the technical solutions of the present application may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or other methods, components, devices, steps, etc. may be adopted. In other cases, well-known methods, devices, implementations, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the present application.

[0049] The present application will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted here that the technical features involved in the various embodiments of the present application described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other. The embodiments described below by referring to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended to explain the present application, and should not be construed as a limitation of the present application.

[0050] See Figures 1 to 6 As shown, in this embodiment, the bipolar plates are used for a fuel cell stack, and the bipolar plates include an anode plate 100 and a cathode plate 200. The anode plate 100 has opposite front and back surfaces. A hydrogen reaction zone 110 is provided on the front surface of the anode plate 100. The hydrogen reaction zone 110 includes a plurality of hydrogen flow channels 111 arranged at intervals. The back surface of the anode plate 100 corresponding to the hydrogen reaction zone 110 is a plane.

[0051] The cathode plate 200 has opposite front and back surfaces. The front surface of the cathode plate 200 is disposed opposite to the front surface of the anode plate 100. An air reaction zone 210 is provided on the front surface of the cathode plate 200. The air reaction zone 210 includes a plurality of air flow channels 211 arranged at intervals. A cooling zone 240 is provided on the back surface of the cathode plate 200. The cooling zone 240 includes a plurality of cooling flow channels 241 arranged at intervals. At least one of the hydrogen flow channels 111, the air flow channels 211, and the cooling flow channels 241 includes a plurality of corrugated segments 900. The corrugated segment 900 includes two straight channel segments 910 that form a certain angle and are smoothly connected. Along the flowing direction of hydrogen, air, or coolant, the length of the corrugated segment 900 gradually decreases and the density gradually increases. As Figure 6 shown, An < An-1, where n is the number of corrugated segments 900, Ai is the length of the corrugated segment 900 along the flowing direction of hydrogen, air, or coolant, and i = [1, n].

[0052] When the fuel cell stack operates, hydrogen is continuously consumed along the flowing direction, and the hydrogen density continuously decreases, resulting in uneven hydrogen distribution in the entire hydrogen reaction zone 110. The corrugated segment 900 of the hydrogen flow channel 111 adopts a design with a gradually decreasing length along the flowing direction, which can gradually increase the flow resistance, the residence time of hydrogen, and the contact area along the flow channel direction, improve or eliminate the problem of uneven hydrogen distribution caused by hydrogen consumption, and improve the performance of the fuel cell stack.

[0053] Accordingly, the oxygen in the air is being consumed along the flow direction, and the oxygen concentration is continuously decreasing, resulting in uneven oxygen distribution in the entire air reaction zone 210. The corrugated section 900 of the air flow channel 211 is designed to gradually reduce its length along the flow direction, which can gradually increase the air resistance, air residence time and contact area along the flow channel direction, improve or eliminate the problem of uneven oxygen distribution caused by the consumption of oxygen in the air, and improve the performance of the fuel cell stack.

[0054] For the cooling channel 241, its corrugated section 900 is also designed to gradually reduce its length along the flow direction, which can gradually increase the flow resistance, coolant residence time and contact area along the channel direction, and improve or eliminate the uneven cooling problem caused by the temperature increase during the flow of the coolant.

[0055] The existing electrode plate includes three parts: the inlet and outlet area, the distribution area and the reaction area. The reaction area includes multiple flow channels. The distribution area evenly distributes hydrogen, oxygen or coolant to different flow channels in the reaction area. However, the reaction area adopts a straight channel design. Even if the hydrogen, oxygen and coolant are evenly distributed between the flow channels, due to the consumption of hydrogen and oxygen during the flow process, there is still an uneven distribution problem of hydrogen, oxygen and coolant along the flow direction of hydrogen, oxygen and cooling. The uneven distribution along the extension direction of the flow channel leads to poor consistency of electrochemical reactions at different positions in the reaction area, affecting the performance and life of the fuel cell.

[0056] In this embodiment, the electrode plate includes an anode plate 100 and a cathode plate 200. A hydrogen reaction zone 110 is arranged on the front of the anode plate 100. The hydrogen reaction zone 110 includes a plurality of hydrogen flow channels 111 arranged at intervals. An air reaction zone 210 is arranged on the front of the cathode plate 200. The air reaction zone 210 includes a plurality of air flow channels 211 arranged at intervals. A cooling zone 240 is arranged on the back of the cathode plate 200. The cooling zone 240 includes a plurality of cooling flow channels 241 arranged at intervals. At least one of the hydrogen flow channel 111, the air flow channel 211 and the cooling flow channel 241 includes a plurality of corrugated sections 900. The corrugated section 900 includes two straight channel segments 910 that are smoothly connected at a certain angle. The length of the corrugated section 900 gradually decreases along the flow direction of hydrogen, air or coolant. The corrugated section 900 of the hydrogen flow channel 111, the air flow channel 211 or the cooling flow channel 241 is designed to gradually reduce its length along the flow direction, which can gradually increase the flow resistance, the residence time and the contact area of ​​hydrogen, air or coolant along the flow channel direction, improve or eliminate the uneven distribution problem caused by hydrogen and air consumption, improve the consistency of electrochemical reactions at different positions in the reaction zone, and improve the performance and life of the fuel cell stack.

[0057] See also Figures 1 to 6As shown, the hydrogen flow channel 111, the air flow channel 211 and the cooling flow channel 241 all include a plurality of corrugated sections 900, and the length of the corrugated sections 900 gradually decreases along the flow direction of the hydrogen, air or coolant.

[0058] The corrugated sections 900 of the hydrogen flow channel 111, the air flow channel 211 and the cooling flow channel 241 are all designed with a length gradually decreasing along the flow direction, which can gradually increase the flow resistance, the residence time and the contact area of ​​hydrogen, air and coolant along the flow channel direction, improve or eliminate the uneven distribution problem caused by the consumption of hydrogen and air. Compared with the scheme in which the corrugated section 900 of the hydrogen flow channel 111, the air flow channel 211 or the cooling flow channel 241 is designed with a length gradually decreasing along the flow direction, it can further improve the consistency of electrochemical reactions at different positions of the reaction zone, thereby improving the performance and life of the fuel cell stack.

[0059] See also Figures 1 to 6 As shown, along the hydrogen flow direction, the cross-sectional shape and size of the hydrogen flow channel 111 are the same. Along the air flow direction, the cross-sectional shape and size of the air flow channel 211 are the same. Along the coolant flow direction, the cross-sectional shape and size of the cooling flow channel 241 are the same. In other words, the hydrogen flow channel 111, the air flow channel 211 and the cooling flow channel 241 are not variable diameter pipes.

[0060] In this embodiment, the corrugated sections 900 of the hydrogen flow channel 111, the air flow channel 211 and the cooling flow channel 241 are all designed to gradually reduce their length along the flow direction, so as to improve or eliminate the uneven distribution problem caused by the consumption of hydrogen and air. The hydrogen flow channel 111, the air flow channel 211 and the cooling flow channel 241 are not variable diameter pipes. With this design, the structures of the hydrogen flow channel 111, the air flow channel 211 and the cooling flow channel 241 are simpler, which can reduce the production cost of the electrode plate.

[0061] In some embodiments, the density increasing direction of the corrugated section 900 of the air flow channel 211 and the cooling flow channel 241 is opposite to the density increasing direction of the corrugated section 900 of the hydrogen flow channel 111. Figure 1 As shown ( Figure 1 The arrow in the middle indicates the hydrogen flow direction), and the hydrogen flows from right to left in the hydrogen flow channel 111. Figure 3 As shown ( Figure 3 The arrow in the middle indicates the air flow direction), and the air flows from left to right in the air flow channel 211; Figure 4 As shown ( Figure 4 The middle arrow indicates the coolant flow direction), and the coolant flows from left to right in the cooling channel 241.

[0062] The density increasing direction of the corrugated section 900 of the air flow channel 211 and the cooling flow channel 241 is opposite to the density increasing direction of the corrugated section 900 of the hydrogen flow channel 111. This design can further improve or eliminate the uneven distribution problem caused by hydrogen and air consumption, improve the consistency of electrochemical reactions at different positions in the reaction zone, and improve the performance and life of the fuel cell stack.

[0063] It should be noted that the density increasing direction of the corrugated section 900 of the cooling channel 241 is opposite to the density increasing direction of the corrugated section 900 of the hydrogen channel 111, but is not limited to this. The density increasing direction of the corrugated section 900 of the cooling channel 241 may also be the same as the density increasing direction of the corrugated section 900 of the hydrogen channel 111. The coolant flows from right to left in the cooling channel 241, which may depend on the specific situation.

[0064] See also Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the anode plate 100 further includes a hydrogen distribution area 120, a hydrogen inlet 131 and a hydrogen outlet 132. The hydrogen inlet 131 and the hydrogen outlet 132 are respectively arranged at both ends of the hydrogen reaction area 110, and the hydrogen inlet 131 and the hydrogen outlet 132 are both connected to the front and back of the anode plate 100. The two hydrogen distribution areas 120 are both arranged on the front of the anode plate 100, one hydrogen distribution area 120 connects the hydrogen inlet 131 and the hydrogen reaction area 110, and the other hydrogen distribution area 120 connects the hydrogen outlet 132 and the hydrogen reaction area 110, and the hydrogen distribution area 120 includes a plurality of hydrogen flow channels 121, one end of the hydrogen flow channel 121 is connected to at least one hydrogen flow channel 111, and the other end of the hydrogen flow channel 121 is connected to the hydrogen inlet 131 or the hydrogen outlet 132.

[0065] When the fuel cell stack is working, hydrogen enters from the hydrogen inlet 131 and enters the hydrogen reaction zone 110 through the hydrogen distribution area 120. After the hydrogen reaction zone 110 is consumed by the membrane electrode 500, the remaining hydrogen is collected at the hydrogen outlet 132 through the hydrogen distribution area 120 and discharged.

[0066] The hydrogen inlet 131, the hydrogen outlet 132 and the hydrogen reaction zone 110 are all connected through the hydrogen distribution zone 120. The hydrogen distribution zone 120 can evenly distribute hydrogen to ensure that hydrogen is evenly distributed in each hydrogen flow channel 111 of the hydrogen reaction zone 110, thereby improving the consistency of electrochemical reactions at different positions in the reaction zone.

[0067] The cathode plate 200 further includes an air distribution area 220, an air inlet 231 and an air outlet 232. The air inlet 231 and the air outlet 232 are respectively arranged at both ends of the air reaction area 210, and the air inlet 231 and the air outlet 232 are both connected to the front and back of the cathode plate 200. The two air distribution areas 220 are both arranged on the front of the cathode plate 200, one air distribution area 220 connects the air inlet 231 and the air reaction area 210, and the other air distribution area 220 connects the air outlet 232 and the air reaction area 210. The air distribution area 220 includes a plurality of air flow channels 221, one end of the air flow channel 221 is connected to at least one air flow channel 211, and the other end of the air flow channel 221 is connected to the air inlet 231 or the air outlet 232.

[0068] When the fuel cell stack is working, air enters from the air inlet 231 and reaches the air reaction zone 210 through the air distribution area 220. After the oxygen in the air is consumed by the membrane electrode 500, the remaining air is collected in the air distribution area 220 and discharged from the air outlet 232.

[0069] The air inlet 231, the air outlet 232 and the air reaction zone 210 are all connected through the air distribution zone 220. The air distribution zone 220 can evenly distribute the air to ensure that the air is evenly distributed in each air flow channel 211 of the air reaction zone 210, thereby improving the consistency of the electrochemical reaction at different positions in the reaction zone.

[0070] See also Figure 4 As shown, the cathode plate 200 further includes a cooling liquid inlet 261, a cooling liquid outlet 262 and a cooling liquid distribution area 250. The cooling liquid inlet 261 and the cooling liquid outlet 262 are respectively arranged at both ends of the cooling area 240, and the cooling liquid inlet 261 and the cooling liquid outlet 262 are both connected to the front and back of the cathode plate 200. The two cooling liquid distribution areas 250 are both arranged on the back of the cathode plate 200, one cooling liquid distribution area 250 connects the cooling liquid inlet 261 and the cooling area 240, and the other cooling liquid distribution area 250 connects the cooling liquid outlet 262 and the cooling area 240.

[0071] When the fuel cell stack is working, the coolant enters from the coolant inlet 261, passes through the coolant distribution area 250 to reach the cooling area 240, takes away the heat generated by the reaction in the cooling area 240, and then flows out from the coolant outlet 262 after being collected in the coolant distribution area 250.

[0072] The coolant inlet 261, the coolant outlet 262 and the cooling zone 240 are all connected through the coolant distribution area 250. The coolant distribution area 250 can evenly distribute the coolant to ensure that the coolant is evenly distributed in the cooling channels 241 of the cooling zone 240, so that the temperature distribution in the reaction zone is even, avoiding the generation of local hot spots, and improving the performance and life of the fuel cell stack.

[0073] See also Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the plate is used for a fuel cell stack, and the fuel cell stack includes a battery cell, and the battery cell includes an anode plate 100, a cathode plate 200, and a membrane electrode 500 therebetween. When the fuel cell stack includes multiple groups of battery cells, the cathode plate 200 of the first group of battery cells and the anode plate 100 of the second group of battery cells are bonded. At both ends of the plate, the coolant inlet 261 and the coolant outlet 262 are centrally arranged in the column direction, the hydrogen inlet 131 and the hydrogen outlet 132 are arranged on one side of the coolant inlet 261 and the coolant outlet 262 in the column direction, and the air inlet 231 and the air outlet 232 are arranged on the other side of the coolant inlet 261 and the coolant outlet 262 in the column direction.

[0074] The hydrogen inlet 131, the hydrogen outlet 132, the air inlet 231, the air outlet 232, the coolant inlet 261 and the coolant outlet 262 are all rounded rectangles. The hydrogen inlet 131 and the hydrogen outlet 132 are the smallest in size, the air inlet 231 and the air outlet 232 are the largest in size, and the coolant inlet 261 and the coolant outlet 262 are the largest in size. A positioning hole 810 and a voltage collection groove 820 are also provided in the area near the hydrogen inlet 131 and the hydrogen outlet 132. The positioning hole 810 can be used for positioning when the anode plate 100 and the cathode plate 200 are paired, and the voltage collection groove 820 can be used for connecting a voltage collection device.

[0075] See also Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the front side of the anode plate 100 is provided with a first groove 140, and the first groove 140 at least surrounds the hydrogen reaction area 110, the hydrogen inlet 131 and the hydrogen outlet 132. The front side of the cathode plate 200 is provided with a second groove 271, and the second groove 271 at least surrounds the air reaction area 210, the air inlet 231 and the air outlet 232. The back side of the cathode plate 200 is provided with a third groove 272, and the third groove 272 at least surrounds the cooling area 240, the cooling liquid inlet 261 and the cooling liquid outlet 262.

[0076] The anode plate 100 is provided with a first groove 140, in which a sealing gasket can be provided to prevent hydrogen leakage. The cathode plate 200 is provided with a second groove 271 and a third groove 272, in which a sealing gasket can be provided to prevent air and coolant leakage.

[0077] See also Figure 7 As shown, the coolant distribution area 250 is provided with a plurality of guide columns 251 arranged at intervals. The guide columns 251 include cylinders. The cylindrical surface of the guide columns 251 distributes the coolant at the coolant inlet 261 to different cooling channels 241 or gathers the coolant from different cooling channels 241 to the coolant outlet 262.

[0078] A plurality of guide columns 251 are arranged in the coolant distribution area 250, and the area around the guide columns 251 is a coolant channel. The coolant is distributed by the guide columns 251, which can ensure that the coolant is evenly distributed in each cooling channel 241 in the cooling area 240, so that the temperature distribution in the reaction area is uniform, avoiding the generation of local hot spots, and improving the performance and life of the fuel cell stack. The coolant distribution area 250 adopts the guide column 251 design, and the uniformity of the cooling channel 241 can be adjusted by adjusting the diameter of the guide column 251. The model modification is simple, and parameterized optimization is convenient, which can improve the optimization efficiency and save development time.

[0079] See also Figure 7 As shown, the gap between the guide columns 251 in the middle of the coolant distribution area 250 is smaller than the gap between the guide columns 251 on both sides.

[0080] From inside to outside, the gaps between the guide columns 251 decrease, and the coolant is distributed more evenly in the cooling channels 241 of the cooling zone 240 .

[0081] In some embodiments, a plurality of cooling channels 241 are arranged at intervals along the column direction, that is, in a plurality of rows of cooling channels 241: intervals are formed between adjacent cooling channels 241. The coolant inlet 261, the coolant outlet 262, the coolant distribution area 250, and the cooling area 240 are arranged along the row direction. A plurality of guide posts 251 are arranged at intervals along the row direction and the column direction, the spacing between adjacent guide posts 251 in the same row is 2M, the spacing between adjacent guide posts 251 in the same column is 2L, the guide posts 251 in adjacent rows are arranged at an offset of M in the row direction, and the guide posts 251 in adjacent columns are arranged at an offset of L in the column direction. Wherein, L and M may be equal or unequal.

[0082] Multiple guide columns 251 are arranged at intervals along the row and column directions, and the guide columns 251 in adjacent rows and the guide columns 251 in adjacent columns are staggered by a certain distance. This design can make the temperature distribution in the reaction zone uniform, avoid the generation of local hot spots, and improve the performance and life of the fuel cell stack.

[0083] In some embodiments, the guide column 251 includes a cylinder, with the guide column 251 close to the cooling zone 240 and aligned with the coolant inlet 261 or the coolant outlet 262 as the center point, and multiple rings of guide columns 251 arranged around the center point, with the outer diameter gradually decreasing from the inside to the outside.

[0084] As shown in the figure, the outer diameter of the guide column 251 close to the cooling zone 240 and aligned with the coolant inlet 261 or the coolant outlet 262 is D1, the outer diameter of the first ring guide column 251 arranged around the center point is D2, and so on, the outer diameter of the second ring guide column 251 is D3, the outer diameter of the third ring guide column 251 is D4, the outer diameter of the fourth ring guide column 251 is D5, the outer diameter of the fifth ring guide column 251 is D6, the outer diameter of the sixth ring guide column 251 is D7, and the outer diameter of the seventh ring guide column 251 is D8. The outer diameter gradually decreases from the inside to the outside, that is, D1 to D8 decrease in sequence. At the same time, the guide columns 251 are arranged at intervals along the row direction and the column direction, that is, the multi-ring guide column 251 layers are conical around the guide column 251 at the center point.

[0085] In this embodiment, the first ring guide columns 251 to the fourth ring guide columns 251 half surround the guide column 251 at the center point, and the remaining guide columns 251 partially surround the guide column 251 at the center point.

[0086] In addition, L, M, and D1 to D8 can be parameterized through simulation to improve the uniformity of flow distribution.

[0087] The outer diameter of the guide column 251 gradually decreases from the inside to the outside, which can make the temperature distribution of the reaction zone uniform, avoid the generation of local hot spots, and improve the performance and life of the fuel cell stack.

[0088] See also Figure 7 As shown, the coolant distribution area 250 is provided with a supporting boss 252. A plurality of supporting bosses 252 are arranged at intervals along a column direction on a side of the coolant distribution area 250 away from the cooling area 240. The supporting bosses 252 are used to support the sealing gasket.

[0089] The supporting boss 252 can support the sealing gasket to ensure the sealing effect of the sealing gasket.

[0090] See also Figure 7 As shown, the coolant distribution area 250 is provided with a support column 253 , and the support column 253 is located outside the guide column 251 and the support boss 252 .

[0091] The support column 253 is disposed in the blank area of ​​the coolant distribution area 250 , and the support column 253 can play a supporting role, enhance the structural strength of the plate, and prevent the blank area of ​​the coolant distribution area 250 of the plate from being deformed or broken.

[0092] In some embodiments, the support column 253 includes a cylinder, and the outer diameter of the support column 253 is less than or equal to the outer diameter of any one of the guide columns 251 .

[0093] The outer diameter of the support column 253 is smaller than or equal to the outer diameter of any one of the guide columns 251 . This design can prevent the support column 253 from affecting the guide column 251 in guiding the flow.

[0094] In some technical solutions, the cooling channel 241 is designed as a straight channel. The flow distribution of the cooling channel 241 designed as a straight channel and the cooling channel 241 in this embodiment is compared. Figure 8 shown. Figure 8 The horizontal axis is Arbitrary section 1 to Arbitrary section 47, which indicates the number of cooling channel 241, and the vertical axis indicates the mass flow rate. The flow uniformity coefficient is defined as:

[0095]

[0096] Where m i is the mass flow rate of each flow channel, m is the average mass flow rate, and n is the total number of flow channels. The uniformity coefficient of the straight flow channel is 8.73%, and the uniformity coefficient of the cooling flow channel 241 in this embodiment is designed to be 2.03%. The smaller the uniformity coefficient, the better the uniformity. In this embodiment, the flow distribution of the cooling flow channel 241 is more uniform.

[0097] The present application also provides a fuel cell system, the fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, the fuel cell stack includes a polar plate, a first end plate 300, a second end plate 400 and a membrane electrode 500. Fig. 9 As shown, the membrane electrode 500 is disposed between the first end plate 300 and the second end plate 400, the anode plate 100 is disposed between the first end plate 300 and the membrane electrode 500, and the cathode plate 200 is disposed between the membrane electrode 500 and the second end plate 400. The membrane electrode 500 may include a first gas diffusion layer, an anode side catalyst layer, a proton exchange membrane, a cathode side catalyst layer, and a second gas diffusion layer disposed in sequence.

[0098] The front of the anode plate 100 and the front of the cathode plate 200 are arranged opposite to each other, and the anode plate 100, the cathode plate 200 and the membrane electrode 500 therebetween form a group of battery cells. When the fuel cell stack includes multiple groups of battery cells, the cathode plate 200 of the first group of battery cells and the anode plate 100 of the second group of battery cells are bonded. Positioning holes 810 and voltage collection grooves 820 are also provided on the front of the anode plate 100 and the cathode plate 200.

[0099] In addition, the fuel cell stack further includes a first current collecting plate 610, a second current collecting plate 620, a first electrode plate 710, and a second electrode plate 720. The first current collecting plate 610 is disposed between the first end plate 300 and the anode plate 100, and the second current collecting plate 620 is disposed between the second end plate 400 and the cathode plate 200. The first electrode plate 710 is disposed between the first current collecting plate 610 and the anode plate 100, and the first electrode plate 710 reduces the air reaction area 210 and the air distribution area 220 compared with the cathode plate 200. The second electrode plate 720 is disposed between the second current collecting plate 620 and the cathode plate 200, and the second electrode plate 720 reduces the hydrogen reaction area 110 and the hydrogen distribution area 120 compared with the anode plate 100.

[0100] The fuel cell system includes polar plates, which include an anode plate 100 and a cathode plate 200. A hydrogen reaction zone 110 is arranged on the front of the anode plate 100, and the hydrogen reaction zone 110 includes a plurality of hydrogen flow channels 111 arranged at intervals. An air reaction zone 210 is arranged on the front of the cathode plate 200, and the air reaction zone 210 includes a plurality of air flow channels 211 arranged at intervals. A cooling zone 240 is arranged on the back of the cathode plate 200, and the cooling zone 240 includes a plurality of cooling flow channels 241 arranged at intervals. At least one of the hydrogen flow channel 111, the air flow channel 211 and the cooling flow channel 241 includes a plurality of corrugated sections 900, and the corrugated section 900 includes two straight channel segments 910 that are smoothly connected at a certain angle, and the length of the corrugated section 900 gradually decreases along the flow direction of hydrogen, air or coolant. The corrugated section 900 of the hydrogen flow channel 111, the air flow channel 211 or the cooling flow channel 241 is designed to gradually reduce its length along the flow direction, which can gradually increase the flow resistance, the residence time and the contact area of ​​hydrogen, air or coolant along the flow channel direction, improve or eliminate the uneven distribution problem caused by hydrogen and air consumption, improve the consistency of electrochemical reactions at different positions in the reaction zone, and improve the performance and life of the fuel cell stack and the fuel cell system.

[0101] The present application also provides a car, which includes a power system and a fuel cell system, wherein the fuel cell system is connected to the power system to supply power to the power system.

[0102] The automobile includes a fuel cell system, and the consistency of the electrochemical reaction of the fuel cell system is improved, which improves the performance and life of the fuel cell stack and the fuel cell system, and enhances the performance and life of the automobile.

[0103] The terms "first", "second", etc. are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first", "second", etc. may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the feature. In the description of this application, the meaning of "plurality" is two or more, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0104] In this application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "assembly", "connection" and the like 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 mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0105] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "some embodiments", "exemplarily", etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art may combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of the different embodiments or examples, without contradiction.

[0106] Although the embodiments of the present application have been shown and described above, it can be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and cannot be understood as limitations on the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field can change, modify, replace and modify the above embodiments within the scope of the present application. Therefore, any changes or modifications made in accordance with the claims and description of the present application should fall within the scope of the patent of this application.

Claims

1. A plate, characterized in that: include: An anode plate having a front side and a back side opposite to each other, wherein a hydrogen reaction zone is disposed on the front side of the anode plate, and the hydrogen reaction zone comprises a plurality of hydrogen flow channels disposed at intervals; A cathode plate having a front side and a back side opposite to each other, wherein the front side of the cathode plate is arranged opposite to the front side of the anode plate, and an air reaction zone is arranged on the front side of the cathode plate, wherein the air reaction zone includes a plurality of air flow channels arranged at intervals, and a cooling zone is arranged on the back side of the cathode plate, wherein the cooling zone includes a plurality of cooling flow channels arranged at intervals, and at least one of the hydrogen flow channel, the air flow channel and the cooling flow channel includes a plurality of corrugated sections, wherein the corrugated section includes two straight flow channel segments connected at a certain angle, and the length of the corrugated section gradually decreases along the flow direction of hydrogen, air or coolant.

2. The electrode plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hydrogen flow channel, the air flow channel and the cooling flow channel all include a plurality of corrugated sections, and the lengths of the corrugated sections gradually decrease along the flow direction of the hydrogen, air or coolant.

3. The electrode plate according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cross-sectional shape and size of the hydrogen flow channel are the same along the hydrogen flow direction, the cross-sectional shape and size of the air flow channel are the same along the air flow direction, and the cross-sectional shape and size of the cooling flow channel are the same along the coolant flow direction.

4. The electrode plate according to claim 2, characterized in that: The increasing direction of the density of the corrugated section of the air flow channel and the cooling flow channel is opposite to the increasing direction of the density of the corrugated section of the hydrogen flow channel.

5. The electrode plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cathode plate also includes a cooling liquid inlet, a cooling liquid outlet and a cooling liquid distribution area. The cooling liquid inlet and the cooling liquid outlet are respectively arranged at both ends of the cooling area. The cooling liquid inlet and the cooling liquid outlet are both connected to the front and back sides of the cathode plate. Two cooling liquid distribution areas are both arranged on the back side of the cathode plate. One cooling liquid distribution area connects the cooling liquid inlet and the cooling area, and the other cooling liquid distribution area connects the cooling liquid outlet and the cooling area.

6. The electrode plate according to claim 5, characterized in that: The coolant distribution area is provided with a plurality of guide columns arranged at intervals, and the guide columns include cylinders. The cylindrical surfaces of the guide columns distribute the coolant at the coolant inlet to different cooling channels or gather the coolant from different cooling channels to the coolant outlet.

7. The electrode plate according to claim 6, characterized in that: The gap between the guide columns in the middle of the coolant distribution area is smaller than the gap between the guide columns on both sides.

8. The electrode plate according to claim 7, characterized in that: The plurality of cooling channels are arranged at intervals along the column direction, the coolant inlet, the coolant outlet, the coolant distribution area and the cooling area are arranged along the row direction, the plurality of guide posts are arranged at intervals along the row direction and the column direction, the spacing between adjacent guide posts in the same row is 2M, the spacing between adjacent guide posts in the same column is 2L, the guide posts in adjacent rows are arranged at an offset of M in the row direction, and the guide posts in adjacent columns are arranged at an offset of L in the column direction; The guide column comprises a cylinder, with the guide column close to the cooling zone and aligned with the coolant inlet or the coolant outlet as the center point, and multiple rings of the guide column arranged around the center point, the outer diameter of which gradually decreases from the inside to the outside.

9. The electrode plate according to claim 8, characterized in that: The cooling liquid distribution area is provided with a supporting boss, and a plurality of the supporting bosses are arranged at intervals along a column direction on a side of the cooling liquid distribution area away from the cooling area, and the supporting bosses are used to support the sealing gasket.

10. The electrode plate according to claim 9, characterized in that: The coolant distribution area is provided with a support column, and the support column is located in an area outside the guide column and the support boss.

11. The electrode plate according to claim 10, characterized in that: The support column comprises a cylinder, and the outer diameter of the support column is less than or equal to the outer diameter of any one of the guide columns.

12. The electrode plate according to claim 5, characterized in that: The cathode plate further comprises an air inlet, an air outlet and an air distribution area, wherein the air inlet and the air outlet are respectively arranged at two ends of the air reaction area, and the air inlet and the air outlet are both connected to the front and back sides of the cathode plate, and two air distribution areas are both arranged on the front side of the cathode plate, one air distribution area is connected to the air inlet and the air reaction area, and the other air distribution area is connected to the air outlet and the air reaction area, and the air distribution area comprises a plurality of air flow channels, one end of the air flow channel is connected to at least one air flow channel, and the other end of the air flow channel is connected to the air inlet or the air outlet; The anode plate also includes a hydrogen inlet, a hydrogen outlet and a hydrogen distribution area. The hydrogen inlet and the hydrogen outlet are respectively arranged at the two ends of the hydrogen reaction area. The hydrogen inlet and the hydrogen outlet are both connected to the front and back of the anode plate. Two hydrogen distribution areas are both arranged on the front side of the anode plate. One hydrogen distribution area connects the hydrogen inlet and the hydrogen reaction area, and the other hydrogen distribution area connects the hydrogen outlet and the hydrogen reaction area. The hydrogen distribution area includes a plurality of hydrogen branch channels, one end of the hydrogen branch channel is connected to at least one hydrogen flow channel, and the other end of the hydrogen branch channel is connected to the hydrogen inlet or the hydrogen outlet.

13. The electrode plate according to claim 12, characterized in that: The front side of the anode plate is provided with a first groove, and the first groove at least surrounds the hydrogen reaction area, the hydrogen inlet and the hydrogen outlet; A second groove is provided on the front side of the cathode plate, and the second groove at least surrounds the air reaction area, the air inlet and the air outlet; A third groove is arranged on the back side of the cathode plate, and the third groove at least surrounds the cooling area, the cooling liquid inlet and the cooling liquid outlet.

14. A fuel cell system, characterized in that: It includes a fuel cell stack, which includes the electrode plate as described in any one of claims 1 to 13, a first end plate, a second end plate and a membrane electrode, the membrane electrode is arranged between the first end plate and the second end plate, the anode plate is arranged between the first end plate and the membrane electrode, and the cathode plate is arranged between the membrane electrode and the second end plate.

15. A car, characterized in that: include: Powertrain; The fuel cell system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the fuel cell system is connected to the power system.